Another night....

I am constantly amazed at a teenagers mind.
"Mom, I PROMISE I will leave my phone on and you can call anytime to check on me..."
"No, I am NOT going to be late!"
"Why do you keep talking about it... I won't be late and you can call anytime."

2 AM rolls around. After 2 hours of calling a cell phone that no one answers... and a good hour of prayer for that child's safety... the kid comes home.

"I'm not THAT late. My cell phone died... oops sorry!"
"Why are you ticked off? You could have gone to sleep."
"I have no idea why you say I am not considerate of anyone but myself... YOU'RE the one who decided to stay up this late."

And she wonders why I don't let her go out much.

Stranger and Stranger still...

We had some interesting company last night. My brother, Tim, who lives out west flew in to surprise the fam. And it was quite a surprise. My "other brother".. Jeff.. brought Tim and a friend, Joel, over.

This is Jeff, Tim and I.
Tim is not an axe murderer regardless of how much he looks like one.

Joel is one of the funniest people I know.. always has been!

Jeff is just happy to be let in out of the cold.

He has a little space issue!!

Poor Teddy. He is ready for the next installment of the Grinch.

The children weren't quite sure what hit the house. Lots of laughs. Courtney thinks they are all crazy.. and wants to know when they are coming back. She even called her Uncle J to find out when they would be returning. Not today, child... not today!!

My Ugly Frog has been defeated!!!

Ok, this has been a loooong day. My hands and feet are cramped.
... but my mudroom looks great!! The kids were freaking when I kept saying bring me all the coats, all the boots, mittens, ski pants... bring it all in!!
"But it won't fit! We want it to look good!"
I wouldn't cheat though.. it was amazing to get it all in!!!


This is the door that was covered by the big wardrobe. I'm not really sure who put the wardrobe in front of the door... The drawers on the wardrobe are labelled for hats, mittens and scarves. I love my new labeller and hardly have any chance to use it.

I decided I had never taken ownership of this closet. It was depressing. Now it has 2 coats of fresh paint... actually the whole room does. The colour is called Scrimshaw Ivory.. tint 1 from Para.
This corner still isn't real pretty, but honesty is important here. I needed a spot to store a few things. Here they are. There are no steps to this outer door.. and a 10 foot drop... so I don't mind covering it up.

Here is my bench. Now it is able to be used!! whooo hooo!! I need to get my curtains up, but that is a job for another day. I'm tired.

There you go, Jenn. One ugly frog taken care of!!

Ugly Frog Contest

Today is the Ugly Frog Contest at Mom's No Chaos Zone. Since I have a huge ugly frog in my house, I thought I'd enter. Its only today, so if you see this please enter!

To make myself accountable I took pics of before so I could post it for the world to see. Keep in mind, it has to be fixed by tonight.

Are you ready for this?

This is really embarrassing!!

And here (drumroll please) is my mudroom!!!

After taking this shot I thought, it doesn't look too bad. Did you know there is an exterior door behind this cupboard... and a coat closet??

This buffet is supposed to be in the dining room... dust free. I remember purchasing the green bench so the kids can sit down and put on their boots... which are now all over my living room instead of in my quite large mudroom.

I could have spun this pic around so you don't have to get a crick in your neck... however, the pile was dizzyingly (is that a word?) high. This looks smaller somehow.

You literally have to walk on stuff to get into the room. This is one ugly frog.

To top this all off, the bottom half of the walls isn't primed. The room has to be painted as well. Can we get it all done??

Today our homeschool will be experimenting with a Co-operative Work Project. Let's see how it rolls!!

Followers link

I thought it would be neat to add a follower link on this thing. I'm not sure what the benefit of being a follower is. For those of you who follow this thing whether a link is there or not... could you press the button and tell me what the deal is?? Do you get notified if I put on another rant?? Do you get frequent flier miles for reading the story of my life... trust me, if I really shared my life you'd all run of screaming!!
Please try it out and let me know.
I have an inquiring mind... I want to know!

What I've learned from the police this year

These are some things I have learned from the police in the past year or so.



--- Putting a knife in someone's face and threatening to kill them is ok... even if you brag to the police that you did it.

--- Its ok to stone one's neighbors.

--- It is not ok to laugh and play in your own yard if your neighbors psycho abused dog doesn't like it ... even at 2 in the afternoon in the summertime.

--- Booby trapping your neighbors porch is just fine, esp if earlier in the day you threatened to cut same neighbors small children's f'in necks with a hoe.

