MEL IS COOL!

Well, what do you think? Does everyone love it like me? I asked my "online" friend Mel to tweak my blog and make it a bit more personal, more like me, and look what she did!!!!!! She honestly is the kindest soul that has made it's way into my heart, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to get to know her. She has the most gorgeous red-haired boy, who causes tons of trouble for her, and I know that in the future will drive all the girls mad. Her and her fiance, jeff, love each other, and Ty to bits, and have just purchased their first home. So many wonderful things happening in thier lives, and am proud of her! She is a girl that I am proud to call a friend, and NOW I am thankful for her major talent with my blog! Thank you Mel, I love you!

Under Construction

just for a few days! Please be patient, my blog will be pretty VERY soon!!

Quinn's beauty shots....

She is really smiling now when I get out the camera, I feel that all my scrapbook pages of Quinn will be candid ones.
A perfect shot of my two and only teeth - a typical smile of Quinners, she smiles with her whole face - every time!
Caught her sitting still for a small moment, and then on the move again!

Home

She is home! Yahoo! She sounds as though she had a BLAST too. So happy that her dad is close to his family and that she is able to spend so much time with her cousins. Now my family is all sleeping under one roof again.

People, you should have heard Quinn when Hayley walked in the door! She was running through the kitchen squawking and yelling and the ruckous that she was causing was hilarious! It was as though Quinn missed Hayley more than anyone, but she was the one that could not express herself. Quinn would not go ANYWHERE without Hayley tonight. In the kitchen, here she comes, to brush our teeth, here she is, in bed; under the covers, reading stories together. She would only go in her crib when I turned off the night light and tucked Hayley under covers. Then Quinn layed down, looked at Hayley and said "Nigh Nigh". I am so blessed that they love each other so much.

My mom is in Fairview with my sister helping her watch my neice while my brother and sister-in-law are on vacation. It is 35 degrees there today, living in an un-airconditioned trailer, and babysitting my neice who does not sleep. My heart goes out to them, partly for being there and having to deal with Em, but also that my sister is pregnant and she is getting a bad vibe! The best thing about my neice Em is that she will be in love with both of them tomorrow. But tonight, well that is another story.......

Everyone knows what I am thankful for, so will not repeat myself. Now if we could only change the mood that Roger is in - grouchy!!!!

Yahoo! It is almost over!!

Over, as it fini, done, complete, textbook closed, chapter finished, book returned. Hayley is almost home! She has spent the last ten days at her dad's/grandparent's house with cousins from Calgary and a small family reunion. I have missed her terribly, but have managed to do some projects around the house and keep busy. Now I just have to make it through the weekend and on Monday she is back. I CANNOT wait until my family is all sleeping under the same roof again.

I walked Elk and Beaver Lake with my friend Jen on Friday, and it made my wonder why I am not taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings that the Island has to offer more often. It was serene, quiet except for the small children asking for more snacks and the sounds of horse hoof prints, and an awesome time to catch up on the "goings-on" in each others lives. Now I have a date to do it again on Monday with a girl from work. I look forward to it.


Not much else to say, off to bartend at work today and then maybe to The Divinci Code with Roger tonight. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend - this clouded over Victoria Day long weekend here.

A beaut of a day!

Well I hope that you all had a great Mother's Day. I had to work throughout the day, but when I arrived home the scent of Mr Clean met me at the door. Roger had cleaned the entire house - top to bottom - including all the linen, towels and random messes that we seem to create! It was an absolute dream. A vase of freesia and irises were arranged on the table, and pizza had been ordered. Now, for those of you that think pizza is an everyday menu item, I caution you to remember that I have Celiac - thus no wheat product discounts the crust. There is a "new to us" pizza place on Wharf street that has gluten free crusts! They are the bomb as well. The pizza was honestly the best I have had since my diagnosis. It was a basil chicken, sundried tomato, artichoke hearts and carmelized onion (totally West Coast) and soooooooo good. Roger had a whole wheat crust and he really enjoyed it as well. Not too pricy either. Needless to say, we programed that number into the phone and will be frequenting it often. A great Mother's day all around, including my first "school project" handmade from Hayley. So cute.

