YIKES! I was doing so well

I had the 70's tunes on the stereo, the drop cloths down...painting our bedroom from a cool almost institutional green grey to a warm antigue gold/yellow...well the phone rang and I turned around, not thinking...and there it was...a huge gold splat on the white ceiling!

What to do first...try and wipe it off and reduce the damage done or answer the phone????

I somehow managed to get out of that situation and yes, I managed to fix my oops! It always pays to have a little baby food jar of leftover white ceiling paint! No one will ever be the wiser!

My Aunt Joyce

It's a great day when you get family photos. My cousin Mary sent this along with a quick note. This was taken over the Christmas holidays of Aunt Joyce with her great-grandchildren. What a handsome looking family! Psst...don't tell anyone but Aunt Joyce will be 80 in a couple of weeks. Happy Birthday Aunt Joyce!

That was more painful than it should have been!

I am referring to the addition of family blogs on the sidebar. Lesley...after the hectic day that she had with the kids, appointments, voting and a Nickelback concert...she sat down and sent me almost idiot proof instructions! Thank you! Now I can move onto something more challenging, like taxes! The font is not the same, but hey, I now have some links.

Joe came home with his head held high and stomach pulled in...someone at work...a young female...commented on how good he smells and looks when he goes into the office. What started this was she was shocked to see how young Joe looks without the gray goatee...yes he shaved it off! But now he's growing hair...but will keep it at a number 1 or 2. I guess there are some folks who don't take any care in their appearence...now that is just WRONG on all counts! YUCK! Previously it had been noted that Joe doesn't wear torn jeans and beer t-shirts on casual Fridays like some of the guys. Joe's idea of casual Friday is a nice cordury shirt and a more casual trousers. His play jeans are for playing...on the weekend!

Manitouwadge circa 1957

This first photo shows the houses being built on my street...very similar to the military housing...


This is an ariel of the townsite.

What would you do?

I was spending a lazy Saturday morning, surfing the web. I found a great site of historical photos of my home town where I grew up. I'm hoping some of the pictures will look familiar to my Dad. Then I found something that was of real interest to me.

My hometown of Manitouwadge is giving away a free HOUSE!!!!

BUT...you have to go into town to enter the contest which closes 12 August. Well doesn't that all fall into place...our road trip for Henry & April's wedding....maybe we will offset our expenses by winning a house. Not sure what the catch is...probably you have to move and live in the house a certain length of time before selling...but just think of the possibilities! Joe is all excited because of the hunting & fishing in the area. Only real down side...farther away from the kids and grandkids. Oh well...I can dream can't I?

What's my problem????

The weekend comes along, I don't have any early morning dates with the gym...and I can't seem to sleep in! This morning was terrible...4am and I'm wide awake. I should have been tired after my dream of owning our very own golf course, which was just outside our yard! Just watch, Monday will come and I will have to drag my sorry self out from under the warm covers!

Ooops! I may have goofed!

I've been trying to add links to other blogs...Les said it was easy...gave me set by set intsructions and do you think I can figure this out? NOPE! I did something and it said to re-publish and that went in a horrid loop so this is a trial post to see what the heck works and what doesn't :(...stay tuned...or not!

Poor Joe...lots of snow, no snowblower!

Seems that the northern region is actually having a tradional winter with snow, cold temperatures and high winds. It's good Joe has a 4 x 4, but he sure wishes he had his snowblower to play with! As most of the family can attest to, Joe loves to blow his snow...and his neighbours and the road and the back yard...the list goes on. Oh well, I put gloves on today for my walk...oh...and my sneakers!

Alone again for a few days!

Joe left for a quick run up north to check with some of his clients and staff. You would think he's going to a much longer time...he took his shace kit & meds, some clothes, not a lot but I made him take enough underwear for daily changes!!!!DUH! And he needed his own comforter and his own pillow from home. But get this...it's much colder up north but it wasn't until he was walking to the truck that he agreed to take a winter coat! Hello...it's January in Canada! Geesh! Men, what do you do with them and what do you do without!

Joanne & I hit the gym again this morning. It was a good workout. Then shortly after noon I get the call...she needs some fresh air, do I want to go for a walk? Well we headed out to the park in Cardiff...an hour later we finally found the vehicle! We got turned around while chatting and chasing after Kizmit! At one point we crossed over the frozen lake...neither one of us can swim but we figured it would be OK as there was a guy ice fishing. I was glad to get home and just sit.

Tonight will be so restful...I get the bed and all the blankets to myself....Sleep tight Joe!

On a sadder note

The suicide bombing in Afghanistan hit close to our hearts this past weekend. The unknown questions that weren't answered...who was injured, who died...until the names were announced. And then...to learn that Joe knew Glyn Berry, the civilian who was killed.

It is such a dangerous area of the world, but you have to give kudos to our brave military and civilian personnel who are trying to make a difference and are putting thier lives on the line.

I was so grateful that Joe is home, working in good ol' Canada. I worried so much while he was away, but could never show my true feelings. I had to be strong to stay strong.

Our sincerest condolences to all the injured and their families. Prayers go out to the Berry family and friends. There, but by the grace of God, go I.

I think I will hide that passport.

18 til I die!

What a concert!

The best we have seen anywhere to date. Awesome seats, great opening act...Daniel Powter...he spent 2 years living in Edmonton so I'm assuming he's a Base kid like so many others. He is an up and coming artist to watch. His voice and stage presence rivals many veteran performers and he's just getting started!

Bryan came out hard and loud, just the way we wanted it...no working up to a frenzy! He played all my favorites and a couple new tunes. He brought a very enthusiastic young woman up from the audience to sing Mel C's part on When You're Gone...the sold out crowd of 12,000 went crazy. She did an awesome job of singing harmony.

