We live in Harmony!

Rite of passage

2009-06-24T17:53:00.002-04:00

It is official, Sarah has her beginners licence. It only took 2 1/2 hours at dept of motor vehicles. What a pathetic set up for writing beginners test. But she did it and is very excited. Congrats Sarah.

Avoidance

2009-06-22T07:17:00.006-04:00

Yes, I have been avoiding blogging. Why? Because, if I blogged I would have to post about Sarah's birthday on June 12th. And if I blogged about that then I would have to come to terms with the fact that she turned 16! I cannot believe it. Now she is ready (or thinks she is ready) to drive a car. We will try and go get her beginners license this week. I know we all say how fast time goes, but this time it really has passed too quickly. She is such an amazing young woman, who has so much to offer and share with the world.

I can't believe how lucky we are to have her for our daughter.

Thank you Sarah for just being you.

Yes, another cake made by Sara Bates.

(not sure why everything is underlined and can't get rid of it)

13th Birthday weekend!

2009-05-25T07:46:00.005-04:00

Well, it was Connor's 13th b'day on Friday. Hard to believe. We had 5 games of hockey this weekend and a dance recital too. Here is how our weekend unfolded. I am working 7-3 on Fri, and have to drive Jeff's truck (aka: bucket of bolts) to work. Jeff takes Connor to the city for his game in the morning. After the game Connor spends the day with Bradley from his team in Halifax, and Jeff drives home and stops in Kentville to switch vehicles with me.I get off work at three and head into the city for Connor's game at 6. Jeff takes Sarah to dance class from 4-5, then chores. Connor and I head home after his game. Sat morning Sarah, Connor and I head to the city for a game at 1. Game is late starting and Connor's friend Brad gets hurt, has to go to IWK to have wrist xrayed, don't think it is broken bad sprain but will have to have it re-xrayed later in week. Connor takes a bad hit from behind and goes into boards head first, mom has a fit in the stands and yells at ref, could not help it, he is okay and back on for next shift. Connor finally gets a goal, hard to do as a defenceman, we all scream like crazy people, but they lose their third game in a row. Game done at 315, have to be in Wolfville for dance at 5. Connor was supposed to stay with Brad again, but he is at IWK, Hunter's family says he can go with them, great, we all go check in to hotel, Sarah gets ready for dance recital, we head to Wolfville and get there at 510. Dance recital cost $12 to get in, won't let you video your kids dance (cause Jeff can't go), he is driving in for Connor's next game at 640, cause I don't like him there without one of us in case he gets hurt as this checking thing is really out of control. So, they will let you order a dvd of the entire show for only $30 &*&#$$#@$ dollars. Please I know how much dvd's cost. Want a program, no problem they will sell you one for only $3. The kids are supposed to stay right till the end of the 3-4 hour show, (this is only 1/2 the show there was one in the afternoon) but I told Sarah we would leave right after her second dance as we had to go back to the city, cause Connor would be in the hotel room alone. I loved Sarah's dances, she did modern this year and did a great job. Would have been nice if I had taken a pic of her but who has time for that. Get back to city at 930, Connor not back yet as their game was late starting, ordered pizza for all for supper and it came just after he got back from another loss. Eat, shower, all in bed by 1100. Game on Sun at 930, Jeff drives up again, lose again, go to Dartmouth crossing for lunch, spend $80 at Montana's for lunch, not sure what the hell we ate for that but will never go there again, go to golf town to return a golf club, Michael's, and the shoe factory, head home. Get home at 4, call Sara to go pick up Connor's b'day cake as the family is coming for 7pm to celebrate the poor kids birthday from Fri. Cake is amazing, Connor did not want to cut it, but his cousins did. Cake not looking so good now. Today, I feel like I ma

y actually have stepped of the roller coaster except we have something again every night this week. But, when I stop and think that in 2 years Sarah will be on her way to university and in 5 years Connor will be, I think the weekend was not so bad

Connor's Family

2009-05-17T13:18:00.004-04:00

The baby's are about three weeks old. So cute and fast. This morning one jumped out when he was feeding them and Jeff, Connor and I spent almost two hours trying to get the baby from under the shed. Connor had to crawl right under and eventually he caught it in his hands. All are safe for now. Anyone want to buy one??

Time for a couple of recent pics

2009-05-11T09:11:00.002-04:00

The weirdest feeling ever!

2009-04-27T05:52:00.002-04:00

Well, we are still blending away. Tomorrow is Sarah's checkup in Halifax. It will be two weeks on Thurs. I really (REALLY) hope they put loose enough elastics on so she can can something in her mouth like pasta. This diet is getting old for her very fast. She has lost about 6lbs. Had to make a new hole in her belt because her pants were falling down. The swelling is really going down. Now she looks like someone who just got their wisdom teeth out, and the bruising is almost gone. Yesterday, Connor was harrowing (sp?) a field for Jeff. He was driving the big John Deere cab tractor. I can't believe he can drive that, but the field was flat, so he was having a blast. The weird feeling??? When I went to pick him up, Sarah came with me and I let her drive down the dirt road to the field to pick him up. He was not quite done when we got there, so I let her drive up and down a few times. Okay, so sitting in the passenger seat when your kid is in the drivers seat.....that is the weirdest feeling ever. She did really well, did not go too fast, just wanted her to get used to what the truck feels like. She was so excited, it was kind of nice to see a smile (as close as she can smile right now) on her face again. Neither one of us is ready for the open road yet, but that will come soon enough. If anyone can figure out how to slow time down a little I would love to know, cause I don't care for how quickly my two kids are growing up.

Celebrate the tiny victories!

2009-04-22T11:12:00.004-04:00

We found a way to make instant potatoes and put them in a syringe and Sarah can squirt them thru her teeth. Sound yummy! She sure thinks so right now. Poor kid she was so hungry this morning when she woke up. The scale said she was 99.4 and she is normally 105. I was starting to panic about this. She is eating them now and says her belly feels better, not so empty. I'm trying to figure out how to get my own jaw wired shut, cause I think that is really the answer.

Plugging away....should I say blending away.

2009-04-21T06:11:00.004-04:00

Do you know how limiting a liquid diet is? Especially for a kid who is not crazy about smoothies. I don't get how you can not love smoothies. Sarah says it's the bubbles?? I think she panics whenever she hears the blender. Her swelling is starting to go down and the bruises are turning green/yellow, not quite as pretty as the purple was. We went for a walk together yesterday, to try and get her some fresh air. She was tired when we got back and had a little nap. I told her that was normal, as it takes days for the anaesthetic to get out of your system. We thought of a few more things to try to drink, so I will get them this morning. I will have to get her to step on the scale, worried about how much she is losing, funny I worry about the opposite when I step on the scale. Last night we got the computerized phone call from the school saying she missed more than one class....duh...I will have to call and remind them yet again that she had surgery, don't want that call every night for two weeks.

Recovey time

2009-04-18T14:31:00.006-04:00

Well, now it is all about recovering and healing. Sarah was a trooper and came thru her surgery really well. The hardest thing I did was have to let her go to a total stranger and make her way around that corner and lose control of my daughter. We were hugging each other so tight and I know she told me at least five times in jus

t a few seconds she loved me. She had an IV where she got antibiotics and steroids (for swelling) for the first 24 hours. Morphine by needle for the first 12 hours or so and then pain is manageable with just extra strength Tylenol (liquid). The swelling and bruising is harder for her to deal with. She is embarrassed at how she looks, the first thing she said when she saw herself was that she had a double chin. She said she will make sure she is never obese because she knows now what she would look like. (like that could happen) Today I do not think she is anymore swollen than yesterday, so maybe this is the worst, they said the peak would be at 72 hrs. She had x-rays yesterday, and what a difference in the before and after, she wanted copies but they can't do that so I took pics of the screen. The xrays are the only pics she will let me pot, and I understand that. Have a look a

t the front teeth, that is where you really see the difference. Now, the real challenge of keeping her from losing too much weight while her mouth is elasticized shut for 4 weeks. Kind of freak us both out when the give you the scissors in a sterile package to carry around with you in case of and emergency to open her mouth (ie:

choking) Here's the pics.

This is the before:

Here is the after:

She is much cuter in person!

Today is the day!

2009-04-16T04:10:00.002-04:00

Today, we are on our way to Halifax for Sarah's jaw surgery. Sarah and I are both very nervous. She will be elasticized shut for four weeks. That is four weeks of liquid diet. I bought a juicer last night, so hopefully between the blender and juicer I can keep her from fading away. I wish it was me not her!

Undefeated!

2009-03-08T16:14:00.004-04:00

Connor's hockey team was in the Mainland tournament this weekend to decide who goes to Provincials for Peewee AAA. Their team went 4-0. They played great hockey. Now we have to spend three nights in Pictou next weekend. Yahoo! Life has just been busy with work, hockey, school, winter. So tired of winter. Sarah is having her jaw surgery April 16. She wants it over with and I can't blame her for that. I really do not have anything exciting to talk about so I will just post a few pics of the last ice storm.

Annie turns.............41!!!!!!!

2009-02-13T09:37:00.007-04:00

Wednesday was Annie's b'day. So Annie, Mom and I went to the city for a day of retail therapy. (Sorry Tracey, we had you there in spirit) Really Annie took the day off because she hates where she works so much. Had lots of laughs, went to Dartmouth crossing, MicMac and managed to fill a cart at Costco. Met, Rita and Patti, who Annie used to work with for lunch at East Side Mario's. Did not have to say a word cause Patti did all the talking. Here's a few pics from the day.

