Christmas in Winter Wonderland

Here are some pictures of my kids from Christmas. They were in Quesnel for Christmas with their Dad. They will be coming home this weekend. I miss them!




Sean and I decided at last min. to go to Maple Ridge/Nanaimo to see family over the Christmas holidays. We didn't want to sit home alone for 6 days because my kids went to see their Dad this year for Christmas. We left after work on Dec 23rd and arrived shortly after 11:30 PM to my friend's home in Maple Ridge. I didn't tell my sister that we left that day, so I phoned her in the morning and she tells me DON'T come...the roads are bad...it snowed 19cm...Uncle Dick is going to have to stay for Christmas because he can't get the rental car to the ferry(it doesn't have snow tires)....yikes. She asked me where I was and I told her I slept in and changed the subject. I told her don't worry about us and we have studded tires and 4X4. So on Dec 24th, around 9:30am we head over to my sister's house to surprise her. By this point Uncle Dick has decided that he is staying for Christmas. Now my sister has to tell him that we are coming and the surprise is ruined. We drive up and Uncle Dick is sticking out his thumb hitching a ride to return the rental car. We had a very nice turkey dinner Christmas Eve at my sister's. Christmas morning, we opened gifts with my sister and her family. My mom knows I am coming for Christmas dinner, but to keep the surprise, she phones me at my sister's and I chat up with my Dad. He's asking me questions about the snow and temperature and I am just guessing at the answers since we haven't been home for 2 days. At lunch time we left to catch the 3pm ferry to Nanaimo (I had a reservation). We arrived just in time for dinner at my parents house in Nanaimo. My grandma was there and she was very surprised. Boxing day we went to see Sean's family in Courtenay. There was lots of snow all over. My sister showed up early on Sunday at my parents' house with her 2 boys. It was great to be all together for Christmas (except my kids). Then, Monday morning came and Sean and I had to head back to WL. We caught the 8:30am ferry and drove straight home. THere were 6 cars in the ditch between Hope and Cache Creek. Then, from Clinton to WL the drive was a nightmare. Blowing snow and poor visability...we made it home around 6pm. I was glad to be home. The tree was looking pretty dry, so I made Sean take it down. Christmas was over anyways. Lots of snow here while we were away. It looks like Winter Wonderland!

Do you believe?

BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid.
I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big
sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus, " she jeered. "Even
dummies know that! "

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that
day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma
always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a
whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous "
cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said
so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told
her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus? " she snorted....
"Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for
years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and
let's go. "

"Go? Go where, Grandma? “I asked. I hadn't even finished my second
world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where " turned out to be Kerby's
General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about
everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten
dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money,” she said, "and buy
something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car. "
Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but
never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big
and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas
shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching
that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it!
for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors,
the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about
thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid
with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in
Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went
out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling
the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby
Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the
ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a
coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real
warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter
asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am, " I replied shyly.
"It's for Bobby. "

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed
a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag,
smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of
the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and
ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus " on it.
Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me
over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was
now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I
crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma
gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, "get going. "
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down
on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes
and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to
open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.
Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering,
beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized
that those awful rumours about Santa Claus were just what Grandma
said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were
on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.
May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS
that care...And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

Crystal makes the front page of the 100 Mile Paper

This morning I'm recycling the papers at work and I come across the 100 Mile Connector from last week. I look at the picture of the girl on the front page and I think to myself that that looks a lot like like my niece, Crystal. To my surprise it was. She is living in a foster home in 100 Mile. She is so cute. I went to see her on Saturday and had a good visit. We enjoyed eating cookies together. She gave me a bag of candy to take home. She opened her gift from us, a Tinkerbell Doll. We put the other gifts under the tree for Christmas morning. We are hoping to visit her again after Christmas.

Cute Wine Cozies

Mac TV commercials animated for Christmas

you can find the commercials on you-tube or right on apple's website.

It's Cold out there

Saturday was our annual Food and Toy Drive at my work. I almost didn't make it on time to volunteer because the Jimmy was frozen shut. I did manage to arrive right at the beginning and stayed to the end. Despite the cold weather, there was a good turn out. We ended up with 4 truck loads of food and toys for The Salvation Army. It was also nice to see so many donations come in since the economy is so bad. Especially because we are a forestry and mining town.