--- It is most certainly fine to keep someone else's child FOR LIFE if they are allowed to stay for a sleepover. Taking clothes and a toothbrush obviously means they are being kicked out of their home.

--- If the parent of that child decides to go pick up their child, it is fine to accost them and physically harm them, because they are coming on your property to take your "new child."

--- It is fine to keep someone else's child and have the original parent charged with trespassing if they go near their own child.

--- It is fine to charge the real parent for kidnapping if by chance they actually get their child back. It is NOT fine to have someone charged for kidnapping if they take your child and won't give them back.

--- It is fine to speed down a highway, lose control, cross a yellow line and passing lane to hit your car. After all, everyone speeds. What is your problem??

--- It is ok for the police to talk to a parent and then turn around and tell their child the exact opposite of the agreement with the parent.

--- When you are robbed, and know who did it, the police will contact the person who robbed you... but not you. They will not come to the home where the theft took place, or call wronged homeowner who filed the report... except for when they call to say ... "I spoke with the person you claim stole from you. He said he didn't do it and we believe him. Ma'am, no you have nothing to say about it .. case closed."

--- The RCMP actually sleep all night and do not respond to calls after midnight. It doesn't matter what is going on... they need their rest. OK.. after filing a complaint about that one, someone got in a "talking to." I got a half hearted apology, but they would not give me a written apology which was what I had asked for.

--- If a person is deemed as a pillar of the community, say like an emergency room doctor or a pastor, they can do whatever they want. If their victim is deemed as a low life.. say like a single mom of 8 children... it is ok to victimize them without censure. And how dare that single mom have a problem with it!!!

I am not going to be bitter, but I will also never have contact with RCMP if I can help it. Egotistical idiots all of them. I haven't met one of them that didn't just completely lie about everything.... oh no.. there was one last summer, but he was frustrated with the rest of them too. He is also very young and probably thinks there is still some honor left in the force.

There isn't.

Another Week... Another Day at Emergency

For the third time in under 3 weeks, Caitlyn has been in emerge.
She is having some weird trembling/shaking going on in the muscles of her arm. It has gone on for up to 3 days at a time.

Today I'd had enough. It was time for some bloodwork!

The doctor was great. They took 6 vials of blood.... Did I mention Cait is terrified of needles?? Oh my!! She was a trooper. I couldn't believe how well she did. Most of the tests came back normal. Some of the blood had to be sent to another hospital in the "big city" (ha ha) for further tests.

I attended the Ultimate Women's Expo online this weekend. There were women there who had very sick children among other struggles. I remember thinking how happy I was that I didn't have any sick kids. Its not that I have anything against sick kids, I just didn't want mine to GET sick!! I'm realizing that fleeting thoughts like that should be pushing me to get down on my knees and thank God for the gift of health we have been given. I need to be thankful for everyday we are not dealing with a health crisis.

If I am in a position where I need to deal with a health crisis, I need to be thankful for everyday to lovingly care for those I love. Should something happen and I lose that child, its getting down on my knees and giving thanks for the beauty of the life that has graced mine and taught me more about His love for me, and thank Him that this is not the end.

For today... I thank God for the health of my children. I thank Him that I can serve my children by showing His unconditional love to them.

In fact, I think its time to go and get the snacks ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow... the day I call my family doctor to schedule my daughter for her first visit (and hopefully last one!!) with the neurologist. I'd appreciate your prayers!!

Canada wins Gold!!

You have to wonder... who thought of it first???
Some crazy guys skiing... moguls no less... who had this crazy idea..

LET'S PUT A JUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HILL... NO!! HOW ABOUT 2 JUMPS!?!?!?

After a few days of moguls with jumps on the hill.. one of them starts doing flips... and the rest is history. Now I'm not sure what kind of "idiots" think this is a fun thing to do... but it sure is fun to watch!!
... especially when you win a gold medal at the Olympics!!

Congrats to Alexandre Bilodeau for winning the first Gold Medal by a Canadian in Canada!! We have been more than gracious hosts so far by letting the competition place just ahead of us. Its time!

Jack's Party Day

This is Jack... this is his pre-birthday party... he will be 6 Monday!! Whoo hoo!!!
Jack is very excited about cake, balloons and gifts. He was extremely calm and patient though!! My baby is growing up! FYI he is NOT a baby...

It only took about 12 puffs to blow out the candles

Justin thoroughly enjoys his ice cream

Josh is a more of a frosting kid

Lots of cousins and friends to frost some cookies because, obviously, cake, ice cream and cupcakes are not enough sugar... no way

Jack sitting with Ellie?? How did that happen?? He was joined at the hip with Brett and Luke.. wasn't he? She is kinda cute... hmmm

Even the big boys can't resist cookies with a little pink frosting!!

