Saskatchewan LOOK OUT...the girls are coming!

We are heading to Saskatchewan this weekend. My cousin makes many trips out to Alberta so I thought it was time for us to make the trip out there. We are down to to just over a week before Adam gets home (FOR A MONTH) so this will help keep us busy and our waiting minds elsewhere. Other than killing time fun will be had by all. Anyway I hate leaving, and therefore coming home, to a messy house. Our next couple of days involve a good cleaning up.

This morning rather than jump on my bike, which in retrospect I had lots of time as the girls are still sleeping, I cleaned both bathrooms. I swept and bleached the back entrance (where the animals eat and sleep). I have to clean up my laundry room and put away laundry and my list is done. I may tackle one more thing before the end of the day just to get a jump on tomorrow.

I told the girls we could make cookies today so that will take a big chunk of time.

I am really getting panicked. I want to send out Christmas cards again this year, which still have to be made. I also have to take pictures of the girls to include in the card. I really need a day in the city by myself to get some Christmas shopping done. I have started so I don't have a lot to do but it would be nice to finish in one trip. Maybe I can accomplish this once Adam is home.

Anyway I will try and get back today and post some pictures.

First Dance....

I saw this on Ellen and just about died laughing. It actually reminded me of a cousin of mine....would be the sort of stunt she would pull but her husband is not quite the performer she is.

Hairspray

If you liked the movie GREASE, watch HAIRSPRY!!! I just LOVED LOVED LOVED it. I watched this show alone, as I know Adam would have not sat throug it, and I just loved it. It just made me want to dance and for those of you that don't know...I am a dancing queen at heart!

Flash Fun for Mom/Bath Fun for the Girls

Prairie Sunset

Sunrise!

I woke up this morning to ride my bike and saw a beautiful pink sky. I posponed the ride for 5 mintues while I grabbed my camera for a couple of pictures. I hope you like.

Daylan = Trojans Football MVP!

WIth my parents being in the Dominican I was asked to attend Daylans' year end football banquet. I will be honest and say that it wasn't the most enjoyable evening. I sat by myself at a table of strangers. I did win a couple of silent auction items and I did take part in the live auction but the item I was bidding on went above the price I was willing to spend. There was an East Indian family at my table and the mother was in a bidding war for two football players that were being auctioned off for a days work. She ended up winning at a price of $610. It was really funny but all the money raised goes right back into the team so she was supporting her son in high school who is on the team. The evening was totally worth it to see Daylan receive his senior football ring and to recieve the Most Valuable Player award. The head coach said the following lovely things about Daylan which made me beam with pride:

1) A coach wishes he would have 20 more players like him on the field!
2) He is someone you would be proud to call your own son!!!!!!!
3) He is easy to coach. He listens and learns without much effort.

It was a very PROUD moment. As a former athlete I know what it is like to recieve recognition. To know that someone sees your passion for a sport as much as you feel that passion. And if I know anything about Daylan....he is VERY passionate about football. I hope that if he doesn't play the sport again that stays involved by coaching.

I also have pictures from the night but I will have to upload later as I am still on the laptop. Some of the pictures didn't turn out great because the lighting was terrible BUT I did manage to get a couple of good shots so I hope the good ones outweigh the bad.

Wind Warning!!!

Wind warning for: Leduc-Camrose-Wetaskiwin-Tofield
Issued at 8:29 AM MST TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2007
STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 60 GUSTING TO 90 KM/H HAVE DEVELOPED.
AN INTENSE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVED EASTWARD THROUGH CENTRAL ALBERTA OVERNIGHT. IN THE WAKE OF THE SYSTEM GUSTY WESTERLY WINDS HAVE DEVELOPED AND WINDS OF 60 GUSTING TO 90 KM/H ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE WARNING REGIONS UNTIL MID AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION TO THE STRONG WINDS SNOW IS FALLING THROUGH PARTS OF CENTRAL ALBERTA REDUCING VISIBILITIES IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST PUBLIC FORECASTS FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

Happy Birthday Ashley!!