Blog Banner

2009-02-04T08:50:00.002-04:00

Found this blog and wondered why no one ever updates it, then remembered it was mine! Oops. The banner says "Harmony" in Chinese. Anyone know how to make the banner pic smaller so it actually fits better. I think I am still in the January fog, even though it is Feb. I will upload some pics later today and actually post.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2008-12-15T06:30:00.005-04:00

Sat was my mom's birthday. She is 61, still young! We had her up for supper and Elysia and Graham stayed over night because Annie and Mike were partying it up in Halifax. Mom's little dog Sophie kept us entertained. She gets away with way more bad stuff than we ever did. Happy Birthday Mom, you really are the BEST!

2008-12-13T16:57:00.001-04:00

This is not the only Kal art I will own, but I cannot share right now.! Here is her blog, check her out!

http:www.lovelife.typepad.com

Her work is very empowering to women.

Look what I got today!

2008-12-11T22:46:00.003-04:00

For anyone who scrapbooks, you will know who Kal is.

I love her artwork.

2008-12-02T13:12:00.004-04:00

Wanted to share a pic of Sarah and her great smile!

December 1: Love to set the table with the Christmas dishes.... To celebrate the beginning of the crazy season....I think we should eat by candle light all the time. I always wanted dishes that were just for Christmas so a couple of years ago I bought some. We use them just for December and it is so fun. This morning, Connor even lite the candles for breakfast.

Here is a link to our "Elf Dance" for 2008:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/morWNqwhMPA3Y4JxdTph

Dog Sitting

2008-10-20T08:12:00.003-04:00

We are looking after Sophie while my Mom is in BC visiting Tracey and the girls. She is a really good little dog. As you can see in the photo, her and Connor have really bonded. Don't worry Mom, I'm sure she will switch back to Montreal when you get home.

A quickie!!

2008-10-10T12:51:00.006-04:00

Tons has gone on since the first day of school, will have to try and get caught up soon. Yesterday we had about 200 Canada Geese in one of our fields. It was way cool and took tons of pictures with the new lens I got for my birthday. Here's a few photos. Heading out, later!

Grade 7!

2008-09-04T19:33:00.006-04:00

The first day of grade 7. He would only allow me to take three pictures of him. (I think it's going to start costing me money again for photos). It is hard to get a picture of him with his eyes open because as soon as he sees the camera he starts blinking at warp speed. You can see from the pics where he had a few teeth pulled this summer, to make room. You can also see how foggy it was here this morning. I took two more hours of vacation time this morning so I could be home to see my boy off. Today was my first day back to work after 22 days vacation, and man was it tough. Connor weighed his back pack, it weighed 17 pounds!

GRADE 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-03T08:16:00.006-04:00

A few tears again when Sarah got on the bus this morning. She thinks I am ridiculous, but I can't help it. It is grade 10 after all. When I think I only have her home for three more years, I could start crying on the spot. I feel for you Paulette. She still has not realized what a great person she is and that she has so much to offer the world. Anyone who comes in contact with her during their lives will be better for it. (okay, so I may be a little biased). Connor does not start back till tomorrow....teachers needed an inservice today. (sorry to my teacher friends) but being the first day does look bad. Sarah did let me take these pictures, but I had to make sure I was way out of sight when the bus came. Apparently I am embarrassing. What's up with that?

She'd had enough by the time I took this one!

At the Ex!

2008-08-16T10:16:00.002-04:00

A little photo of how Jeff is enjoying the Ex........too much excitement for him..........actually, too much work for him between going back and forth to the farm and the ex.

Busy Summer

2008-08-15T07:47:00.006-04:00

Hello Blogger World. Just a quick post to let you know we are still alive and well, just have been crazy busy. This week we are at the Valley Ex in Lawrencetown. A crazy and tiring week for all. Last week my sister and her girls, Kaylie and Hannah were home. We had a great week together, but time goes buy way too fast. Tracey managed to get to a soccer game for all four of the Nova Scotia cousins. Trace, Mom and I went to Grand Pre winery for lunch, (Annie had to work), but we had a glass of wine for her. Sarah and Connor had 4H Achievement days in there too, just to keep things busy. Next time she comes home, we are taking the time off from all activities, so we can just hang and do things together. Here are some pics from her visit. I will try and get back in the swing of things next week. I am now on vacation until Sept 4 so that should allow me to get control of my life again...........I hope.

Giving it his all...........

2008-07-09T04:56:00.000-04:00

On a Sunday morning..........

2008-07-06T14:42:00.006-04:00

.............when the rest of the world is sleeping in at their cottage or going to Church, farming families are in the hayfield, making hay while the sun shines. Here are some photos of Connor driving the John Deere cab tractor with the round baler on back. It was a nice flat field so he and his father assured me it was safe. And I think the last photo says it all!

Here she is.............

2008-06-17T08:32:00.008-04:00

...........fifteen years ago.............................She was so cute, her favorite things were bubbles and her purple shoes. Now she is a beautiful young woman and her favorite things are her new laptop and cell phone.

Sarah is such a great kid. She is kind and thoughtful and so funny. I am very proud of the person she has become. I love that she is not afraid to be herself. She has great things to offer the world as she grows up. Happy Birthday Sarah.

Here he is................

2008-05-22T08:04:00.005-04:00

...............on his first birthday!

He was soooo cute! And today my boy is 12. Can't believe it. Here he is running in a track meet yesterday. He ran the 800m, 1500m and 3000m. He is in grade 6 but runs against 6,7,8's. He did well but was disappointed he did not make it to Regionals. Next year he will, I am sure. Just needs to grow a little more.

(Don't you love how I got the background nice and clear and my boy all blurry, okay, not how I wanted it.) This kid is one of two amazing kids we have. He is such a nice boy, loving, kind, compassionate, funny and energy that exhausts us. The world is such a better place since he came into it. Happy Birthday Connor.
Sarah and Connor on Mother's Day. Sarah's teeth are looking good, but Connor's are next. Really, the orthodontist is just like having another car payment. But it is worth it. we had book club Monday night. What a great time, thanks Debbie, great laughs and tears, and great food. Can't wait till our weekend in the fall with these ladies. Who knows maybe we won't get along if we spend more than three hours together????????

"Better than all the rest"

2008-05-12T07:39:00.002-04:00

That's what Tina Turner says in her song, and this is who the song is about! (Well for our family anyway) We were lucky enough to be able to spend the day with Mom. What an example as a Mother. Thank you. I made her a movie with some pics of her when she was little (so cute) and my Grandmother and my sisters and I when we were little (so cute too) and then random pics through the last few years of all of us and the kids. Why when you put pictures to music do they really seem to come to life and make us cry like babies. It was a good day. Love you Mom!

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T18:49:00.001-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's. You need to watch this video, it is quite funny.

Mom's Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6P2w5GkXmU&feature=related

Hope you had a good one.

2008-05-08T09:12:00.003-04:00

Here is a Harmony sunrise from a while back. Last weekend was PAAT in Middleton for Breast Cancer and what a time had by all. Who knew 20hrs of papercrafting could fly by that quickly. We were treated like royalty by Myleta and her dream team. Spent time with lots of great friends and a little "avec" to go with it. I do think the chocolate fountain at 3am was a highlight. Although when I came home at 6 am ready to go to bed, I came home to a little boy who had been throwing up most of the night and did not stop until 2sh in the afternoon. Needless to say, I was so ready for bed Sunday night. Connor got up Mon morning ready to face the world again. He made the Valley United 2A soccer team and is very happy about that. Sarah informed me that there are only 27 teaching days till summer vacation, and I cannot believe she will be in grade 10 next year. I have to take a picture of her teeth, they are looking so good. Had to work three days this week, so glad to be off today. I am supposed to be doing bookwork, will get to that later. My sister, Tracey and her girls will be home in Aug for a week, very excited about that. Jeff's dad is still in Kentville, he is doing okay, still very sore. The doctor told him he was still very bruised in side and it would take a while. He is still wearing oxygen to try and help his breathing because he does not breathe very deeply due to the pain from all his broken ribs. Why is it after the fact that we start to realize how close we came to losing someone. He is a very lucky man.
Taryn posted about giving a woman in Hlfx a loonie, I have to say, I do the same thing whenever they come to my car. It started because of Connor. He shamed me into it. We were in Hlfx once and a man was holding a sign that said "no money for rent or food" Connor asked me what is said as we were passing by and when I told him, he started to cry and said " we have to help him because he needs us" There was no judgement from him, all he saw was someone who needed help. Why they needed help did not matter to him. (He was about four at the time). To be able to see the world that way is a gift. So since then I do try and give some change, because I always have those eyes with tears hanging in them in the back seat watching me, even if I am alone.
I should get back to work and I might even start to unpack from the weekend today, who knows.

Happy Birthday Tracey!

2008-04-28T09:11:00.007-04:00

Yesterday was my "youngest" sister's b'day. She turned 37. Just a baby. (I tried to post from work but the frigging computer would not let me do it.) Thus, I feel I should post a few pictures of her, and since she is my sister they may not all be flattering:
Tracey, I want you to know how proud I am that you are my sister. You are an amazing woman and mother. You have strength and courage and should stand tall. Let this birthday be a beginning for you. And remember: "ROY GIRLS ROCK!"

One jumper at a time!

2008-04-24T13:53:00.004-04:00

That is what the directions for a trampoline tell you. Here is the Harmony interpretation of that: Really, seven is not that many is it?
Donald (Jeff's Dad) is holding his own in ICU in Kentville.

A little prayer please.

2008-04-23T12:08:00.002-04:00

Jeff's Dad was cutting trees in the woods yesterday and part of a tree fell on his back and knocked him to the ground. Of course, he was alone, but somehow he managed to get himself out onto the road where Jeff saw him and picked him up. We called an ambulance and we went to Kentville. He has four broken ribs in his back, lots of scrapes and bruises and a black eye. They wanted to keep him over night because he is 72 and has COPD. Last night they transferred him to Middleton emerg because Kentville was so busy. This morning, he was having trouble breathing because a lung collapsed. They put in a chest tube and drained off a litre of blood from around his lung. He has since been transferred back to Kentville and will be admitted.

