This and that....

So, I am well on the road to recovery now. I am feeling better every day - the black and blue has turned to green and yellow, and I look like myself (somewhat) again. Under my chin is quite bruised, as well as you can see the remnants of a black eye and a bruise on the lower cheek. All in all, everyone is pleased with the "look one week later".

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I know that I will take some getting used to the teeth. Everyone says that they are nice, but in my opinion they are big. I guess it is like when you have braces, you take some getting used to your new smile. I am in the getting used to phase. I just don't want to come across as ungrateful. They look natural, but big.

I am mentally preparing myself for my big 36 birthday on Wednesday as well. EEK. Another year gone. I am so happy with where everything is going that it was not a hard year to say goodbye to. Is it just me, or do they go by faster when you are older? Who knew that when you are a "grown up with kids" that you would spend your Friday nights at the indoor lacrosse box playing pass with your daughter, all the while having to wear a helmet with a cage so that you don't get whacked in the face with a ball. Should have got a photo of that!!!!!

Raining now outside, although did manage to score a deal on a "nearly new" double stroller today, now I can sell off the troublesome sit and stand. Nobody likes to ride in that relic. Peace and love to all of you, blog soon.

An update for you

Beautiful roses from Roger - this is one of the only times that he has bought me flowers. If I would have known that he was THIS good, I would have asked before...
These, my friends, are the BIGGEST bunch of flowers that I have ever seen. They are from my mom and dad, and were hand-picked from my friend Tina. They are so incredible. They have gerbera Daisy's, calalilies, freesia, and tons of really pretty smelly ones that I don't know the names too. They are, by far, the most beautiful bunch I have ever received. They add class to my house!!! Then at 8am this morning, Barbra, (one of my daycare moms) dropped of a bundle of gerbera Daisey's too. I am feeling spoiled!

So an update, I am doing well. Basically from 4pm on Friday until 8am on Sunday I stayed in bed and slept. I did get quite swollen, with big puppy-dog jowls, and today I am sportin' a black eye, but all in all I feel alright. My mouth is sore, don't get me wrong, but let's be honest, it was sore before! I know that this is a soreness that will decrease every day. My new teeth are very pretty, very white, and very big (in my opinion). After going for so long with broken, black, and decayed teeth, I would have been more than happy to have the mid-range model and not the mack daddy Caddy model that I have now. That and my Julia Roberts lip - I look different.

Peace my friends.....

It's Jeniflower's Birthday!

Happy birthday my dear friend! Enjoy your day with your lovely daughter, Amanda, and your weekend away with Steve. You deserve it all.

Remember, HEY HOTTIE - happy birthday!

xxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxx

Just two sleeps

I have not posted in a while as I am busy spending time with my family prior to the surgery on Friday. Everything is falling into place as well.
*cake ordered for Hayley's birthday celebration on Thursday night
*bike at shop getting a tune up (Hayley's present)
*other two pressies wrapped
*Schedule written for Earl in regards to all of Hayley's coming and goings
*rides all hooked up for two weeks of back and forth to school
*Quinners looked after on Friday
*Ipod all ready with new songs
*videos ready to watch
*Icepack in freezer
*same with veggie puree soup
*gingerale in fridge
*six nights of meals made for fam
*ride lined up for dental appointment on Saturday
*precriptions waiting to be taken
*new magazine in bag

Now I just need to adjust my brain, and loosen up and relax and all will be good.

Thinking of all of you. New smile on the way.

Meesh

Hello to my new reader..

A warm hello and Victorian hugs to Mrs. Pinski. She is a great lady, who is counted as one of my mom's closest and dearest friends, and has begun to read my blog. I love that you have stumbled on my takes (or out-takes) on life and that you get a giggle when you read it.

Love you to bits, thinking of Shane and hope that he is doing better every day. He sure has a gorgeous girl!

Crockie!

Well I succumbed to peer pressure, or decided that everyone else was looking good looking ugly so I thought I would jump on the ugly bandwagon. Got myself some crocks.

For those of you that do not live on the west coast, or do not know what these are, they are rubber shoes. Someone has even had the brilliant idea to have "jibbitz" on them, which are decorations for your above mentioned rubber shoes.

Mine are from the dollar store. (did you think that I was that desperate to fit in that I would actually pay RETAIL?) Shoes and jibbitz = change back from a ten dollar bill. Yeppers, want to fit in, cheap as all get out. That is me.

So in honor of my plastic shoes (which go in the wash, shine up with Sunlight, and will be great on the beach) I took some photos. Quinners has "dawgs", and mine are not crocks, but I guess instead aptly named the "blue light specials" I threw in a photo of Quinner's shoe against a regular sized pen so that you could all see how teeny tiny they are.

