Saturday, June 20, 2009
I leave in 12 days!
A few things have happened;
We bought a house. It has a force field.
We are moving to Virginia, in the U.S. of A. I hear there is less snow there... they also have wild ponies and a wonderous place called Wegmans.
I am getting married in a couple of weeks and I am super excited!!
So - the posts may be sparse for a tad longer but I promise once I'm settled I will be back to annoy you with every last detail of my life.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
35 days and counting
I love that post card! (http://www.postsecret.com/)
I am still here... just insanely preoccupied at the present. 35 days to go and the dress actually zips up. Off to a fantastic start. I am so excited!!! Can't wait to be Mrs. Spartan!!!! I'm such a lucky girl. He is the most wonderful man on earth.35 days till I do and 25 days till I leave en route to the destination! Have I mentioned I'm excited?!
Hope all is well with everyone and I'll be back soon....
Monday, May 11, 2009
...
Rings are ordered. Excitement is growing.
I let Babs style my hair this morning. It was an experience. She told me she was practising to do it for me on the wedding day. *silent scream*
Speaking of silent screams; WTF? Happy Mother's Day... So many levels of icky.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Lawn Mower Fun
We arrive in the lawn mower section where upon my Mother and I spy riding lawn mowers. What could be more fun than that? Exactly. We decide to have a self propelled riding lawn mower race. This is accomplished by one saddling up and rocking the lawn mower back and forth in neutral until you build up enough momentum to move it in the desired direction.
So we choose our steeds wisely and the race commences. Picture it. My mother with her Nanny hair do and I - perched atop riding lawn mowers actively trying to beat each other in the race.
We got quite into our fun and failed to notice the appearance of would be spectators... until one of them started cheering. At that point my Mother turned quite red in the face and dismounted. She then scuttled away to hide behind my father who was regarding the entire event with great amusement. I, on the other hand, threw my arm up in the air to signal victory and shouted, "I won!!". The crowd applauded and I wandered off to purchase a weedwacker - which I am quite proud of, I must say. It will be much easier than running about the edges of the yard with a pair of scissors... seeing as it is about 1/2 an acre. Why didn't I think of this before?
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Spring... and a bunch of unrelated stuff
Made a weekend visit to DC over the last couple of weeks - and the blossoms were out! So incredibly pretty. What a lovely place. Plus... 10 degrees warmer. Starbucks on every corner. I stood outside the FBI building trying to catch a glimpse of the agents being dispatched - looking all mysterious... all I saw was cute little old ladies carrying coffee. (Or maybe - they were just really good disguises?). I think I may have watched far too much TV.
98 days left until the wedding! I've been busy as a wee bee organizing the music list and getting all of the last minute-ish details mapped out. It's fun! So many of the things are coming together now - it's almost here and I couldn't be happier! So looking forward to it! But then... I think you guys know that by now ;-)
I had this really strange dream last night that these evil little faeries took blossoms and used their magic to turn the blossoms into nice little faeries - but the nice faeries were controlled by the evil faeries. The blossom faeries were so lovely and cute that people couldn't help but try to catch them - but when you did the evil faerie would make the blossom do mean things. I should have to pay admission to go to sleep sometimes.
Lastly - in another unrelated point - I promise that after the summer I will blog more frequently... I'm just really freakin tired right now! But happy tired - which is nice.
Happy thoughts to you all!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Girl Power
Barbies are dolls. They are to be played with. Nobody has ever figured out what a Bratz doll would look like in life size with the same proportions - ...or maybe they have... - my guess is that it would have a rather difficult time supporting its ginormous head.
I recently read an article somewhere tearing apart Mattel for selling barbies. The article took the stance that Barbies are responsible for setting unrealistic expectations on our bodies growing up. I don't know about you ladies - but Barbie? Nooo. That's more the ex-husband dept of Toys r Us. Barbie - ahhh Barbie. She was great for having imaginary weddings (with Ken - the looooove of her life - sigh - who always told her she was beautiful... just like Spartan does), making her hair into ratty yet original styles, re-enacting an argument with your BFF (just last year***) coloring allover with marker and for bossing about in general - I also noticed that they are very aerodynamic when launched at my older brother feet first. Girls have launched them at their older brother's for more than half a decade. Why would they stop now?
