Merry Christmas to All

It is shaping up to be a fun filled Christmas at our house. After braving the snowy roads to visit with Tanya and Andre - they, as well as Tara and Chris - have decided to trek out to our house for a good old fashioned Christmas Eve sleep over!

We are going to have hot chocolate and some popcorn and visit! Have a card game maybe, or watch a movie or something!

SO MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Ready or not --- here he comes!

And it will be a White Christmas here on the coast - actually I think it is a White Christmas coast to coast this year! Kind of exciting isnt it?

I went to do my last minute shopping this evening and everyone in the store was buying salt - well not everyone - I didnt buy any. I wonder if I should have? I concentrated on my task - and got my shopping finished with in 15 minutes of being in the store (entirely due to the fact that my daughter did all the research and sent me to the right place!). I was so impressed with myself and Tanya! I went in the store with a mission, I knew exactly what I was going to buy, I was not distracted by any other item for sale in the store. I went straight to the items I was going to buy and got them and lined up at the cashier, paid and drove straight home!

Tonight I have 10 things to wrap and then I can say I am completely finished. All the little things and all the big things, wrapped and ready to go.

The only thing I have not done, and will not be doing, is Christmas baking. No time and not much interest in it at all! So if you come to my house during the Christmas season - you will not get any home baking, unless of course you bring it with you. What you will get is a wonderful time of fellowship and a good cup of tea or a mediocre cup of coffee (coffee making not my strong suit) and a store bought cookie.

I really am excited about Christmas and I am looking forward to all the time that we will get to spend with family and friends.

I hope all of you have a very very Merry Christmas!

Turn Signals -- an Option?

Are turn signals an option on a car?

I think that they must be -- cars such as BMW, Audi, Volvo, Lexus and some models of Chrysler all seem to be sold with out them.

You know what I mean - the guy in front of you driving the Volvo, changes lanes - no signal, turns right, no signal!

And we all know that you are supposed to signal when making a lane change or a turn, right?

So the only supposition that can be made is that the guy in front of me bought a car with NO TURN SIGNALS.

And that answers the burning question - turn signals are an option. So on your next car, get the power window and locks, keyless entry, air conditioning, heated seats, and TURN SIGNALS.

Thank you!

Not Much Longer

And Christmas will be upon us. I am happy to say the tree is finally decorated. Next step is to put away all the boxes until the first of the new year.

I have started wrapping the gifts. And tonight I will make a list of those we still have to buy for and tomorrow I plan to hit the mall and get it all done! Wish me luck.

This weekend is the big party weekend for us -- I have a dinner tonight, office party tomorrow and on Sunday we are going to the Church banquet. Must find willpower!!! Dont want to be overeating.

I am looking forward to spending our holiday time with family and friends. This year will be such fun! Dec 16 - my brothers for dessert, Dec 20 - Phil's brothers for dinner, Dec 21 - Hatch open house, Dec 24 - Church with Tanya, Andre, Warren, Tara and Chris and then hang out at Tanya's. Dec 25 - All the kids here for breakfast then off to Stef and Sandrines for dinner, Dec 27 - Turkey dinner here with both sets of parents and our kids and Phil's sister.

I think after that we will just hang out at home and DO NOTHING!

What do you have planned?

My Husband is awesome

Today- while I was at work , my husband, with out being asked, dug out the christmas tree, rearranged the living room, set up the new skinny short tree, and hauled out all the christmas decoration.

And he also, went shopping and made a wonderful prime rib dinner that was enjoyed by all!

This was all after he got the kid up in the morning, made him breakfast, packed his lunch and drove him to school. Took the recycling in, went to the dentist, cleaned out my car and packed our old christmas tree into the car to take to Tanya.

He truly is awesome!!

The Gospel According to Scrooge

After months of practise -- we did it! We have now performed the musical twice and we have one more night to go.

It has been a lot of fun! I really am having a good time. Even with this old cold of mine! The voice is a little deeper than usual and I have not sung every song, but have still enjoyed the whole experience.

Tomorrow is closing night. Seems so sad in a way-- we just got it all together and in 3 short days it is all over. Almost feel like we should do it a few more times.

Happy to say the costume nightmare ended with a great costume and I finally learned my lines, even the one that was added at the last minute.

Look Carole - I did do it!

Okay everyone, lets have fun with this! Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay,here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Justcopy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail thatyou can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Thensend this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person thatsent it to you......Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both - I love to use bags and I love to wrap. We tend to wrap more than we bag. And some of the gifts get wrapped and bagged!!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial – Allergic to the real ones
3. When do you put up the tree? sometime in the first 10 days of December
4. When do you take the tree down? Early January
5. Do you like Egg Nog? I do - with Rum and with out
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I cant think of a favorite gift - but I can think of a most memorable one. It was the Christmas of 1967. I know, i am really old. My parents had divorced earlier that year and my mom was working in a jewellry store. Money was scarce, in actuality you could call us poor. There was no money for Christmas presents. My grandparents had sent money to my Mom to cover the cost of driving from Kelowna to Vancouver to have Christmas with them. It was Christmas Eve and we were driving to Vancouver, just outside of Keremeos we hit black ice and careened out of control, off the road, barely missing a power pole, through a farmers fence, over a small rise and landed in a field. Needless to say we missed getting to Vancouver for Christmas, after being discharged from the hospital friends came and drove us home. Christmas morning was very quiet. My Mom gave my sister and I each a small parcel, in that parcel was a small inexpensive charm bracelet and a 45 record (a small one, a single for all you young people). Later that day we went to visit my Dad. I do not know why, but that gift , that small bracelet that I know my Mom could not afford meant so much to me. The bracelet has long since been lost and the record? who knows, I dont even remember who it was----- oh wait -- Daydream Believer by the Monkees (my Mom's DJ friend gave it to her to give to me) But the memory of my Mom's gift from the heart has stayed with me all these years!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Step Dad.
8. Easiest person to buy for? used to be Brian - this year - Tanya!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I do - two of them actually
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? some of each - this year I am going to try to mail more.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I dont think I have a worst - may have received a few weird ones - like the year we got a gift bag full of things you find in a hotel/motel room, you know - the coffee package, the sugar and stir sticks, coffeemate package, a tea bag and the little shampoo packages. Now that was a weird gift!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street - I have both versions - I think I like the new one best!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? sad to say - I bought some in January
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I have
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? all of it - the treats, the cookies, the dinner, the drinks
16. Lights on the tree? is there a tree with no lights?
17. Favorite Christmas song? I'll be Home for Christmas
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Anywhere my family is - so if I had to travel I would
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? I can. Spent many an hour reading the book to kids, I might be very close to being able to recite it without the book
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? An angel, but as Tara will tell you not "the" angel, and we were thinking of replacing the one we have!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I like opening one on Christmas Eve, Phil doesnt think we should do that, so we open them all on Christmas,morning, afternoon evening, usually on the 26th too. The big family means we make many stops.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The fact that so many people wont acknowledge what the season is really all about.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love them all! This year our tree will be mostly red and white - as in past years, with a heavy dose of spongebob
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey with all the trimmings -- yum!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Would it sound hokey to say world peace? I do want that. On the more personal level -- I want everyone to have good Christmas, I dont have a list really - i know that makes it really hard for my family to shop for me, I did do a list with Tanya so I think I am ok! But that doesnt really answer the question - hmmm - I would like a bottle of Baileys
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Tanya
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? hard to say - many wont- you have to be following my blog to respond and I really dont know who all is following.