I wonder if they are recycled from all the diapers that I throw in the bin? Now would that not be hilarious!

A tribute to my East Coast readers

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the grass is growing - and my faithful readers in the East Coast cannot distinguish anything outside thier windows due to the VAST amount of snow they have. They are busy shovelling, moving, plowing, blowing, and cursing the snow strom that suddenly arrived at their doorstep. Let's be honest, that is only fun for the first day, then it gets old REAL fast.

So, in honor of the snow in other parts of the country, and over the boarder, we dressed up in all our finest mitts, hats, scarves and posed for a photo. Starring left to right, my daycare girl, Mouse, then Quinners in the middle, and Hayley on the right.

Enjoy the snow, it will melt soon, and you can get on with spring. Heaven forbid, was Mr. Groundhog wrong in his prediction?

The best news EVER!

So on a whim, about 8 weeks ago, we applied for this special fund that Moxies (Roger and my employer) has. Basically it is a fund that will provide monies for employees if they are needing time off to be with their families, with either a death, surgery, councelling, etc. We did not know if we fit the criteria, or the time frame, as the councel meets four times a year and then your case is up for review.

We heard today that not only do we fit all the criteria, we are already approved. We opted to not take the funds directly, but instead mail in the reciepts for the excess bills that the dental surgery will cost. We have extended health but only to a maximum of $2000 per calender year. We know that this will cost more, and we willing to go on the "pay-as-you-have-the-money" plan. The denturist was fine with that. Now we do not have to worry about it! I am so excited!!!

For those of you that think waitressing and cooking does not pay, obviously have never worked for an establishment like Moxies! Yet antoher small blessing that our family has had bestowed on them in 2007.

I love this year so far...

Special People in my Family

My brother, Jay, sister-in-law, Marcie, and niece; Emily. This is my YOUNGER brother, who works for an Oil Rig in Fairview, Alberta. Sad, we do not get to see each other as often as I want, but we are all going to be together in July for my cousin's wedding. I love you both.


My mom and dad. This was taken on my dad's birthday - in December - the girls and I flew to surprise him on his big day. They have always loved me, supported me, guided me, and are my biggest fans. They are awesome! Love you both!! xxx
My super-baby sister, Stephanie with Shea and baby Cadance. She is a great mom, a great sister, and now that we both have kids, we are getting to know each other in a whole new way. I love that she comes to me for advice - take it or leave it. I love you sis - you and Shea made a beautiful baby!

In honor of Valentine's Day I am posting about something other than my teeth, my gluten-intolerance or heaven forbid my kids. This is about all the other special people in my life. I love them all, they are so unique and contribute to my life in so many different ways. Without any of them my life would not be complete.

Come on, who doesn't like pesky younger brothers, who stink, have long showers and drink all the milk? And who could forget younger sisters - the ones that are twelve years younger, likes you solely for your popcorn making skills and thinks that you are "just like mom". (is that a bad thing....)??? I will always love you, even though you are far away, (maybe for a reason?), you are all in my thoughts.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY MOM, DAD, BROTHER, SISTER, "IN-LAWS" AND TWO VERY SPECIAL NIECES. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

WTF????

I just about fell out of the van today.

For two reasons : one being that my cell phone rang. I got the damn thing and usually forget to bring it with me, forget to turn it on, or pack it around for two weeks and never hear it ring. Two being that my oral surgery is booked already.

Yep, the speedy efficiency of the medical system amazed me. I think that I had the same look on my face as the Queen did when the courier told her "over night delivery" - and it happened. Remember what happened to the Queen? She ate her smirk. That is what I had for breakfast. My smirk. Tasted good too.

So, the verdict is this - March 2nd, 2007 I will have the dreaded surgery, and come out with a shiny new smile. I am still in shock that it is happening this quick, but I am thankful too. The only glitch is that it is happening so fast that I needed to give my denturist enough time. Thank god he is a professional, and can have it all done from molds to new chompers in two weeks time. Yahoo.

Apples, corn on the cob, steak, humous and chips, yummy BLT sandwiches, crunchy celery, and all those things that I cannot eat now, Momma's comin' to get you soon!!!!

Whew, Wednesday..

What a week, so far anyhow! Busy, to say the least.