Spring time in Harmony!

2008-04-22T07:38:00.005-04:00

So nice to finally have warm weather. You can tell it's spring here because for the last 4-5 days everyone is hauling their "junk" to the curb for spring cleanup! I think it is so funny to watch the cars and trucks stop and rummage thru our pile of "junk". Let them take what they want as long as it is out of my yard. On the weekend we cleaned out the shed, this would be where all the "junk" came from. If I find out who had been dumping all that stuff in there all winter long when we were not looking they will be in trouble. We put up the trampoline and the kids have been bouncing ever since. You never know when a game of base ball or soccer is going to break out in the field next to us or if the back yard will turn into a driving range with the golf net set up. All are sure signs of good weather. Connor got an early b'day present, a membership to Eden golf course. Him and Kellen have been out a couple of time and he loves it. We (I) have really been enjoying all our free evenings since hockey finished. But, soccer tryouts start on Wed, so we will be right back in the running (driving) game again. Last night we had book club, it was such a great time as usual. Lots of laughs this time with only a very few tears. Katherine was hosting and made chocolate lava cakes, OMG they were delish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not much exciting to tell. Please make sure you check out Angie's blog (link on the side) she just had the cutest baby boy, Logan, and you have to read about the night he was born. Made me laugh and cry. Way to go Angie. (but glad it's you and not me girlfriend) Two weeks till paper-arts-a-thon. Can't wait, maybe I will actually do something creative other than just my book club homework. Okay Annie are you happy I blogged!

Do you think............

2008-04-08T10:07:00.002-04:00

.............that cows are proud that they can pick their noses with their tongues???????

Having fun with photoshop

2008-04-08T07:18:00.005-04:00

Check out the difference in color intensity. (originals in middle) I love photo shop.

End of the season!

2008-04-07T10:49:00.005-04:00

Well, hockey is over and barely survived SEDMHA. It is the only tournament where you can lose all three games and still be in the consolation game. Go figure. At least we kept our record and lost that one too. The ref's were terrible, and our team sucked. But the parents and kids had a great time at the hotel. we can home Sat after the 130 game and drove back in Sun morning for Connor's last game. Two nights in a hotel was all I could handle and afford. I went for a walk this morning, it is so nice out. Took some photos along the way. Have been playing with photo shop this morning instead of doing the laundry. Here is one I was playing with :

and after:

check out the Pioneer women blog, she has amazing photography here and tips on how to make the changes in photo shop. http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Still Alive

2008-04-03T10:00:00.002-04:00

Hey, in case you thought I was dead, I am not. Just working a lot lately and today getting packed up for SEDMHA tournament in Halifax. What is SEDMHA you may ask.......the most hated tournament among parents in the hockey world. It starts on Thurs goes till Sunday in the city. You only know your first game and after that it depends on if you won or lost when and where your next game is. Kids think it is great but I think it is an overpriced expensive weekend. I think I need to get to the liquor store, as that may help. Have a good one!

Happy Birthday Kaylie

2008-03-28T08:04:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was my niece Kaylie's b'day. It's a big one, she is 10. Double digits. She lives in Nanaimo, which is too far away. She is such a sweetie and I love her very much. When I was visiting in Feb, she would read to me at night and because I was not used to the time change I was falling asleep early in the evening. She got the greatest charge out of that and would laugh at me. I miss those snuggles and giggles. Love ya! (here are some pics of her from my visit)

No broken bones..........

2008-03-15T18:26:00.006-04:00

.............just really sore muscles! We had such a great time in Maine at Sugarloaf and in Freeport shopping. My kids are so easy to travel with, I am so lucky. We went with Patsy and her two kids, Hilary and Alex, who have been friends with my kids since they were in nursery school together. They all got along so well. Things did not get off to the smoothest start. We were supposed to leave after I got off work on Sun, but Hilary had a bronze medal hockey game in Greenwood at 415, so we would leave right after that. But, of course the game has to go into double overtime and then she finally scores her third goal of the game and gets game mvp. So, we leave at 730pm. Of course, then it is a blizzard outside and visibility is the shits until we get to Halifax. Patsy, tried to clean the windshield and no fluid would come out, even though they just filled it before we left. Found out the next morning, it was frozen in the line and we had to keep stopping and throwing snow on the windshield. Arrived in Woodstock at Patsy's grandmother's at 3 am. Dragged four sleeping kids into house and put to bed. Up at 7 and drag four sleeping kids and two tired mothers out to car. Pour water over windshield wipers again and finally get fluid. Yeah for us. Drive to Bangor, stop and get groceries, we were like kids in a candy store, cheap alcohol at grocery store for mothers and all kinds of cool new packaged junk for kids. Finally get to sugar loaf at 1230, check into hotel, drag stuff and four tired kids and two tired mother's (who really want to drink the cheap alcohol they bought) up to room to eat lunch. After lunch we go to rent ski's, after 4 sizes of boots for Connor, we all have our equipment (no melt down yet) I am outside getting my ski's on with Sarah, Connor and Hilary when Alex comes out saying that he has two left hand mittens and his mother's ski boots (which she brought with her) just broke! I go back in and Patsy and the three guys renting equipment are peeing their pants laughing over this ski boot that is now in four pieces. So, we rent Patsy a pair of boots, she walks back to hotel and gets Alex proper pair of mittens, while they are adjusting her skis for new boots. Finally on the hill at 245!!!! No major meltdown yet, but mother's are really needing the cheap alcohol. After that things went quite smoothly, spent 2 1/2 great days of skiing. The hill was great, lots of trails so it seemed like no one else was there even though there were lots of people. On Wed we went right to the top, which involved taking the super quad lift, skiing down a little bit, and taking the timberline lift. It was 4300 feet in elevation and the runs were awesome. We even did a black diamond and the kids did a double black diamond. Went to Freeport Wed night and spent Thurs in the outlets. The kids loved Abercrombie and Fitch, all shirts were 12.99. I got a pair of Clarke shoes for 49.99 what a rip off Canada is with the prices we pay. Headed back to NS Thurs night and stayed in Springhill at Patsy's parents house, home on Friday. That's it in a nutshell, a great time had by all, and yes the mother's did drink their alcohol and pop a lot of ibuprofen at night!

What a welcome home!

2008-02-29T19:28:00.006-04:00

Look what I had waiting for me when I got home. The house was clean and the laundry was done. What more could a girl ask for. It was great to go away but great to come home too.

And guess what my mom got while I was away........her name is Sophie and she is so cute!

Don't need a coat here!

2008-02-26T17:39:00.007-04:00

This is making me so ready for spring! Kaylie and Hannah did not have school to day so we went to "goats on the roof" , it's a store/farm market with goats on the roof, they live there, in the grass that grows on the roof, really cool, but the goats have gone elsewhere for winter. Wimps! I bought the girls an ice cream and you would think I gave them the world. They are so funny! Tracey is at works, sucks for her. I am missing everyone at home though. Heading back tomorrow night arriving at 7am Thurs morning. Here are a few more photos. Kayie is taking a corner kick and Hannah is the blue #5. They both scored two goals in their games just for me.

Greetings from BC

2008-02-25T18:55:00.004-04:00

It is soooo warm here, only need a shirt, no jacket. Having a great visit with Tracey and the girls, but really missing everyone at home. Yesterday we went to the beach for a walk and it was so nice, saw a property for sale on the beach, only 1.4 million. Pocket change here in Nanaimo. I had to put all Tracey's pictures on her computer for her because she is technologically challenged. I will have to inservice with her tonight. Just heading out for a bit so here are a few pics from yesterday.

Hey Mom, this one's for you!

2008-02-18T15:36:00.003-04:00

My mother called me today to complain about me not blogging. I am getting ready to head to BC on Thurs morning to spend a week with my sister Tracey, and her two girls, Kaylie and Hannah. I can't wait to see them, but being away for a week is a long time. I have never been away from the kids that long before. I know they are not little anymore, but it is still hard. Both of them are worried about what they will eat while I am gone, they are worried it will be KD and hot dogs all week. I'm sure Gramma and Grammie will help out. Tomorrow we are supposed to be going skiing with Connor's school, Sarah is going to come to so we can all get a day in before we go to Sugarloaf during March Break. Although, the weather is not co-operating, so we'll see. Last weekend we were in PEI for a hockey tournament. Connor's team did well, they lost 3-2 in the crossover game on Sun morning. But, the best part is Connor got to play forward because there were two kids who did not go. He has not scored a goal this year or last year as defense, it is hard if you are not really strong from the blue line. Anyway in the second game he got the game winning goal. He was so excited, the kids on the ice all hugged him as well as the one's coming on the ice, because everyone knew it was his first goal. Even all the parents were screaming for him. All the mother's, including me had tears in our eyes. That made the entire weekend worth while. Sarah had a great time in the hotel with the older sisters. Even Jeff came with us. Connor is the one with the bright orange laces in his skates. And a photo of Sarah and her cousin Elysia at Annie's b'day party.

Belated Happy Birthday!

2008-02-14T09:56:00.003-04:00

I was a terrible sister and did not post on my sister's b'day. Annie turned 40 on Monday. She was not "happy" about it so I might as well post a few photos she may not be "happy" about! Just remember Annie, the one's we love most are the one's that are the most fun to tease. Love ya lot's.

Heading to PEI

2008-02-07T09:41:00.000-04:00

For a hockey tournament. Just you wait Angie, your day is coming! Feb 11 is my sister Annie's 40th b'day. Last Sat we had a surprise party for her at mom's house. It was a lot of fun. A few of Annie's friends from Halifax came down. Rita brought a picture of Annie that she did not like very much. Although, I could not stop laughing! Annie begged me not to post in on my blog, but well ...................sorry, I have to! Edited: I took the photo off, cause Annie was mad at me! We had the best shooters I have ever had. They were called "butterballs" They are an equal mix if Bailey's and Butterscotch schnapps. OMG they taste just like the werthers candies. But you can't but the butterscotch schnapps in NS. So here's a few photos from the party and we'll be back on Sun.

