LJ's Corner

And Radiation Begins!

2012-02-08T21:29:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was day one of radiation treatment. I will be having 25 treatments plus 5 boosts. 30 trips to the radiation therapy department in all! Everyday, Monday to Friday, for 6 weeks.

So I am 2 down, 28 to go. This week all my treatments are early enough in the day that I can make it to work on time and the Cancer Centre is going to do their best to keep all my appointments early.

I am hoping that I can get through this treatment with minimal side effects.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Next Phase - Radiation

2012-01-19T07:53:00.000-08:00

Met my Radiation Oncologist yesterday. She is very nice. Great bedside manner. She talked about radiation and how it can reduce the risk of a local re-occurrence. Decision was easy to make. Radiation treatment is my next step in my treatment. (and hopefully the last step) The Doctor told me that after the time I had with Chemo, radiation should be a cake walk. Very few side effects, mostly fatigue and some mild burning of the skin, like a sunburn. And she is going to give me some creams to help with that!

Radiation treatment is everyday - Monday to Friday. It should start the first week of February and will last for 6 weeks.

So happy to be moving on with this final step of treatment. Looking forward to my hair growing back!

Round 4 Is Kicking My A**!

2012-01-05T18:54:00.001-08:00

Wow! I was told that the effects and side effects of Chemo can be cumulative. That is an understatement if I ever heard one. Since last Friday, I have been battling nausea and a tiredness the defies description.

Have only managed to get to work for a total of 4 hours. I have been living on anti nausea drugs and gravol tablets. So, I eat so I can take the anti nausea pill and then I sleep. Then I wake up, have a bite to eat so I can take more anti nausea drugs, and take another nap. And that is how I spent New Years Eve and every day since then.

I am so very thankful for my wonderful husband, who has catered to my needs and wants, taken care of the house, undecorated from Christmas (with Tanya's help), made sure Brian gets to school on time, music lessons, driven me to and from work, and generally takes care of me! I guess this the worse of "for better or worse".

The one bright spot, no more chemo for Me!!! Tomorrow I see the radiation oncologist to see if I need radiation treatments. And once that is done - no more cancer for me!!!

So, every day is one day closer to being finished, one day closer to feeling like my old self!

Thank you all so much for your continued support! I truly appreciate it!

Ready for the Last Round

2011-12-29T22:35:00.000-08:00

I am ready! Been taking all my pre chemo drugs. Tomorrow I will have my last round of Chemotherapy! Not so excited about the side effects but very excited about being finished.

Today we picked up my last batch of Neupegen, the very very expensive drug that keeps my white blood cell count up! What a blessing for insurance. God has been so faithful during my treatment, provision for my drugs to all be covered by insurance.

Saw the Oncologist today and he was so very positive. Said he would consider me cured. The surgery was very good and he believes that the tumor was completely removed. And with the chemo and then some radiation any remaining rogue cancer cells will be blown away. That was such good news.

I see the Radiation Oncologist on January 6 to see what the plan is for radiation treatment. I am seeing the light at the end of my treatment tunnel.

Thank you everyone for your support, prayers, meals, more prayers and friendship!

What a way to end the year! Good news! I wish you all a Very Happy and Blessed New Year!!

Round 3 Update

2011-12-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to report that Round 3 of Chemo has gone pretty good. The first seven days were rough. So very tired and many stomach issues. But nothing that doing nothing and taking gravol couldn't fix! I did not work too much the first week, but this week I am feeling pretty energetic! My taste buds have returned to normal, just in time to enjoy Christmas Dinner.

I am continuing to get lots of rest. My body makes sure of that -- as soon as it is done I stop! I am looking forward to getting good reports from my blood work. Last round of Chemo is scheduled for December 30, so I anticipate sleeping through New Years!

I have been truly blessed with a wonderful husband! Phil has done all the shopping and planning for Christmas. He has taken care of me. He has cooked meals for me that fulfilled my cravings. Thanks Honey!!!!

I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas, full of joy and family fun.

Love Laura

Doing well!

2011-12-06T08:21:00.001-08:00

It has been quite a long time since I updated. I have no real excuse. Just tired. That is it. All the new drugs have done their job, as far as I know. I have not come down with an infection, requiring hospitalization or anti-biotics, Thank you neupegen! I have not suffered from the debilitating bone pain. Thank you gabapenetin.

I have however been very very tired. And suffering from nausea.

TIRED -- so tired! Going shopping for an hour, need a nap. I get so frustrated at how tired I am.

I am anxiously awaiting a phone call from the pharmacy letting me know if my neupegen is covered for my next round of chemo. Hard to believe that one round is $3500.00!!!!

Decorating the house for Christmas is right out of the question. If it wasnt for Phil and Brian we would'nt have a tree up. Hopefully over the next few days we will be able to get some decorations on it. I think that and the Christmas dishes will be the extent of the decorating this year.

I want to thank every one for all your support, prayers, kind words, food etc, etc! Each one of you has touched our lives in such a big way! THANK YOU!!!!!

Round Two and Update

2011-11-21T20:43:00.001-08:00

After having a pretty rough time with Round one of chemo, round 2 seems to be starting off ok!

Round one was a nightmare, bone pain,white blood cell count so low I got to spend a week in the hospital! The Oncologist has put me on a drug called Neupegen. This is a very expensive drug ($3500.00 for each round of chemo). This is to prevent the low white blood cell.

Friday the 18th was round 2. So far so good, I have minor pain, and some really tired moments. But so far so good. Praying that this round will be a good one.

Phil is an awesome nurse, every night at 10 pm, he dutifully injects me with the neupegen. And he makes sure I am taking all the other medications that I am supposed to be taking.

It is good to know that I am now 50% done with the chemo! Only 2 more treatments to go. Sad to say my hair has all fallen out. I am getting really good at tying scarves!

Thank you all for you prayers and your support. Please keep praying that the cost of the Neupegen will be covered by insurance!

Look What Dana Did!

2011-11-16T07:16:00.001-08:00

My blog has had a wonderful facelift! My favourite colours and a theme that reflects my love of scrapbooking! All this from the lovely Dana. You must check her out at http://www.designsbydanasears.blogspot.com/. She is very creative. Thank you Dana for the new look. I love it!!

For the Record - CHEMO SUCKS!

2011-11-02T13:32:00.003-07:00

I know - I am supposed to be optimistic and upbeat! Sorry - can't do it today. While I am very optimistic and know that the chemo is doing what it is supposed to do, I feel crappy.

I have deep seated pain in my joints and limbs that make walking hurt!! My ankles hurt, my knees hurt and my hips hurt and every inch in between! Family Doctor gave me some painkillers but they are not working.