Look how serious they are!! Damara...( if I spelled that right... it was hard to reproduce the name on the card!!) looks like this is the most important thing she has ever done in her life!

It was actually a very relaxed day.. weird, eh??

It was too cute when Brett suggested I open a bakery so they could all come and buy cookies from me. Sheesh, you'd have think we could have said that before I gave away all my stock!! Poor Brett left wondering if I was going to charge him for the cookies he carried home. Betty Jo.. please convince him I wasn't serious! and tell Cole we found his wallet and didn't steal a thing... honest!!!

Organization, here I come!!!

Someone dropped in to meet me today. A mom of one of Caitlyn's new friends. Lovely lady.... and wanted to see my kitchen... loves the fixer upper thing. This kind of thing only happens on the nights that instead of doing the supper dishes right away I sit down to watch a show with the kids. sigh...
At least she saw that I spend time with the kids! The little boys.. and Jack.. were already in bed and came down to meet Ashley and her mom, Darla.
When I sent them back they trooped right upstairs which was terribly impressive!
"Did they just do what you told them too??"
"Yes, its called obedience and I expect it."
"Wow, they do well."
Turns out it didn't really matter if there were dishes all over the kitchen. They are now done and I am ready for more visitors... anyone??

I have shelves in my closets!!!!
A total of 12 new, big and amazing shelves!!
Organization, here I come!!

Except I seem to be incredibly drained. Everything is quiet, but I find myself on guard waiting for something to happen. And I think that I really need a break.. one where I can get away and not have to worry about the kids... I don't think that will happen for years.

On a high note, I went to pick up Matt and Cait from Matt's volleyball game against VCA and joined up with some good friends from home. How fun to sit down with 4 ladies and just chat.

The kids have started the movie, so I must run.

Oh Christmas Tree....

We loved our Christmas tree this year. I wish it looked as good in pics as in real life. The glow of the tree is lost in the flash of the camera... Just excuse the plastic on the windows please!!

This is our tree... and yes, the decorations are all in brown. Molly and I went to Home Hardware's Winter Wonderland room and fell in love... even though the other couple in the store thought this was terribly ugly!! Sorry tree!

This is Molly's favourite ornament. Yes, Molly, when I die this is yours. Yes, she asked that.

Our lovely angel. Molly wanted the one with the big fluffy wings... I won. She is ok with that now.

Who knew that you could get so many ornaments in browns?? Brown sequins? Who knew?!!?

Bows, beads, leaves, pine cones... Too much good stuff!!

Our tree is still up. Molly won't let us take it down until everyone she knows has seen and admired it. The only one left to wait on is Tara. It snowed this week the day Tara and the boys were coming up. If they don't get up until summer, not to fear, we will wait. We have no choice! Molly has spoken!!

Its all a matter of perspective

The other day I was driving down the road and glanced at my speedometer. I thought I was going quite quickly on an 80 km/hr road, but the meter said 57. Its a digital speedometer so I can always know EXACTLY how fast I'm going. 57?? Somehow I could not get that car to go faster without feeling like I'm going too fast... you know??

I must be getting old... hope no one is driving behind me that I know. How can 57 seem too fast?

I slowed down to 50 because that felt MUCH safer. Maybe I was getting sick. Against my better judgement I just drove in the way I felt safe without trying to keep up to the speed limit.

Then it hit me... I hit the km/m button on the dashboard. Immediately I went from 53 to almost 90. Can you imagine if I insisted on keeping up with the "speed limit" in spite of my better judgement? I would have been going crazy fast and most likely ended up with a ticket or a crash.

Sometimes I feel the need to keep up with the speed of other families around me... not just the regular families with 2 jobs and public school.. but the other homeschooler families as well. I know in my spirit what the Lord expects of me, but think I need to keep up with "everyone else." What I don't see is that I am going at the right speed. I am not slower than "anyone else" ... I'm just not judging my life by the right criteria. Instead of looking at my life through God's standard.. I look through the standards of others. How ridiculous of me!

I just need to push the button, adjust the speed of my life in Christ and move on. All of a sudden I feel comfortable with the speed limits again. Life is good.

Right on Track

I'm sure y'all will be glad to know that it is January 12th and I am fiscally on track. I have not overspent... even on groceries!!
My bills have been paid before the deadlines!
There have been no new cataclysmic events.
Yes, 2010 is my year.
I am on my way to being healthier, wealthier (won't take much!) and wiser than in 2009.
I am meeting positive people and focusing on positive events...
and I may just drag every single one of you with me!!
Just thought you may want to know!!