Yup! Stll here......

2008-01-30T12:05:00.000-04:00

This is exam week in Harmony! Sarah wrote her French exam yesterday and now she is studying for social studies, which she thinks is a really "stupid" subject. Her words. It is hard to help quiz her because it is all in French. I am supposed to be doing the book work, I am at Oct. (Angie, I feel your pain) I worry when the phone rings, I am afraid our accountant will call this week and I am not ready. Why am I such a great procrastinator??? This weekend hockey is local on Sat and West Hants on Sun. Next weekend we go to PEI which should be fun. Hope I don't suffer from "altitude" sickness in PEI like I did in Springhill. Here are some pictures of Jeff's dad and his wood piles. He called the other day and asked if I would take some photos of his wood he cut in case it's the last year for him cutting wood. He was so cute, posing, for me. I still can't believe he called and asked. I had a few enlargements done from my new camera yesterday and I am really happy with the clarity in them. I have been trying to follow the free online photography course at http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ , you can download the outline and print it off. It is quite well explained which is perfect for me. It goes on for 12 weeks, and all the info is there for the last 3 weeks. Too bad we couldn't get some really great scrappin person who knows photography to come here. Back to the books!

Catching up!

2008-01-23T10:44:00.000-04:00

Had a good weekend away with hockey. There is not much in Springhill besides a Tim Horton's and a really nice rink. When we were driving around, Sarah asked where people who lived in Springhill bought their cloths. Always thinking isn't she. Connor's team played much better but still lost both games by one goal. Connor played really well. I told him every game I see something he is doing better. I had just finished saying to one of the mother's sitting beside me during the first game that I thought it was hard for Connor to look tough on the ice with bright orange laces in his skates. I just had the words out when he checked the captain of the other team into the boards. The other mother said "there, that's how he looks tough". Can't believe I cheer for a good hit. Sarah had a great time in the hotel with the other "older" sisters. And unfortunately as usual, the parents had too much fun too! Go to bed at 2am and get up at 7am, not a good mix. The drive home was long because of course it had to snow on the Cobequid pass, hate that road. But back home safe and sound. Kids are in school, Connor has a couple of projects and Sarah is studying for her first ever set of exams. Should be a tense week! Had book club last night at Taryn's house. Cute house and had a great time as usual. Her dog Macy is very cute and I think she thinks she is human cause she sure loved the napkins and paper plates. Obviously the dog does not know us very well, because we do not leave anything on the plates when we are done. Learned a very useful term last night........"coffee - avec" which translates to coffee with any kind of alcohol you want or have. I'm thinking for the non-coffee person I am, mine would be "hot-chocolate avec" that will work very nicely in some of those cold NS rinks! Have a great one!

Away for hockey.

2008-01-19T07:40:00.000-04:00

Off to Springhill overnight for hockey. The kids are more excited about staying in the hotel. Jeff is staying home to man the farm. I just hope we don't get much snow because I hate driving the cobequid pass aka: the snow belt. Have a good one.

Storm Day!

2008-01-15T12:45:00.000-04:00

The kids were happy today, no school, also means no dance class tonight and I am not driving to Digby for hockey practice so we can stay home the entire day. Love it! Connor cooked bacon for breakfast, so I did the eggs and had a nice big feed together. Right now they are outside pulling each other with the snowmobile and the gt's. Life is pretty rough. Here is a photo I took yesterday morning at the farm. I love this tree with the old hay bine for some reason. I want to have family pictures taken there in the summer. Also, wanted to show you how dark it is for Sarah when she catches the bus. Can you see her? Have a good one, back to the bookwork! EDITED: Sarah is on the bus at 7:09 am. We both hate getting up at 6!

Worth every pixel!

2008-01-14T16:31:00.000-04:00

I am printing pictures on my picture mate from my new NIKON D300!!! They are soooo clear and great. I love it! It was worth $$ (Jeff's money) for 12.4mp!!!!!!! Can't wait to see what they look like when I really know how to use the camera on anything but program mode. We are getting another taste of winter..........YUK! Although, hockey is cancelled for tonight, which is kind of nice. Just going to stay at home and enjoy being in a warm house. Our ski trip to Sugar Loaf in booked for March break. The kids and I are going with a friend who has two kids the same age, and they have known each other since they were three. Sarah and Hilary went to nursery school together and so did Connor and Alex. It will be so fun and we have even left 2 days for shopping. Hope the dollar stays good. Have a good one!

Hello, My Name is......

2008-01-07T11:20:00.000-04:00

............Josee Morse, and I am a delinquent blogger! Tons has happened since I last blogged. Some good things, and lots of not so good to several people I care about. My sister and her girls made it home for a week, before Christmas which was so great. We had a really good week together and I think she was able to gain some strength while she was home. But, it was so hard to let her go back to BC. Christmas was fast and furious as usual, it seems like so much work before hand and then it is over with before you can blink. I did get my new Nikon D300 camera for Christmas. I had ordered it in Oct, and was saving the money for it. I guess Jeff went in to Econo color and told them when it came in to keep it and hew would pay for it and give it to me for Xmas. I of course did not know this and kept bugging Jodi at the store as to when it would come in. When we found out Tracey was going to make it home, Jeff went down early and paid for it. Jodi called me and told me there was a problem and she would not be able to get my camera until late Jan and maybe I should stop in and get my deposit back and try somewhere else. I went down and she passed me the camera. It is way cool!!! But now I really need to take a course on how to use it. This pass weekend I was the tournament chair for Connor's hockey team. We had an 8 team tournament to raise money for our team. My advice (Angie) NEVER!!!!! volunteer to be tournament chair. What a huge job, before and during the tournament. Because, when someone else does not do what you asked them to do, who has to do it, ME! All went well, the other teams had all positive feedback, so I am happy about that. Connor's team did not make out so good. He did get game MVP over the weekend so he was very happy. He is really improving again this year. He said his New Years resolution was to use his body more in hockey and so far his is sticking to it. He is one fit little boy. Sarah is home today, she did not feel well this morning. She goes back to the orthodontist this week, I can't believe how great her teeth are looking. I am trying to get caught up on the laundry, then I have to de-decorate, get caught up on the paper work for the farm, do year end, would love to try and scrapbook again. I missed book club last month and am really needing an evening with the girls. Not sure who I am supposed to pass Myleta's circle journal too?? And who am I supposed to give a challenge too?? I have been trying to think of a "word" for 2008???? Having trouble with that.

Happy 60th Mom

2007-12-13T14:32:00.000-04:00

My mom is 60 today, although Annie was the first to blog about her birthday, I will be the first to post pictures. To say my mother is the best, can't even come close to how great she is. She is the ultimate example of a mother's selfless love for her children and family. I thank God everyday for her, if I can be loved by my kids even 1/2 as much as my sisters and I love her then I will be a very lucky mom. Have a great day in BC "old woman"! Can't wait till you get home.

A little break..

2007-12-04T21:11:00.001-04:00

...just taking a little break from blogging, some major stuff happening in my family and I needed time to deal with that. Everyone is well, but I can't really explain right now. The kids were happy about the snow and day off school. Hockey and dance were cancelled so we had a quiet couple of days, love that. Trying to get focused on Christmas and shopping but having a hard time with that. Maybe tomorrow. Have a good one

How cute are these........

2007-11-20T09:06:00.000-04:00

................little camera's. I found them at the antique place in the mall yesterday. I have been wanting to find old cameras for the shelves in my scrap room. One of them even had the little book to go with it. Book club is tonight, which I am happy about. Trying to finish my homework. Yikes! It's just like when I was in school, waiting till the last minute. There does not seem to be much exciting to tell, life is still busy with the daily stuff. One of the boys on Connor's hockey team broke his collar bone on his 4 wheeler over the weekend. I still remember how much that hurts. Sarah got her report card for the 1st term and she had a 79% average in late immersion. We were happy with that, she says next year when she is back in English she should be able to get 90's. She still has too much homework but has resigned herself to that is the way it will be and comes home and just starts plugging away at it. She is such a great kid. I am starting to freak out a little about Christmas, I need to clean my house and decorate, do not have much shopping done yet. My sister is coming home though so that is what I should focus on. It will be so great this year to have all our family together for Christmas. Last week Annie started a new job, so we had her here for supper the night before as a celebration of her going back to work, notice the cake in the photo........."working sucks"

Have a good one.

This is no Winter Wonderland!

2007-11-11T08:51:00.000-04:00

Holy crap!!!!!!!!!! We had a 2 1/2 hr drive home from Halifax last night in that freak'n Nor-easter storm. Connor and I were driving with Kellen from his hockey team and his father. We were on the divided highway and went off the road into the ditch section between the two highways, around and back up on the road and kept driving home. Then I got my truck in Aylesford where I had left it and almost went in the ditch in front of my house. So, needless to say we are not on our way to Halifax for the game this morning, but some are. Here are a few pictures of what it looks like outside the house. Hope all you girls in Moncton are having lots of fun!

Broken "blogging" fingers.......

2007-11-06T13:20:00.001-04:00

.........that's what Annie asked me this morning if I had. I am lazy, I read everyone's blog and then skip writing on my own. We made it thru the big storm. Not much happened in Harmony except wind and rain, the power did not even flicker once. Kids and me were a little disappointed the power did not go out. Sarah was at Annie's that night for Elysia's Bday sleepover, so Connor set up a bed in our room on the floor. This is a picture of Sarah, I wanted to show you how here teeth are doing........she is such a good sport about the braces, any kid who wears them should get a pat on the back.....and any parents who pay for them should get a medal. It's a long and painful process on both ends.