Have decided to have a heart to heart with the Oncologist on the 15th to see if there is some other way of treating the side effect for the next round. Maybe something pre-emptive! That would be a good good thing.

Needless to say , the pain has made it difficult to work. Monday I lasted 2.5 hours and then yesterday about 4 hours. Today I am staying until the next person arrives to cover me, and then I am going home. Hopefully to grab a nap, cause I am tired!!!

Here is an update on Phil, he had his surgery on the 25th. On his right knee. He is recuperating nicely, and is managing very well on his crutches. He his home and off work until the first of the year. Accepting all visitors!!

Thank you to everyone who has called and helped out. We would be lost with out our friends, family and support team!!

The Journey so far - Photos

2011-10-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

This is the day of surgery- amazing how the kid ( and by that I mean Tara) can get you to take a picture in the recovery room! LOL - showing off the lovely blue tube top that I got to wear.

This is one of the pictures that Andre took of me - the pre chemo hair do! Not too sure if I will be sharing any of the bald head ones, only time will tell!

Tanya insisted that this one picture be included! She likes the hollow cheek look I think!

First day of Chemo - And look - they want me to do the cooking! Actually these are the ice mitts that I get to wear during my treatment to protect my fingernails from discolouring and splitting and falling off. Cold hands - warm heart?

Today, Sunday - I am feeling ok, just very sore joints and legs. I am tired but doing really ok. Hoping for a good tomorrow as I have to go to work and get a flu shot.

Now here is a weird question!

2011-10-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

I have been approached by many people this month asking me the following question, or some variation of it:
"Would you like to support breast cancer by buying my cookies?"
And here is the response I would like to give:
"I MOST certainly DO NOT support Breast Cancer!!! There is no part of my being that thinks that Breast Cancer should be supported!!!"
Of course I would have to quickly follow that up with, "I WILL SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH"

That is what I wanted to say. Here is what I have said, while smiling. "I would love to buy your cookies! As a matter of fact I will take two, you see, I have breast cancer and am happy to help you raise funds."

And that my dear friends, ends my rant on the support of Breast Cancer!

The Storm thus far....

2011-10-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, it is Tuesday - yesterday Peggy had her surgery. Surgery went well. One lymph node looked suspicious so it was removed and sent off for testing together with the rest of the removed stuff. And now, we wait. She should be out of the hospital tomorrow or the day after.

Monday afternoon I attended Chemo School. Tanya emailed me in the morning and asked if I was going to get an A. I think that I did pretty good! I am planning on acing all the exams! Still have moments of feeling totally overwhelmed, but really now, I think that is to expected!!!

Phil had his knee surgery today, and it appears that all went well. He is expected to come home tomorrow. This evening the whole family went to visit. Tara had been there all afternoon. Brian and I headed up after work. Tanya, Andre, Warren and Xavier came and brought dinner for Tara, Brian and I. Everyone had a short visit with Phil and then we all left him to sleep!

Tomorrow should be an almost normal day around here. Phil will be home relaxing and recuperating, Tara will be his caregiver for the day.

Thursday I start the first of my pre chemo drugs. Getting a bit anxious about my appointment on Friday. I will update you all later!

Make that a TYPHOON!!

2011-10-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

What could be worse than a deluge you ask? In my experience a typhoon! A cyclone! Accompanied by whirlwinds and strong rain!

Today I met with the Medical Oncologist, specializing in Breast Cancer. After our discussion, I decided to go ahead with the recommended chemotherapy. He told me that there would be few steps before the first treatment. Chemo School, blood test, get some prescriptions filled. I thought that would take a few weeks.

WAS I WRONG!! Chemo School is full next week, so I will be having a private lesson on Monday -- yup -- that is what I said, MONDAY! and the first treatment - FRIDAY! yikes.

Add this to what is already going on around here and the deluge is now a TYPHOON!!

It's a DELUGE!

2011-10-19T19:29:00.000-07:00

The old saying is "when it rains, it pours". Well in my house - it's a freaking DELUGE!!!!

As you may or may not know, Sept 15 I had surgery for breast cancer. The surgery was successful! Yahoo!

That very same day, my sister was diagnosed with Stage 3 Endometrial Cancer. That was a shocker to say the least.

A couple of days later, I developed a post operative infection. Got to spend the next 10 days going back and forth to the Outpatient clinic for IV antibiotics.

I got the results of my pathology - the cancer has not spread beyond the tumor, that is good news, there was no cancer in the lymph nodes, more good news! Then came the small piece of bad news, my tumor was what is called Triple Negative Breast Cancer. That is the one that does not respond to any hormone treatment. It is often treated with traditional chemotherapy.

Thursday October 20 I get to see the oncologist where I will learn what type of treatment they think will be the best attack on my cancer. Radiation for sure, maybe chemo, We will see.

While all this is going on, Phil finally got a date for a knee surgery he has been waiting for, October 25. Then my sister got her surgery date, October 24. Yup that is just how we roll around here!

Oh yeah, and then my infection came back. At least this time I am on oral antibiotics.

Then last night, Phil's face started to swell up. He looked a bit like Martin Short in that movie where his character was allergic to bees and got stung repeatedly! So off to the hospital we went! Spent 5 hours there to find out that he has a plugged saliva gland and needed to go home and suck a lemon (not a lemming, Tanya!).

Today - it happened again. So off he went back to the hospital. Now he has to suck a lemon, drink lots of water, apply heat and massage. Hoping that this will not postpone his surgery.

So here is what I can expect in the near future:
Husband - Knee recuperation time 6-8 weeks, no driving for a good portion of it. And now coping with the plugged duct
Sister - Radical Hysterectomy - recuperation time 6-8 weeks and then treatment for cancer - radiation and possibly chemo
Myself - antibiotics for 6 more days, starting treatment to eradicate any left over cancer cells.

So there is my update!! IT'S A DELUGE!!!!!! Anyone got a huge umbrella for all of us to hide under?

Good News!

2011-09-22T11:15:00.001-07:00

Everyone needs good news. And praise the Lord, today I got some!This morning my Surgeon gave me the results of my surgery. The tissue removed from the tumor site showed no cancerous cells! More good news! The sentinel lymph node was clear as well! All of this means that there has been no spread of my cancer. I am so encouraged by that news. Now we will move forward with the treatment to make sure there are no sneaky cells hanging around. I will be contacted by the BC Cancer Agency in the next few weeks to get the radiation scheduled. The end is in sight!Only four more days of IV antibiotics, as well. Monday I am going to go back to work.Thank you all for prayers, support, meals, visits and phone calls.

Here we go!