For all of you who have read to the very end of my very long blog! Thanks for hanging in! Thanks for being a part of my life

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

A Tuesday Blog

For lack of a better title!

Just wanted to stop by here and say hi! Been pretty busy lately with the production, costume, work and just plain life.

I have a prayer request for anyone who would like to pray for me -- I need to get new glasses and they have to be paid up front. I can get about $400.00 back - the glasses are 683.50.

For anyone who knows about my recent car issues - you will know that i have that $500.00 bill to pay before I can start thinking about glasses.

The hitch is - I really need the new ones. There has been a significant change in my lenses over the past year and it is getting difficult to see properly with these - I knew I needed them I was just not prepared for the cost at this time ---

So -- pray for some creative financing for me -- that we will find the funds with in our budget to pay for the glasses and still afford the upcoming season!!!

Thanks all!

In other news --- looks like Brian will be playing in a piano recital later this month. He has been practicing some lovely Christmas songs for us. It is fun to listen to him.

We are all looking forward to a fun filled Christmas season - full of family time and good company. Got started on the shopping and we are finding it easy to stay with in our budget this year - shopping sales, using up old gift cards, looking for deals using reward points and such like. Of course - that could all change in the next few weeks - but we are trying.

Now -- back to work I go - I am off to Chilliwack and I will be listening to the new audiobook that Tanya and Andre gave me for my birthday - It is great - plug in the old itrip and hook up the ipod and some nice man reads to me!! Makes the miles fly by!

Costume Update!

Well - with a little luck and a lot of help from my sister I will be suitably attired for the upcoming production.

I found the PERFECT blouse at Penningtons and it was on sale! Cost me $27.00. Then my sister had a skirt from one of her medieval costumes that she said she could modify to be Victorian - all we would have to do is make an overskirt to bring it to the right century and hide the fact that it doesnt do up properly in the back. And I have a black shawl that I will use for the "outdoor" scenes.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Costume fitting fun and games!

It all started at the Costume Fitting. The lady said - try this dear (i hate being called dear) it should be fine - if it is a little tight we can make an adjustment. And then she handed me a dress made of curtain fabric - the heavy damask type curtains - and a heavy wool cape - almost got a hernia lifting the darn thing!

I said to myself - Self - this could be a pretty hot time - and I did not mean in the sexy way!!!!

But it is only a costume and only for 3 nights so off I went to try it on. It is a pretty dress actually just heavy -- that was my thoughts until I actually got into it --- it was one tight fit - the bust and shoulders were awesome but the waist was very tight --- and it was a velcro closure. So if I took a deep breath - like you are supposed to do when you sing, the front of the dress would pop open at the waist. So much fun! Then I stood around in the lovely drapes, I mean dress for about an hour waiting my turn to be checked out by the costumer.

And I started to sweat, now I dont mean a light prespiring, a glow on the forehead, I am talking about buckets and buckets of sweat - running down my back. My face got very red --- redder than normal. One lady asked me if I was ok. I said not so good.

It was finally my turn - the costume lady said - that is great -- I said it is really tight --- she said well why dont you just not hook it at the waist. So we tried that and I said to our director -- I am not too sure about this, I am not sure I will be able to breathe properly and I took a deep breath and sure enough - costume malfunction - the front popped and the fat was on display!

Fortunately for me - the director agreed that this lovely , 30 lb drape, I mean dress, was not going to work. The costume lady said well I do have a red skirt that should work. And she handed me what looked to be a red quilt - yup you heard it here first! I will be wearing a red quilted skirt with a short red quilted over skirt in the christmas production.

Sounds good - right? Well it would be just fine if the skirt came with a top! So here I am on the hunt for a victoria blouse - high neck, long sleeve in a size humungo and I need in 10 days! HELP!

So if you know any one who has a large, plus size victorian costume, rather plain in colour and design, who would be willing to rent it to me -- please rescue me!

Truly Fortunate

Today, as I was minding my own business - working diligently at my desk, my phone rang. This in and of itself is not unusal. The phone rings often in my office. But this particular call was very unusual. The conversation went something like this:

"ring ring"

Laura speaking, how may I help you?

Mrs Lang?

Yes...

This is Anne from Ellendale, we have Brian here in the office (mind goes nuts - what has happened, has he broken a limb? ticked off a teacher? ) and he is not feeling very good.

(mind goes calm - thank goodness - just sick) Ok - I will come and get him. It will take me about 30 minutes to get there.

No problem Mrs Lang - thank you for coming, he has been vomiting (mind goes -0h yuck!!!!)

So, I shut down the laptop, packed up the files to be worked on for the afternoon, and headed off to the school to get the sickie. Got there and he looked pathetic! Hot to touch and a bit green around the gills.

Took him home where he proceeded to puke again. Got him some clean clothes and got some gravol into him.

Here comes the fortunate part.

I was scheduled to be the person in our Abbotsford office this afternoon and there was not a sole person available to cover for me. So I bundled the kid in the car, grabbed the portable dvd player, some soup and juice and other comforts, and off we came to the office. He has spent the afternoon watching movies, playing on the computer and generally being very quiet. I am thinking that it will be time for more gravol just before we leave for home (dont want any puking in the car).

I consider myself very fortunate that I work for a company that allows me to bring the sick child with me to the office. No one complains that he is here. No one wonders what is wrong with me when I bring him in. Concessions are made to accomodate the time that I need to tend to him. Of course if it was really serious I would stay at home with him, but on a day like today I feel totally blessed that I can still be here to do my job and still be a mom to the sick kid. We even have a couch here that he could nap on if he wanted to!