Saturday was my staff party. We had a nice meal and danced to a live band called One Foot Under. We left early because we didn't want the truck to freeze up. I was fine with that because...I am getting old and don't like to be out late anymore.

Sunday was still cold out there. I decided to make a huge ham for dinner and invited my friend Judy and her husband Rick over for dinner. This was an early Christmas dinner for my kids because they are not going to be home for Christmas. We let the kids open their gifts from our family. They were very happy. Sean and I decided we would wait to open our gifts until Christmas Day. Dinner turned out great. It was nice to have friends over. It doesn't happen that often because of our busy schedules. Rick & Judy will be going to Maple Ridge for Christmas, so this was our last chance to have them over before they leave. I'm going to send a package with them and Judy has agreed to deliver it to my sister. Turns out her son lives only a few blocks away from my sister.

I woke up early this morning so that I could make sure the Jimmy was going to start. Which, it did. I made sure the kids had all their snow gear. I am stressing to my kids that they have to wear snow pants even though they think they are too cool to wear them. It was -30º C when I left the house. I was surprised that the school buses were running. Usually when it's cold like that they don't run. I had an appointment to get the studded tire put on the Jimmy, so I dropped it off at the tire shop and walked 2 long cold blocks to work. I'm not looking forward to the walk back at lunch time. I was all bundled up with my toque, scarf, gloves and snow pants. It's cold out there. I get to the office and it's cold inside. The water heat cannot keep up with the cold. Luckily I have a small space heater in my office. 3 hours later it's starting to warmup in my office. I looked on the weather network and it looks like it's going to be cold all week. Brrr...it's cold out there!

Christmas is the season for forgiving

I recently attended The Anglican Church with my parents. I hadn't been there for years since my hubby and I go to a different church. The one thing that touched me that day was The Lord's Prayer. I've heard it, said it and sung it so many times when I was growing up. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us. I think of many families that are feuding and how the holidays can be difficult for people in those situations. I know a lady my age that hasn't spoke with her mother in years because of they disagreed about how she should raise her son. Then I think of those who will not have their family around this Christmas because of a death or tragedy during the year. It will be very difficult for those families as well. I know when my Aunt passed Dec. 17,2001. Christmas was very difficult. I hang a homemade ornament on my tree every year. It has a dove on one side and a picture of my aunt on the other side. I think of my friend Robin and her family, which includes my sister. I wonder how they will cope with their fist Christmas without their mom. I think of our own struggles we have with our friends and families. I have to forgive and move on. So, Christmas seems like a good time to try and patch things up. It's amazing how wonderful you'll feel. We are going to really try hard to to remember The Lord's Prayer and ask God to forgive us of our sins and those who sin against us. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and saviour. It's about the love we share and spending time with family. It means a whole lot more than we can ever know. So, if you have hard feelings towards your family or friends, try to make amends this Christmas Season.

What is happening to our Small Town?

Robberies, molitive cocktail fires, vandalism, you name it...it's happening here in WL. The store that was robbed this morning is 5 min. away from my house. A store that I would stop off at on the way home from work. I used to ride my bike to that store when I was a kid.
Now I'll think twice about going there. My kids will not be allowed to go there on their own. How sad):

BREAKING NEWS: Armed robbery at convenience store
Published: December 10, 2008 9:00 AM



The Kat-Ali convenience store was robbed by two males at about 8 a.m.

An employee working alone, Penny Veitch, said two native males came into the store and demanded money. Both were carrying pepper or bear spray. Veitch handed over an undisclosed amount of money, and the suspects left the store, heading across Mackenzie Avenue toward the Glendale neighbourhood.

Veitch was not injured.

Williams Lake RCMP responded with a number of members and a police dog.

This is the eighth robbery or attempted robbery reported in the city since last Wednesday.

.

Having Fun Elf-ing Ourselves

our dance can be found online http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/dYh1SDrhuX4JD8bgsGeg

The Weekend was a blur...