I had my oral surgeon appointment today, and low and behold, it is ACTUALLY worse than first expected. Really, what can be worse than having ALL your teeth extracted? Try this on for size:
a)total odondectomy (layman term = all teeth out)
b) alvioloioplasty (layman term = smoothing of the gums, filing all the lumps and bumps to create a smooth surface for my new teeth)
c) maxiallary labial frenectomy (layman term = removal of the "flap" of skin that is attached to your upper gum and upper lip)'

Ya, and it all is now at the mercy of our oh, so great, medical system (no offence Queen, I know that is what your paycheck is all about....). Because of the severity of the surgery, I am having it done under FULL anestethic (I know that is spelled wrong) in the hospital operating room. So now the waiting game begins, so I wait.

In the meantime, I am going to have my "new chompers" all ready and waiting for me, just in case the medical system surprises me.

I know that a lot of my faithful readers have been very concerned with the outcome of today, and so I thought that I would update. Now we need speedy efficient service on the end of the Jubilee Hospital, and we are off to the races and able to eat corn on the cob when it is in season here again.....oh small pleasures in life......

Good news on the home front - Quinners cut 3 teeth, so contrary to the bet that Roger and I had going, NO she will not be two years old and still only sporting 4 teeth - all of which are in the front. We are thankful for that - that and the fact that my girls cut teeth by sleeping for 12-14 hours at a stretch and bingo TEETH.

Hayley is now doing awesome in Canskate Advanced, well on her way to passing into level six. The best news of all is that she made the Tyke team for lacrosse, which is what she choosing to play for the spring here. I am happy for an outside choice! She looks so cute out there with all her gear on, and running with all the boys. Photos to come when she lets me....

Peace and love to all of you. Thank you for the well wishes...

I jumped on the ENJOY LIFE bandwagon...

Seems as thought these are the HAUTE new item in the GF world. I received a free package of these cookies in my "thank you" bag from Planet Organic for being a representative at the latest Health and Wellness fair. To be completely honest, I had my reservations about trying them. That is why COOKIES sat in my cupboard for two weeks unopened.

Well, I read freetoeat and Mike's gluten-free-blog, and realized that I may be losing out on a good thing. So today, I opened them up. The box states "soft baked gingerbread spice". That is a fairly unheard of comment in the GF world - soft baked. Usually things have a unsuspecting dusty flavour, needing to be dunked in milk, or popped in the microwave to achieve the softness that they claim to have. Not these ones. They are telling the truth, they are soft, soft to the point of sticking to the next cookie in the sleeve that they are encased in. Not a bad thing if you are looking to have more than one... I am currently on my second one.

Now, I am even a tougher customer than most. My taste buds are dying to try the CINNAMON GRANOLA CRUNCH CEREAL, but alas, no support from my teeth in that category. So once all that business is taken care of, I will be buying that product as well. I am tempted to email Enjoy Life and let them know that they are being featured on so many blogs out there.....

Past truth: when something is nut, gluten, trans fat, dairy, peanut, tree-nut, soy, sulfides and wheat free, usually TASTE FREE should be on the label as well.

Verdict: these cookies are very good, and even if you CAN eat gluten, you should give them a try as a healthy alternative...

My weekend recap

Quinn reading her two favorite books, "Snuggle Puppy" and "Hippos Go Berserk". Both by an incredible author, Sandra Boynton. Amazing.

Hayley comes in the room and asks me why I am reading in the dark to Quinn. She laughed when I told her that I did not need the light, nor even the book for that matter, as I knew all the words, when to turn the pages, and everything. Can you tell we read a lot together?

Looking at "Snuggle Puppy". For those of you that are not familiar with the book, a mommy dog sings to her puppy - and it goes like this "I love what you are, I love what you do, fuzzy little snuggle puppy, I love you". Quinn will say it to me now. Melts my heart.
My big girl. Funny how this one is in front of the bookshelf! Look how grown up she looks. My oh my, she will be 7 soon. How can she be almost 7 and I feel as though I am still in high school? If grade school maths still holds true, that also means that I have aged by 7 years since she was born. EEK. Getting old girls........

My first weekend away from Moxies went well. A typical weekend though, as Roger and I have a conversation that goes something like this....

Roger "how did you like your weekend of no work?"

Me "hmm, I don't feel any more rested after not serving for 16 hours..."

Roger looks puzzled and cannot figure me out about now...

"well, let's see, I did 6 loads of laundry, grocery shopped, had skating lessons for Hayley, had to drive to an appointment, Quinn was running a fever, went to family swim on Sunday, made meals both days, picked up after everyone, and still managed to find time to read a bit of "The Good Earth".

HE STILL THINKS I HAD A WEEKEND OFF. NO SIRREE BOB - JUST DID NOT GET PAID FOR IT!!!