Yesterday was an absolute beaut of a day. I am busy in the backyard arranging my garden and encasing it in antique red bricks, planting my sunflowers and making it as beautiful as this non-green thumbed girl can make it. I have to say though, it is a major improvement. We are going to look at a water table for Quinn today, as well as some more plants for ground cover in the bare spots in the garden. So back to Home Depot I go. Such a fun place.

Working extra shifts at the Mox this week, as Hayley is at a family reunion and spending the week at her dad's house. I miss her terribly and so I am off to work to keep my mind off it. I really miss her chatter throughout the day, we tend to keep each other company and it is very quiet here without her. For those of you that have met her can contest with the fact that she is quite the chatterbox, and when that element is gone is it missed. Well on the positive side, I am able to spend some one-on-one time with Quinn and I will make some extra money working at night.

Things to be thankful for - Quinn always remembers to go down the stairs backwards, the sun is shining and I am able to work in the garden again today, and most of all, all of us are feeling better and we finally licked the cold. Things to be sad for - Canada Post lost my mom's Mother's Day present and now it seems like I forgot to send one to her. If you are reading this mom - I LOVE you and I did remember!!!!!

house full of sickies...wanna come over?

Well, on the good side, we now have profit sharing in the Kleenex Tissue company. We are all sick here. Quinn is teething (I think, I hope, as you cannot get through life with only two bottom teeth), but has the runny nose and all. She is in alright spririts all things considered. Roger has a sinus thing going on, but mostly he is wondering throughout the house moaning and complaining. Hayley is the best one of all, just a stuffy nose - really nothing gets this girl down. Still out on her 'blades ripping it up yesterday. As for me, the diagnosis is strep throat. Never had it before now, and let me tell you, never want it again. Swallowing is pure and utter agony. Lucky enough to get sick after Tofino. Maybe it is the let down of coming home, less money in the bank account, back to work and school and that is what did it. Whatever the reason, we are down and out in this house. Spending the next few days watching movies and wandering around in our jammies. Thank goodness we are having a day of cloudy weather here as well.....

Short and to the point

For my lovely friend Annamarie, the only thing that I can think of that is short and to the point cannot be said out loud, but a visual is that men think with it, it rhymes with a planet, and is the ugliest part of the male human anatomy. See I do read your blog, even though it will not let me comment on it. Gimmee your sisters blog address again maybe too???

TOFEEENNNOOOO!!

Hayley and Jacob posing "Sears Catalogue" style. That is the mighty Pacific Ocean behind them.
Me and Quinners at Comber Beach, it was amazing, but so incredibly windy there! Even Roger took off his socks and shoes and had a "tactile experience" on the beach. SO proud of him. He did say later that he was going to bleach his feet when he got home!!
My beautiful big girl in her wedding attire. She was so excited to wear the shoes, even though the wedding was on the beach.
Typical family shot. Quinn obviously saw something FAR more interesting behind her. Anyhow..
Hair blowing in the breeze, digging sand with a stick, seeing bear foot prints, who could ask for a better day?
Bumper boating in Parksville, so much fun. Had no idea that we would be wringing wet when we were done. Thanks to the attendent, she took all the photos so that I could join the fun.
Quinners and her dad. I had to do her hair in a pony, but somehow it was not in for the wedding. I think that her dad likes it down....
A typical shot of Roger, I think that he is saying "Yahoo, get er done" or something to that effect.
Me and Quinners, soaked from bumper boating. I actually think that Roger has his thumbs up in the above photo because he is so excited that he does not have to pack Quinn around. Good thing I love her on my back.
Gearing up for the hole in one. Mini golf was a race to Hayley, she completed the whole course, minus the last hole and then began again.