Stop blaming a plastic toy. I get that Hollywood places unrealistic expectations that women sometimes feel pressure to emulate. Miss America? Same thing. But as long as the world is turning - they will have plastic dolls with long legs, teeeensy waists and big boobs AND they will have some kind of pageant awarding women for something that they had very little to do with - genetics and hair spray. Don't get me wrong; some of these ladies are very committed to healthy living and to working out - and god knows I get how hard that can be since I work my ass off - some have even demonstrated some impressive levels of academia... but mostly people - they are there because they have mastered the most important skills of all; teasing their hair, putting just the right amount of Vaseline on their teeth and knowing which heels will really set that bikini off... (who actually wears heels with their bikini? I might start. Hell - I might even swim in them... maybe even jogging.). I still watch the shite. I still
My point is - I think blaming Mattel for poor body image makes about as much sense as blaming a toy company because you couldn't find a real pink pony with wings. Unless someone actually has... in that case - I want one too...
*** who out there hasn't made your Barbies beat the crap out of each other? Come on! You pick em up and they start beating on each other - with mostly their heads until they are basically a great pile of messy hair and limbs that are attached at rather unnatural angles by the time your mom calls you for dinner. Sometimes their heads even pop right off and roll under the bed - seemingly lost forever. Until one day you move and you find it under the bed and there is a spider living inside it and then you are traumatized - and then you have to check inside the heads of all barbies everywhere to ensure they too haven't become an arachnid haven... I got a little side tracked there. Have a lovely Friday ;0)
Saturday, March 07, 2009
The Highway of Heroes
The Canadian Military has lost 111 lives in Afghanistan. There will be more. Generally, the media picks up on the stories as they happen and tell about the lives of the soldiers lost and of their families trying to put back the pieces of their shattered lives. But Canada as a whole doesn’t know why our troops our are there. People are left feeling as though these losses of life were for naught. That does not do the memory of these fallen heroes justice. We must honour their memories by understanding why they were there and feeling pride and respect when we think of it.
If we stood back and idly watched what happened there, we would read about it in history much like we do the holocaust and question in anger why we didn’t help. But now, instead, people who hear someone on a political podium make a comment about how these deaths are senseless and that it isn’t our war – walk around repeating it like robots without knowing the whole story.
We are there because the people of Afghanistan have suffered indescribably and because we can help them change that. Because our troops can disarm land mines, build schools and help to hunt down and neutralize al-Qaeda members in that country, as well as toppling the Taliban regime, which has claimed to be supporting international terrorism.They can help the people there rebuild. They can help to give hope to people who have lived in fear and tried to carve out a life in a desolate place. In order that their children can laugh, and more mothers there can watch their children grow up. They are helping to exact a change that has been needed for a very long time. How can anyone think this is without merit?
Canadians generally group Iraq and Afghanistan into the same group and many protest against our inclusion in this war. They are two vastly different situations and though I too want my brother safe at home; I know that Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan is necessary. I believe in him and I believe in his mission. I am overwhelmingly proud of him.
I am outraged at Canada’s lack of education with respect to our involvement in Afghanistan. I believe that the responsibility should fall to the media and our government to convey the facts and inform our country. At least if we make the information available, there is the hope that each person who dares to speak their opinion takes the time to education themselves first. We owe it to our soldiers to understand why they are there and to be damn proud of them for it.
Soldiers have had to send home friends; Mother’s have had to accept the loss of their children; Wives have had to accept the fact that they will never have a chance to look their husband in the eye and tell them they love them; children will have to grow up seeing loved ones in a picture frame instead of having them there. The list goes on ad infinitum.
The least we could do is surround these families with the feeling that we know, we took the time to understand why their father, mother, brother or friend gave their life and that we salute them.
I know this isn't my usual style of writing - especially not here... but sometimes there is no funny. I can't make light of every situation. I just needed to get these thoughts out there. Thank you for making an exception to the norm and for considering what I have expressed...
Monday, March 02, 2009
Birthday card from Roo...
I love you Mommy
I don't no wut to doo with ewt you at all
Happy Brthday Mommy
To Mom
Frum Roo
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Oh shit there goes another year...
The years just pick up speed, don't they? Of course this post is a shameless attempt at soliciting happy birthday wishes - but - it is also here to serve as a look back over the last year and a look at what 33 will bring...
The year of 32:
1. Proposed to by the man of my dreams. This alone would have made the year worthwhile - but wait... there is more...
2. Seeing oodles of my BFF Carrie out west.
3. Being a godparent to Carries' newest addition - with Spartan.
4. Curacao. With Spartan. Lizards, birds, eels, laughter and pina coladas. Yay!
5. Getting my body back from having babies! Huzzah!
6. Having healthy family and friends. Double huzzah!
The year ahead:
1. Duh. No brainer what will slide into first place here. Marriage to a most marvelous, loving, kind, supportive, handsome, sexy, and breathtaking man. Of course all of the things that go with it... such as more kisses and hugs from him!