Update on the kitchen

You know what's kind of funny?? This kitchen and dining room actually look a gazillion times better than before.. but there are still MAJOR problems with it.



This is walking in from the living room. Seems a mite empty of a dining room table, don't ya think? The way the living room is set up we would have to lift the thing over cabinets to get it in here ... Connor and I just couldn't do it!



This is kind of pretty... except for the extension cords that run... a) to the bathroom so we can have a light in there and.... b) so we can plug in the DVD player.

The kitchen... poor thing!! We have the stove and actually had a hot lunch and a hot supper... of course we had to eat on the floor.. well the little guys sat at the little tykes table at suppertime. The rest of us just sat around. We have 3 kitchen tables in the house right now... just can't get to them!

Note the saws and tools in the corner. Real safe, eh?

Yes, we put up our Christmas tree! Why?!? So we can enjoy the tree... haven't had a chance to before now. The window will hopefully be replaced this month so we can forgo the plastic. This is not a living room remember, its the dining room. It just has living room stuff in it instead of dining room stuff.

On another note, my daughter is 2 and a half hours past her curfew and I am getting ticked and a little worried. This boy is NEVER EVER EVER taking her anywhere again. He was late before and I told him if this ever happened again he would never see her socially again. He has a cell phone.. and knows I expect them to use it. Momma is MAD!!

Teddy is barking up a storm out there. I wonder what he is protecting us from??!!

Washer and Dryer

Here we are with our new washer and dryer.


The kids are very excited because, obviously, we have never cleaned our clothes before!!


Lets just see what happens when we get these machines going!!









Everyone, check it out!! The light came on and its starting to spin!!!

Connor realizes this is really quite boring, but the others haven't figured it out yet. Ok, now there is water going in.. we're groovin' now!!

This is the dryer. Its red.

Here is the washer. It is also red.

That means... These are the ones!! Thank you home depot delivery guys.

Someday my laundry room will be drop dead gorgeous. For now... well.. its not done yet!! Story of my life. Thankfully its not done yet either!

Weird day man!

Since its late... and I really don't want to play with this thing... we will pretend this is at the end of the post.. after I say I'm gonna post some pics, OK?? This is my new floor!!

This is what Mike does hoping to deter me from seeing my new floor!!

And THIS is the beginning of this rather mixed up post!!

Somehow today never did get to a normal kind of pace.

S'ok though!

Tonight my good friend, Kim Hughes, took me up to Moncton for a Monavie meeting. Some of you remember I "was on" Monavie drink for some months last year. My insurance company said I was the healthiest person they had tested... they retested me to make sure I really was that healthy.... and then lowered my life insurance payments $24 per month!!

I've been off it for awhile now and just don't feel so energetic. I've been coughing since before Christmas and I'm tired of it.... literally!!

I am so looking forward to getting back on the juice!! They even have a healthy energy drink!!! Lots of energy, no caffeine headache, no crash afterwards.... and it tastes great. I know this cuz Kim bought me one.... and Caitlyn 2 for tomorrow. One to get her moving in the morning and one to keep her going through the day. Pure health, baby!!!

And if you want in on this... let me know. shhhh... i can set you up...

Note to self... do not take an energy drink at 9pm ever again. I have lots of energy... its late.... lots to clean, but I can't because the floor in the kitchen can't be walked on tonight... or tomorrow so the glue can dry.

Oh oh oh!! I can take a picture!! Lets do that so you all can see my new floor... I feel like the squirrel in "Over the hedge" or is that "Under the hedge"??

(and this is where we pretend the pictures are... is everyone following?)

New Washer and Dryer!!??!

Today is the day for the new washer and dryer... or maybe not.

I was so excited to find the W/D set of my dreams marked down $900 at the Home Depot last week. They were to be delivered this afternoon. No problem... you remember what the living room looked like last night, right?? I had the morning to clean it and find a path through. ha ha ha ha ha ....

At about 8:30 am I had a phone call from the delivery guys. "Good news!! We will be there in an hour. We are leaving now."

Now?? NOW??? AAAGGGGHHH!!!
First things first.... "Kathy... please come and help me!!"

Kathy is a very good friend. We emptied that living room, put all my dirty laundry in bags under the stairs, cleaned up everything!! yeah... We put it all in the dining room. The whole time I am hoping we can get it all back before Mike gets here to finish the floors. yeah

We had 'er done and Kathy was leaving just as the delivery guys get here. All was well until the washer got in. "Um... excuse me... delivery guy. That is not my washer."