Ashely had her second birthday this weekend and it was quiet. I can't believe I am the mom of a 2 year old and 4 year old. They really do grow up so fast. Ashley has been in underwear for the past week and has done AWESOME. For most of the week I was taking her to the bathroom every hour. I am happy to report that by the end of the weekend she was annoucing to me "Pee Mama Pee" and she took my and and led me to the bathroom. Yesterday we slept in and I was awaken to Ashley screaming "Poop mama poop." I was to late to rise and she pooped in her overnight diaper. She was quite distraught. She is talking a whole lot and will mimic any word that comes out of your mouth. With Ashley you really REALLY have to watch your p's and q's. She is so funny and such a clown. I think her favorite thing to do is make her sister laugh. And Natasha is the only one that is allowed to laugh at her without causing her to be somewhat embarrassed. She had a joint birthday party with Natasha in October so we did not woop it up again on the actual day. When we got up Adam said "Happy Birthday Ashley" and she dropped to the ground crying "NO!" Our house has been sick so the girls have not been themselves. Adams' parents came up for a quick visit. We did cake and gifts. When we started to sing Happy Birthday she said "No" again but then let us continue without a fight. That is a far cry from Natasha 2nd birthday in which she buried her head on the table and cried until the "Happy Birthday" song finished. I will add photos later as I am upstairs on the laptop.

Love...!

I often find myself being philosophical late at night when sleep seems to elude me. Last night I was laying in bed and thinking about the word love.

How can one little word have so many meanings? So many levels of intensity? So many different feelings? How can one word be used to describe a favorite book? A favorite meal? A favorite piece of clothing? Yet in the same breath we use that word to describe our feelings toward our spouses, our children, our parents, our pets.

I use the same phrase, "I love you," to my husband and my daughters yet the feeling of love towards them is so fiercely different. I love my parents and my pets and my siblings but each love is so different how can that single word be used accross the board.

For me it is one of the easiest words to say and the hardest word to utter. It can make you feel invincible and yet utterly vulernable. Love is all encompassing!!

I LOVE the "love" word. When I utter it to those I love my heart feels good and my mouth breaks into a smile. When my husband says it to me, my heart grows. When my daughters say it to me, my heart melt!

Does my post contain more questions than answers? Yes, but maybe that is yet another facet of love...the neverending questions. How can word contain so much within 4 letters?

What does your handwriting say about you....?

What Your Handwriting Says About You

You are a fairly energetic person. You know how do pace yourself, and you deal well with stress. You are very extroverted and outgoing. You are loving, friendly, and supportive. However, you are also manipulative and controlling at times. You are balanced and grounded. You know how to get along well with others. You need a bit of space in your life, but you're not a recluse. You expect people to give you a small amount of privacy, and you respect their privacy as well. You are somewhat traditional, but you are also open to change. You listen to your head and your heart. You are a decent communicator. You eventually get your point across, but sometimes you leave things a bit ambiguous.

What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?

MacBook

After loving the commercials since they launched we have joined the MAC wave and purchased a Macbook. We bought it primarily for Adam when he is away. We would like to be able to communicate via web chats and such so we figured we would invest in a good laptop. We have read and heard great things about the MACs. Also with Adam being "somewhat stupid" in the computers area we opted for something easier for him to grasp.

I must admit that I am jealous he gets to take this with him to work. I am the one who is on the computer most. I am technogically advanced. Anyway I have to remind myself that I got myself a new camera and I still have a computer. I have told him that when he comes home...he brings the laptop and considers it mine until he goes back to work. The great thing is we got the new Leopard softward for only $10 through a staples deal. Anyway maybe in the next year I can retire my computer now to the girls and get a new IMAC desktop.

Until then I am happy with all that I have!!!

Hello All!!

Well I haven't written a detailed post in quite sometime. Before we moved I was posting everyday, we moved and that kind of fell to shit. So I am going to try and get back on the wagon.