And now - I shall finish up one last file and take the kid home!

So --- What's new in your Zoo?

Our zoo is busy as usual!

This weekend we went to a gala for Nightshift Ministries, did some shopping, attended an anniversary party for our dear friends, Fred and Judy, delivered half of the Princess House order and drove the kid to birthday parties.

I am glad to say the weekend is coming to an end and we are curled up with our laptops and enjoying some peace and quiet - well almost! I can hear Phil and Brian laughing and carrying on down the hall, it is supposed to be saying goodnight time!

Hope you all had a good weekend too! Here's to a good week to come!

Just another Saturday

And this is how it went

1. Went to our first Saturday rehersal
2. Learned the choreography to our big number
3. Had my first ever reflexology treatment
4. Took a great nap
5. Bought cool gifts for people
6. Got the roof looked at! Finally - and it might even be fixed now - we will find out with next rain
7. Had a chat with the landlord - no more realtors calling us directly
8. Chinese food for dinner

and now - the day is done!

You want me to sing what????

In case you didnt already know this, both Phil and I are currently rehearsing for our bit roles in the upcoming production "The Gospel According to Scrooge".

About 6 weeks ago, we got a call from Susan - she wanted to ask both of us to take small speaking parts in the production. We both said yes.... maybe we should have asked more questions. Didnt know too much about the production - just that they needed some more actors and we were happy to join in.

AND THEN we discovered it is a musical. A MUSICAL!!! While both Phil and I can carry a tune, sort of, we are not singers. But we carried on, got our scripts, got our scores and got a cd to listen to.

Here we are 5 weeks in and I still cant get the songs. There are notes in these songs that I have NEVER EVER sung. They are many lines above the top line of the staff.

And I cant read music so when the leader says got to bar 120 and watch the Bflat, she might as well be talking greek!

So tonight after feeling very frustrated by my lack of ability, I have decided to just do my best and if I cant hit a note I wont sing it -- what else can I do? And I will have fun!

Any one want to run lines with me? I need to get rid of my script this week.

Oh yeah - and tonight? Heather asked for all of us and our families to sing in a choir on the 25th. Now that should be fun - I just need Phil and Brian to get on board!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hope everyone is having a good Thanksgiving weekend!

Yesterday we went to visit Paige and her parents and siblings. She is very sweet!

Today - we are at church (oops --- blogging in church?) and after the service we are having lunch and then we are heading to my Mom's for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner - Chinese Food! It should be a fun afternoon of visiting and feasting! My brother emailed me last week and asked if we would be having Turkey Chow Mein with a cranberry soy reduction! Once I stopped laughing I called him and had a great chat! So maybe Chinese food is not traditional in Canada - but the food is not as important as the company and the opportunity to give thanks.

Tomorrow - we are heading to Sylvia's for a small intimate Turkey dinner. There will be 25-26 people (2 kids) and all the traditional Canadian foods, Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, neeps, brussels, green beans, gravy and pumkin pie.

Tuesday - we will be fasting!!!

In the spirit of Thankfulness - here is my list - I am so thankful for my family - I believe that my family is the best! My children are caring and loving, my Husband is my friend. While our family may not be perfect - it is AWESOME! I am thankful for my extended family and my circle of friends! I am thankful that we all have jobs! I am thankful for the joy of being a grandparent and I look forward to more grandchildren (hint hint).

I thank God daily for all of these blessings!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Illness begone!

So a very strange thing happened to me on the weekend.

While having my massage I discovered a very tender area on my back. I say "I" discovered it when I really mean the masseur found it when he started on the right side of my back. I jumped skyhigh! Almost off the table. And I screeched. Kind of embarrasing actually.

Alex, the masseur, told me that there were no large muscle groups there and he suspected a kidney problem and suggested that I see a doctor.

Off and on through out the rest of the weekend I got chills or got really hot and the tender spot (and I use tender instead of extremely painful) stayed painful.

Went to work on Monday with every intention of hitting a clinic on my way home. Even left early to do that. Spent the day trying to avoid being sick. I hate to throw up and I battled the nauseau and low grade fever all day. Got to the clinic and walked in - it was crowded and the smell in the room put me right over the edge - so I went home!

Tuesday morning, I stopped at a clinic on the way to work and was fortunate enought to get in right away. And low and behold - I have a kidney infection. The doctor said it an infection that was there for a while and not giving many symptoms until the massage.

He sent me off with a prescription for the largest pills I have ever seen, and instructions to get some rest. I got the pills, and headed into the office. Felt like crap, hot then cold, pain then not so much pain. Tried to work - did some - not a lot. Had clients come in to ask about something and in the middle of my explanation a wave of pain hit me and I collapsed. Well that ended my work day- once the pain subsided I drove home and slept.

Today - I went in to the office at 9 and was home by 10:30. Jill was able to come in and cover for me, what a blessing! Spent most of the day sleeping in my chair. Discovered that there really is nothing on tv during the day - even the movie channels were showing soap opera-ish - romance novelish movies. I was already sick - i didnt need to watch that kind of program!

I am living on advil and tylenol - and regardless of how I feel in the morning I will have to go to work - no one to cover for me. Lets hope that over night the ultra big, hard to swallow pills, start to work and I wake up with out the need to take a handful of pain killers!

And so I say --- ILLNESS BEGONE!!!!!

Update!!!!! 36 and counting!

Ok - one of the things that you do at scrapbook camp is set a goal for the weekend. With the help of my extra special consultant - Judy - I set a goal of 60 pages for the weekend.

It is now Saturday Morning and I am at 36 - more than half way to my goal. Wish me luck!

Having a great time and I wish you could all be here scrapbooking with me!

It is now 2:00 pm and I have completed 52 pages and even fit in a massage! This is definitely the way to get a photo album done! Cya all later!

Scrapbooking Heaven - Here I come

In just a very short time I will depart from the stress of my everyday life and my horridly stressful job (which I truly do like) and head to far distant land of Scrapbook Heaven.

The next 4 days will be all about scrapbooking and spending time with good friends!

Over the past week I have prepared by printing $100.00 of pictures - digital cameras are great but at some point you have to have pictures if you are to scrapbook! I have packed up all my supplies. My dear husband loaded all my stuff in my car. I have clothes, bedding and towels (i remembered this time!!!! I have a towel!), snacks, drinks and even a book to read if I should feel so inclined.

I am soon off to the gas station and then to pick up my sister in law/friend and then we are hitting the highway! Mission here we come!!!!