2011-09-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

Finally, after a false start and what feels like a very long wait, my surgery is upon us! Tomorrow at 12:55 pm the surgeon is going to perform a partial mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy.

I feel like, after a month long wait, I am finally about to begin my fight to beat this cancer. There are still many unknowns, but the treatment is beginning.

I have been overwhelmed by all the support that I have received, and the offers for help. What a blessing to be surrounded by so many friends and family.

Thank you for joining me on my journey!

Help Wanted: Expert List Maker Needed

2011-08-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Ok - I have 7 days in which to get things in order for Brian returning to school, being off work for 2 weeks, having surgery, etc., etc.

On a normal day this would not be a challenge for me. I would jump into overdrive and create a master list of things to do, and then create all the sub lists and start delegating (ordering people to do things, is probably a more accurate description). However, this time, I appear to be frozen. I have a brain of swirling information, appointments, lists, etc and no way of harnessing it all into a plan.

I am looking for a responsible person, able to manage multiple crazy thoughts at the same time. The successful candidate will have considerable experience dealing with "sparkle brain", fuzzy logic and shocked numbness.

Responsibilities will include, but not limited to, interpret medical jargan into english, source out school information, coordinate appointments, navigate crazy brain and general assist a total nut job.

If this is you, and you are able to start yesterday, require no compensation or benefits, apply by return comment.

The Pink Tour Bus

2011-08-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have an interesting story to share about the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's Pink Bus Tour . (http://www.thepinktour.com/). July 9 of this year I made plans to meet Tanya and Family at the Burnaby Village Museum and the Farmer's Market. It was a wonderful day, Tara met us as well. I was looking forward to a fun summer family day. And I was not disappointed!! (but that is another story for another day)

While at the Market, I was approached by a young woman representing The Pink Tour. She asked if I had toured the bus that was in the parking lot. I hadn't. She asked if I had had a recent screening mammogram. I hadn't. She asked if she could take down my information and have someone contact me to arrange a screening mammogram. I said "SURE!". Cause we all know I just LOVE having these girls squished and poked and prodded! Who wouldn't! So I signed up, and she gave Xavier and I a little pink ribbon to wear on our shirts and we headed on our way!

The following Monday, I got a call to book my appointment. And would I like to have my mammogram done a the newly opened Jim Pattison Out Patient Centre in Surrey, seeing as it was close to my home? Of course I said "yes, that would be fine". They booked the appointment for the following Thursday. 4 days away. What happened to it takes months to get an appointment?

I was the first appointment of the day - so I was in and out of the clinic in under 15 minutes. Two squishes a side and they sent me off with a lovely recipe card and the promise of a letter with my results in about 10 days.

Didn't give the mammogram another thought, until I got the result letter July 29. Letter said, findings were not normal and I should call my family doctor to arrange follow up. I made arrangements to go to see my family doctor the week of August 8th as I had a number of other appointments the previous week. Well, apparently, the new Breast Health Clinic had other thoughts! On Friday August 5, I got a call from the clinic, could I come back please for some more tests. And could I please come in on Monday, August 8. And be prepared to be here 3 hours. WOW! 3 hours for a diagnostic mammogram? How many pictures did they need? I know my breasts are large, but really come on!!

Monday arrived, and off I went. Checked in to the clinic, met with one of the nurses, Found out it was going to be more than just mammogram. That was a relief! I got changed into the lovely hospital gowns and joined a waiting room of women, all armed with ipods, or books, or knitting. Something to pass the time. And I waited.

It was first a diagnostic mammogram, then I had an ultrasound. Then I read my book, watched a cooking show on the TV, talked to a few of the other women there. Then I saw the surgeon. He told me that on the right side I had a cyst, nothing to worry about! That was good to hear. Then he told me that on the left side there was a 4mm "something". And he wanted to find out what it was. He wanted a surgical biopsy done to find out what the "something" really was.

So back to the waiting room I went! The nurse came to me and told me that there was no time that afternoon to do the biopsy, could I come back on Wednesday.   I said"Why not!"

While she was off arranging that, another technician came and got me, whisked me away to an ultrasound room where yet another technician and doctor where waiting to do a Fine Needle Aspiration. That is where they insert a fine needle into the "something" and take a sample for the lab to look at. That was finished and off I went, armed with my next appointment.

Wednesday I checked into the clinic and had a wire inserted into the "something". This was done by a doctor who quided the wire by looking at yet another mammogram. Yes, that is what I said, another squish!!!   The surgeon, a lovely lady, then froze the area, and using the wire as a guide surgically removed the tissue at the end of the wire. That is where the "something" was. But as luck would have it, there was no "something" at the end of the wire, just some breast tissue!! So, the surgeon made a decision to just go back into the breast and take an area very close to where the the wire was and hope to grab the "something"!!! I am glad to report that she was successful!

The "something" was sent off to the lab and I was sent home, armed with an appointment for the following week to get the results. The lovely nurse suggested that I bring someone with me to that appointment just in case.

Well!!! Just in case? We were so totally not prepared for the results! Phil and I both just stared at the doctor. She told us the good news./bad news story. Good New - we think we got it and it is very treatable, the Bad News - you have breast cancer. WHAT???? You could have knocked me over with a feather.

In a matter of minutes we had decided on a partial mastectomy, the date was chosen for surgery, we were loaded up with resource materials and headed off to the first of many pre op tests.

In the days that have followed I have been to my family doctor for a chat and he filled out all the paperwork he has to do. I have talked to my daughters (son is still away at camp). Talked to my mother. Told my sisters and brother. Send emails and private messages to friends. Informed everyone at work. Oh yeah! and run a whole gamut of emotions.

I am trying to work through all sorts of crazy emotions. I have laughed, cried, prayed, cried. And at moments even denied that I am in the state. But the reality is I have Cancer. And now I going to have to figure out how to live with cancer. I will be using my blog here as a journal of my journey. Feel free to comment, support, suggest and pray!

And all of this to say - THANK YOU Canadian Breast Foundation Lady for encouraging me to get a mammogram. You may have saved my life!

Looking for Advice - well actually just venting!

2010-06-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

I need to reduce my stress levels! Work is too much to do, not enough resources. Suggestion was made to have a co-worker make some of my calls for me. My co-workers are in the same position! I can not in good conscience ask them to do anything more! I know it is tough for everyone in the company right now - but I really need someone to give me some practical suggestions and help. Could that be the ever present Internet?

I lay awake at night worrying about all the things I need to have done that I cant get to. The nights I don't are the nights I take the sleeping pill that the doctor gave me. I only use them when I have gone more than 2 nights without sleep, but that is becoming more and more frequent. The Doctor is not going to refill the prescription and I really don't want him too. I want to have my life make more sense so that I can sleep at night again!