So, I will not be going to Moncton this weekend. Connor's hockey team is playing in a tournament in Sackville, and I just can't bring myself to send him with someone else. Jeff has the farm so cannot be at any games and I am always worried he might get hurt and one of us would not be there. I know it probably sounds silly, but I would be worried all weekend. I can't get my registration back, so they will send me the kits. I will miss all the fun with you wild and crazy ex "2MF" girls. Have a few laughs for me. I would say behave but I know that is not possible.

I shopped at "The Barn" , it was great. Ria and Paulette you have a great setup there. I'm sure I will make frequent trips to see you.

Congats Annie on your job, but I will miss you on my days off.

The day after.........

2007-11-01T13:32:00.001-04:00

........means too many peanut butter cups last night! Connor had a friend from hockey up last night to trick or treat. Sarah hung out with me, she did not want to go out with her friends in Kingston, cause there are too many weirdos she said. We only had 12 door bell ringers last night, and 5 of them were cousins. Every year it's less and less. Here's some photos of our pumpkins and Connor and his friend.

Snow was in the air.........

2007-10-30T09:32:00.001-04:00

..........and I did not like it! I can't believe we had snow flakes this morning. Not ready for that. We were away this weekend for hockey. Sat had a game in Pictou and Antigonish, then stayed in Port Hawksberry overnight and had a game there on Sun afternoon, got home Sunday night at 830. Long way to go for hockey. We lost all 3 games which was kind of discouraging for the boys. Connor did play well, and he "got his clock cleaned" as they say. I really do not like this checking thing, but he does smush people on the boards and gets up when he gets hit. All I can ask for is no injuries. Saturday was also my niece Elysia's 13th birthday, she is so cute as you can see from her picture. And she really is a sweetie pie! Her and Sarah are such great friends, more like sisters which I am so happy about. Now I have to get back to cleaning my office, the entire counter top is covered and such a mess. Hope you all have your candy for tomorrow.

New Camera itch........

2007-10-22T08:27:00.001-04:00

...........I have it bad. I sold my camera to a girl at work, well she is paying on Friday. I am sooo excited. I need to save a little more between now Dec because that is when the new Nikon D300 will be available. Sounds silly right, but to me it is the same as a man with a new power tool. Can't wait to get my hands on it. (Jeff wishes he was a camera) Not too much exciting here, I worked the weekend. Have to call the orthodontist because Sarah has a couple of loose brackets. I just wish they were in Greenwood not Kentville. Connor went to school this morning carrying his saxophone, it's almost bigger then him. He does not sound half bad for a beginner. Sarah has been busy all weekend working on her 2 projects. Fri night she went with some of her friends to the high school hockey game............made me feel really old, cause I remember going to those. I see some people have Xmas trees on their blogs to count down till the day............kind of freaked me, cause it's not that far away. Well, here are a couple of pictures of the camera I want. Impressive isn't it!

Pictures today.......I think

2007-10-19T19:41:00.001-04:00

Now you have to look at the last three sideways because the stupid computer would not let me turn them.

Is it just me....

2007-10-17T12:54:00.000-04:00

...............or are the trees more spectacular this fall? I find driving around this past week, the colors in the tress takes my breath away. Last night we had book club in Lawrencetown at Amy's. Driving the back way there is a little hill you come over and you can see the Church in Lawrencetown in the distance and with all the tress it was such a pretty picture. Of course I did not have my camera with me. We had a great time at Amy's, she has a really "cool" old house. Debbie loved the little doors upstairs and tiny rooms that all connect. At one point we were all hanging out in Amy's bedroom like a bunch of teenagers she was showing us her jewelry. Thanks Amy for having us. The kids both have their last school soccer games today. Jeff will take Sarah to hers and I am taking Connor. Tomorrow I am off to Halifax with four girls from work. Should be lots of laughing I'm sure. Friday I am back to work until Mon and will miss Connor's hockey game in Truro on Sat. I did take my camera this morning when I went to the grocery store. Some pictures you may have to look at sideways because the computer would not let me turn them around. Don't know why. Okay, so apparently I cannot upload any pictures right now, so I will do it later. But let me tell you they are spectacular!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-10T09:02:00.000-04:00

For those of you wondering, Crystal Falls is down the road from us. It is a nice hike in the woods. There is a road you walk down for about 15 mins and then some really nice trails in the woods about 10 min. It is a really easy but great walk back. We actually own the land on the left of the falls. So it's always been a special place for our family. Jeff's sister Dianne who lives in BC, actually got married back there. Everyone went by hay wagon and then walked. I could easily see Sarah doing the same thing because she loves it there. Here's some photos from a summer hike back there. And a photo of our friend we found on a rock in the woods on the high side of the falls.

I'm feeling like the turkey.............

2007-10-08T18:56:00.000-04:00

............STUFFED! What a great weekend. Two big delicious meals, one yesterday at my mom's and one today at the farm. Yesterday after lunch we went to Aylesford to Dempsey Corner Orchard and walked thru the pumpkin patch and picked some apples. Today after lunch we went back to Crystal Falls for a walk in the woods. The weather was amazing. I wonder if the trees stayed red, yellow and orange all year would we still enjoy them as much as we do in the fall? This is definitely my most favorite time of the year and I am not ready for the cold weather yet. Sat night, we went to Hlfx for the PBR bull riding. Another great show this year. But I am thinking when those bull riders are 40 years old they are going to be so crippled up. They really are insane to get on the back of a bucking 1500lb animal. Of course there were some sights in the stands as well. Why do some women dress so cheap!!!!!!!! They degrade all of us. So here is a few pictures from the weekend for you. And congrats to my sister Tracey who ran a marathon in Victoria BC this weekend in under 4 hrs, way to go Tracey (and there was no one chasing her...go figure)

What a crazy life!

2007-09-30T16:54:00.000-04:00

Another busy weekend comes to a close here in Harmony. It was Pro show weekend for 4H and Connor had hockey. Luckily pro show was in Windsor which was close. The kids did well showing their calves. I think Connor was 5th and Sarah was 3rd in her class, which was not so great but they did a great job getting their cattle ready on their own and a great job showing. Sarah's photography print display was second and she was 3rd for photography judging. Connor was 2nd for beef judging. Connor found out yesterday that he made the PeeWee AA team so he had a practice this morning. He was very excited to make the team. They had 39 skaters out for tryouts and took 15. Not sure how to get myself ready for the "checking" side of hockey this year but I will try. I am hoping now that 4H is done and hockey is settled we will have some kind of routine around here and maybe I can clean up my scrap room and get a few things done. Wondering how other members of the book club are doing with their circle journals?? Mine is still in my bag. (sorry Myleta) My sister and some friends from her work (old job) in Hlfx did the breast cancer walk today. I am sure that it must have been a very emotional day. One of her best friends, her mother is battling breast cancer. Some day I would love to run that, but I guess I would have to get out and start running. Not a very exciting or inspiring post but just wanted to let you know I was still alive and well.
PS: I am trying to sell my digital camera if anyone is interested. It works great and takes great pictures, I just want to upgrade a little.
It is a Pentax istDL digital SLR 6.1 megapixels (uses AA batteries) (original price $1100)
has a 18-55 pentax lens with UV filter (came with camera)
has a Sigma 70-300 Zoom lens with UV filter (original price $600)
Very well taken care of, want $800.00 (firm)

Saturday already

2007-09-15T07:42:00.000-04:00

Where did the week go? I worked three days, drove Connor to conditioning for hockey all week, helped with homework, survived meltdowns from both my children about how much homework they have. Of course we all need to get used to being up early and spending the day at work or school. My question is why, if kids work all day at school do they need a ton of homework, after I put in my day at the lab, the last thing I want is to go home and do 3 hours of lab work at night?? The night of Sarah's meltdown, she had 50 math questions, some had more than one part, Social studies and french homework. She has 70 min classes, is that not enough time?? Sorry, I am not knocking the teachers, it's the system just as the health care system has huge problems since the almighty dollar became the number one concern. That's my beef this morning.

Just wondering what everyone is taking for classes at scrap gala??? I am taking:

I Woman with Kah Mei Sat @ 1230-530

Travel Notes with Carol Wingert Sun @ 930

Clearly Listed with Kah Mei Sun @ 1230

I did not order and extra kits, thought I would see the projects first then maybe they would still have a few extra to sell. Only taking the four classes, cause I want to have some time to relax and just hang out.

Really looking forward to book club Tues night to see everyone. Can't believe I miss that bunch of cry babies!!

Last day of Vacation!

2007-09-10T19:37:00.000-04:00

Yes, today was day 29, I am back to work tomorrow. Can't believe how fast 29 days can go. But at least we did lots. Today Annie and I went to Halifax to Costco and MicMac etc, had fun, spent a little money, but not to serious. Although can anyone get out of Costco for under $200??? Sarah had a little meltdown on the weekend about school and being "stressed" out. We had a really long talk about how we can work together to keep her organized and she felt better after that, but it broke my heart to see how she can get so worked up. Connor was looking pretty tired tonight and had his meltdown over a speech about himself. It has to be 5min and he has lots to say about himself, but he does not want to bore people. Oh, how fun the first of the school year is. I myself am a little stressed out, over book club!! I have nothing done yet and as Myleta was so nice to remind us today in an email with directions to her house, it is next week.!!!!!!!!!! So I must get my brain in gear for that and I personally think Paulettes challenge is hard, ( a good challenge though) but I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. With all this new approach to book club and the challenges, I think we are now an "advanced" book club. Yup! another photo from BC.

First day!