2. Seeing more of my BFF this summer for the festivities.
3. Lots of wonderful friends having babies... including my brother and sister in law!
4. A happy me!
Okay. Gotta go slap on some wrinkle cream and hang upside down for a while.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Free shit and funny stuff.
I am so tired this morning... my eysees are having trouble staying open. Mornings are not my favorite place.
Funny kid quotes;
Roo is standing in the kitchen and sees my dad using a spatula, he turns to my father and says; "Papa, could you make me some crabby patties?" (He was dead serious).
Babs (there are two this week...)
1. She walks into her room where construction of her new built in bed is taking place, she slaps her hands to her hips and says; "Is this going to be done soon? Cuz... right now it just looks like a bunch of crap!" (how do you not laugh? she is 4).
2. She is misbehaving and I explain that people will begin to look at her when she does like she looks at Angelica. She gets this look of terror on her face and says; "Oh. That would be...horibibble." (again...how do you not laugh?).
Kids are great.
Monday, February 23, 2009
139 days...
I mailed my invitations today. Quite sure the lady at the post office thinks I was mental. I was smiling from ear to ear and tears were welling up in my eyes!!
I am so excited!
Other than that - there is not too much happening over here in lizland. Just waiting for spring and cursing the cold. It's almost March... when does the snow stop?!
Did I mention that I mailed out the wedding invitations today?! Weeeeeeeee!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
I has a sad... and the whipping cream did something unexpected...
While we were away overnight we brought with us a can of whipping cream. Chocolate flavoured. We thought it would be a delectable addition to our morning coffee... anyhoo... it 'sploded.
We heard this hissing sound. We had just come back from breakfast. We looked at each other *perplexed*. I followed the sound to the can atop the fireplace.
"HSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"
Uh. Oh. I grab the can and make for the bathroom. As I arrive in the bathroom the can begins ejecting air and chocolaty whipped cream with increasing ferocity.
"HSSSSFSSSSSWHSHHHHHHHSSSSSSSS"
All over the bathroom. I lunge for the garbage can - throw the whipped cream into a bag - throw the bag into the garbage - put a towel on top and placed it into the tub. Then hit the deck expecting an explosion of epic and chocolaty proportions. Then we quickly checked out.
Oh dear.
Wonder what the maid will think of that.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 06, 2009
Monster child...
I have history with this kid; she was on Bab's soccer team this past summer. All the parents stared at this kid in awe... and at her mother. I've never seen anything like it. If nothing else - it made for entertainment. Felt sorry for the kids that she punched though... they were only 3 years old.The kid is possessed.
Anyways, the monster child returned to class and upon reading the list of valentine names it dawned on me... the kids name is ANGELICA. Angelica. No shit. Irony there.
P.S. Bad idea: Shrimp pizza... there was a flyer for it in the mail. I almost puked.
Glad it's Friday. I needed Friday.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wow... Life is Busy!
The last couple of months has been a whirlwind of busy stuff. Last weekend, Spartan took myself -along with my little carnies- to DC. So much fun! Went to the Museum of Natural History. I could spend months going to museums to just hang out. What a cool place. Very educational. How very cool of Spartan - he survived 3 days in one room with the bunch of us - not a small thing considering he is used to being solo.
The city was just in the process of putting in place the final preparations for the Presidential Inauguration. The streets had all of the stands up and they were actually starting to block off the streets... and then there was the OCEAN of port-o-potties. So wish I'd taken a picture of it. I'm quite sure they must have brought them in from all of the surrounding states. Quite a funny sight.
I am very much looking forward to winter being over. As a little side project we have been fattening up the local squirrels by giving them daily helpings of peanut buttered rolls. There is a small army of them now. Each of them approximately the size of a mommy raccoon. They are grey with white tummies and white tufts of hair that pop out above their ears. Cute as can be. Babs keeps trying to catch one. She likely will one of these days. They are getting slower by the minute. I'm hoping she catches one actually - they would make fantastic slippers. (I jest.)
In another note - people keep listening in on the fax line at work - and the line identifies it as a voice call so the line rings. I picked it up today and made ridiculous fax sounds into it. My boss is probably still laughing.