The entire weekend was a blast. The first night we went as far as Parksville and did the family things of minigolf and bumper boats. We walked for miles and miles on the beach as the tide was out, gathering tons of shells, sand dollars, bull-kelp and sand. Then we got up early then next morning and drove to Tofino. The drive is something else, roads that go around massive trees, straight up and so many "s-turns". Hayley had a gross experience with a porta potty that she will soon not forget, Quinn slept and Roger and I talked about life. Driving into Tofino you are reminded that it is a rainforest, so amazingly green, lush, and the sound of the ocean is deafening. You can almost hear it from anywhere. Our friend's wedding was spectacular. All in all a great weekend. Next time, no kids, checking into the Wickinnish Lodge and spending my days at the spa.....one can wish can't they?

Some photos and some chit chat...

Look at me - all my fuzzy hair and no clothes - just the way nature intended. I like the "clothing optional" day....
I like blueberries, I eat them every day. Thanks to my friend Amanda who introduced them to me - now I am hooked!

Well only two more sleeps until we are off to Tofino for Grant and Dana's wedding. I am very much looking forward to going, especially now since Roger actually has dress clothes to wear. He is going to clean-up nice too - with some brown and beige pants, blue shirt and tie with blue, gold and brown in it. Don't you worry - I WILL be getting some photos, god knows that we will not see him dressed up in the near future again.

I have been in the "no blog, no scrapbook" mood lately. Instead we are practicing our rollerblading, bike riding, walking the Gorge, being at the garden, and out in the back yard instead. I should really do one layout a week as then when the fall rolls around (PLEASE not yet...) I will be somewhat current. Key word being somewhat.

Things to be thankful for - all of us have dressy clothes for the wedding, going away from Victoria with my family this weekend and BIG NEWS Roger ACTUALLY brought home the driver book to look into getting his license. Hate to be a pesimist, but I will believe it when I see the big LOSER "L" plate on the van....

Rainhat, rubberboots, and some sunscreen

The weather here has been so strange. One day it is almost 20 degrees and the VERY next I am having to wear a coat again. So weird. I am glad that I am going to work today as it is the latter out there again today.

I have come to the conclusion that I am a bit out of shape. Soft. Weak. Undeveloped. I worked in the garden, turning over the plot to get ready for planting, and my arms are a bit sore now. I thought my arms always got a good workout, with picking up kids, packing in groceries, and packing around a tray full of yummy drinks at Moxies. Alas, I was mistaken. They are a bit on the tender side today. Kind of feels good, and then I try to pick up my 20 pound little girl and they remind me that I dug dirt for two hours. How ironic is that.

Not a lot else to report, Quinn says "OH MY" and "WHO ME" now - both are very cute. We honestly believe that she has some kick-back Italian gene in her - she cannot talk without using her hands and is full of expression when she tells you a story. Hayley is really rollerblading, mastering the skill faster than I can watch her. She is really fast too. Thank goodness for helmets and knee pads. Off to work soon, so hope that everyone has a good day.

small stutter...

Just ignore the fact that I posted the last entry twice. I must have stuttered on the button. Not like I am perfect or anything, or for those of you that thought that - sorry to burst that whole dream. Talk soon. Another sunny day here on the Island and I think that I might garden before I am off to the Museum as a driver for Hayley's school field trip......ah the lovely downtown Victoria. Remind me to be considerate to the tourists that proceed to walk in the middle of the road, while I, a Victoria driver, proceed to NEVER remember where I am going, and drive without "due care and attention". But officer, I am paying attention - paying attention to the sale signs at the Gap, my children singing Raffi in the back, the tourists with the many bags they are carrying, and always on the lookout for the nearest Starbucks......

Dirt and worms

My mom, right now, is sitting at home, with a look of unbelief on her face. Her little girl (me) who cannot stand germs, dirt, and the thought of planting something in it and then looking after it - is getting a garden plot!! We live across the street from a community garden site and I manage to fanangle one for this year. They are in high demand here in the big city, with all the condo dwellers that still want a "yard" and some green space. My friend Liz and I are going in together with three, one of which we are letting the kids have to plant and do what they want. Hayley is pretty pumped, with the prospect of planting a pumpkin for Halloween. I am glad that Liz will be there with me, as I am still a dirt virgin and need all the help that I can get.