Things on the "little" farm are wonderful. The entire family is still extrememly happy with the move. Our place looks so pretty and peaceful with a touch of snow. Though the snow didn't last long I am anxious for quad/skidoo rides through deep snow. The fields around us are bare and we have permission to ride on them. So we have more space than our just land to explore.

The girls are good. Both girls are taking swimming lessons and Natasha is also in Ukrainian dance. She loves both and it is good for us to have something to do every week. Swimming is on Tuesday and dance is Wednesday so I try and get a lot of my running around done in those two days. I am trying to keep my trips into town to a minimal. Natasha and Ashley had a birthday party in October. We decided to do one party, jointly, and make it a halloween/costume/birthday party. It was a lot of fun and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

I have been busy myself. When we were still in Edmonton I was asked to be a full time swim coach in Sherwood Park. With knowing we were wanting to move I was unable to committ to anything. When we moved the head coach approached me again about coaching. I told him I would love to but I could only commit to once a week. He snapped up my offer and here we are. I have been coaching swimming once a week in Sherwood Park. If anyone doesn't know, I was a very successful competitive swimmer. I have been retired since 2000 and have just gotten myself back on deck. I am really enjoying it and I feel I have a lot of positive things to contribute. My parents keep the girls on Monday nights when I head into the SP for a couple of hours. My mom came with me once and we made it a day trip to the city. While I coached she and the girls played in the indoor playground and LOVED IT. Natasha is still waiting for when she can come with me again.

On top of swimming I purchased myself a new digital SLR camera. I am very happy with it and have been playing with it since it arrived. I have also enrolled myself with New York Institute of Photography which I am SUPER excited to get started. I am pretty sure I would like to been in the photography business but not sure what avenue. I don't really like portraits. I love candid shots, scenery, animals, etc. Once I dive into my course I am sure a photographic passion will emerge.

I have also gotten myself recommitted to working out again. When the summer was here were seemed to be doing enough outside that my weightloss didn't creep back. Even though I have only gained 5 or so lbs back I don't feel as toned or sexy so back on the bike I go. I have been getting up at 7am for the last week and riding for 40 mins. I tell you I really notice a difference in me. I have that alone time in the morning that preps me for the day. My patience with the girls has increased which in turn seems to make them more behaved. The benefits are all around. I think I am going to add in weights and pilates next week.

Whatever comes from both of my new ventures, at the moment, I am happy. It seems to have been along time since I have been passionate or excited about anything so I think I am deserving.

Adam is good. He is coming home this weekend and we are very excited. He has a daddy-daughter date planned with Natasha. They are going to see Bee Movie. He will be around to see the girls in their swimming lessons on Tuesday morning as well. Other than that we will have a lot of snuggling, cuddling and just family togetherness.

My parents are in the Dominican celebrating their 30th wedding anniversay. Needless to say I am keeping an eye on their house and the two boys habitating it. I have also brought their dogs home with me rather. They have been very well behaved and outside (almost solely) since they arrived. I will be attending Daylans' year end football banquet on Sunday as his "stand in" mom. My parents are disappointed they couldn't be there, it being his senior year, but I will have my camera flashing lots.

I hope everyone out there in cyber world is good, healthy and happy. Take care everyone I will try and get back to better posting habits.

When a Toddler meets Zinc Cream.....

This is the unfortunate result.


So I disappeared for a moment (well perhaps a little longer than one moment) maybe 2 or 3 and Natasha comes and retrieves me. She grabs my hand and says "Come with me." So she marches me upstairs to Ashleys' old room and I found the above scene. The funny thing is I told Natasha "Make sure she does not move" and she says to me "Why are you going to take a picture!" So I got Ashley, the floor and other things cleaned up and Natasha says to me "You know it was a little bit funny!". Zinc cream is not fun to clean up but sometimes instead of getting mad...you just have to laugh! Enjoy a giggle at our expense!!