Really getting nervous here...

For some of my "faithful readers" this is old news, and for the rest it is a confession of sorts....

You all know that I have Celiac, and was diagnosed in July of 2005. I carry the classic symptoms of malabsorbtion, intestinal discomfort, stomach aches and weight loss. I also carry a relatively rare symptom, one that not a lot of Celiac's have. Lucky me. I have Enamel Hypoplasy. Which means that the enamel on my teeth is eroding, my teeth are rotting, and becoming brittle and cracking. Last year alone, I underwent four root canals, and many hours of rebuilding the front ones to cover the cracks and chips. They are literally beyond repair now...

I have had two specialists come from Vancouver and UBC, both under the same conclusion. This ties in with the Dentist that I have been seeing here, the mass decay that has happened in less than 18 months, and the fact that I am in need of 14 root canals now. Yep, you read that right, not a typo.

I have an appointment on February 7th with an oral surgeon. He will assess my situation, and plan on a date to have all of them taken out. All. Every last one. Finito. Adieu pain. Oh, how forgetful of me, yep, I have mass pain in my mouth, down to eating soft foods, and practically every day a small piece of tooth breaks off again.....

I am picking "my new chompers" out of a magazine. They will not be veneers, as the decay would not support posts and veneers. Plus - have you checked out the price of that? Wow, I was shocked.... They will be dentures, but, the 2007 version of them, not your grandparent's version of them. I will leave the oral surgeon's office (date still unknown) sans teeth of my own, but with my new ones in place. I will never go a day without teeth. As gross as that sounds, I laid down the law and said that this is traumatic enough for me and my family, that I cannot go around for 7-14 days with only gums. Very sore, bleeding, stitched up gums mind you, but the dentures will act as a pressure band-aid, and they treat the liners with a clotting agent, so that will help.

But, I am very nervous. I have had these teeth all my adult life. They are a part of me, even though they are a huge pain, they are affecting my self esteem, my eating, my ability to be social, and I am on pain killers for the decay....they are mine. Now I have to get used to a prosthetic, my smile will change (not that I like smiling now...) my speech will change, and not to mention I will probably look like a grotesque monster all swollen and sore for about 3 weeks....

I have to do something though....and this is it. I am asking that everyone send positive thoughts, warm fuzzies and think of me on the 7th....date for extraction to be determined then...

Heaven, I'm in Heaven...

Just finished having a big cry. Well, actually a little cry. In all honesty, a tear formed in my eye. Over what you may inquire?



MY GLUTEN FREE BREAD RECIPE THAT I GOT FROM FREETOEAT'S BLOG WORKED!!!!

I cannot believe it. Really I cannot. All my past attempts exited the oven and entered the garbage can. Did not pass go, did not collect $100. Did not even try them out for taste. But I pose the question to you; when it looks about 1" thick, consistancy of glue and weighs a ton - would you?

I could not even wait until it cooled. I had the pass the time by vacuuming the house so that I would stay busy and not hoverover the loaf quoting "cool cool cool". Finally it was ready for the big finale - boy was it worth it!!! I had a thick slice, with REAL butter and a dash of peanut butter, and it was melt-in-your-mouth-almost-like-before good.

For those of us not blessed with a bread maker, this is great! My kudos go out to Lynn for sharing it. Gotta go, all this talk about it makes me want another piece..... Cannot wait until tomorrow morning as I am going to try it out grilled as french toast.

Heaven, I'm in heaven....

Choices

So the outside of our townhouse looks like this. Beautiful blue shy, kind of warm, sunny - but most importantly, no rain, grey skies, dismal weather, or snow falling out of the big puffy clouds. All who reside in Victoria know why we do - not for the ferry (although it does help to prepare your visit when you know when people arrive - usually on the odd hour) but because of the fact the cherry blossom trees are in bloom while others in the Province are still shovelling snow. Poor suckers.
The inside of my townhouse looks like this. Dishes in sink, full dishwasher, one kid in school, one kid just recently out of jammies, toys littering living room, beds unmade, and day care kids running willy nilly.
Could empty the sink, but first have to empty the dishwasher......
Think I will put coats, hats and boots on kids and play instead. Just in case you did not know, but to the left of the light post is the Gorge - yes we have a water view. It is salt water at that!

What would you choose to do?