The only negative? IT IS RAINING!!!! That means shlepping my cases from the car to the room in the rain. Really shouldn't be a problem - we have done it in rain, snow, sleet, hail and sun in the past!

Ok - here I go - I am off - I would like to tell you I would miss you all - but in all honesty? Not so much! Have a good weekend and I will see you when I return! Love you!

Busy Days!

Today we decided it was time to sort through all the crud and crap that we have been storing in the back room. You know the boxes of stuff you pack when you move and are not sure if you really want but never really decide on?

We sorted through some of the boxes - put 2 boxes of assorted stuff on the curb and loaded up the car and headed to the transfer station. Felt good to dump the crap!

We didn't complete the whole room but we are well on our way. During the week I cleaned out a closet and we have 3 bags of stuff to donate. Clothes that I dont want anymore - stuff Brian has outgrown - that sort of thing. They are off to the donation bin this week!

If we can keep at it this week we will have the room sorted and cleaned out by next weekend.

Oh yeah - we have a plumber coming this week to plumb for the washer. Now all we need is someone to do the electrical for the dryer and we will have our own laundry upstairs!

Have you had a good weekend?

I hope you have! My weekend has been awesome!

Friday I had a Princess House Party- it was fun. The product is very nice and the consultant was great fun.

Saturday morning was a lazy, do nothing sort of morning. Around noon we headed out for lunch, and the butcher, the baker and the produce shop (no candlestick maker this weekend). A quick stop at the liquor store and we were ready to come home for an afternoon nap. Which we had!

Tanya, Andre and Warren came for dinner. Well, Warren didn't partake but he was here nonetheless. Dinner was a phenomenal roast beast dinner - prepared by Phil! It was soooooo good.

After dinner we played the Stockticker. And it was the worst game ever - for the stocks that is. The winner of the game after 1.5 hours was Andre with $575.00 in stock and cash. That is awful!!! I never did get a chance to make any money on the stocks I had. Even so, we had a great time playing a game together. Brian and his friend Adrian played with us. Family Game nights are such fun.

Today, we went to church, which was great. It was grandparents day and we had cake to celebrate! And this year we got to go get cake first with the other grandparents!!!

This afternoon has been spent on a Lord of the Rings marathon. Well to be honest, I have dozed and napped through a good portion of the movies but isnt that what Sunday afternoons are all about?

So what have you all been doing today?

Further to the Guilt

Denise commented on my blog about my school guilt and she makes a very valid point - moms at home with other children can not help out often either. I had totally missed that part in my rant.

I do recall that, when I was a stay at home mom of many I found it almost as difficult to participate as I do now.

After writing my rant, I did feel much better. I was able to mark off "unable to assist" with not one iota of guilt.

I am still an active participant in my son's life, just not during school hours. And really at his age, he is probably glad. Mom is not there in the classroom to embarrass him!

Have a good one!!!

Guilt?

I have been thinking lately- I know, a very, very dangerous thing to do!

With school starting, I have received the usual notices and entreaties - drive for school trips, attend meetings, help out in the classroom, help with hot lunch, and so on and so on.

The only problem with all of these requests, is that they require you be there during the school day - which coincides with my work day.

So how do I handle this - shall I feel guilty? Do I use my vacation days for these events? But if I use up my holiday days on these events what time will I have to take during summer vacation? And that would mean that Phil and Brian would go away with out me!

This is the dilemna of all working mothers. When you drop off the kid at the school, you feel like the mom's that are staying to help, are looking at you and talking trash because you never help out at the school. But if you dont got to work - there would not be any money to pay for the school trips, hot lunches, book fair books or any other things, like rent and food!

It is not like this is something new for me - I have been a working mom for a long time. It just that there seems to be more demands/requests than ever.

I have decided that I will not feel guilty for working, I will not feel guilty for not being at the school. I will continue to be an involved parent, assisting with homework if needed, helping find books for research, driving to music lessons, getting the child involved in other extra curricular activities as they present themselves.

I will continue to say "not available" when the school asks for parent drivers. I will offer to help with bus rentals when needed. I will continue to support the school fundraisers. I will feel good about being a working mom and contributing to the family.

And that is my rant for today!

We Made It!

Since my last blog - we have successfully made it out of the door in the morning with a lunch, properly packed and surprisingly nutritious. Turns out the whole sandwich thing is a bust. He would rather have something else. So this week has been yogurt and fruit, fresh and dried.



Next week we will be featuring a nice hot vegetable soup, with crackers. A pasta dish of some kind and a repeat on the yogurt and fruit.



Now if we can just get the homework in the backpack and all the notices signed on time - we will be making progress.



September is such a difficult month for all mothers of back to school kids! This year seems double difficult- I think it is the stress of the workplace together with the back to school!

Here's to next week! A week of better planning!

You really want a lunch?

Ok - the usual morning here involves -
- convincing the child he really WANTS to take the shower I am directing him towards
- finding the lost permission slip
- inventing a breakfast that is both appetizing and nutritious for a 10 year old
- iron a shirt for the kid
- get myself dressed
- find the work I brought home to do the night before and need to take back this morning
- check my email
- confirm carpool
- get kid to brush teeth, wash face and brush hair (hopefully clean - seeing as he was supposed to wash it in the shower!)
- brush my teeth, do my hair, slap on some makeup (maybe!)
- and head out the door - "Come on.... let's get a move one.... let's not be late"

And then it just grinds to a screeching halt! "MOM ---- where is my lunch?"

CRUD! I knew I forgot something! Somewhere between "eat your breakfast" and "grab your backpack" I missed a crucial step. The one where I make a lunch for said kid!

Back to kitchen we head - quick - "one pb&j and make it snappy!" DRAT - there is no bread, how can we be out of bread??? Improvise - pb&j on a hotdog bun! add a juice box, some goldfish crackers, fruit to go and some cookies (for after school snack) and voila! a lunch!

And wonders of all wonders - even with the aforesaid missed lunch - we still made it to school on time! and I was only 5 minutes late for work.

Any chance we will master mornings? I certainly hope so!

Sunday - Lazy Sunday

I love Sunday afternoons. They follow a morning at church and lunch. Today we had lunch at church, went to Walmart to get gym strip for Brian and then home for a nap!

Something strange has happened however - and not one of us has fallen asleep and it is almost 7 pm. Not a nap was had! We watched a couple of movies and chatted with people on MSN.