This weekend was fairly uneventful, with work and just puttering in the backyard. We did head to a friends for a bbq last night, and am so glad that the sunshine is out and we are able to sit on the deck with some warmth other than the fireplace. Summer is coming here in Victoria - just one trip down to the city and you will be blinded by all the lily white legs sprouting underneath some really short skirts. Not me, I will hide undercover until I at least don't blind others with the mayonaise colored legs. Until next time......have a great day!

Dirt and worms

My mom, right now, is sitting at home, with a look of unbelief on her face. Her little girl (me) who cannot stand germs, dirt, and the thought of planting something in it and then looking after it - is getting a garden plot!! We live across the street from a community garden site and I manage to fanangle one for this year. They are in high demand here in the big city, with all the condo dwellers that still want a "yard" and some green space. My friend Liz and I are going in together with three, one of which we are letting the kids have to plant and do what they want. Hayley is pretty pumped, with the prospect of planting a pumpkin for Halloween. I am glad that Liz will be there with me, as I am still a dirt virgin and need all the help that I can get.

This weekend was fairly uneventful, with work and just puttering in the backyard. We did head to a friends for a bbq last night, and am so glad that the sunshine is out and we are able to sit on the deck with some warmth other than the fireplace. Summer is coming here in Victoria - just one trip down to the city and you will be blinded by all the lily white legs sprouting underneath some really short skirts. Not me, I will hide undercover until I at least don't blind others with the mayonaise colored legs. Until next time......have a great day!

Deep thoughts...

Has anyone out there ever thought why they are parents? Your purpose, your mission, your objective that you are to carry out? I always marvel at those parents who are determined to raise their children as a vegetarian, when they themselves eat meat, or that the babies are going to wear only cloth diapers, when the family does not recycle. At some point in time you have to raise your children in the same facet that you were raised in, whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not. Your parenting style will in some way echo the way that you were raised. Albeit small or large, it will most likely follow the same trend.

What has caused me to think of this you may be wondering? I have been really reflecting on parenting since Hayley has started school. All the foundations that you begin to put in place, all the values that you instill in them are really put to the test when they begin school and are in amongst their peers. My hope and wish is that the foundation was built strong enough, that Hayley will be strong in her convictions, and her outlook and do right. Seeing all the kids, all the different parenting styles, all the LACK of parenting in some cases, makes me so glad that I am not in school anymore.

My hope is that I do right by my daughters, that I teach them to be strong females, to stand up for their beliefs and convictions, to feel honor when they look in the mirror. My desire is that they will appreciate the rules that we put on them, knowing that they are in place because we want them to be safe, protected and that we love them.

Things I am thankful for - sunflowers are beginning to shoot, days are getting longer and brighter and at the end of the day, I know that I am doing the best that I can to help raise my two girls, all with the knowledge that I possess.

Hoppy Easter to you

Hello and happy Easter to everyone! Hope that the bunny visited your houses and chocolate abounds in all. I was sitting here this morning thinking back to Easter when I was a kid and what kind of loot we brought in. I always got a new pair of shoes, and a huge bunny, although at that time it was solid and not the hollow-cheap ones for sale now. We also got all the things delivered to us in a basket with the riff-raffy-stringy-coloured- stuff inside. We proceeded to wear it as wigs and it went EVERYWHERE in the house. In our house on Lombardie Drive we had a step-up living room and the baskets were always on that step, just waiting for us. We never had a "hunt" that I can remember, but I still looked forward to getting the loot nonetheless. Then we had ham, scalloped potatoes and a fancy dinner that we got all dressed up for. Usually with grandparents, aunts and uncles and lots of homemade buns, which is what my mom is famous for.

This morning the Co-op Easter bunny left something for the kids outside, and then we are all going to Fleming Beach for our Annual hunt with friends. It is a lot of fun, and it looks promising enough outside weather-wise as well. This is the last of Quinn's firsts - as last year we had the Easter hunt on the Sunday right before she was born. Now everything for here on in is old hat to her - been there done that. So you can only imagine the photos taken today for the scrapbook. Get your smile on - here it comes.