2007-09-07T09:09:00.000-04:00

So, I am supposed to be doing HST, but I want to blog first, but don't tell Jeff. The first day of school came and went. All was good, 6 am was early for both Sarah and I. She was worried when she got up because it was still dark and she wondered how the bus driver would see her. Luckily the sun did come up and daylight was here at 7:07 when she got on the bus. Yes, I did cry when the bus pulled away. ( I had to hide behind the curtain, because in grade nine, your mom CANNOT be seen) I had a really empty feeling when she pulled away, in only 4 years she will be in University. I will never be one of these parents who wish for there kids to leave home. Connor was so excited about being at Pine Ridge this year. He was bouncing when the bus came because he gets to sit at the back of the bus and all his cousins who still go to the elementary school are not allowed. They are both trying out for school soccer teams this week and Connor started hockey conditioning last night. So the Mom's taxi service is up and running for another season. Here are a few pic's from the first day and also the sand castles we saw in BC.

The eagle has landed....

2007-09-04T18:29:00.000-04:00

....we are home. Flew all night Sunday and arrived in Halifax at 1030 Monday morning. Looking very weary, wrinkled and tired. But had an awesome two weeks in BC. We went boating, knee boarding, wake boarding (Jeff), beach combing, saw sand sculpture contest, bears on the side of the road, walk through the tall tress in the forest, salmon fishing (Connor caught the 20lb Spring Salmon) shopping and did something called the "Zip" Line. Which is wearing a climbing harness and hanging over a 100ft ravine and sliding (really fast) across two cables. Even I did it, it was great. Jeff had 8 days with us, for the first time ever. We spent time with my sister Tracey and Jeff's sister Dianne and families. Hard to say goodbye. But, after all that fun, it is nice to come home. All ready for school tomorrow, Sarah is going to HIGH SCHOOL, and Connor to MIDDLE SCHOOL, big day for all. They both have mixed feelings and I am just feeling old! I don't have to go back to work till the 11th. Which means my "real" vacation starts. Tomorrow is for getting caught up on the farm books and maybe Thurs will be for scrap booking????? Wondering who is rooming with who for Scrap gala??? I registered. Well, gotta go flat iron Sarah's hair for the morning, not sure how I will get her out of bed at 6am to catch the bus at 7:10.

Back in Nanaimo

2007-08-30T10:32:00.000-04:00

We are back at Tracey's in Nanaimo. Had a great time in Port Hardy. looking out the window and seeing the ocean all day long was wonderful. We saw the whale, hunted for treasures on the beach. We also saw the biggest, ugliest slugs in the forest. They are called banana slugs and as Sarah put it, that's their name because they are so "freaking" big. Jeff and Connor left this morning at 5 to go salmon fishing again. We are meeting them in Qualicum beach for lunch. We are back Monday morning, I can't believe how fast time is going.
Paulette, thanks for ordering me the book, you know I would want one for sure. Gayle, Sarah would like the chocolate chip scone recipe she made in family studies. Do you have it at home?
Annie, hang in there the rabbits will go home soon.
Take care everyone

Port Hardy

2007-08-27T11:55:00.000-04:00

I am sitting looking out Dianne and Scott's front windows and the view is the ocean. They live right on the beach. It is beautiful. I can't imagine having this too look at every day. We are watching to see if the whale will make his appearance. Jeff and Connor left for salmon fishing on the ocean at 5 am this morning. I opted out of being in a tiny boat out on the water again. We spent Sat on sprout lake with Tracey and Corey, the kids did knee boarding and Jeff tried wake boarding but he could not get out of the water. he tried for over an hour. All that turning around in the boat, I was not feeling very well.so we docked on one of the islands and had a snack. it was a great day. The kids loved being pulled on the tube. Well all the girls are done eating breakfast, so I guess we will go for a walk on the beach.

Has everyone registered for scrapgala yet?? Am I the only one who has not??

Hello from BC

2007-08-24T19:44:00.000-04:00

We are having a great time. The girls have grown so much. Jeff just arrived an hour ago. We are going to Sprout Lake tomorrow on the boat. Should be lots of fun. I think I could handle being on vacation full time.

Off to BC!

2007-08-21T20:40:00.001-04:00

We are off to BC, early tomorrow morning. We fly out at 625 am. Yikes! Sarah, thought she should sleep in her cloths. I will try and post while we are there. Last night we had book club at Paulette's cottage. What a great time. Great food, fun, laughs and we saw things (two things) we never thought we would see. What a great bunch of women. And Paulette, you were an amazing hostess. If I lived in a house where you cooked, I would be 500lbs. Enjoy the last of our dwindling summer days.

We are at the EX!

2007-08-16T05:52:00.000-04:00

So no one is home to blog. It's Lawrencetown ex week, so that means all life outside of that stops and all we do is drive back and forth and spend a fortune on fish and chips from the fireman's canteen. Today is show day which means tension is thick as there is lots to do to the cattle all before 9 am this morning. Jeff and the kids left at 630. I'll follow along later. Poor Sarah nearly had a seizure getting out of bed that early. Her teeth are sore again as she was at the orthodontist on Tues. She is now all hooked up and we don't go back for 7 weeks. Which is apparently Oct 1 and I could not believe we are that close to the fall. Well, I better get ready, I think Myleta is doing a stamp demo today, so I will visit her later. We leave for BC on Wed. Can't wait!

Tuesday Update!

2007-08-07T19:52:00.000-04:00

Well, Sarah has the million dollar smile underway. She got them on at 2 this afternoon, I just left both the kids at Annie's for the evening and her mouth is very sore. I feel so bad for her. Wish I could make it not hurt. They said the worst pain would be the first week. She had pasta for supper because you can just swallow it and I'm thinking she is going to be eating a lot of it. Here are a couple of pics of her before and after. Went to Graham's soccer game tonight, the little fart scored 4 goals for me. He really has some good moves. Graham had his own little cheering section. When he scored the third goal you could here him say, "yes! a hat trick!" Here's a pic of our future world cup player.

What have we been up too??

2007-08-06T19:38:00.000-04:00

Well, seems like we are busy. Achievement days went well for the kids, despite the warmwether. Cause everyone should show cattle when it is 40'C with the humidex. Both the kids calves are going to Pro show and Sarah was reserve show person in our club. Sarah won photography judging and Connor won beef judging, so they both go to proshow for that. Sarah's picture display also won and is going to pro show. So we had lots of ribbons to bring home. Today we went picking blueberries and raspberries with Annie and Graham. Once again I am really happy they do not weigh you before you go in the berry patch and when you come out. I think it was Connor who said, "eat all you want now, cause they are free while we are picking". Our tripis getting closer and we are all excited about that. We just have to survive Lawrencetown exhibition week. The kids love it, but it is a lotof work and time driving back and forth and food. Thankfully the rides make both of them sick and they are very happy to hang around in the barns the entire time. If you saw Angie's pics of her kids on the rides at Bridgewater, my kids would have been hanging over, throwing up. I have been working on my book club homework. I am almost done using the math cards, I may have to retake my photos, they did not turn out to suit me. I am really missing connecting with the "scrapping family" since 2MF closed. I now realize that was the only reason I ever went to New Minas, because I have not been there since.

I forgot to mention a week or so ago, I got a really nice card in the mail to thank me for having the last book club here, and it was signed "the cry babies" Not necessary, but thanks girls. Tomorrow is a big day, Sarah gets the brackets for her braces put on. She has been chewing gum like crazy to try and get her fill in. She claims all her friends still chew gum with braces, but I informed her as any good mother does "I don't care what everyone else does...blah .....blah" OMG I turned into my mother!! :-) I just worry about her teeth being sore and keeping her eating, because she has no weight to lose. The kids are helping Jeff haul straw tonight. Connor calls it working on his muscles. Enough rambling for now.

The crunch before acheivement days

2007-07-30T14:53:00.000-04:00

For any one who has ever been involved in 4H you know that the last couple of days before achievement days is the time to complete (or start) the projects that you have had waiting all year. Sarah and I are putting together her photography album, printing pictures and having fun?? It is due Wed. Yikes. Life has been busy in Harmony. I have been working extra because we are so short in my dept in the lab. Management has never figured out that when staff retires you should hire someone before they leave so you can train them. No they hire a month after the person is gone and so for the summer we have no one trained. But what do we know. The kids have been busy and keeping me busy with soccer, they were leaders for our community day camp last week and made some money for BC. They have been working with their 4H calves. We were up to see the tall ships a few weeks ago. Summer is flying by. We see Annie and the kids a lot, which is great. Paulette, I am saving my money for book club, can't wait to see what surpises you have for us.

I am suffering from...

2007-07-18T17:14:00.000-04:00

....scrapbook supply buying withdrawal. It has been 18 days since 2MF closed and I have not bought a thing. Last week while Connor was at hockey camp, I went to photo memories and the cutting garden. Nothing exciting. Lots of old stuff (most I already own) not as much fun shopping there. But alas, I think I'll still have money left this month because of it. Just heading out to Sarah's soccer game. Connor had a game last night in Annapolis and scored 2 goals. But he also passed the ball really well and I think his team is finally figuring out the "team" idea about soccer. They both have a tournament in Greenwood this weekend and I am working. So that leaves Jeff to do the taxi service. Yesterday was Jeff's bday. Myleta, you will appreciate this. He thought he was turning 42, but really he was 43. Love it. He did not like it when I told him in 7 years he will be 50. Enjoy!

The truth about digi layout.

2007-07-16T09:47:00.000-04:00

I have lots of new pictures to upload and share. Will do that later today. The digital layout I did was part of an online class to get to know how to use photoshop. My layout is floating around the computer because I do not own a 12x12 printer. This is not the way to go for me because I love collecting scrapping supplies too much. This layout was the first lesson and all I had to do was import a picture, crop it, apply a brush around the photo and cut out the star from a piece of patterned paper and put that on the layout. Now I am learning how to change color photos to black and white. I will use this program for playing with photos, not digi scrapping.

My first....

2007-07-12T21:21:00.000-04:00

....digital layout. I know, but I just wanted to try and learn more about photoshop. It is kind of neat, but it will never take over my having to touch and feel the paper and all those great embellishments. What do you think about digital???

Busy week.