I guess it is time to dust off the old resume.

Then there is the noisy neighbour issue. I know we cant do anything about them, but it is still a stress I can do with out.

We have been looking for a new place, but so far all we find in our price range are pretty bad, or too small. The last one was big enough but needed some repairs and regular maintenance done. Overheard the landlord tell the other couple that was looking at it, if they wanted things repaired or fixed up they were free to do it but that the cost would be all theirs! Now I am not talking about anything major here, I am talking about drawer fronts and knobs in the kitchen and medicine cabinet doors in the bathroom., Stair railing to be tightened or replaced, screen doors that didnt close. That sort of thing.

Makes me wonder, if the tenant is solely responsible for that sort of thing, number one why didnt the last tenant do it, and secondly, maybe more importantly, why rent? Landlords seem to be neglecting their properties and still expecting the tenant to put time in money into the property thereby increasing the equity of the Landlord. Some how this seems wrong!

Well, that is truly a whine! Thanks for listening!

35 Years and A Weekend to Remember

2010-05-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

Monday, Phil and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. Somedays I find it hard to believe that I am old enough to have been married that long! But apparently I am! He bought me a lovely Pandora bracelet. I dont think I got him anything? Bad wife! I guess I really should have bought him something! Actually I did have a gift in mind, but have not been able to find the right one yet. When I do I will present it to him!

Friday I got a call from my hubby, he asked if I would like to go away with him for the weekend! I thought for a moment ... a really brief moment... then said YES!!!!!

We dropped Brian off with a friend, and headed for the Langdale Ferry. Checked into a great motel in Davis Bay on the Sunshine Coast. Watched the sun set from our room. We had dinner at a nice pub in Sechelt.

It was a wonderful weekend of catching up with each other, seeing friends, shopping for Tanya's birthday present and eating lots of really good food.

It was very hard to say goodbye to the coast this morning and head on home.

BAD DEJA VU

2010-05-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

Flashback to July 2009! Rushing to the emergency with Phil

Flashforward to May 2010! Rushing to the emergency with Phil!

Yes you read that right. This morning at 5:30 Phil informed me that he thought he should go to emergency. He had severe pain in his side. Again, flashback to July 2009! This time the pain was on the right.

So off we went! Thankfully the hospital is a short drive from here. He was asking me to hurry. I wondered if I should have called an ambulance.

Got him into the hospital, where they promptly got an iv started and pumped him full of gravol and morphine. 6 hours..... and a couple of morphine shots later, he had a ct scan. 3 hours later we were informed that he has a 4mm kidney stone and he could go home and pass it, Once passed we are to take it to a specialist.

Now we are at home, he is well medicated with some sort of pain killer anti inflammatory, asleep in his chair. And I am exhausted...

It is found!

2010-03-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

About 5 weeks ago, I misplaced my bluetooth headset. Just in time for it to be illegal to talk on your phone in the car. I looked for it at work, looked for it in the car, looked for it in my purse and in the house. And then, we looked somemore.

On Friday, I gave up! It was lost, gone, never to be seen again. I went out and bought a new one. Yes - you heard me right! I bought a new one. Charged it up and started using it.

Guess what I found today? Yup - the stupid headset. In a little pocket in a shopping bag! I dont even remember putting it there.

So now I have 2 headsets, lucky me!

Some Random Thoughts

2010-03-17T15:28:00.001-07:00

Today I was thinking how fortunate I am to have such wonderful children. I know that I have sung their praises before. But seeing as this is MY Blog --

Monday, Tanya and Andre took me out for lunch. It was so nice to hang out with them and catch up. Yesterday, Tara called and shared her day with me. Monday, I got to go out with Brian and Phil for dinner and a movie.

Everyday I am thankful for the wonderful women my daughters have become. Their husbands are such welcome additions to our family. It has been a source of joy to watch my family grow.

I went to visit my mother on Saturday and was reminded of how the passage of time changes relationships. There was a time when I went to my mom for parenting advice, relationship advice and such like. She was the Grandma at family dinners. Now that has been passed to me. I am the Grandma! I love it.

Who could have known how much fun being Grandma is! I am looking forward to the next addition to our family (hint hint).

How to respond?

2010-03-05T08:05:00.000-08:00

Last night I had to tell Brian that the baby downstairs had passed away. I asked him to pray for the parents and their family. His immediate response was "I can't imagine how sad they are".

Me too! I am so saddened by the news that this young couple have lost their less than 3 month old child. How do you respond? What can you do to help? Is there any way to lessen their grief?

Other than pray for them, and maybe make them dinner, I feel totally at a loss. Suggestions? Thanks!

Where are you Christmas?

2009-12-22T22:41:00.000-08:00

Well, I would say - Christmas is here! We are singing songs about Christmas, songs about the birth of Jesus. All the gifts are wrapped. Brian and I have finished our secret project.

I am truly looking forward to the holiday. Cant wait to spend time with my family, the kids, the grandkids, my parents and anyone else who shows up! Christmas Day here at our house, Boxing Day at Tara and Chris's.

Brian and I have talked alot this season about the gifts. Turns out that for Brian it is not the gift receiving ,but the giving. Not the gift in the box, but the packaging and wrapping. He was pretty creative in the wrapping.

Brian is in bed right now watching the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. And negotiating with his Dad. Apparently he wants Dad to stay and watch the movie. Dad won and Brian is watching on his own. I expect he will fall asleep before the first gift is stuffed up the chimney!

Merry Christmas to all of my dear friends!

So.. Where do you go for health care if you dont have the flu?

2009-10-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Seriously! I need an answer to this question. No one at the Hospital was able to answer that.

Here is the story as it played out. As you know Phil is a type 2 diabetic. Over the last month his medications that he takes to help his body use the produced insulin have stopped working, or his body has stopped producing enough insulin for the medications to use. Either way, he has been struggling with some pretty high blood sugar levels in the evenings. To combat that, he has been careful about what he eats, and to help the level drop he has been walking.

He has seen his family doctor about this problem and his dosages have been raised to the max and an appointment made to see the specialist on October 30. Phil was told that if his blood sugar level got too high he was to go to the hospital and get an insulin shot. High being 20. (normal is between 4-7) This brings us to last night....

Ate dinner, then headed to the mall, Brian needed some new clothes and Phil needed to walk. While Brian and I shopped, Phil walked around the mall - at a pretty good clip - he made the circuit 3 times while Brian tried on jeans. We walked a bit more after that, then headed home.