I read a couple of blogs, read some email, agreed to be on stage for the upcoming Christmas production and snacked. Kind of wasted away the afternoon. Well I did do one load of laundry so that the sheets for the playyard would be clean for Warren.

And now - we are considering having some dinner - then it will be bath/shower time for Brian. And that will bring the weekend to an end! All in all - Sunday has been awesome! How was yours?

A Blog - Finally - an update!

It isnt that I haven't had anything to say, it isnt that I havent had time to blog --- and here is the embarrassing truth -- when I changed my blog setup and template, I lost the header bar - the blogger header where I would normally login and write my blog. So after much searching and seeking, I found it!

So here is the update ----

1. Phil's company has been sold. We are waiting to see what changes this will bring about. So far it looks good.

2. Our landlady is thinking of selling the house - not a happy thought for me -- anyone have a spare $500,000 to loan us?

3. The lady downstairs has given her notice - she is moving out at the end of the month - any one want to rent a 3 bedroom basement suite? We are nice neighbours!

4. School went back - Brian was happy to get back to it. Iam happy he likes school!

5. I booked my Princess House Party - Friday September 19 at my house - come and have a glass of wine and see the wonderful stuff!

6. I booked Scrapbook Camp for 4 days in October! Going to scrap more pictures of Warren! And get Brian's book caught up - I hope!

Well that about sums it up! Now that I have fiqured out how to get here I will try to blog more often and maybe next time I will have something worthwhile to say!

Back to Work I Go!

And not with a smile on my face this week. The week has just begun and I am already feeling overwhelmed and swamped.

I start every day by creating a to-do list. I list the 4 top things I need to do as soon as I get to the office ans once they are done create a new list of 4 to do. Today that list could easily have been 25. I dont even know where to start!

I need to find a method of dealing with the workload and the stress that does not immobilize me - any suggestions. I need to be able to be as productive in this stressful time as I would be any other time.

All suggestions gratefully accepted ......

It is now official - I am nuts

And I can prove it! I went to bed last night at my usual time - 11:00 pm. I was planning on a really good nights sleep as I knew my day was going to be pretty stressful. Lots to do and having to deal with stressed staff. I needed all the sleep I could get.

At 4:00 I bolted awake - and I mean bolted! I realized that a very very important task had been left undone and it was my responsiblity to do it. I laid in bed for a few minutes trying to fiqure out who I could call in the morning to go it for me and the horrid realization hit me - THERE WAS NO ONE!

By now you have it dont you? Yes - at 4:08 I got out of my bed, drove to the office, took care of the task, came home, went back to bed and then got up at the usual time and went to the valley.

And now for the part that will have you all rolling on the floor in laughter --- I did it in my nightie, sweatpants and a jacket. I did comb my hair so it was not sticking up all over!

I think this action may qualify me for totally nuts! What do you think? Comments?

An update

In no particular order:

I updated my blog - but can't seem to add the gadgets and I am too tired to care at the moment

I am getting tired of buying goodbye gifts for people at work! I think I might have to buy one or two more unfortunately.

I am going to finally introduce Sharon and Cathie to each other - and in person! We are all getting together on Friday

Phil and I are taking Brian to the PNE this weekend. Probably on Sunday

I am going to a shower! Yahoo! IT WILL BE FUN

I finally booked my mammogram -- I know what took me so long?

Tomorrow I work in Chilliwack so I better get to bed!

Cya all later

It was fun!

We had such a good time in Vernon. Sharon was down with a flu - but it was so good to see her and the whole family - Sad that we missed Jo and Heath. Hopefully next time!

It was a relaxed weekend - Phil and Dwight had time to geek out and fix computers.

I spent time with Sharon, Alison and the Roylance kids. OMG they are cute kids! We got to spend time with Jen and Kyle too!

Sunday we took a drive with Alison, David and kids and Sharon out to see the lot that The Roylance home will soon be built on. What a pretty area. Cant wait to go and see them there.

The drive home was a tad draining, lightning, thunder, rain and of course a couple of car accidents to slow things down! But we had a great dinner at Skinny's Grille in Hope (on the old highway). The decor was funky and the food was good and the company was even better!

Wow is it hot!

Here we are in Vernon- arrived last night. Staying at the Tiki Village Motel - Not bad but no wireless internet.

Had a great visit with the Boulton's and Roylance's. Unfortunately, Sharon woke up yesterday with the flu that has been moving through the family. It was still great to see her.

Now we are sitting in Waddy's family resteraunt - eating Eggs Blackstone for breakie. We are going to go and see Alison and David's property that they are buying.

Forcast for today is over 40 so i expect to sweat off at least the breakfast!

Love you All!

A trip to look forward to

Phil and I are going to Vernon to visit Sharon and Dwight next weekend. We are staying at the Tiki Village Motel - Alison and family have moved in with Sharon and Dwight - making the house a bit full.

Brian is going to be staying with his sister, brother in law and nephew. He is looking forward to that. Planning on taking the WII so watch out kids - he is pretty good!

I am so looking forward to seeing Sharon. It is her birthday that weekend. I am looking for suggestions of what to get her as a gift. Please post all your ideas for me! Thanks!

It was a Great Long Weekend

We didn't go on a trip, no camping, or short stay at a resort (much more our style than camping). But all the same we had a great weekend.

We looked after two little dogs. We went back and forth between their house and ours. On Saturday we made dinner there and watched movies so the dogs would not be lonely. Sunday was spent with Tanya, Andre and Warren.

We did a little shopping, did some relaxing, a little walking, a little playing in the park and water park. A whole bunch of relaxing!

Alas - it is now over and I have to go to work. BUT there is the BBQ at The Baron's to look forward to!

Is that a Combo?

She said - I said "no- just the burger and drink" and so the confusion began!

I had a really tough morning and was looking for comfort food. I made a choice (not the best one but what can I say) to have a cheeseburger for lunch - but not the fries!! That way I could reason I had made at least one good choice.

I drove up to the window of the burger joint and ordered a cheese burger, no lettuce and tomatoe and a diet coke please. She said "that will be $7.29 at the next window please." (i was not at the cheap burger joint as you can see)

I went to the next window and she said "the combo is on special and will be much cheaper". So I said - "ok I'll have the combo but i dont want the fries." She said "i cant do that, so you want onion rings or a ceasar salad?" I said "really all i want is the burger and the drink - but i would like to pay the combo price" (the savings was almost a dollar) She said she wasnt allowed to do that. So I said"ok change my order to cheeseburger combo, no lettuce, no tomatoe and no fries"

She didnt' think that was funny. I told her she could give me the fries if she must but that i would throw them out at the end of the drivethru. At that the other woman at the window said - we'll charge you for the combo!