2007-07-10T20:13:00.001-04:00

Home tonight from Halifax at 6:00 from Connor's hockey camp. He is having a great time and working hard. We are staying in with Jill at the Holiday Inn tomorrow night. It will be a great way to break up the driving back and forth. Trying to get caught up in the house tonight. Laundry never ceases to amaze me. I am looking forward to some down time next week. Here are some photos of my pots out front as I think no post is complete without a few photos.

Angie, you asked about the challenge for book club. Here it is:

The challenge: I was very nervous about this part of hosting. But, then I realized being first had its advantages…………..I don’t have to host after Myleta! (:-) So, back to the challenge, you knew it would have to be about photography right. I want us to share a place that is special to each of us. It could be our homes, yards or a place you like to spend time or visit. The catch is to pick one spot and imagine you are standing in a hulla hoop. You can only take photos from inside the hoop. You can take the photos standing, sitting, laying down, from any angle, trying to show different perspectives. You can take the photos at different times of the day to use the lighting more effectively. Or even on different days, but always the same spot. Share these in a layout, mini album or an entire full album, however you want. Can’t wait to share!

Bonus: take the math cards and make something with them. Alter them any way you want, be creative.

Lots has been happening.

2007-07-06T07:46:00.000-04:00

Since my last post we have had two graduations, one from grade 5 and the other from grade 8. We have gotten two bunnies, put in our garden finally. Celebrated Canada Day and Diane and the girls coming home for a visit. I hosted our first "on the road" book club.

The Magic Number is.....

2007-06-26T20:21:00.000-04:00

.....$6500.00 for braces pre and post jaw surgery. I am feeling a little sick to my stomach. The surgery is covered by MSI. There is no way around it, Sarah's bottom jaw is too small for her upper jaw and can only be fixed surgically. The braces are on for two years before surgery and 8-10 months after. She really wants this done so I guess we start Aug 7. Any advice??? Any ideas to raise some cash??? haha. I do have a dental plan but it caps at $1500. But they do have a payment plan, $800 up front then $190 a month for 30 months. That should figure in real well with my $500 truck payment. But, what can you do, she needs it so we do this for her. But I warned her her job is to keep her teeth super clean and NO GUM!

Orthodontist

2007-06-26T08:11:00.000-04:00

Today is the day! We will find out what the plan is and the payment schedule$$$$$! I am worried he may say he will wait longer to start and Sarah will be so disappointed again. We have been busy with soccer and end of the year stuff. Put the garden in yesterday, finally. Had lots of veggies started (Thanks Annie) and I had bought some already growing. This morning I am moving furniture in my house to put ant dust around. I killed six ants yesterday and I am FREAKING out!!!!!! I hate bugs. This is the first time we have ever seen any in the house. Someone said it is a bad year for ants???? It is for us. Connor has been outside since 730 working on his fir pit and whipper snipping. Sarah is upstairs trying to cope with having to get up at 9 am and be dressed and breakfast by 930. Sleeping till 11 everyday just is not going to happen all summer long here. Mean mother I know. Have a great day.

In the blink of an eye...

2007-06-20T21:53:00.000-04:00

...Sarah has just gotten home from her grade 8 semi formal dance. She made me cry when she came out of her room all dressed. She had her hair done at the hairdressers. I helped her with her makeup. It was fun helping her get ready. We took photos with her friends at the duck pond and they all looked so beautiful. Where has the time gone. I will write more tomorrow, I need to get some sleep.

14 years ago........

2007-06-12T07:41:00.000-04:00

...........we were staring at this amazing baby girl. She was such a cuddly baby and still is. We drove home from the hospital and could not believe how fast everyone else was driving and it seemed like they were coming right at us on the road. We got home around supper time and Jeff's mother brought us over supper. We sat at the table with Sarah in her car seat on the table. We both looked at each other and almost at the same time said "so what do we do now?" I can not believe how fast the time has gone. She is graduating from grade 8 and moving to west Kings next year which is where I went to school here. Now Sarah seems grown up in so many ways, yet still a little girl in others. She has truly been a gift from God to our family. She has such a sweet kind heart and has such a dry and funny sense of humour. (don't know where she gets that from) We are thankful for her everyday. Happy Birthday Sarah.

Today is also two of my sisters birthdays. They live in Ottawa with my dad. Patricia and Vanessa are twins who are 8 today. Happy birthday girls. Tell Dad to bring you for a visit again soon.

Catch up time!

2007-06-11T10:50:00.001-04:00

We have had a busy time here. Last week Connor's drama club at school put on the play Alice in Wonderland. It was fantastic. The majority of the parts were grade 5's but they performed like professionals. They did not use microphones and projected their voices so well. The enthusiasm they had was great. I, of course was a little partial to the White Rabbit. I saw it Wed night and Thurs afternoon. On Thurs afternoon, they were bringing in 1/2 the school to watch. All of a sudden one of the kids decides to throw up all over the gym floor around him and twice more on his way out. At least the play had not started yet. The poor teacher (Chantal McAlpine) had puke up her leg. But the play went off without a hitch. Fri night Sarah did the Relay for Life in Middleton with a team from her school. They took turns walking all night (to keep warm). She was very surprised about how many people did the survivor lap. I guess when you are a kid you really have no idea how big Cancer is. I was proud of her for wanting to do this and raising the sponsors. I went down at 1200 to take them some hot chocolate. I took a photo of the luminary I had bought in memory of my grandfather who died from cancer. It was very powerful to see the track lined all the way around with the luminaries. Man, was she tired the rest of the weekend. Yesterday, Sarah and I played on the trampoline. I want you to know that bouncing on that is exercise. I was sweating, and laughing so hard, nearly pee'd my pants. Got some great photos of Sarah in the air. Today, Sarah goes to the orthodontist for x-rays, pictures and impressions of her teeth. Then we go back in 2 weeks to see where we start. Of course the want the $280 today for the first two visits. I'll let you know how we make out with this process.

Sorry it's been so long..

2007-06-09T18:52:00.000-04:00

..since I posted. I'll post about us tomorrow. Today, I want to post the links to 2 videos. The first is a video, someone made to honor the Canadian troops who have paid the ultimate price. Maybe some have seen it. Unfortunately, they have to keep updating it.
The link is: http://www.iglen.ca/tribute/ go to the bottom of the page and click on the first movie.
The second movie was made by a 15 year old girl in the US, it is American soldiers but it is very powerful and worth watching.
The link is: http://www.youtube.com/jp.swf?video_id=ervaMPt4Ha0&eurl=&iurl=http%3A//img.youtube.com/vi/ervaMPt4Ha0/2.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskKpzs20tSFEVoFNZD5zS277&autoplay=1
Having seen these it has reminded me how important it is to support these men and women. I will get a red t-shirt for Fridays and support the troops, we may not agree with Bush and why they are there, but these men and women are doing their jobs and we need to thank them.

My husband is having an affair........

2007-06-04T10:16:00.000-04:00

............with the weather person. He listens to the weather on the radio, on the weather network, and on the phone. Then he goes outside and none of them are ever completely right. I think it would be a great to predict the weather, because you can be 100% wrong and you never lose your job. Kidding, I do think it is amazing in this day and age that one thing you can always count on is Mother nature does what she wants and does it when she wants. We have no control. I am supposed to be doing office work for the farm. So I better get to it.

Apple Blossom Sunday

2007-06-03T13:07:00.000-04:00

And I am stuck at work. I am off at three so that still leaves a little of the afternoon. Sarah and Connor are helping at the Scotian Gold family fun day, with the 4H club, so I will stop there after work. Connor went to his friend from his hockey team in Bridgetown overnight Fri. They went golfing yesterday afternoon. Just the two of them. He thought that was so cool. Then he said" it is customary to have a snack and drink after golfing in the club house" I would love to have been there listening to the conversation at the table. Yesterday was Sarah's dance recital. She was doing two numbers, a hip hop and a jazz dance. She did well, and has only been doing this since Nov. However there were 58 other dances so the entire recital was 41/2 hours long. Yup! I said 41/2 hrs on a beautiful Sat afternoon. It was at Horton High. This was the first time I have ever been at Horton. It is a P3 high school which means it is beautiful and has only the best in technology and everything else, while other high schools have buildings that are falling apart and are so old they should be torn down. Why should one area have it all and another have nothing???? Who says we do not have 2 tier systems in NS.

The middle of the week!

2007-05-30T13:59:00.001-04:00

Annie came over today and made me finally fix my screen in the screen door and the screen on the patio door. Thank you sooooo much. She has turned into the "fix it queen". I worked yesterday and you know what, working in health care really sucks some times. We are so short staffed and summer is coming which means vacations and so it will only be worse for staffing, but the only thing that matters any more is the #$%^^& budget. No money for more help and who cares about quality work anymore. It's all about doing as much as you can, with as few people as you can, and as quick as you can. Very discouraging.
I was surfing the blogs just now and I found this link to an "etsy" shop for a purse you can buy online and I wondered if Angie supplies the materials for these purses. Check this out: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5650091 Talk about recycling! Have a good one.

Happy Monday!

2007-05-28T10:01:00.000-04:00

Okay, it's happy Monday for me because I am off today. Go back to work tomorrow. Had an amazing super time at the Paper-arts-a-thon on the weekend. This was the best organized and action packed crop I have ever been to. I have organized crops before and I know they are a lot of work, but this was over the top. Our goodie bags were personalized. The food was delicious, and I'm sure I gained 12 pounds. Eggs rolls at midnight, belly dancing at two in the morning, ice cream after that, it went on and on. But the most amazing thing was how much money we raised for Holly and Terry's Joints in motion marathon. Over $9600. Wow! I did gets lots of exercise though, laughing till my stomach and face hurt, a late night walk around the fire hall with some very strangely dressed?? friends, lots of walking to the kitchen to eat and a round of "dirty shadow's" with Angie and Jill in the wee hours of the morning. I was like a zombie all day yesterday. Now today I have wash to catch up on, Connor has soccer tonight and Sarah has a rehearsal for her dance review next weekend. Tues I work and the kids have Judging for 4H, Wed is soccer for Sarah, Thurs is soccer for Connor and Band concert for Sarah, Fri I work and nothing that night. Thank God! So another nice relaxing quiet week in Harmony. Have a good one.