Settled in, I got my work done, Phil was happy watching tv, Brian was playing a computer game. Just after 9:00 pm. Phil takes his blood sugar and it registers at 25. I said, "ok off we go to the hospital!"

I got Brian settled, knowing my sister would be home in a very short while, and drove to the hospital. Checked in at 9:30 --- Left at 2:30 am -- never saw a doctor. Why you might ask?

Well apparently, there was only on doctor working that evening ( I saw 2 off and on), they were "slammed" with flu cases, and no one , and i mean no one, could explain to me why Phil was not seen. He had his vitals taken at triage, and his blood sugar and he was sent along the blue line to the emerg waiting room, there another nurse took his vitals, and his blood sugar and ordered a blood and urine test. At close to 1:00 am we asked if there was any idea when a doctor would see him, Got a very snitty answer about no one being able to answer that. Shortly after I asked a nurse to check his blood sugar again -- still very high , but lower than when we came in. That nurse said that his chart was not "there", that the doctor must have it and would see Phil soon.

At 2:30 - no doctor, no treatment, no idea of when a doctor may be available - Phil decided to leave.

During our 5 hour visit - I saw many people walk in with flu symptoms, they all saw a doctor and left the hospital!

All I am left with is one of two conclusions -- either Phil's chart was lost --- or FLU PATIENTS ARE FIRST! That brings me right back to my original question -- if you don't have the flu or flu like symptoms, where go you go for emergency health care in BC?

Seriously - I really need to know.

Oh the Joy of Renting!

2009-09-02T20:17:00.002-07:00

We rent the upper floor of a house. That means that there are people we do not know living downstairs. They change frequently.

We have had the lady who turned the furnace off cause it made noise - causing a cold cold winter for us! She also smoked in the house. We had the mother and son with the dog that barked and barked and barked and barked. Then we had the "non smokers" who smoked everything! They partied! Then one of them moved out and in moved another and then he moved out and in moved some girls.

And then today I came home to find people in the driveway waiting to see the place. And the interested party so far - 2 adults, a 2 year old a 3 year old and a baby due in November.

One thing you need to know about this house -- it is just a regular single family home that has been sectioned off into 2 suites. There is no sound proofing between floors. If you use the bathroom in the master bath you can listen to conversations downstairs.

Can you imagine the noise of 3 kids under 3 in a house like this? Not to mention that we pay 70% of the utilities. That is certainly something that will have to change!!!

Oh give me strength!

Vacation Part Two

2009-08-15T21:44:00.002-07:00

The second half of our vacation has been very quiet. I believe that Phil over did it on the first half. He has been in a significant amount of pain since Wednesday afternoon. We came home on Thursday and he went straight to bed. He has been lying low ever since.

Today Tanya, Andre and Warren came for lunch. After lunch, Tanya and I went out to buy some blueberries. We stopped on the way home and picked blackberries. Then I came home and made 10 jars of freezer jam. I made them with Splenda so Phil can have a winter of yummy jam for his toast!

After all that activity, I went out and picked up some indian food for dinner. Another quiet evening in the Lang household! Brian is off at a friends for the weekend.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

Sunshine Coast Vacation - Part one

2009-08-11T19:02:00.003-07:00

This is a great Sunshine Coast vacation -- We are blessed to be staying in Maderia Park at The Enchanter Bed & Breakfast (found here http://www.enchanterbb.com/). We are staying in a lovely trailer, under the trees. We have a nice view of the harbour.

We came up here on Sunday - had a good drive up, the kids enjoyed the ferry ride. Got settled in - the tent set up and went shopping for groceries. This trailer is completely decked out with all you need to prepare meals for the family.

Spent the evening visiting with our hosts (who if you don't already know -- are Andre's Parents), we enjoyed a great bottle of wine and awesome company.

When bed time rolled around we got the two boys squared away in the tent and settled in for our first night. Somewhere in the middle of the night - the skies opened and the tent flooded and we had two wet kids, with their wet bedding at the door. In quick order we had them settled for the night in the trailer. They quickly fell back asleep and I layed in bed listening to the rhythmic breathing of the boys and Phil, accompanied by the rain. It was pouring!

We spent the next day, driving around checking out the countryside. We took a drive to Sechelt to dry all the wet bedding at a laundromat. Took the kids to McD for lunch and then did some groceries. It rained most of the day. We spent the afternoon watching movies, playing games and just hanging out in general.

Today we rose to a beautiful blue sky and the sun shining down on the trailer. It was incredible! After breakfast we loaded up the car and headed out to find a fishing spot! We ended up at Hotel Lake where the kids did a little fishing - the fish won!

We had a lovely roadside picnic at Garden Bay Lake. After the boys had had their fill of fishing and hanging at the lake - we headed off to check out a gallery and the yurts.

On our way back to the trailer we picked up some wasp traps (that are working awesomely!), some ice cream and some sugar cones. Spent the remainder of the day eating ice cream, playing cards and watching the boys laze away the time in the hammock. During dinner another rain storm erupted. It was a short one. Now i am sitting here writing and watching the sun slowly set over the harbour.

Tomorrow? A tour of the harbour - - it is only an hour and a half, so dont worry! Then -- who knows? That is the beauty of being on vacation - we really dont have to do anything if we dont want to!!

Hope you are all well! Love ya!

Stay Cool?

2009-07-29T20:03:00.002-07:00

How do we stay cool in heat like this?

1. only hang out in air conditioned places
2. huddle around the fan
3. have a 24 hour long water fight
4. dont move too much
5. stand in a cold shower
6. drop ice cubes down your top and your pants
7. drink buckets of water
8. go to the mall - as long as it is air conditioned
9. dream of snow - but not too much cause I hate to shovel
10. eat a ton of freezies
11. hang your head in the deep freezer, while looking for said freezies
12. find a body of water and get in (lake, pool, bathtub, kiddie pool)

Keep adding to the list- as we all think of ways to cool off - maybe we will start to feel cool! I for on am sitting in the living room with the air conditioner and a spray bottle of cold water, spraying my legs and feet!

Home!

2009-07-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

Today Phil came home! This is a good thing. No more driving around looking for a parking spot at the hospital. And I am sure if you asked Phil he is happy to be here too. We picked up a prescription for pain killers, grabbed some easy heat in the microwave meals and came home.

Phil has his computer in front of him, his feet up and a smile on his face. Brian is playing wii and I am nursing a headache. Hoping it will be gone really soon as I am going out tonight.

All in all, this has been a good day!!! I am so happy that Phil is home.

Now that was scary!

2009-07-10T22:25:00.002-07:00

I want to thank you all for your prayers of the past couple of days!