My recent discovery

I have discovered the online blog-world of gluten-free blogging. I am awash in new knowledge and discovery of how individuals are living totally gluten-free. For those of you that do not know, I have celiac disease, and have been diagnosed for 18 months now. The first year of diagnosis was akin to swimming underwater with gum-boots on, never completely feeling as though I had my head above water. It was a journey, with dead ends, food avoidances, lots of mistakes and a crap-load of support from my local chapter of the Canadian Celiac Assosiation. Now I am volunteering with the chapter and helping those newly diagnosed to help them sort through the truck-load of information that they recieve.

For example: did you know that gluten is the binder in most medications?
: it is found in shampoo and conditioner (wheat protein)
: it is found in toothpaste and mouthwash?
: it is in salad dressing, soy sauce and bbq sauce?
: it is in beer?
: it is in worshetershire (however you spell that word) sauce?
: in all AVENO products

It is really a gluten-filled world, and this is my journey to be gluten-free. I was excited to see a cook on Martha Stewert bake two totally GF products, and to quote the famous bad-hair diva, it was "a good thing".

Now, blog specialists I need some help. I would like to put the links onto my blog, so that you are able to navigate there, but have no idea how! Anyone out there with the technology?

My Scrapbook accomplishments

So as I mentioned, it was my quarterly "all day scrapjavascript:void(0)
Save as Draft-crop" on Sunday. I had a blast, ate great food, laughed a ton, and even managed to get some layouts done. I really needed the time away, to recharge my batteries, to renew my love of embellishments and very small brads, as well as get some great deals at the scrap-swap.

I did an entire 8X8 book about me. It was very challenging, and I came to the realization that I have VERY few photos of myself!

I included three photos of myself in grade school, I thought my kids would get a kick out of the style of the '70's.

I have been tagged too!

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Meesh
2. Mimi
3. Mommy

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1. Hayley&Quinnsmom
2. ladybugoff
3. Ladybug

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. my legs
2. my eyes
3. my back

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. my toes
2. my jelly belly
3. my teeth (or lack therof....hahahaha - inside joke)

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Norweigan
2. Scottish
3. English

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. car accidents
2. locking my kids in the car
3. spiders

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. coffee
2. email
3. Burts Bees lip balm (its in every pocket of every article of clothes)

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. my new ring.....YAHOO
2. my fleece (its new, and its effin cold)
3. my ipod


THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS:
(at the moment)
1. Elton John (th girls and I are rockin' out to him)
2. Garth Brooks
3. James Blunt (I am a copy-cat Jeniflower)

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS:
1. Unwritten
2. I'm Still Standin'
3. Landslide

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. to be heard
2. to be protected
3. to be treated like a princess

I HAVE ALL OF THIS NOW!!!!

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
1. I had warts when I was a kid
2. I have been forward repelling
3. I have had two c-sections

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. eye contact
2. two feet and a heartbeat
3. a driver's license

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
1. scrapbooking
2. preparing to scrapbook
3. shopping

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. meet my oral surgeon
2. congradulate Roger on his promotion
3. have two minutes of silence

THREE CAREERS YOU’RE CONSIDERING/YOU’VE CONSIDERED:
1. Nurse
2. Pharmasist
3. ESL teacher (did it briefly and loved it....)

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. Disneyland Cruise
2. Europe
3. Spain

THREE KID’S NAMES YOU LIKE:
1. Dane
2. Kate
3. Danielle

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. see my girl's get married to the man of their dreams
2. be mistaken for their sister at the wedding
3. have a girl's weekend away with the Queen

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A BOY:
1. Drink beer out of the bottle
2. Swear
3. Don't mind sweating

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A GIRL:
1. Lots of hair care products in my bathroom
2. love to accessorize
3. look good in dress up clothes (ie: crowns)

THREE CELEB CRUSHES:
1. Bruce Willis
2. Bruce WIllis
3. Bruce Willis

I will tag "Wecome to the Zoo", and put the bug in Jo's ear that I will ask her at work about it, she never comments either!

Staff party last night....

Well, it was our staff Christmas Party with Moxies last night. Every year we have it in January as it is slower than at Christmas. Roger and I debated for a few days on whether or not we wanted to go. Let me explain: the people that work at Moxies are young, bar-stars, dressed to the nines, "party does not get going until midnight" kind of people. It was a school night!!!! After a long discussion, we opted to go for dinner, just us, at a restaurant that does not have paper on the tables, and high chairs in plain view. Then we went to the party for a bit. To make an appearance and all. Cuz that matters at this stage of my life......

It was actually not too bad. Some live music, some food (none of which was gluten free so I was glad that we went out) and a chance to see some people outside of the 4-walls of Moxies. We were home by 11:30pm, and in bed shortly after. All in all, we were glad that we went.

Roger never poses for a photo, he always has his tongue out. But you get the just of what we looked like on our big night out.