Sarah is back home!

2007-05-24T20:32:00.000-04:00

Sarah had a great trip to St. Anne's U. But I am sooo happy she is back. I got a little taste of what the house will be like in a 4 years when she goes to University and I do not like it! I will never be one of those parents who says they can't wait till the kids are gone, (I don't think I will) She was quite tired though. She says she finds herself starting to think in french, which is a good sign that she is really understanding. They even got to go "clubbing" as she put it. I guess there was a band at the campus pub and so they got to go listen. But they all had to wear bracelets to say they were "dry". Not really sure how I feel about that one, but she had a ball. I am trying to pack some of my stuff for Sat, the paper-arts-a-thon. It is really hard to fit an entire scrap room into a few bags. How does one know what you might need or feel like working on at 3 in the morning. I better get back to it and get to bed, gotta work again tomorrow and getting up at 530 really sucks.

Eleven!

2007-05-22T10:54:00.000-04:00

That is how old my little boy is today. Can I still use the term "little". He is always soooo excited about his birthday. If you did not know it was his b"day, he would be very happy to tell you it was. This morning he said to me "Mom, today is going to be a great day. Not only is it my birthday, but it is country day at school and I have woodworking tonight!" Life does not get much better than that when you are eleven. Guess we could all take a lesson from that. Each grade 5 student at school had to do a project about a country. Connor picked Italy, cause we were there in Oct. Today they set up in the gym and the rest of the school and the public (parents) can go see all the projects. They had to make some food from that country. Connor wanted to make bruschetta (sp?) Now for anyone who knows me you realize how much I don not enjoy cooking. But, it pays to have a chef in the family, cause Uncle Mike made the bruschetta with Connor yesterday, and it turned out great! Thank you Mike.

Sarah is gone to St. Anne's University until Thurs afternoon with her class trip. She was a little nervous about two nights away, because I have always chaperoned her trips before. She will call me before bed, so she felt better after we decided she could call.

Dad, did you notice the hat Connor has on? Since hockey season, he has had to switch hats three times. Once Totonto got beat out, he wore his Pittsburgh hat, when they got beat out, he started wearing his sens hat because they were the only Canadian team left.

Have a great day and enjoy the sunshine!

Jump...Jump...Jump

2007-05-20T19:58:00.001-04:00

That's the theme around here. We got the trampoline put together yesterday. There was a break in the rain for about an hour and Jeff was home so we put the thing together. It was not as hard as I thought it would be, and lots of fun to be had after. Here are some photos of Sarah and her friend Christie on it today. Connor had hurt his back earlier, while playing crack the egg. I tried it too. No there will never be pictures to show of that. I finally was able to book out trip to BC. I spent three hours on the phone with aeroplan. Apparently people book at least a year in advance when you want several seats especially in the summer. Unfortunately, a year ago, I did not have enough points. Anyway, the kids and I go on Aug 22 and Jeff comes on the 24. We will visit my sister in Nanaimo and his sister in Port Hardy. Jeff comes home on Sep 1 and we come home Sept 3. We were very lucky to get any thing . Dad, I have not given up getting to Ottawa, it just did not work with this time period. I am looking at some time in July, I hope!!! This will be the longest time Jeff has taken away from the farm. Hope nothing happens while we are away. I am just finishing some of my homework for book club tomorrow night. Later

Farewell to Two Much Fun!

2007-05-17T08:43:00.000-04:00

Well, last night was the "Mystery Night" at 2MF. It was so great to see the majority of the die hards there. There was cake and coffee, of which I restrained myself from having cake. Ria and Paulette gathered us round and read a heartfelt farewell to all of us. They will be closing June 30 after 5 (kick ass years of fun) years. We were all shocked and upset. But I know this was not an easy decision for them as they have put their hearts into this store. It is really more than a store, they helped create a family of crazy scrapbook product junkies. I will miss it very much, but I hope now they will have the time to have as much fun scrap booking as we have all had over the past 5 years. I know we will continue to get together some how. All the best RIA and PAULETTE. No one will ever take you place. I better get back to work, everyone is on break and I am holding down the fort.

Some of this and lots of that!

2007-05-16T13:05:00.000-04:00

Bad blogger again! Yesterday Annie and I went to Halifax. It is so great having her here to hang with. Anyway, I was getting Sarah and Connor a trampoline for their birthdays. They have been wanting one for a long time, so I had the idea that if they did not have a "friend" party, I would use the money for that and put it towards the trampoline for the b'days. They both agreed so yahoo!!!! we do not have to have a "friend" which describes "other peoples kids who do not know how to behave at parties" party! They had a really nice one at Costco. When we got there, there was a sign that said if you had the damn coupon, it was $100 off. So I said to Annie, where do you get this coupon, she looks around and rips the sign off the shelf and takes the coupon off and gives it to me and says, right here! I nearly died. But $100 is a lot of money, so I bought the trampoline. I was supposed to go to 2MF today and make my magnetic board that I missed in Jan but can you believe I forgot about it until this afternoon. What the hell is wrong with me? My mother bought Connor a new bike for his b'day and I had to return that to Crappy Tire this morning because he rode it twice and the gears are not working. He was so upset about it this morning. Here is a picture of Connor watching the Senators game the other night. Well, after he fell asleep. He is wearing team Canada attire because all he has of the Sens is a ball hat my dad sent him a couple of years ago, that only recently touched his head. He figures since they are a Canadian Team the Canadian cloths brings good luck. He fell asleep still wearing the finger.

These are pictures the kids doing their chores. There are a couple of beef calves that are motherless so the feed them bottles of milk at night. They are in the beef barn which is below our house and get to drive the 4wheeler. Funny, I'm thinking if they had to walk they might not be so willing to feed the calves. They take turns driving. Would have been good if I had taken a picture of them feeding the calves before they were weaned but that would require me to go to the barn.

Also, I am de-cluttering and have a scrapbook tote I would like to sell. It is in perfect condition except for the dust. (which I will give away for free) It is a crop-in-style that I bought 5-6 years ago. I am asking $30, if anyone is interested or knows someone who might be, just let me know.

Happy Mothers Day...

2007-05-13T07:03:00.000-04:00

....to all the mothers. Is there anything cuter than a little boy who makes sure he gets up this morning before I leave for work (yah, I'm working!) to give me my mothers days card and coupons and a plant pot. He told me I could pick out any flower at the nursery and he would buy it for me. Sarah, she was still sleeping because we did not get back from the dance competition until 11 last night. But she has been working on something in her room this week that involves flowers from 2MF. It was so cute, she saw these flowers in one of my magazines and asks me if I go to 2MF could I pick her up some of theses flowers and she would pay me back. But she needed them before this weekend. Can't wait to see it. Sarah's hip hop class did a dance at the millennium dance contest yesterday, they did well, and got a bronze medal. They were saying the adjudicators were very hard marking so a bronze was very good. It was a very different dance then what I am used to watching Sarah do, but she is having so much fun with her friends and loves going to dance again. It's been a long time since she has been happy dancing. Let me tell you there were some amazing young girls there who can really dance, jazz and hip hop. It was really enjoyable to watch. We went shopping at Mic Mac to find Sarah a dress for the semi in June. She is so tiny it is hard to find a dress for her. She tried on several and got very discouraged. There were some at Le chateaux she like but all too big. I said we would go to the Halifax shopping center but she was down and did not want to. But we went and guess what, we found the dress she really liked in her size, XXS. It is strapless (yikes) pale yellow, very simple but very pretty, makes her look too grown up. Got a little sweater for her shoulders. Spent too much, but it was the only one. I better get back to work.

Dentist visit!

2007-05-11T10:09:00.000-04:00

I just got back from my check up at the dentist. I really, and I mean really do not like going to the dentist. This phobia dates way back to when I was a kid and bit the dentist once. Anyway, I make myself go. But I have a molar in the back that has an old filling in it. She said there is "something" going on under the filling and if I want to keep the tooth they need to take the filling out and fix it. It may need a "ROOT CANAL" Have you ever had one? I have, it's not very nice and I am freaking out. But I guess since my daughter faces jaw surgery in a few years I should stop complaining. Annie is coming out today to play in my flower beds. Some of my plants are too big so I will give her some pieces. Tracey, if you come pick them up I will share with you too.
For anyone who uses photo shop, I found this really cool blog. Every Fri she posts a tutorial about using photo shop. She does a lot of digital scrapping, which I am not really into, but it's a great way to learn how to use this amazing program.
The link is: http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/ Don't you just love this "techno geek world"
Gotta put the groceries away and get some laundry moving and dig some flowers and finish my book club projects. Can't wait for book club, cause I missed last month so it seems like forever.
Later

Monday and gonna be warm!

2007-05-07T07:38:00.000-04:00

Monday morning again, but at least it is going to be nice out. We had a few tense moments this morning. Don't you love it when your son says 5 min before the bus comes, "I need a project board for today" Like I can just whip one of those up on demand. So of course the tears come, because now he won't be able to finish his country project today. So looks like I have to head to staples this afternoon so he has one for tomorrow.

Here are some pictures of my sister Tracey and her family from their vacation in California. They live in Nanaimo, which is tooooo far away from NS. Corey is her husband and Kaylie is the oldest, Hannah is the youngest. Looks like they had a great time. We sure miss you guys alot. But they will be here for Christmas this year. And if I ever get my butt in gear I would book some tickets to go see them on my vacation in Aug. I better get on that tonight.