Wordless Wednesday

Just who I am

Last night we attended the first of a few Christmas functions that we need to this season.  It was a gathering of 35+ people including one pre-teen helper and a new baby.  Being totally honest, I don't like large functions of many people.  I am not the type of person who can just start up a conversation with anyone so I often feel on the outskirts of the little groups.  I listen to scraps of chatter here and there and intercede my thoughts when a moment comes available.  Even as the day of a large function approaches, I wonder if anyone will talk to me, who will I sit by and will that person be someone I know well enough to make a conversation flow. My dear husband on the other hand is quite successful at moving around the crowd and visiting with anyone.  He even makes small with the cashier at the grocery store whereas I'm not so much a talker.

Now, if I'm in a living room with two or three friends and a pot of coffee, I am much more in my element and can relax in my comfort zone.  I can hear every one who is talking, I generally know the people quite well, and know that I will be *safe*.

Only a few more gatherings of this Christmas season to go to.  *Phew*

Some feelings

are just so hard to put into words.  I have a heart ache that no one can really fix.  *sigh*

{Friday Photo}

Isn't she beautiful?

Photography Blog

I wanted a place to post the pictures that I take as an amateur photographer.  Come and check out my first *job* here:

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE

Tagged!

1. What time did you get up this morning?  6:30... that's when  Sarah got me up

2. How do you like your steak?  well done 

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Um... not a clue, it's been that long.

4. What is your favorite TV show?  I like Grey's Anatomy and Survivor

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?  somewhere that it never snowed

6. What did you have for breakfast?  Slice of toast and coffee

7. What is your favorite cuisine?  Canadian/American... I like burgers, chicken and pizza

8. What foods do you dislike?  I don't eat eggs or onions

9. Favorite Place to Eat?  Boston Pizza or Red Robins

10. Favorite dressing?  Citrus Honey Poppyseed... goes great with spinach

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?  Pontiac Montana

 12. What are your favorite clothes?  Yoga Pants and long sleeved shirts
  
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?  Somewhere warm 
,  
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?    1/2 empty... Good thing Doug says 1/2 full... we are good for each other

15. Where would you want to retire?  Again... somewhere warm

16. Favorite time of day?  first thing in the morning if I'm up before the kids

17. Where were you born?  Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Figure skating, gymnastics

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?  Not sure but I hope I get lots of replies

 20. Person you expect to tag you back first?  

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? I am looking forward to hearing from everyone

22. Bird watcher? Occasionally when I'm at my in-laws' 

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Definatly morning

 24. Pets? a little lap dog, named Sadie

25. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share?  Mmmm... nope

26. What did you want to be when you were little? a mom and a nurse... I'd have been a terrible nurse though

27. What is your best childhood memory?   Christmas mornings... cinnamon sticky buns and oranges for breakfast

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog

29. Are you married?  Yes, for 13 years now.

30. Always wear your seat belt?  Absolutely... even if I'm moving the van from the garage to street

31. Been in a car accident?   Yes

32. Any pet peeves? people getting used to driving winter roads, mean and obnoxious drivers, waking up to a messy kitchen, too much noise and chaos

33. Favorite pizza topping? chicken, spinach and feta cheese

34. Favorite Flower? roses

35. Favorite ice cream?  I don't like ice cream really... maybe Jack's mixed soft serve

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?  Wendy's... spicy chicken 

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?  I didn't fail 

38. From whom did you get your last email?   Carolyn

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Superstore... clothes and food all in one place... I'm so practical. 

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Nope 

41. Like your job?  I'm a homeschooling, stay at home mom... yes, I love my job 

42. Broccoli? Cauliflower?  both are good

 43. What was your favorite vacation?  I still remember going to Disney World with my family the year I graduated... you are never too old for Disney! 

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?  Myself!

45. What are you listening to right now?  Sarah talking to me and the Wii playing upstairs 

46. What is your favorite color?  purple

47. How many tattoos do you have?  No.  Never will

48. Coffee drinker?   Oh yes!  White Mocha from Starbucks, French Vanilla Cappaccino from Tim Hortons or creamed coffee at home

49. How many children do you have?    Four.  One boy and three girls

Change of plans

It's a good thing we've determined our family is flexible.  For a couple years now, we've been going to church on Saturday nights.  It's nice because it leaves Sundays to just stay at home and relax as a family.  As we were eating our early supper (need to leave home at 5:45), Sarah had a major coughing fit and promptly threw up.  Not just a little bit but a huge amount of puke spewed forth from her.  Poor babe.  Shortly after, Andrea began to complain of a headache.  I'm sure it was from staying up until 11:00 last night and getting up early with her friend during their sleep over.  Then, while we were eating, Arianna was goofing off and banged her head on the table which brought out more tears.  Joshua had been at a friends' the night before and was up late as well.  So after all that commotion, we decided that staying home was in the best interest of our family.
We then signed up for Netflix and had a family night full of popcorn, chips, chocolate and warm milk to drink.
We can always go to church in the morning....

Time out

for my sister and I.  We found out that both our husbands had today off and so we jumped at the opportunity to hang out at the mall.  No strollers, no babies, no toddlers, no diapers bags... just two moms enjoying a morning to themselves.  We checked out some stores that are simply not child friendly and enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee at Starbucks.  What a time of refreshment for both of us!

School Pictures... Take two

... take that Life Touch!

November 11

My previous post said that I had nothing left to give. 
How selfish of me when thousands of men and women gave *everything* for my freedom in this country. 
I am so thankful for all those who selflessly fought and died for the people of Canada. 
Freedom to vote.  Freedom to pray.  Freedom to worship our God.  Thank you.

Let us not forget

I have

nothing. left. to. give.

Can anything else go wrong...?

One week ago today, I realized my keys were missing.  The one van key and a house key.  Plus the automatic unlock/lock remote.  I don't really enjoy unlocking the door manually and it's a pain when I have a toddler on my hip and a bag or two of groceries.  After calling up a dealership, I was told it would be $135 for a new remote, $30 for a new key and at least $60 to program the remote and key to the van.  A total of $225.00.

Last weekend as I was sewing up a bib, my sewing machine stopped working right.  Something with the bobbin thread not cooperating.  I have to take it in to the store and probably expect a $100 charge to get it fixed.

The past few weeks our main TV has been acting up by taking a long time to turn on.  Well, it finally gave up this weekend.  The part that Doug thinks it needs is about $125 US, not including charges that may incur if we need to hire a repairman. 

*sigh*

Halloween

I don't like the idea of Halloween. Perhaps it is because my siblings and I were raised that way... I don't know.  We usually just attend the function at our church and then head home for some family time.  This year, being the first year on this kid filled street, allowed the kids to go trick or treating.  Something about it still feels odd to me and I really don't know what we'll do next year.  Even though the kids had a great time, I'm undecided.  I love dressing the kids up though...

Arianna & Delaney

Sarah my ladybug

Andrea in her personally designed Maid Marion costume

Joshua the construction worker