Wow the weekend came and went so fast. I got about 1/3 of my Christmas baking done. It takes much longer when I have to do it myself. The kids did help out a bit, but I'm used to my mom helping out. I wonder if she is doing Christmas baking at their new home. My son misses doing the advent calendar and asked if Grandma had left it for us. There was no treat in it, just a felt tree and you would get to take a homemade ornament out of the date pocket and stick it to the tree. It was something my kids got to enjoy while visiting their grandparents. I'm sure this will be one of many things they will miss. We had a great time at Sean's Staff Christmas Party. They held it at Vern's Place Pool Hall. The food was amazing and we had a great time playing pool. My pool partner this year was Bill and we rocked. We made it to the final match against Daryle (Sean's boss) and his wife, but lost because Bill scratched on the 8 ball. It was fun, but we didn't get home until 1am! And since we came in 2nd place, the boss' wife gave us 1st place prize. I won a $25 gift certificate from Canadian Tire. We were spoiled at the party. Sean got a new heavy vest with the Windsor Logo on it and I received a nice white hoody. We also did a gift exchange and both Sean & I received a bottle of wine and 2 wine glasses each. So, I think we are all set for Christmas dinner. All though we won't be drinking both bottles of wine; we'll save one for New Years(: Sunday we picked out our Christmas tree and set it up to dry out. I am hoping to get it decorated tonight. Kels had a b-day party and we had to pick her up at 8pm last night. So, pretty much we were on the go all weekend. Tonight I am attempting to make chocolate covered cherries. I've had the cherries soaking in brandy since Saturday, so they should be good and yummy. I have set aside 1 jar of cherries not brandy soaked to make chocolates out of,so the kids can enjoy them too.

Friday..the day from hell!

I woke up Friday morning to 8 inches of snow, but I didn't sweat it because I knew I'd be driving the Jimmy and it's a 4 wheel drive. What a treat it was not having to shovel the driveway at 6am just so I can get my car out and go to work. Work was extremely slow because of the bad weather. Then the rain came and made all the pretty snow into ugly mucky slush. I had an appointment and had to go out in the rain Friday morning. Good thing I had my winter boots on or my feet would've been soaked. At the end of my work day, I had a hair cut appointment. It was the last thing I wanted to do because I knew the rain would be freezing soon and the drive home would be a nightmare. I went anyways because I wanted to have my hair done for Sean's staff party Sat. night. I'm leaving work a few min. early when my boss wants to talk to me about some employees. Since I'm the office manager, I had to deal with that, but I did tell him I had an appointment so make it quick. Which he did and all is well. I get in the Jimmy and head to my appointment. No parking is to be found, so I have to park at Safeway and walk in the puddles of slush to the salon. While walking my cell phone rings. It's Sean and he tells me that Mike missed the bus. So, I tell him to call Kel' friends house because that is where he would be. The kids had made a plan to take the bus to WL High School together and Mike would take the bus home and Kels would go to Aki's. I get to my appointment 10 min. late, but she's behind a bit so I call Sean at work, he's left to go get Mike. He's not answering his cell phone. I don't know for sure where my son is, but I was confident that Kels wouldn't leave him at WL. So, I phone Kels and she doesn't answer her cell phone, battery was dead): I even texted her. So I called her at her friend's house and found out for sure that Mike was there. I'm relieved, but I still can't get a hold of Sean. So, I leave him a voice mail. He calls me back saying he can't find Mike, he's not at his school. I ask him if he called Aki's house and he hadn't because who ever answered the phone at my work and called Sean at his work told him that Mike missed the bus and assumed that he was at his school. What a mess. So Sean is already down town, so I told him to bring Mike back to his work for the last 1/2 hr. Mike doesn't know Sean is picking him up and is enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with the girls and is not ready when Sean arrives, thus making Sean frustrated because he has to get back to work. To top things off, the girls didn't get to go to The Stellar Kart Concert because of thte snow, their plane couldn't land and they had to cancel the concert. That was supposed to be Aki's birthday gift from Kels. Now we have to figure something else out. By the time I got home from my hair appointment and got dinner cooked, it was 8pm. Anyone who knows me well, and partially because I am borderline diabetic, if I don't eat I get really cranky and down right miserable. Luckily I had made a turkey pot pie and froze it for such an occasion. It was delicious. So, Friday was a day from hell for me, but I survived.
Now that it's Saturday, I've decided to do some baking this morning ,then I'm going to town to have lunch with my friend. Sean's staff party is at Vern's Pool Hall tonight. I'm sure we are going to have a good time and the food is always awesome(:Tomorrow we are putting up the tree and finishing our Christmas shopping after church!
This is my new hair style. What do you think of it? It's very short, but suits my face and new glasses(:

You say, he says

HANDY LITTLE CHART - GOD HAS A POSITIVE ANSWER:  

 
YOU SAY  
GOD SAYS  
BIBLE VERSES  
You say:  'It's impossible'  
God says:   All things are possible  
(Luke 18:27)  
You say:  'I'm too tired'  
God says:  I will give you rest  
(Matthew 11:28-30)  
You say:  'Nobody really loves me'  
God says:  I love you  
(John 3:1   6 & John 3:34 )  
You say:  'I can't go on'  
God says:  My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)  
You say:  'I can't figure things out'  
God says:  I will direct your steps  
(Proverbs 3:5-   6)  
You say:  'I can't do it'  
God says:  You can do all things  
(Philippians 4:13)  
You say:  'I'm not able'  
God says:  I am able  
(II Corinthians 9:8)  
You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says:  It will be worth it  
(Roman 8:28 )  
You say:  'I can't forgive myself'  
God says:  I Forgive you  
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)  
You say:  'I can't manage'  
God says:  I will supply all your needs  
(Philippians 4:19)  
You say:  'I'm afraid'  
God says:  I have not given you a spirit of fear  
(II Timothy 1:7)  
You say:  'I'm always worried and frustrated'  
God says:  Cast all your cares on ME  
(I Peter 5:7)  
You say:  'I'm not smart enough'  
God says:  I give you wisdom  
(I Corinthians 1:30)  
You say:  'I feel all alone'  
God says:  I will never leave you or forsake you  
(Hebrews 13:5)  

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Today is Dec. 1st and my children do not have an advent calendar. This is the first year in their entire lives that there was no chocolate to count down to Christmas. I have several reasons for this. 1) I didn't get my Christmas decorations out of the basement yet because I've been so busy 2) Christmas isn't about candies and chocolates 3) I really don't want to count down to Christmas because my kids are going to their Dad's and my parents moved and won't be back for Christmas.
I'm sure I'll break down later in the week and get my decorations up. The reason it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas is because I have done the majority of my Christmas shopping already. I've wrapped them and placed on the mantle of the fireplace since the tree is not up yet. Oh, did I tell you it's snowing? That always get me into the spirit of Christmas. We also watched Christmas with the Kranks on TV yesterday. We are hoping to get our tree this weekend, so the kids can decorate it. I'm sure I'll have another busy weekend because I must get my baking done. It's hard to get motivated with out having my mom to bake with. I'll have to talk the kids into helping, because they sure enjoy chowing down on the treats. The next 2 weekends are taken up with staff Christmas parties. We went grocery shopping and bought a turkey. Sean still wants Christmas dinner with all the fixings minus brussel sprouts because my dad's not here, for Christmas Dinner. Sounds like a lot of work for just him and I. Perhaps I'll freeze the leftovers. We bought a butter basted turkey from the Superstore. It better taste as good as Gaylon Westing says on his comercial!

Still no snow

Yes I am doing the happy dance because we still have no snow. The weather here has been incredible! The sun is shinning and it's a gorgeous day. Last year by this time it was snowy and icy and I remember a day that my car wouldn't make it up the hill. I remember sliding down the hill, not able to stop and almost landing in the ditch. I remember getting out of the car to walk up the hill that cold November day. I remember slipping on the ice and falling down the hill. I remember I stopped sliding when I was under the car. I remember how thankful I was to have my cell phone on me. I remember calling Sean at work and he left early to come rescue me. I remember the pain I was in from the fall for many days after that. I remember why winter isn't my favorite season, or at least the snow part of it and the cold weather. So, yes I am very happy we still have no snow. Perhaps next year at this time I'll be living in a warmer climate or wishing I was in a warmer climate. You know those places that when it snows, the kids get to have a snow day and they don't have to go to school. Our schools here only have "too cold" days and usually it has to be close to -40 before they declare that! I wonder what this season will bring for us all.