What a scare we have had. To fill you all in, this began about 4 days ago. Phil had a pain on his left side. It continued to get worse and worse and worse. On Thursday morning we drove to the hospital. Phil was in severe pain. Over the next few hours, he was seen by the doctor, hooked up with some morphine, had a cat scan and then we waited for results. Turned out there was a foreign object in the small intestine that had perforated the wall and a raging infection was brewing. The only treatment option was surgery. So after a very brief conversation with the surgeon - an emergency surgery was scheduled.

Surgery went as well as could be expected. And Phil went from there to an acute care ward (like an icu - one nurse to each patient) I was told that he would be there for 24 - 48 hours. He did so well he was moved to the Maxi Care ward ( 2 patients to each nurse) less than 24 hours after surgery.

He continues to do very well. He looks very strange, tubes everywhere and machinery monitoring him.

We are praying that he continues to do well. Hoping he will be home in a week and able to attend Tara and Chris's wedding on the 25th.

He is able to have visitors, 2 at a time and for short periods of time. His parents came to see him this evening. All the kids have been there of course. It meant so much to him to know that all the girls were there during the surgery. He loved seeing Brian today. Even if he was abit scared that Brian might poke him!

When I left him this evening, he was "watching" the space channel. His eyes were closed and he seemed very peaceful. I am praying that he has a good night.

Again, thank you all for your prayers!

J.O.Y. Mine

2009-07-05T15:27:00.002-07:00

Jesus
Ours
Yours
MINE

Went to Church this morning - not unlike every other Sunday really. Went to our home Church, Calvary Christian Church. The morning was very much like other Sundays, we went to Tim Horton's on the way for breakfast. Nothing unusual....

That is until Praise and Worship time. During worship I was struck by the words the songs, songs that were very familiar to me. nothing really new - just a new meaning. Isn't it amazing how that can happen. One of the songs we sang was, When I Survey the Wonderous Cross, a hymn written in 1707! The words of the hymn (as we sang it today):

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

As we sang this song, and others, like Enough and I Surrender, I was struck by the joy that is found in trusting Jesus with our lives. And the Joy in knowing that God never fails! (thank you Ruth for your word!) The Joy in knowing that we were so important to God that he sacrificed his own son for our salvation.

So cool when a God uses a Sunday morning service to reveal something! Even in the sermon this morning God continued to reveal Joy to me.

So thankful that I made the decision to get up and go to Church this morning!

Oh Happy Day!

2009-06-28T21:39:00.002-07:00

Today was a happy day! It was the day of Tara's Shower. The sun was shining and we were able to spend a glorious afternoon in Tanya's back yard, blessing Tara with gifts and advice (most of it good, some of it questionable! lol)

There was good food and awesome company! Tara enjoyed all her gifts.

I posted some photos on facebook if you are interested.

Thanks Tanya for organizing and thank you guests for coming!

And in a short time there will be wedding! Yahoo!

Oh for a hot fudge sundae!

2009-06-14T18:59:00.002-07:00

It all started last Wednesday -- as many good families have done in the past and will do again in the future -- we bribed our 11 year old with a hot fudge sundae from mcdonalds. Even offered double sauce.

That bribe would have worked well but for one thing. The Mcdonald's near us had no hot fudge! Are you kidding me! It is hot outside and there is not hot fudge????

Being the awesome kid that he is - he said maybe another night. He was better about it than me! I was bitter --- I wanted that sundae.

Two nights later - we decided to go for the sundae. And guess what --- yup --- no hot fudge. This time we decided we would go a bit farther a field. We drove to the next Mcdonalds - and ordered 3 hot fudge sundae's, sauce on the top and the bottom. And we were told that Mcdonalds doesnt serve hot fudge sundaes any more. SERIOUSLY?? what the heck? No HOT FUDGE?????

We offered the kid a Frosty from Wendy's and drove down the street to get one. I decided that seeing as I was not getting a hot fudge sundae I would try the new twisted frosty - coffee toffee. Now if you have had a twisted frosty you know that they take either chocolate or vanilla frosty and they swirl it up with some candy or cookie, sort of like a mcflurry or a knock off blizzard.

When we got to the window - the lady handed us a chocolate frosty, two spoons and something that resembled a milk shake that had been sitting out in the sun for an hour or so. Well - after the devastation that the Mcdonalds was no longer serving hot fudge sundaes, I was not in the mood to settle for anything less than what was advertised. So I made Phil stop the car at the front door of the Wendy's and I walked in with the sloppy mess of a dessert and plunked it on the counter. The lady asked me if there was a problem --- oh I bet she was sorry that she asked that!!!! I said yes!!! look at this - this is a twisted frosty? And she said yes -- well I told her was expecting something that I could eat with a spoon, like the m&m one. She offered to make me a new one but it would look the same. I said why would I want that???? Please refund my money. She told me she couldnt do that. I just about jumped the counter. I told her I had ordered a twisted frosty as depicted on their order board and had not received that and I wanted my money back.. I even took down their ad from infront of the till and showed it to her. After asking for my money back a few more times I did get it.

Then we did what we probably should have done in the first place ----- we went to Dairy Queen.

That was on Wednesday --- on Friday I went to a scrapbook retreat. One of the young ladies there ran out to get something from Mcdonalds in Langely. Imagine my utter and total amazement when she came back with a hot fudge sundae!!!!!

Apparently - only Surrey has no Hot Fudge!!!

Today -- my wonderful husband and son brought me a hot fudge sundae ---- you guessed it ---- from DAIRY QUEEN!

A Love Story - part 2

2009-05-23T12:19:00.002-07:00

Now He & She were a They.

They liked each other.

They met each other's families.

They met each other's friends.

They went to movies.

They talked for hours on the phone.

They took the baby to the park.

They spent as much time as they could together.

They hated being apart.

He asked her to marry him.

She laughed and said no (thought He was kidding)

They keep on spending every waking moment together.

He asked her to marry him.

She said YES!

And so, They got married -- May 17, 1975.

And 34 years later......

They still like each other!

They still spent tons of time together!

They still enjoy the love story.

A Love Story - part 1

2009-05-13T20:20:00.003-07:00

It all started a very long time ago, on a beach not too far away from where I sit right now.

She was 16 years old and the mother of a 2 month old baby. This was her very first time going out alone without the baby.

He was 18 years old and doing what he normally did on the weekend, partying.

She was there with some new friends, checking out the beach party.

He was there with his friends, hanging out, checking out the girls.

She drank too much tequilla.

He caught her as she stumbled into the fire on the beach.

She thought he was a gentleman.

He thought she was hot. ( seeing as she almost fell in a fire, she was alittle warm)

She needed a ride home.