Now wasnt that the silliest situation! All i really wanted was a burger and a coke!

Tanya - as requested

T - totally devoted to God, her family and her friends
A - admired by many
N - never too busy to give of herself to others
Y - yearning to become all that she can be ( and not by joining the armed forces)
A - always ready to host a BBQ

Thoughts to Ponder

1. Why does crazy stuff happen at work while you are on Vacation?
2. Why is there always something unrecognizable in the fridge when you come back from Vacation?
3. Why is the Vacation never long enough?
4.If the route word of Vacation is Vacate why is returning to work not called moving in?
5. Why do I have to go to work today?

Hope you all have a great day!

Change hotel rooms - not us!!

We just change hotels! Last night we checked into the Quality Inn Airport - Calgary - when we checked into our room we noticed a loud white noise. Being that we had reserved for the rest of our trip we were looking forward to unpacking and settling in.

Well, after a sleepless night - we managed a few short cap naps - we got up this morning at 5 am and decided to move either room or hotel. Phil walked the halls on all floors of the hotel and we checked out all the rooms that were empty (at 8 am not 5) and could not find a room with out the loud white noise (caused by their air conditioning unit on the roof) so - we went for breakfast and then drove down the street to the next hotel. At the Best Western Port o Call- the manager took us on a tour of a few rooms and we chose a room with a view of the airplanes - Phil and Brian wanted to watch - and we checked in.

This hotel is a bit more money than the last but we know we will be able to sleep tonight!

So we are all going to have a 2 hour nap and then we are headed to Science World.

Cya all later!

Vacation Fun!

We are having a blast! The 2 days at the West Edmonton Mall could have been longer - there was still much to do and it was time to leave. We walked around the mall and investigated - did some shopping. Went to the Sea Life Caverns, The Sea Lion Show, and spent many hours in the wave pool at the WaterWorld. Only Phil went on the slides, and I think he only went on one. Turns out Brian would rather spend all his time in the wave pool. We had a blast!

Drumheller was fun. We spent a couple of hours walking through the museum learning all sorts of fun facts about dinosaurs.

Tonight we are in Calgary - tomorrow we are off to the Science World and then tomorrow evening we are off to see Kirsten and family.

Friday we are going to the Zoo and Saturday - who knows! Sunday we will be heading home - so sad to say.

All in all this has been a great vacation with my favorite 2 guys!

I Love My Family!

Have I told you lately that I love my family? I have the best daughters in the whole world, the greatest son ever, and son in laws, and almost son in laws that make the family complete. And who can forget the cutest grandson in the world!!!!

Now I know that you all think I am prejudiced and maybe I am - but this is MY blog and MY opinion is the only one that really truly counts here.

Last night, Phil and I had a fabulous evening with the Tara, Tanya, Chris, Andre and Warren. We ate dinner at the Baron household and then headed to La Casa Gelato for dessert. After much tasting we all settled on our fave of the day and off we went for a walk. I am not sure that we walked enough to wear off the ice cream but it was a nice walk all the same!

Thanks Family!

Countdown to Vacation

We are on the countdown to our Alberta Trip! We leave July 13 as early as we can get up and out the door. I am really looking forward to this vacation.

We are heading to Edmonton, Drumheller and Calgary.

Now all I have to do is get all the mess of files off my desk so I can leave with a clear concience. I managed to get 3 files off my desk today. Here's hoping the rest of the week goes better!

BRIAN GOES TO CAMP!

Brian leaves for a week at Camp on Monday. Tonight we went to the mall to pick up the last minute items we needed. Here is our list


flashlight - can anyone tell me where the flashlights go? we buy them send them to camp - they come home and we never ever see them again? Is there a parallel world where all the flashlights go and live in peace?
batteries - for the flashlight
bottled water - because last year the water smelt like eggs and the kids didnt want to drink it
underwear - cause you know it has to be good when you go away, cant take the ratty stuff!
baby bottle - for the "baby day"
"pirate" ball cap - for the "pirate day"
teething ring - for the "baby day"
bug repellant - self explanatory
after bite - cause we all know that the above sometimes doesnt work at all
sun screen - do you think he will really use it?
shorts - just becuse he liked them
granola bars - i am not sure why but he asked his dad for them and it is not really a bad choice
1 bottle Prospect Winery Haynes Barn Merlot Cabernet - we said that he was going AWAY for a week - think about it people!

And that folks, is how the Langs spend a friday evening. Sounds exciting, right? Next time you can come to if you like.

Happy July all!

I hope you all had a great Canada Day and did something to celebrate.

Our day was great! I slept in--- yahoo! Phil and his sister went and bought her new computer. Phil and I went to her house to set it up. Tanya told me about a great coffee house near Chris' place, but alas it was closed and I had to to have Timmies.

Took Brian out for lunch, went to Bear Creek park to walk and get wet at the watter park, crashed Tara's picnic.

Came home for a nap, went out for Fish and Chips for dinner, but all the restaurants we wanted to go to were closed for the holiday, so we went to Boston Pizza instead.

Went to Burnsview school in Delta to join up with friends for the Canada Day celebration and to watch Fireworks. They were spectacular!!!!!

Then home to bed - it was almost 11:00 when we got home and I was tired!!

Today - back to work I go!

Hot Dogs and Sushi

Yes - you read that right. That was the dinner menu in our house tonight -- Hot Dogs and Sushi.

Fortunately - not one person was forced to have hot dogs and sushi on the same plate. So many we should have announced dinner as hot dogs or sushi instead. But hot dogs and sushi was way funnier!

Where did the go?

Is it something I said? I cant see Jen or Denise's blogs anymore. Why?

And we are back at it!

Wow - the weekend went by so quickly - it was a blur of birthday party and visiting friends and family.

And yesterday - back to work I went. Thankfully - Monday was not quite as hectic as the previous week of Mondays! Still busy - just not as crazy. However it is month end and I am sure the craziness is just around the corner!

Have a great week!

Why has Monday been so long?

According to my calendar today is Friday - and I am assuming that the calendar is correct. Why then has the entire week felt like a Monday? You know that day after the weekend when we all trudge back to work feeling that the weekend was too short and dreading the voicemail and email that clients have sent over the weekend.

And then once in the office the phones start to ring and every call seems to have with it a problem or challenge to be solved. Clients are cranky, co-workers are cranky, and the work seems to just pile up higher and higher.