Firebug Vandals hit Lakecity

Williams Lake Boys and Girls Club executive director Monica Johnson and youth services worker Troy Forcier survey the damage to the organization’s bus Monday morning. The bus was completely destroyed by arsonists
By Erin Hitchcock - Williams Lake Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008 8:00 AM
City fire department called to five different fires Sunday night and early Monday morning

Kids at the Boys and Girls Club have lost their bus after it was completely destroyed in a fire believed to have been caused by arsonists.

A string of suspicious fires kept the Williams Lake Fire Department busy Sunday night and early Monday morning when they attended five separate fires, most of which involved molotov cocktails.

Williams Lake Fire Department chief Randy Isfeld says the first suspicious fire began at 5:26 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 on the hill by Barnard Street and Seventh Avenue.

“That one didn’t go very far. A passerby, in fact, stamped it out,” Isfeld says, adding that a beer bottle with a wick, a molotov cocktail, was found at the scene.

“We’ve had a series of fires that are suspicious, to say the least.”

Just after midnight, a witness reported that he saw what he thought was a fire flash up between two vehicles in the 400 block of Mackenzie Avenue South.

“That was also a beer bottle, a molotov cocktail thrown between two trucks,” he says. “No damage done there at all, just the molotov cocktail itself.”

Then at 2:33 a.m., the fire department was called to the Boys and Girls Club where its van, which was parked in a secured and gated back parking lot, was on fire.

“That is suspicious as well,” he says, adding that unlike the other fires, a jerry can, instead of a beer bottle, was found nearby.

While the fire department was extinguishing that fire, it received another call at 2:56 a.m. that there was a grass fire on a small hillside by Town Taxi on MacKenzie Avenue.

While still attending the fire at the Boys and Girls Club, the department received another call, at about 3:47 a.m. In that incident, someone had used a molotov cocktail at the Cariboo Memorial Complex parking lot entrance off of Proctor Street.

“Somebody had busted a beer bottle there with what appeared to be gasoline or something in it,” Isfeld said, adding that it’s still unknown what type of material was used in the molotov cocktails.

No suspect has yet been caught and police are still investigating, Isfeld says.

“One can assume that they may be related,” he says, adding that aside from the burned bus at the Boys and Girls Club, little property sustained fire damage in the other incidents.

The Boys and Girls Club bus still sat in the back lot, torched, Monday afternoon.

Monica Johnson, the executive director for the Boys and Girls Club, says watching the bus burn while the Williams Lake Fire Department extinguished the flames was disheartening.

“We’re just really happy no one was hurt,” Johnson says, adding that the 139 Children’s Charity donated the bus to the Boys and Girls Club last March.

She believes the arsonists used fuel to set the bus on fire, as a jerry can was found at the scene.

Troy Forcier, youth services worker for the Boys and Girls Club, says he received a call at about 3 a.m. that the bus was on fire.

“It was one of five arsons from last night,” he says.

“We have no idea who could have done it or anything like that. It’s completely destroyed. We can’t even tow it. It has no tires. They’re just melted.”

He says while insurance will cover the damage, the bus will be hard to replace.

“I know some of the kids are going to be devastated because they loved that bus,” he says, adding that the bus used to be able to transport about 20 kids and made the club’s biking program much better this year.

“We hadn’t had a bus before, so we were able to do some of the trails that were further out,” he says. “We did trips to Barkerville and Farwell Canyon.”

Fortunately, there are few trips to be made at this time of year, but there are plans to take the kids to the ski hills later this year.

“I’m just glad it didn’t burn our building,” he says.

“It still sucks because we spent $3,000 last week on the engine, and $1,000 a couple weeks before that.”

The van was parked in the far corner of the secured lot, where it’s normally kept in case someone ever tried to set it on fire.

“We thought, ‘Well, if anybody ever torches it, at least it will be away from the building,’” he says. “I didn’t think that would ever materialize.”

In addition to Town Taxi’s hillside being set on fire, one of the company’s taxis was also damaged. Its windshield was hit with what is believed to have been a beer bottle, says Mona Nieber, co-owner of Town Taxi.

“They burned our banks and they hit one of our taxis,” she says. “They burned all the grass and stuff. It’s a fair good chunk of the property. It’s all burnt.”