3:18 am and a new armband

Why is it that little toddlers are hardwired to wake up at the same time each and every night? We took Quinners' bottles away and since then she has been awaking once every night. Right on the 3:18am button. I could set my alarm to it. All she needs is a cuddle, a walk back to her room (damn big girl bed that she can get out of) and a new tuck in. Then a goodnight and bingo, she is good to go back to sleep. Me, on the other hand, needs a bit of pursuading. Back under covers, get the cold side of the pillow, roll Roger on his side (snoring) and concentrate more on sleep and less on the upcoming events of the day: read here: bills, groceries, appointments, etc. I am a mental planner, and in turn this makes me MENTAL.

Quinn also had to go the OT that dealt with her burn and it's prognosis. She was fit for a neoprene arm band that she had to wear for 6 months, which will help to flatten the scar. She did not seem fazed by it at the OT's office, but when we had to put it on after the bath last night, you would think that one of us was ripping her fingernails off one by one. The screaming coming out of this pint size wonder was incredible. It was enough to actually have me have to restrain her and Roger put on the band. It turned out she was less interested in the band and more mad about the fact that she was no longer holding the special cream in her hand. After peace was restored it was like nothing happened. Roger and I are looking at each other in anticipation of a good stiff drink to suddenly appear, and Hayley is hiding out in her room until the ear-drum-breaking scream subsides. Toddlers are a mystery...

On a happy note, today is the first day for Hayley to be in Canskate Advanced! She was approached on Wednesday and asked if she would like to move up with all the BIG kids, and of course she jumped at the chance. I am very proud of her, and although it involves an increase in fees and a private lesson (I will deliver papers to make it work financially for her!!!!) I know that it is a HUGE plus in the self esteem. To know that she has progressed enough in such a short amount of time is so encouraging. As a mom, my opinion is biased at best, but this is something that I am so very proud of her at!

I also finished two layout pages in my scrapbook yesterday. I am waiting with baited breath until my ebay order of my Winter Album arrives, lets hope that it comes this week as my Scrap Crop day is on Sunday, January 21st. Poor Roger, he has lost the floor portion of his office due to me laying out each page, with paper, embellishments, and journaling, just waiting to put it in the book. Cannot wait!

101 things in 1001 days

I have been tagged, so here it goes.

1. hug my girls every day
2. have Hayley read to me each night
3. listen, really listen
4. tell my loved ones how I feel
5. embrace my Celiac, and know that it is a part of me
6. tell my mom how I feel about how she raised me, she did a grand job and needs to know
7. get to know Roger's family
8. plan our "day" the Vegas way
9. find the dress I love to wear that day
10. scrap book more
11. scrap less
12. talk to others how I wish to be talked to
13. ask for help
14. actually take an interest in GI Joes (god help me)
15. get a tattoo (3rd one)
16. open my mind to new ideas
17. hang out with Liz more
18. work less at Moxies
19. pay off a debt
20. walk to school with Hayley more
21. learn to do the monkey bars with her
22. learn to bake gluten-free
23. don't buy as many clothes
24. live simply
25. see more of my neighbourhood
26. see more of my city
27. enrich myself in the arts
28. deny negativity
29. be an optimist
30. learn to smile again
31. learn to love my hair (eek)
32. buy second hand when at all possible
33. denounce Walmart as an acceptable place to shop
34. support small businesses
35. get to know my neices
36. introduce Hayley and Quinn to their cousins
37. hang out with Missy and Tanya more
38. eat something new
39. date Roger
40. watch "Breakfast at Tiffanys"
41. get a new digital camera
42. buy a new piece of pottery from a Farmer's Market
43. buy Organic
44. eat more vegetarian food
45. hike Mt. Finlayson
46. camp ONCE in a tent with the girls
47. visit Tofino again
48. be pampered at the spa
49. have my taxes done by an accountant
50. potty train Quinn
51. ride my bike with Hayley
52. beat ROger at bowling on the Nintedo Wii
53. build a deck out back
54. cherish friends
55. ask for help
56. learn to not be embarrased about my teeth
57. paint our bedroom
58. go to Saxe Pointe and take photos
59. savour an ice cream cone
60. worry less
61. laugh more
62. let loose
63. be slow to anger
64. drink tea more, and coffee less
65. friends : re-unite myself to them
66. be a better friend
67. skate with Hayley
68. read "All the Hippos go Beserk" every night to Quinn (her fave)
69. go to Fairview
70. plan our summer holiday
71. smile, with my new smile
72. hold hands with Roger more
73. run the Garden City 10k (or at least run)
74. rollerblade
75. forgive Earl
76. file for divorce
77. scrapbook my album about me
78. update my will
79. recycle more
80. drive less
81. listen to more music
82. update my Ipod
83. learn to live on a budget
84. BUT - buy some kick ass shoes
85. be happy with what I have
86. increase Celiac awareness
87. volunteer more
88. go to the library more
89. get to know Hayley at school
90. garden again
91. ask my mom to help me with my flowers
92. take more photos
93. in turn - scrapbook the memories
94. play silly games
95. have a manicure and pedicure before the summer
96. go to the movies
97. pay a babysitter
98. love myself
99. love my partner
100. love my kids
101. forgive, forget, move forward