"What??"

"No, mine is red. That is white. Not my washer. At least you didn't bring in the dryer yet."

Some of you know my front steps. These men were not happy campers.

"But look. Your name, address and phone number are taped (big time!) to the top of this machine. Are you sure its not yours. You could just keep this one!"

"I want my red ones. Sorry."

They were happy I wasn't mad at them. Nice men, they were still smiling when they were reloading the set back onto the truck.

I will get my new W/D later this week.

And the mess?? Well, Mike got here just as the delivery guys were leaving... saw the mess... and helped me put it all back.

Its 11 am and I am done for the day!

I'm happy... I'm happy... I'm happy....

For those of you who wanted more pictures... this should scare the socks off ya!! My floor, alas, is not quite done... which meant Greco again tonight. The sub floor is finished and the vinyl is spread out... just not matched, cut, glued and sealed. Which means.... not done. Ack!

Don't you just love the mess in the mudroom??! Unfortunately the dogs food is back there in the closet somewhere and we couldn't be bothered. Good thing the kids are messy eaters!! Teddy can clean up the floor.

This is the back of the living room, at the top of the basement stairs. Yes, that is my Christmas tree... you will see it looking better in a day or 2 in the dining room where I will take time to enjoy it. I just will.

Here is the rest of the living room. Note the fridge and cupboards lying around. I don't even know what all the mess is. All I know is that I have no place to put any of it.

Why am I posting this stuff?? To make my friends feel better... yes, some one's house looks worse than yours!! I'll fix it .... like soon... Tomorrow they are delivering my new washer and dryer and they have to go through this obstacle course and down the stairs... you know, where the Christmas tree is!! Anyone busy tomorrow morning??? I need HELP!!

This is a deer antler on my table. I don't know who is the wise guy that took this pic. The dog keeps bringing antlers home. With a few more I can make a cool chandelier.... and paint it black... the guy from "What Not to Wear" has one in his house and its very cool.

This is the little ray of sunshine that keeps us smiling!! We love our Josh!

Ok!! Jack makes me smile too! He is a keeper!!!

Every time I feel overwhelmed and stressed I do what Justin does... mutter I am happy.. I am happy... I am happy... over and over in a meaner and meaner voice until.... I AM happy!!

Good night!

First day of School!

Today was Caitlyn's first day of school.... again!

Today she started at the Christian School in town. I am so excited for her. She had the advantage of already knowing quite a few kids there ... including her brother... and most likely had an amazing day. I am waiting for her to get home ... at any moment... and just spill.

For those of you who have never attended Christian school, it is different than most schools. Cait will be in a gr 9/10 split class which I believe has about 15 students in it. The school has K through 12th grade with friends mingling without regard for age. In fact Matt (8th grade) has good friends in 11th and 12th grades. Since class sizes are small, teachers are able to build a great rapport with the kids and really invest in their lives.

Where is she??

On a side note...

Did you know that I have another blog?? Apparently its in Chinese or some other far eastern language. I'm not sure what I have written in it... hope its not embarrassing....

Downstairs there is the noise of floors being worked on. The sub floor is being secured and soon... very soon... the floor will be down. As soon as the flooring is done and I find my camera I will post pics.

Happy New Year!!!

Guess what?!!! My little laptop is working again!! For how long we aren't sure. I may have to save my pennies to invest in something more reliable. But it works today!!!

We are all snugged in our house with the storm raging outside. At least I'm told its raging. Its too dark to see and is rather quiet. We are still enjoying living in the top floor of our house. Our 12 by 13 foot living rm/kitchen/dining/ games room is feeling a tad crowded.

Soon... like in a few days.... my kitchen and dining room will be ready for occupancy. The cushion floor would have been laid today if our worker guy didn't put his truck in my ditch. He did not have a fun afternoon! It will go down Monday. The kitchen cabinets will hopefully be done Mon or Tues and I can put some stuff away!!!! Here are some pics.



This picture is from standing in the dining room looking through to the mudroom... which is housing much of our kitchen stuff.



And this is the kitchen. Notice a lack of anything... anything... anything...
Like EVERYTHING!!! Try cooking for 9 in this. We are consisting on crackers, cheese, bagels, yogurt, and clementines... with the occasional hotdog cooked in the microwave upstairs. I miss cooking. sigh....

I'm told it will be wonderful when it gets done. uh huh