She says the building and the cars weren’t set on fire, but the one car sustained minor damage from being hit with the bottle.

“It hit the windshield and it hit another part of it too, but it’s just minor. Nobody was hurt.”

Judy's back!

It was nice to see Judy today. She went to New York with her daughter on a little holiday. It sounds like it was an awesome trip. I'm hoping to go for coffee with her and see pictures and catch up. I sure missed her when she was gone. She is so sweet. She brought me back a souvenir. It's a zipper pull. One side says New York and the other side says Sandra (because they didn't have Sandi). I am thankful for her thoughtfulness and the gift(:

I'm still here and what a week.

I've been trying to post regularily, but I blew it this week. I can say I've been busy, but what have I done? I've just been thinking about life and family and friends and missing you all. It felt like my parents were on holidays for the past 12 days. Reality has set in, darn it they moved and I miss them! I didn't realize how lucky we were to have my parents so close by. I guess I'm thinking more about it because this will be the first time I can remember not being with my mom on her birthday. So, when I'm sad....I go shopping. Not always a good idea when one has spent so much money on vehicle repairs!

So this is what I bought...new glasses. They are Italian made by Emporio Armani. So far everyone seems to like them. They are a big change from the style I used to wear. But I felt a change was needed after having the same glasses for the past 10 years!

I stayed home today with the kids. Kels and I crimped our hair. Now I remember why I don't do crimp. My hair looked like a giant puff ball when I was done. So we straightened it. I think I'll leave my crimping days back to the 80's.It does bring back some memories of when I was in high school. Missy Tammy and I and a very expensive hotel in Vancouver we stayed at for our grade 10 trip. It was fun though. Then we watched a movie and had popcorn. Poor Mike didn't get any popcorn because of his braces.

The dryer went on the fritz this week, so laundry has been a challenge. I've got clothes drying all over the house. Luckily the part we need will be in on Monday. It was not very expensive at all to fix. Thank goodness, because we've had enough money forked out on repairs in the last month to last us....well a very long time. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! Miss you all!

Lots of unpacking to do....

My sister brought the car back to my parents in Nanaimo yesterday. They didn't miss it because they had soooo much unpacking to do. If they needed to go to the store, it's only a 5min. walk from their house to the Mall. Pretty cool!

Goodbye to our childhood home....

We moved into this mobile home when I was only 4yrs old. There are a lot of memories of my childhood home. My parents lived there for 32 years. Mom did a really good job cleaning it up. I think it looks great. I'm not saying goodbye to the place quite yet though because I will be checking on it until it sells. Hopefully it sells soon.

The last night

We had a nice dinner at my house for my parents' last night in Williams Lake. I made my mom an early birthday cake and gave her the gift we bought her. They are now on their way to Maple Ridge to drop off the car and then are heading to Nanaimo. There were lots of tears this morning after they left and a few hidden tears when we were hugging goodbye. It's going to really strange not having them around and we are going to miss them. We hope to one day move, but it'll have to wait until the economy here is better. I'm going to post some pictures of the move and the empty house when my mom sends them to me from my sister's computer.

A new site I stumbled across

I was intrigued when I read of a blog out there called typing with one hand.
I was curious to read Peter's blog because my mom is one handed.
If you have time, go read it. I enjoyed reading it and will probably read it on a regular basis.
http://www.typingwithonehand.blogspot.com/

A fairy Tale

Once upon a time there lived a king.
The king had a beautiful daughter,


The PRINCESS.


But there was a problem. Everything the princess touched would melt.


No matter what;



Metal,



Wood,



Stone,



Anything she touched would melt.



Because of this, men were afraid of her. Nobody would dare marry her.


The king despaired. What could he do to help his daughter?



He consulted his wizards and magicians. One wizard told the king,


"If your daughter touches one thing that does not melt in her hands, she will be cured."




The king was overjoyed and came up with a plan.








The next day, he held a competition. Any man that could bring his daughter an object that would not melt would marry her and inherit the king's wealth.

THREE YOUNG PRINCES TOOK UP THE CHALLENGE.

The first brought a sword of the finest steel.





But alas, when the princess touched it, it melted.


The prince went away sadly.