Usually, Monday is followed by Tuesday, the day when my productions is up! I become an overcomer. I overcome Monday, I overcome the challenges, problems and even cranky people dont worry me. But not this week - oh no! Tuesday dawned and it felt just like Monday all over again! and Wednesday - why it was just as bad, and you dont even want me to get started on Thursday.

All I can say is ---- PLEASE let today actually be Friday and not another Monday. I am not sure I will survive one more Monday.

Family & Fun

Last night Tara, Tanya, Andre and Warren came over for dinner. (we were missing Chris - MISS YOU!)

Phil made a great steak dinner, Tara and Tanya cooked potatoes and veggies. It was such fun to all sit around the table talking and eating. Warren was in his car seat and he made sure we didn't forget he was there by cooing and being incredibly cute!

After dinner - Tara and I went shopping and the rest of the crew went for a short walk around the little lake at Green Timbers.

And we ended the dinner with low fat/low sugar apple crisp and ice cream (sugar free for those who wanted it and regular for the others).

All in all it was a fun night in the Lang house! Thanks kids for coming out. Jen? when are you coming? or do we need to come to you?

It was a cold and blustery morning

In JUNE - and I had believed the weather forcaster from the day before - temps of 22 and sun with cloud. What a dope I am- It is cold and windy and rain is on it's way and I am here in the office dressed for summer and poor old Brian went to school in a t-shirt and no jacket cause we were optimistic.

Tell me --- when will the warm spring days come? Saturday is the official first day of Summer and I am feeling like we missed the Spring altogether!

Carole's Game!

Here is my answers!

Hit forward and place an X by all the things you’ve done and remove the X from the ones you have not. Answer the 30 questions at the end and send it to your friends (including me). This is for your entire life!
( ) Gone on a blind dateIf Internet dating counts, anyways…
(X)Skipped school
( )Watched someone die
( X ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( X) Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane
(X ) Been lost(
X)Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington , DC
(X ) Swam in the ocean
(X )Cried yourself to sleep
( X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X ) Sang Karaoke
( X) Paid for a meal with coins only?
( X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t?
( X) Made prank phone calls
(X ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( X) Danced in the rain
( X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X )Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
(X ) Blown bubbles
(X ) Gone ice-skating
(X )Been skinny dipping outdoors
(X ) Gone to the movies

1. Any nickname? LJ
2. Mother’s name - Ella
3. Favorite drink? Extra hot non fat latte or steeped tea 2 creams - depends on the day
4. Any Tattoo’s? Yes! Chinese character for Family on my shoulder - want to get another
5. Body piercings? no
6. How much do you love your job? THIS MUCH
7. Birthplace? Vancouver, BC, Canada
8. Favorite vacation spot? Wherever my family is!
9. Ever been to Africa ? No
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Of course - who hasn't
11. been on TV? A number of times. - I danced on The Tommy Hunter Show (live at the Regatta) was on tv in many a parade and even made the news during a demonstration - back in the day!
12. Ever steal any traffic sign? No.
13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes, a few
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door
15. Favorite salad dressing? The one on my salad
17. Favorite number? 42
18 Favorite movie? Dont have a favorite but apparently my favorite actor is Hugh Grant, That is what I said when asked the other day
19. Favorite holiday? The ones when the family is all together
20. Favorite dessert? any one we eat after a dinner
21. Favorite food? do i have to have a favorite?
22. Favorite day of the week? Used to be Saturdays - read my blog from Saturday
23. Favorite brand of body wash? Dove.
24. Favorite toothpaste?? didn't know i had to have one
25. Favorite smell? babies
26. What do you do to relax? chat, read, watch a movie, sleep
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Surrounded by Grandkids and 60!
28. How many siblings do you have?blood? full? half?3 - well 4 if you count the one i have never met step? 12 i think?
29. Furthest place you will send this message? Very funny Tanya!
30. Who will respond to this the fastest? probably no one!

-->

Father's Day was successful!

It was a great day! We spend the afternoon at my Mom's, had a great brunch, went for a walk, stopped at the dollar store to get birthday invitiations, hung out at Tara and Chris's, met Tanya and Andre for a delicious dinner at an Indian Restaraunt, and then topped it off with a trip to La Casa Gelato for desert!

I hope all the father's in our life's had a great Father's Day!

Whatever Happened to .......

...lazy Saturday mornings watching cartoons?
...$1.49 Tuesdays (bet you didnt know I was old enough to remember that)
...lazy Saturday mornings, reading a book
...good italian sodas
...lazy Saturday mornings, doing nothing
...the sun - oh wait i can actually see it now - so forget that one
...lazy Saturday mornings, playing on the computer

Are you seeing a pattern here? I wanted a lazy Saturday morning and what I got was -laundry - 2 loads done by 10:30, drop off the drycleaners, take the overdue video back, get both men in my life a hair cut, shop for load hawaian shirt at value village, wrap birthday present for kid to take to party, find a quick lunc h that the kid will eat and then drop him off at said party. And all by 1:00.

What do you think the chances are that I can get a nap this afternoon? Let me tell you - NIL , NOT AT ALL, NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN! I still have to find something hawaian for me to wear to the party tonight, confirm a sitter, make a donation jar for the party, pick up the kid from the party, grocery shop, and do at least one more load of laundry, go to the party!

And Sunday is not looking good for a nap time either - oh well maybe mext weekend. Oh wait - that is when we are having Brian's birthday party - so forget that! Maybe the week after? Please?

Can we have some sun please?

I sure would like to have some sun! I think we all need a good dose of Vitamin D and a little warmth to make us all feel that the long cold winter has finally ended. Instead I wake up to grey skies and go to sleep to grey skies.

Maybe it is time for me to head south or east to find the sun. Who among us is with me?

Made it to Wednesday!

Well - I made it! All the way to Wednesday. Last nights Shower for Tanya, Andre and Warren was a success. It was so nice to have such a wonderful show of support for them from friends and family.

And all the super cute boy outfits! That kid will be well dressed for a long time to come!

A huge thank you to everyone who brought food and helped!

Tara did an awesome job of keeping the food flowing - she is amazing.

Now it is time for me to get off my duff and get dressed for work - oh yeah and I best make my son a lunch - he might want one today!

Showers! and downright downpours!

This time tomorrow it will be too late to worry about the shower and do I have enough food and will there be room for everyone and will there be enough chairs, enough punch etc etc etc! This time tomorrow it will be all about the having fun!

But today - I worry! Because that is something I do very well. I shouldn't but I do. I try not too, but I do!