He had a car.

She was impressed by the $ in his ashtray.

He was impressed by her.

They were impressed by each other, enough to start spending all their time together.

update, update, update

2009-05-12T14:40:00.004-07:00

Here is the update at a glance

Victoria -- fun fun fun - dont like bugs!
Mother's Day -- spoiled spoiled spoiled - love my family!
Warren's Birthday -- party, party, party -- thanks Tanya and Andre
Brian's Birthday -- quiet, quiet, quiet --- party to follow with 5 boys in attendance
Work -- busy, busy, busy -- what else is new?
Wedding Anniversary -- 34, 34, 34 years!!! -- yup and all to the same man!

AND THAT IS THE UPDATE TODAY!

Wednesday in my World!

2009-05-06T18:23:00.002-07:00

I was on the phone today with my Boss talking about an IT issue. After about 4 minutes, the conversation went something like this:

Boss: So if we print to file - what kind of program will be used to open?

Me: looks like excel will work just fine

Boss: is the data on the worksheet usable?

Me: a bit hard to understand , no headings, but I think I can fiqure it out......

D: Excuse me Laura - there is an urgent call for you from the school

Me: Crap -- oh sorry Boss -- can i call you right back? School on phone

Boss: no problem

Me: Hello School?

School: I have kid in the office, he is not feeling well, do you want to talk to him?

Me to self: not really!

Me to School: of course thanks!

Kid: Mom? my stomach hurts and my legs hurt and i want to throw up!

Me: oh baby, do you think you can make it through the day? (thinking how do I possible balance this one? Boss waiting-- Kid sick-- Crap!)

Kid: No Mom -- I really feel sick!

Me: ok let me talk to School

School: yes?

Me: I will be there as soon as my meeting with Boss is over, can he stay in the office?

School: yes

Me: Boss? Kid is sick! I need to go get him. I'll drop him at home. get him settled and come back. Sorry to drop the ball on this project.

Boss: not to worry - take your time. Call me once you get him home and let me know how it is going.

Me: thanks Boss!

And then the race was on! Get across town, wake up Kid sleeping in sick room, talk to Teacher, take Kid home, take temperature - 99.9 crap! find tylenol, dose Kid, turn on TV, heat up a frozen meal, eat lunch, take temperature, 99.1, good! Get kid settled infront of TV. Call Hubby - He's 2.5 hours away, CRAP! Tell Sister, Kid is home, head back to work, call Boss, finish project!

And then collapse! Boy am I happy the week is half over!!!

SMS - Sad Movie Syndrome

2009-05-02T10:52:00.003-07:00

I have this! SMS - Sad Movie Syndrome - I watch a sad movie and I cry. Even if I happen to be watching it for the second time.

Today,for some reason my husband decided to watch "A Walk to Remember". I dont think he had ever seen it before.

He put it on and watched the first part of the movie, and then decided to go clean the car out. (Why? I dont know, but it was my car -so I didnt stop him!)
He returned to the movie after the part where we find out that she is dying. He became quite distressed that she was sick!

So here I sit, tears in my eyes, while my husband is wondering why he bothered with the movie!

I wonder if I should make him read the movie synopsis prior to turning on a movie? What do you think? Then maybe I would not have to cry and he would not have to suffer the distress of the sad movie syndrome! (I always cry at sad movies, I tend to rate them by the number of tissues required to wipe the tears away!)

Sickies in the house!

2009-04-27T08:20:00.003-07:00

I can not believe it! We have sickies in the house again!
Yesterday it was the big kid, moaning in bed with a fever of 100.3 - which apparently telling him where the tylenol was is an indication that I dont care that he has a fever and may be dying!
And then last night - got the little kid to bed and sat down in the quiet living room to watch a little tv and there it was, the kid, "Mom - i feel like someone punched me in the stomach and I have a headache"
Crap! the busiest week ahead as I prepare for the audit and the kid is sick. What to do, What to do?
So I handed him some gravol, cause i didnt want to be up all night cleaning up puke and headed him back to bed.
This morning? Still sick, and the big kid who is also still sick has gone to work. And there is no way I can stay home today. I guess he stays home with his aunt this morning and his dad will have to come home a bit early!
So tell me - where did this sudden onset illness come from and who do i complain to?

Crazy days!

2009-04-22T18:57:00.002-07:00

Well - today was interesting - to say the very least!
The lost was found, and a crisis averted.
The cel phone gremlins hit and phones are misplaced, lost, stolen, reactivated and in the end I think it may all work out.
I received a lovely gift from an unexpected source, to thank me for helping out.
I chose the wrong line up at the bank and ended up standing in one place for more than 20 minutes!
Got home late and was offered a choice of chinese food or bbq burgers, chose burgers cause we had them and Phil said but I thought you would choose the chinese. So we had chinese! I have a great husband!
And now - we wait for the Idol result show!
It has been a crazy day!

What's New?

2009-04-22T08:19:00.002-07:00

1. Brian got a hair cut - very radical - check out my facebook pic
2. Works seems to be getting crazier every day - not more files or anything - just crazy!
3. We are going on a field trip to Victoria and at the end of the day stealing our son away and staying the weekend
4. Mothers Day is coming - hint hint
5. Warren will be one
6. Brian will be 11
7. I am speaking this Saturday at a ladies brunch - and when I finished writing and practiced speaking I only had 6 minutes - thought i had WAY to much! LOL back to the writing
8. today I am going to Starbucks for the free coffee - it is earth day!

And now you have had a brief update of my life!

It's Tuesday - it must be Idol!

2009-04-07T21:09:00.002-07:00

Ok - we watched the show and half way through the last performer (Adam) Phil turned to me and said - why bother - they should just give it all to him right now! What a talent that guy has. Really entertaining and an awesome voice.

I predict the results of this season will be Adam as Idol and Alison as runner up and then Danny.

What is your prediction for the top three?

American Idol Addiction

2009-04-01T12:44:00.002-07:00

After talking about last night's show with the ladies at work, I have decided that maybe the addiction to the show is much wider spread than first thought.

Brian is working on a project at school on drugs and alcohol and I am wondering if I should suggest he switch topics to AI Addiction, and the dangers of becoming hooked.

Signs of an AI Addiction

1. you reschedule your children's music lessons and swimming lessons so you can be home Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in order to see both the performances and the results. Once that is done you try to work a schedule where all lessons are now on Saturdays together with sports practices.