The second prince brought diamonds.






He thought diamonds are the hardest substance in the world and would not melt.
But alas,
Once the princess touched them, they melted.


He too was sent away disappointed.

:-[


The third prince approached. He told the princess,
"Put your hand in my pocket and feel what is in there."

The princess did as she was told, though she turned red.





She felt something hard. She held it in her hand.


And it did not melt!!!



The king was overjoyed. Everybody in the kingdom was overjoyed.


And the third prince married the princess and they both lived happily ever after.





Question: What was in the prince's pants?
(Scroll down for the answer)








M&M's of course. They melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
What were you thinking??

Lots going on between the move and snow

We are experiencing some early winter conditions in the puddle. My dad is freaking out because they are moving to Nanaimo next week and was hoping to have moved before the snow flies. Both our winter vehicles are in the shop, so that makes driving in the snow challenging. So far my car is doing OK. Hopefully we get the 4X4's back soon because it looks like the snow is going to stay. I always loved the first snow fall of the season, but this year I am having mixed emotions about it. Probably because it came too early and winter will seem extra long this year.
I am having a hard time keeping focused these days. Probably because I am sad my parents are moving. It's going to hard for my kids too. It will be weird not going to their place for coffee. I am sure we will miss going to our childhood home. So many memories....

The Girls all Jacked out..or Sally & Scary Teddy

Our pumpkins are carved(:

A cute Fairy Tale

Hope you laugh and have a good day(:








Subject: Fairy Tale-Cute






Shrek, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were all having lunch together.
Shrek said, 'I have always thought that I'm the strongest man in the
world, but how can I be sure?'

Angelina Jolie agreed. 'I'm told I'm the most gorgeous of them all, but
sometimes I wonder.'

Brad Pitt said, 'I'm pretty sure I'm the sexiest man alive but I've
never had it confirmed.'

They all decided that the best way to find out if their beliefs were
true was to ask the famed talking 'mirror, mirror on the wall' to
confirm for them whether Shrek was the strongest, Angelina Jolie was the
most gorgeous and Brad Pitt was the sexiest. They agreed to meet again
The next day for lunch to discuss their findings.

The next day Shrek walked up with a smile. 'Well, true. The
mirror told
me that I am the strongest man in the world.'

Brad Pitt perked up and said: 'And I know for sure that I'm the sexiest
man alive.'

But Angelina Jolie lifted her sad, gorgeous face and
said...



















Who the hell is Sandi Jessee ?????? ha ha ha




..........NOW (copy this to your email and change the name..... then send it to your friends....)

Mooning

We all know those cute little computer symbols called 'emoticons,' where:

:) means a smile and :( is a frown.

Sometimes these are represented by

:-)

:-(

Well, how about some 'ASSICONS?'
Here goes:


(_!_) a regular ass


(__!__) a fat ass


(!) a tight ass


(_*_) a sore ass


{_!_} a swishy ass


(_o_) an ass that's been around

(_x_) kiss my ass


(_X_) leave my ass alone


(_zzz_) a tired ass


(_E=mc2_) a smart ass


(_$_) Money coming out of his ass


(_?_) Dumb Ass

You have just been e-mooned! Copy this and email it

to 5 people within the next hour and you will be blessed with people laughing at your e-mail.

This is NOT a chain letter, so if you don't mail it out, you won't have bad luck.
(But who wouldn't want to e-Moon a friend?)

Happy Halloween

Another Beautiful Nanaimo Home $275,000

DEPARTURE BAY RANCHER. It's a steal of a deal! Renovated and updated beautiful 1400 sqft 3 bedroom spacious home on large 65x150 level lot w/wide front drive parking pad for your car & extra room for your RV or a boat. Open plan concept living. Vaulted ceilings & light flooding in through many windows makes inside bright & airy. Large 18x12 modern kitchen w/newer oak cabinets & stainless steel appliances. Walk-in closets, large 20x9 family room, enclosed attached garage and more...will make living here comfortable. Huge fully fenced private back yard w/shop/office trailer & fruit trees, ready for you to explore your new summer ideas in gardening, ect... or just lazy living. Great location! Walking distance to Country Club Centre, Departure Bay Beach, all levels of schools & famous Nanaimo Golf Course. V ery short drive to Departure Bay Ferry Terminal, downtown, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital & Vancouver Island University. The price is right, no mistake. Very quick possession!