Dinner conversation too boring for you?

Well, I guess that she still needs naps! We spent the day taking the bus downtown, going to the Museum as it was by donation this week. Some of the proceeds went to the Burn Unit (where Quinn had her arm looked at, and where she has her OT now). We had a great time!!!! We went to ChinaTown for lunch, and we went through the narrow alley that is famous here - called Fan Tan Alley. We emerge on the other side, and Hayley says "OH my - we are in CHINA!" Priceless. Me and the girls window shopped at all the different fruit and veggies that are for sale there, laughing at our version of how you would cook them - or in some cases - how you would even PEEL them!

I guess that it was too exciting for Quinn to sleep, and soon as she finished her rice kripsie square for dessert - out she went for the night. Right there on the table! I can only remember one time that Hayley did that!

Big night for Quinn though, it was her first night without a bottle. The "bottle fairy" came and brought her sippy cups, and so begins the first night of battles. She did wake up this morning, though, and ask for a "new baabaa" and happily accepted the sippy cup. Let's hope that it is that easy!

HAPPY NEW NEW!!!

That is how I woke up this morning, with Quinn saying "Happy New New" to me along side the bed. With blanket and dolly in tow - she cannot be without either one. Unbeknownst to her, she will have her bottles (or baabaas) ripped from her tiny grip in two days. Yep, getting rid of them, putting them in a box, tied with a ribbon, and the "bottle fairy - the tooth fairy's distant cousin -" will exchange them for new sippy cups. Won't she be pissy then....

Roger and I had a quiet New Years, with neither one of us seeing the old turn into new. We cooked up a yummy dinner of prawns, scallops and bacon, lobster tails and tenderloin steak - complete with sauteed mushrooms and baked potatoes and gorged ourselves by candlelight. Our dining company of Quinn ate a prawn and a mushroom and an applesauce. Boy, she must be busting at the seams today. Hayley spent the night with her dad, as he has officially made the move to Kelowna (on the mainland) and will not be back on the island for some time now. Then we watched "Anger Management" and to bed we went. Other than the food we ate, it was a typical night for us, but one in which required us spending time together, reflecting on the past year and our goals for this one. I am very proud of what we accomplished during the 2006 year, and can only imagine what 2007 will bring about.

For those that did not hear the news, Roger got down on one elbow and proposed to me on Christmas Eve. A shock to me if I ever had one. Who knew under all that tough exterior beats the heart of a sentimentalist? The ring is beautiful (but of course) and very simple. He even explained to the lady at Ben Moss that the ring had to have a ton of style and practicality. He said that is how he envisions me - sylish yet practical. Does that mean that I dress to the nines in sensible shoes? Or stretchy jeans? Or buy a purse that I know a diaper can fit in? Or know when we are going to be at someones' house and doing a lot of sitting down that I can get away with wearing my very high boots (my sittin' boots?). I guess that is me. I will attempt to take a photo of the white gold, diamond inlaid beaut when it comes back from being sized to my small fingers.

So out with the old and in with the New. Trust all of you had a wonderful time spending time with your family and loved ones throughout the holidays. For those of us that the holidays were tinged with sadness of lost loved ones' memories, may you possess the strength and perserverence to know that you were loved and honored by the best.

Check out the Christmas slide show!

My skating beauty

Hayley had the opportunity to go to Buchart Gardens on December 17th, with her dad. I was quite upset as this was the second year in a row that I had to work and could not attend the outdoor fun. Unknown to me, my new "skating mom/friend" took all the photos that you see and emailed them to me so that I could see how her solo went. I absolutely love the one of the silouette of her face, with the blurry skaters in the background. Might have to talk to one of my photography buddies (aka Mel and Annamarie) and have them help me to enlarge it to a 5X7 to have framed......