So have a happy Easter - and remember, behind all the chocolate, candy, and commercialism, is the real reason why we celebrate the holiday. Whether YOU are religious or not, it is something I am THANKFUL for. Have a great day all.

CANSKATE CHAMPION!!!

She did it!!!!! She won the gold medal for the overall Canskate Champion!!! The girl standing next to her is Sierra, who is the same age, and won a medal for "most levels passed" - she went from level 1 to level 6 in one season!!! I am so proud of her, she is the ONLY skater from the Victoria club that is in spring skate, and is LOVING it!!! OOOOh, I think I am destined to be a skater mom - better get a second job. My mom was telling me that when my sister was preparing for the BC Winter Games she needed new skates. They were $725!!!! Eek, I wonder how many tables I will have to wait on to make that kind of money? That would be two full weekends of work, wage and tips, not spending it on ANYTHING else. Or, we could just forfiet paying our rent for one month, one of the two. Anyhow, will sign off now, proud as ever for my big girl!!!

Well what will it be???

May or may not have mentioned it, but all winter Hayley has been in skating with the Victoria Skating Club. She was enrolled in Canskate, which is a fun, entry level to figure skating, with 6 levels to pass and then you are in the Junior program. She began in level 2, as her skill level was enough to not "fall down, crawl to the glass, stand up, fall down, and then begin the process all over again". When the program ended she was in level 4. We had the opportunity to put her in the Spring Skate program, twice a week for the month of April and so we did. This is one thing that I did solely for the benefit of Hayley, as the entire winter I have sat in the bleachers of the Save On Foods Memorial Arena with a scrapbook magazine without even as much as a HELLO from all the other mom's (aka "I am too good to talk to a mom that's kid wears garage sale skates......bitches).

The point of all my rambling is that I received a phone call the other night to make sure that we were going to the Awards Banquet. We were not. The last way that I want to spend my night is surrounded with a bunch of snotty, spoiled skaters (maybe that is just the moms.....the skaters ACTUALLY say hello to me). Well, guess who is receiving an award that night!!!!????? My BIG girl! They will not tell me what award, but let's be honest, I would be over the moon if it was "The girl that consecutively wears pink" award!!!! I honestly think that I will cry, but in a tasteful way so that I in no way embarrass Hayley when she is up on STAGE accepting her award. Just know that you will all have to suffer through the photos to see come Wednesday on the ol' blog.

Things to be thankful for: more importantly than the award, Hayley had fun skating. Quinn is really getting the hang of the walking thing - trying it every chance that she can get. I am going to be an auntie in November - my little sis is going to have a baby. So happy I think I will burst. Either that or I ate something weird. Until next time......

Where can I go where it is nice and warm??

Where can I go where it is nice and warm, silent from everyone, where my diaper dries by itself, has a built in alarm when my cycle is done, and mom will never find me? THE DRYER - HOW UNSAFE IS THAT!!!!

Folding the laundry yesterday, I went into the bedroom to hang up my work pants, came back out and found Quinn in the dryer! So I did what every scrapbooking mom does - took the opportunity for a photo shoot! Then I did the responsible thing and took her out, relaying the message on how we should not play in it, and never, ever close the door - sort of. You have to admit, she did look pretty darn cute! Thank goodness she did not have any "unmentionables" on her head at the time!!!!!

Tom Thumb Safety School

Pedal cars to teach about safety - complete with working lights, cross walks and pretend gas pumps (although I will wager a bet that the gas is not $1.10 a litre there!!)
OOPS - a small fender bender - gotta hate rush hour, bumper to bumper traffic!
All clear and ready to pose for the camera!

Hayley went on a field trip today, to the safety school. Strangely enough, it is the same school that Roger went to when he was in Kindergarten!! She had such a great time learning all about road safety. Then proceeded to watch her mom run out in the middle of the road to take the photos - do as I say and not as I do never rang more true.