What can you do with your broken down Microwave?

This is an actual picture my mom took today while doing her paper route today. Too funny! She put the paper in the microwave because there wasn't a real maibox! LOL!

Happy Halloween...funny pics

I'm going to see The Magic of Ireland

The Journey
It was ten years ago when the idea behind The Magic of Ireland first came into being. This was an exciting time for Irish culture as Irish dance productions were seeing unparalleled budgets and were playing previously unimagined locations. At this time, Peter Jacobs was busy promoting one of the most successful Irish dance shows of all time - Gael Force. He was not surprised by the audience's overwhelming response to the production for he was familiar with the appeal of Irish music, having promoted the infamous Daniel O'Donnell for years already. Yet, his intuition told him that these large-scale productions lacked something that would endure past the initial craze. He felt that the very thing that was attracting audiences was being glazed over in order to meet the requirements of larger venues and higher ticket prices. To his mind, these shows were ignoring the most important elements of Irish dance and music cherished by audiences worldwide. In fact, the haunting sound of the pipes, the energizing sound of the taps, the deep rhythms of the bodhrán and the shrill cry of the fiddle – the best of the Irish experience - were unfortunately being over-produced, and pre-recorded. Thus, began the germination of an idea to create a fresh and authentic show – eventually to become The Magic of Ireland.

In years to come, Jacobs would continue to promote other acts as he refined his concept of offering an authentic and all-live Irish dance show. In 2001, Jacobs decided to step into the role of producer and began hiring dancers and musicians for his own Irish production. Despite a series of false starts, Jacobs persevered and finally fell upon two people who were to become instrumental to creating The Magic of Ireland – musical director October Browne, and Dance Director Catherine Couperus. Both women shared Jacobs' vision of creating an intimate production that would showcase the best of Irish culture in an atmosphere that suited the energy and spirit of the tradition.

A multitalented musician, Browne had performed for years both in North America and across the water where she was born. Her extensive repertoire was put to good use as she developed intricate musical arrangements for the production. She quickly found the best musicians from around the globe and put together a band that was up to the challenge of performing a broad range of Celtic tempos and styles, all absolutely live. The result is an exciting and widely acclaimed group of four musicians – on 11 instruments, and featuring the fiddle player from the movie The Titanic - who continue to impress and keep audiences clapping night after night.

Catherine Couperus was originally hired as a lead dancer in the production but Jacobs soon discovered that her vision and talents extended much further. A Champion Irish dancer, Couperus was also an experienced performer having danced for renowned acts such as The Chieftains and having toured extensively in the past. Her experience had also taught her that audiences deserved a show that demonstrated a high standard of dance while at the same time respecting the traditions that had inspired audiences for centuries. As Dance Director, Couperus' goal was to find dancers with the ability to convey, from the stage, their enthusiasm and love for Irish dance. An exhaustive search resulted in a cast of 10 award-winning, champion dancers from around the world. Since the show began, these dancers have been instrumental in developing an intimacy with the audience and creating an atmosphere similar to a genuine Irish Ceili. The dancers' enthusiasm, energy and precision on stage have been highly acclaimed both by audiences and reviewers.

The most exciting thing that The Magic of Ireland offers is its sense of spontaneity. It is a true group effort and all the members of the troupe collaborate together both on and off the stage. The beauty of the show is that it is impossible to guess exactly what the evening has in store; perhaps an unexpected seisiún amongst the musicians, or a dancer might suddenly be motivated to jump up on stage unannounced. Always evolving, The Magic of Ireland reflects the spirit of Irish tradition and has brought into being what began as a simple idea. It is exactly what an Irish dance show is meant to be – authentic, live, and a sheer delight.

The Nightmare Before Christmas-Borgy Style(:

My kids wanted to dress up like Sally and Oggie Boogie from the Nightmare Before Christmas Movie. It's amazing what you can find on ebay! They are both very excited about their costumes. They just dress up for school. I'm hoping to have a bon fire party the weekend before halloween. So that will kinda be a halloween party for the kids. They don't go out trick-or-treating anymore, too old!