Christmas Concert

Hayley's little friend Lily is in the pink shirt here,
Hayley's class - with Hayley somewhere in the middle row. She is the one wearing the hat!!! hahaha some blogger funny for you.
Right smack dab in the center is Hayley. They sang a Jewish song (everytime she sang it I could hear Adam Sandler's voice for hours.....) and a traditional Christmas one.

Yes, the Winter Concert was yesterday. Me, Quinn and one daycare girl went to the festivies during the day. I have to say, it was darn cute. The long boring parts (read:when Hayley was not on stage) was made up by Quinn dancing in the seats yelling "Santa ho ho ho" and "reeendeer neigh neigh" periodically. That and random songs, that I had no idea had to do with Christmas, but I guess Hawaii has it own version of it, and the words were all changed in the song "Walking in a Winter WOnderland" to fit the West Coast weather, now it is "Walking in a Wacky Weatherland". We had wind of over 90km/hour again yesterday.....


I had to say goodbye to Hayley today. She is off to Calgary for Christmas. It really has not hit me, probably some tears on Christmas. I am feeling off - I cannot understand how your mind and body can become accustomed to saying goodbye to your own daughter and have it become strangely normal? I know that she will have a great time, and she flies with her grandparents, and with her Poppies' health - it may be one of the last times that they go away at Christmas, and so I am comforted in that. Plus we all were together last Christmas in Quesnel, and it would be selfish of me to have her every holiday. So glad that my mom and dad and their Korean exchange student are comeing here (granted that the Island does not blow away) to help with Christmas. I think the saddest part is not that I want Hayley here for Christmas (I do), but more importantly, Quinn misses her so much. I wanted to see them together to open pressies. Just the pure, untouched joy on their faces.

Some photos of the holiday

This photos is PURE irony. This is the view from our plane about 20 minutes before we landed in Vancouver. The ironic part is that the weather was so bad, with low cloud cover, the plane could not land at the Quesnel airport. The girls and I were put on a bus to Prince George - a mere 90 minutes to the north. Then we borded a plane to fly to Vancouver. EEK. Made for an interesting turn to the holiday adventure. That and the fact that 5 minutes before we landed we dipped through the clouds and had a bit of turbulance - enough that Quinn promptly threw up all over herself, and me. Like I mentioned, made for an interesting turn.
This was our baby's attempt at skating in Quesnel. Sans skates though. There is a small patch of ice at the arena that you are allowed to go on with outside shoes. Quinn loved it. She raced around, pushing the metal "thing" and laughing. Up until the Zamboni cleaned the big ice surface, and then she forgot all about "skating" and decided that watching it go around and around was much more interesting/hypnotizing.
The morning that we left, she is watching Nana Margo shovel us out of the driveway and me load everything into garbage bags (to keep the snow off) and put in the back of the truck. Hayley was getting one last kick at the can and sledding across the street. Did I mention that it was 8am?
Our SUPER STAR skating!! She whipped around, like she owned the ice. Nana Margo sure saw a vast improvement since seeing her last year. She is so much more confident on the ice now. The Quesnel rink is about a 5 minute walk from my parent's house, and so we are there a lot when we visit.
Look at this motley crue! They are sitting on an inflatable duck, one in which the original use was for being pulled behind a boat on warm sunny days. Alas, we are using it to carreen down a sledding hill at 100 miles an hour. It is very fun, although very unpredictable. You just never know when it is going to turn around on you and suddenly you are going backwards. Look at Quinn's face! Priceless. She hated the start of going down the hill, and loved it half way. She was yelling "Whoa fast". We never let her go down on ducky, she went in a red crazy sled instead. With me holding tight in the back. Hayley, however, went down the hill on ducky all morning! Directly kitty-corner from this hill is my mom and dad's house, and if you find yourself going down the sledding hill and taking a very sharp right hand turn, you will run into the arena!

The girls and I had a great short visit with my mom and dad this past weekend. We went for a surprise visit for my dad's 60th birthday, and he thoroughly enjoyed being with the girls. We will see them on the 23rd as they are coming to spend Christmas with us here. I cannot wait.

HANGING MY HEAD IN SHAME...

ELIZABETH CADANCE LEE DELANY. SHE IS CALLED CADIE. SHE IS THE LOVE OF STEPH AND SHEA'S LIFE. LONG DISTANCE KISSES FROM HAYLEY AND QUINNERS.

I am a bad aunty. A very bad aunty. I got so damn excited about my sister having a baby that I spelled her name wrong, got her middle name wrong, and probably sent the gift to the wrong person. I really wonder where my head was at that day. So 10000 apologies to Stephie, and here, in tribute to my new neice, are some photos and her correct name. Enjoy.