After almost 2 hours of this craziness, Bryan and the band came back for an encore of 4 more songs and left stage again. The crowd went wild, the noise was incredible. Finally Bryan came back on stage and it was just him & his 6 string guitar for 50 more minutes UNPLUGGED! And, just to give his security a real scare, he went out into the crowd for an up close and personal touch. What a bonus, it was like 3 concerts in one!

We would definitely recommend his concerts to anyone & everyone! We have seen the best!

Some of the good looking people in my life

I realize that these are ~ 13 months old, but they are some of my favorites. I think I'm just getting all worked up for all the photo taking to be done this coming summer. Oh to have this technolgy 30 years ago!

Joe, Joe who?

It's been a strange week, what with Joe's new postion as Large Camp Co-ordinator. He jumped into this postion in mid-stream, things are going at warp speed. Joe's had to get re-acquainted with client & employee lists, camp needs etc and trouble shoot all at the same time. He's out of the house a good 12 hours and gets home dragging his sorry self. I really can't complain though, he's home at night, not half way across the world! Tomorrow is Saturday, so get rested Joe we have some catching up to do! Motorcycle show, brunch, Bryan Adams concert, dinner out...and perhaps some grocery shopping!!! All Joe will register out of this is the Motorcycle show...he's wanting to kick tires AGAIN!

I'm exercising & Joe's losing the weight!

That seems unfair to me...Joe is happy with his results! For those who don't know, we are having a little challenge...The Macs v The Becks as well as a ladies only with Lucie. Joanne is making sure that we get in as many workouts as we can while she has a guest pass...5 in the past week! But it's all good. So right now Joe & I are even with Jan 2's weigh in. Stay tuned for more of my whining! Pass me some cheese, please.

The good news today comes from Joe's specialist for his Bergers disease...things are looking very good and the quarterly checkups are now bi-annual ones. Even with the holidays just behind us, Joe's weight has remainded constant. Don't you just hate people like that! Now Joe just needs the OK from his surgeon to get back to the gym so I can lose some pounds!

New career?

As Lesley mentioned in her blog, we all went out to Jubilations Dinner theatre for the combined Berta/Heather birthday celebration. As it turned out, Joe was once again selected for his mild manner errr....charismatic presence. He clearly out preformed the other fella...and was glowing by the time he returned to our table. I think he may have missed his calling!

Three generations!

What better photo to test with than this one! This was taken on my/our visit to see Dad in Medicine Hat. What a nice treat having Heather along. Dad was in fine shape and even when Joe was testing him and his patience Dad got the upper hand and called Joe by his last name! There may be snow on the roof but Dad was in fine form that day! Dad 1, Joe no score!

Looking back

What shapes us into the people we are? Who and what are the influences that change us? Didn't Dr. Phil say something about 10 defining moments, 7 critical choices and 5 pivotal people.

I wonder if this is an accurate list of my influences...

Best childhood friends - Doris, my favorite playmate who died in a cave-in at age 11. Sabrina, a newcomer from India who showed me some of her way of life (loved the saris, hated the curry), Janet, my tomboy friend who shocked me with a great rendition of Classical Gas! Peggy-Anne who accepted me as I was/am. As an adult, I have many friends across this great land, but most importantly, I have my soul mate - Joe!

My most surprising award - Most improves swimmer after I almost drowned in the Manitouwadge Lake - I was supposed to know how the tread water BEFORE they threw me off the dock! I still can't swim.

Contests I've won...a Fire Prevention week poster contest when I was 8...I still have the red straw fire hat...it fits me better backwards! A cash prize of $500 just before leaving for university. It paid for my books...Dad won $100 for selling the winning ticket...he wouldn't share!

Smartest thing I did was take first aid with the St John Ambulance in Bathurst. I went on to candy strip in the hospital on the geriatrics floor. I also spent the summer doing first aid at the Boy Scout Jamboree.

Probably the least known things about my past - I did a live guest appearence on community TV in Kingston. Joe was on lighting. I also had a chance to see a live night firing exercise on the Suffield Range - after filling out all the appropriate release forms. I was also part of the rookie crew sailing a whaler around the Victoria harbour...Charlie directed his little fellow, Joe, Heather, Lesley, myself (did I mention I can't swim?) Don't ask where the whaler came from!

The most practical thing I ever did was to take a Ladies Woodworking class. I had watched PBS and This Old House for years and dreamed of being Norm's apprentice. This was almost as exciting. I can now use power saws (table, jig, band) routers and drills. Oops...almost forgot the most important thing - sanders and sandpaper! I can now talk shop with the best. So much for these pink and blue jobs!

My biggest personal challenge was getting back on my feet after my back injury and surgery. It was a rewarding day when I was finally able to walk around the block with the help of my walking stick and Joe on my other side.

Some unique people I have met - Mr. Mahoney, my English teacher; Denis the outlandish Greek; Father Reg, the motorcycle riding Padre; Mr. Woody family friend and fitness mentor; Gerry & Kirk who pushed me outside my career comfort zone and Maria Paul, our gypsy friend with the heart of gold.

A road I didn't travel - taking my own PC station when Joe was posted out of the area. Business can wait for another time, my family couldn't.

My biggest regret - my Mother not seeing me become a grandmother...er...Nannie. I'm doing a good job so far. I had some excellent teachers along the way.

My biggest reward has to be being the mother of 2 such wonderful independant daughters, Heather & Lesley. They are awesome women to know and love!

My dream for my future is open to whatever may come along as long as it includes my first husband Joe! I don't think many others could tolerate me!