So now that the shower is as together as it can be, we can move on to the downpours.

What is up with the crazy weather today? I took Brian to the Dr the morning and it was raining so hard when we left his office we could hardly see across the parking lot! And running from the car to McDonalds to get a treat was like taking a shower!

All afternoon long it rained, it poured and then it rained some more. Driving home I drove through deep puddles, the kind you like to drive through and make a big splash!

I think the rain has effected way to many people in a negative way. It was hard to find a genuinely happy person today. There were many many many cranky people in the office, on the phone, sending emails etc. It was a zoo!

As hard as I tried to be upbeat and cheerful, I am not sure I was 100% successful. Hopefully tomorrow there will be less rain and maybe even some sunshine to turn the cranky people happy once again!

Shower on Tuesday

It started as a nice little shower for Tanya, Andre and Warren. It seems to have morphed. It is now a fairly large shower. I sure hope we have enough room for everyone! I thought it was 15 people - but now it seems it is 25 or more.

How much punch do you need for that many? And can I borrow a few folding chairs?

Should be a blast! See ya there!

Friday - glorious Friday

It is finally Friday! I am so stoked -- no work for 2 days. I am planning on spending most of the weekend doing laundry, cleaning house, getting ready for a shower on Tuesday - hope you are coming!

This week has been horrifically long, fraught with all sorts of issues, challenges and yes even a few problems. And then on top of it all -- it is raining! Oh please make it stop.

I so happy to put it all behind me and look forward to a better week next week.

What A Day!

First - we lost an envelope at work- thankfully it was found before the day ended and we were able to finish up all the work that was needed.

Secondly - the router in the office was acting up and had to be reset before we could finish up the registrations for the day

Thirdly - I had to rush to the school to get Brian from his field trip - and I was still in Abbotsford at 5:15 and I had to get him by 6:00 from the school. I made it!

Fourthly - we had to make a trip to the emergency ward - nothing serious so dont worry - it was an "incident" that required a doctors help. We did learn that "it shouldn't be long" means 2 hours in Surrey Memorial time.

Finally - we had a late dinner at Boston Pizza - Dr felt that given the circumstances of the "incident" Pizza would be the right prescription for all involved. And after dinner we headed home and put Brian to bed.

Oh my -- I am tired! Let's all hope that tomorrow is less exciting!

Where did it go?

An envelope has gone missing in my office - where did it go? Any idea - it was being moved from one office to the other and somehow somewhere it has gone astray! HELP - will the minute man who has it please put it back!

And another week begins!

Here it is Monday again! Hard to believe the weekend buzzed by so fast!

My office did not receive a visit from the work-elves over the weekend so I am faced with a mountain of paperwork today. This morning I was able to get maybe 5 things off my desk completely and about 10 partly done. I guess in the greater scheme of things that is not bad!

My afternoon will be full as well, I have to order two printers, update the employee manual, reorganize two workstations and test a monitor, and get training materials ready for tomorrows training day. And when that is done I am sure I will find at least 5 thousand other tasks that need my attention.

But for the moment I am sitting in my office, eating my lunch and relaxing in front of the blogs.

Have a great one all!

A Baby Day

It was a great day in the Baron household today. Baby Warren was dedicated this morning at church. After a Subway Sandwich lunch in their backyard, we headed out to Mission for a Baron Baby celebration.

It was a wonderful afternoon of visiting and celebrating both Warren and Quentin. Such a cute couple of cousins. It will such fun to watch the two of them grow up together.

This has been a fun weekend!

Lazy Saturday Morning

I love lazy Saturday mornings. And this Saturday has been an especially good one. Phil made me a wonderful breakfast and I have lazed around watching the last part of the movie that we were watching last night. (I fell asleep - big surprise)

We are now contemplating going out to do a bit of shopping. Of course - thinking about it and actually doing it may be two totally different things!

Tonight Cathie and I are going to Peanuts Big Reveal! Of course we have already seen him - but the shower will be so much fun!

And that is how I am enjoying this wonderfully lazy Saturday Morning? and you?

The Best Laid Plans

I had ever intention of being out of the office today at 5:01. Wish I could say it happened. It wasn't really anything major that made me late leaving. Just a bunch of small things, we didnt' balance, wrote the wrong cheque and needed to reverse it - but couldn't someone had changed the password.

So once again - it is after 6 and I am still here. Hope to leave soon!

A Late Lunch?

Ok - this is not really a "lunch time" post - but it is the first time today I have actually stopped! What a month end this has proved to be!

I came to work at 6:30 am and am just leaving now 7:45 pm. I bet I will sleep well tonight!

Hope you all had a good day!

A Good Idea

Every once in a while I have a good idea. Surprising I know!

Today I had 2 -

First one - Using my lunch break to blog forces me to stop working and focus on something else. Because writing my blog leads me to looking at other blogs and usually a quick look see at Facebook if the time allows. So - this is my new routine - break, blog and eat.

Second one - Sushi for lunch!

Not bad for someone who yesterday was sure her middle name was "stupid" based on the number of silly things I did!

Lunch Time

It is lunchtime! I am trying to be good these days so I am having a weight watchers lasagna and a big glass of water as lunch. As long as I can avoid an unhealthy afternoon snack I can call this day a success. Well, even if I did not snack healthy I would still call the day a success.

I read the comments by Princess Buttercup to yesterdays post and I thought hmmmm. I can add most of those to my list of people that I am too - I wonder if I should. And then I decided not to - It might make me too tired.

Today after lunch I am headed to the Abbotsford office after spending a delightful morning in Chilliwack.

Hope all is well with you today!

Month End - ARGH!

Today I need to be 3 people - not the one that I have been created.

I need to be - An IT Tech - the phones and network and internet have all had a turn today not working and I have had to crawl around in the server room reseting and unplugging and all other sorts of distasteful computer stuff!

I need to be - An Administrator - cel phone to be returned for repair, supplies to be ordered, water for the cooler, where are the coffee filters, we need a new vacuum and the list goes on and on!

I need to be - A Conveyancer - I have 2 purchases, 2 refis and some transmissions that need my attention!

So what am I doing here you ask? Taking a break! Missed lunch altogether and am now eating fruit snacks and drinking water. Want to join me for a mid afternoon snack?

I did it!

Well, look what I did! I created my blog over here! Thank you Tanya for helping me get it figured out. It was as easy as you said.

I hope you all will enjoy this blog site and visit often. I plan to be blogging more frequently and trust you will all enjoy!