I've got no little people at the moment and have already been to the gym today so I am going to gladly take this opportunity to crash on the couch - catch my breath and vegetate whilst watching the idiot box (as my mother calls it). Speaking of TV - Grey's was quite the tear jerker last night... must be trying to up their ratings... it's getting really good these days.
Hope you are all well. I blog to you all very often in my head - I just don't make it to the keyboard as often as I'd like.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Less than 6 months....
Spartan and I were in Toronto over the weekend. We had time to wander about the shopping concourse and do some people watching. I love watching people. I love being with Spartan... so people watching with Spartan? Superfun. We did some shopping too. Also fun... though I suspect watching paint dry with this man would be enjoyable...
I've been laughing a lot lately. It struck me at some point that I really love laughing. You know that feeling in your tummy? Kind of like when you go over a hill really fast. Same thing. Just thought I'd mention.
Speaking of laughing... Tina Fey is stealing from my life and making money out of it. Remember that story of the dwarf in the airport that I thought was a child wandering around without a parent and I attempted to rescue her? (for those of you who don't recall... welcome to one of my most embarrassing moments...it was BAD). Anyhoo - on her new show 30 rock the character is baby obsessed and she touched this little mans head thinking it was a child and... well you get the idea. Only then she pretended it was because she thought he was hot and she went on a date with him. Which I didn't do... but similarish. I didn't come up with any cover at all to dig myself out of my situation... I just stood there stammering.
My parents thought it was funny as hell when they told me they watched a woman just like me on tv. Well... at least they still watch cool shit.
Got me thinking that if we combined stories we could all come up with one hell of a hit tv show.
Off to bed. I is sleeeeepy.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
Happy New Year!
I love saying goodbye to an old year and ushering in a new one! This year in particular since I have this summer to look forward to... becoming Mrs. Spartan. Very exciting.
I took the wee ones bowling tonight. They annihilated me. Legitimately. Sigh. I guess I won't make my millions in competitive bowling. One more dream gone *sniff*. I like bowling though. Tis fun.
So... welcome to a new year. Hope it is a great one for everyone. Sadly, I have no resolutions to share... but if you do bring em on.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Here comes 2009...
This year, as with others, is complete with several happy holiday memories for the mental scrapbook I carry around. Not the least of which was the little adventure that was created when we went to get the tree....
I have an artificial one. It's perfectly suitable and does not require fussing about in sub zero weather. BUT... my parents decided they really wanted to take the kids out to a tree farm like we used to do, select the tree and drink hot chocolate.
It seems all warm and fuzzy doesn't it? But my memories of the same tradition as a child picture it more as a form of unusual torture; forced out of bed at an ungodly hour, dressed in so many clothes we could not feel our limbs, driven tired out to a field somewhere - on the way passing by some parking lots filled with lovely pre-selected and pre cut trees - and squishing our faces against the window praying that THAT was the tree farm. On we would drive - usually for 30 minutes. Usually in a snow storm. We would arrive, trek off into the wilderness - our noses running and our fingers threatening to fall off. We would spy a tree and point it out. The standard response was issued, "Let's remember that one..." On we would wander in snow up to our middles, no longer able to feel our toes. Eventually someone would start wining - sometimes even snivelling. Father would get edgy; this was the great tree tradition and it would be fun... eventually we would end up going to the nearest tree, chopping it down and dragging it home to decorate. We would be frozen, grumpy and exhausted. In actual fact, somehow those have turned into some of the best memories I have.
This year was no exception. The poor kids, lol. Dressed up like little Eskimos they trudged through waist deep snow. They gave up several times and just lay down atop the white stuff - but it occurred to them whilst down there to perfect their snow angel making abilities. Way to take the lemons kids! They were amazing. I ended up giving Babs a piggy back for part of the way. But the rest of the time they ended up being little troopers - on a big adventure. The day was cold but sunny and the blanket of snow glistened like diamonds. We wrote messages in the snow to each other - and took turns dragging the tree. We trekked half an hour out into the woods and back again. I occasionally stopped to text message Spartan (and wrote a few messages in the snow for him too). Then we went for hot chocolate and treats. The kids had pink little cheeks and dimples as deep as the snow. They are so proud of their tree.
Don't get me wrong - I love the idea of an artificial tree - but I think once and a while it might have to be part of the tradition to trek out to a tree farm and make some more memories - frozen toes be damned.
Hope you guys all had a wonderful holiday.