2. you know the names of all the top 12 (13 this year) and their home towns

3. you form your own judging panel in your front room and argue with each other about the performances ( Paula and Simon style)

4. you know just who will be able to sing the "phone book" and who will be bringing the "artistry" to the stage each week

5. you find yourself referring to your children as "dawg"

6. every Wednesday morning and Thursday morning you gather around the coffee pot or water cooler and discuss the previous evenings show and do not even begin to work until everyone has given their opinions! - - or alternately your morning cannot fully begin until you have discussed the previous evening's show with at least 2 other people - in person or electronically.

If you can say "yes, I do that!" to any of the above you may be AI Addicted and it is time to find a support group. Now the difficulty with that is there are NO SUPPORT GROUPS!

So - if there is someone out there who WANTS to deal with their addictions - start a group. But I think it will be a very lonely group! I for one will not be joining, I will be revelling in my addiction and enjoying the rest of the season.

I will however need grief counselling when the season is over! Maybe we will need a group for that? Let me know!

A time to blog

2009-03-31T20:09:00.002-07:00

Seeing as it has been so long - I thought I should blog.

Life is crazy, seems like that is becoming the norm and not the exception these days. Work is getting busy, which is good.

I am feeling the desire to purge the house of unneeded junk. Any volunteers to come and be ruthless? I have been hoarding useless stuff for too long! The time has come to get rid of it.

Tonight we are indulging ourselves and watching American Idol I hate to admit it but we are addicted. Phil and I sit here and listen and judge, cause you know we know everything about being a pop star in America!! LOL Not sure how we got so addicted but here we are week after week watching the show. We are very fond of Adam and Danny this year.

Brian is wasting time trying to avoid doing his homework, - what else is new! Sometimes he does that by playing piano - so how to tell the kid who takes piano lessons to stop practicing? Oh such a dilemna!!!

So - life in the Lang household is chugging along, chugging along! Hope all is well with all of you!

Retaliation has begun!

2009-03-15T20:59:00.002-07:00

Retaliation, sort of like revenge? For any of you who have been following Tanya's blog you will know that we pulled a prank on them while they were in Europe.

Phil, Brian and I hid a very large number of pictures of Jesus in their house. I cant tell you how many as they have not found them all yet.

Well, today they started the retaliation. We all went to church together today and when we left the church and walked to our car we were greeted by a wonderful site! Every glass surface of our car had been covered (from the inside) with the pictures. I laughed so hard. I can not even begin to imagine what other people in our church thought as they walked or drove by the spectacle.

Then when we got home, the two of them proceeded to wallpaper one wall in Brian's room with the same pictures that I had taken down from the car. Brian came home from his sleepover and was greeted with a wall of Jesus watching over him.

It will be interesting to see what happens next. I know Brian has some pretty good pranks up his sleeve.

It is such fun to have such fun loving kids! And watch out -- you never know who will be next!!!!

Update - Friday

2009-03-13T05:54:00.002-07:00

Not much going on lately. The past week has been uneventful - the time change took place and we struggled for the majority of the week trying to adjust. I think we have made it. I am not convinced that I am in favour of the time change. I believe that our bodies are shocked in a very bad way when we are forced to change our sleeping and eating habits.

It seems that things are picking up at work. I am back to 5 days a week and glad for that.

Tonight, Brian is going to a sleep over and Phil and I are looking for something to do. We may just stay home and do nothing but you never know!

Let's hope something of interest happens around here so my next blog is not quite so boring.

Pizza, Movie, Dinner, Hot Tub, Pool and McDonalds

2009-03-08T19:11:00.002-07:00

That kind of sums up our weekend in one short title!

Friday night we went out for Pizza - yummmmm
Saturday afternoon we went to see Paul Blart Mall Cop --- funny!
Saturday evening we went to dinner with Tara & Chris - FUN!
Saturday evening we went hot tubbing at Sanda's - very relaxing
Sunday afternoon we went to the Canada Games Pool - exercise!
Sunday evening we went to McDonalds for a quick dinner with Brian and his friend

And that is the full weekend that we had! How was yours?

The Needs thingy

2009-02-24T21:07:00.002-08:00

I did the "Laura needs" on facebook - then afterwards I thought it would be fun to do it as LJ.

So here is "LJ needs" as determined by Google.

1. LJ needs to be taken to the Wood Shed (ooh ooh - I must have been so very very bad!)
2. LJ needs touches, its that simple....
3. LJ needs pix! (to take to scrapbooking camp this weekend?)
4. LJ needs librarians (actually I think I need books, not a librarian)
5. LJ needs our support
6. LJ needs some fluff ( everyone can use some fluff!)
7. LJ needs more lists!! (YUP that is what I need cause I certainly dont have enough!)
8. LJ needs more artistic input (for scrapbooking camp?)
9. LJ needs xpress reviewers (for the artistic input I guess)
10. LJ needs a new frame (for all the stuff I create at scrapbooking camp?)

now that was actually more fun than doing Laura! I say if you havent done this give it a try. In the search bar on google - type "(your name) needs" and see what comes up. Be sure to use the quotation marks. This list was fun!!!

Another Survey Thing - from Facebook

2009-02-14T08:11:00.005-08:00

You've been tagged! You have to write a new note (on your profile page under Notes), copy and paste these lines and fill in your answers.Now tag 10 people... don't forget to tag me!!

1.YOUR REAL NAME: Laura Jane Lang

2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother and fathers middle names)I am hooped - I cant go into the witness protection -- my mother has no middle name!!!

3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)James Frederick

4.STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)Lan La

5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)Blue Kitten

6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)Jane Vancouver

7.SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning)THE Pink Misto Tea

8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)Lala

9.STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)Vanilla Oatmeal Raison

10.SKANK NAME: (1st pet's name, street you grew up on)Bunny Bluebird

11.GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of first name plus 'izzle')Lauizzle

12.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)Black Rascal

13. STRIPPER NAME: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)Chance Chocolate Cherry

Stolen from Tanya!

2009-02-12T23:10:00.002-08:00

Sometimes the easiest way to blog is to just go to Tanya's and copy! So here goes - I will answer all the questions and you can do with it what you want!

1. What time did you get up this morning? not quite early enought -- had to rush to get Brian ready for school!
2. Diamonds or pearls? I like diamonds - I dont have many - but I like them
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Madagascar 2 -- I think. Or was it something else. Maybe I should wake up Brian and ask him? He would remember.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Friends - all 10 seasons
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? bagel and tea, or if Phil is making it eggs, bacon and toast
6. What is your middle name? Jane
7. What food do you dislike? Liver and any other organ meat. Why would I want to eat something that cleans toxins out of the blood? come on now!
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? hmmm --- I dont really have a favorite - lately the only thing I listen to is an audible book
9. What kind of car do you drive? Subary legacy
10. Favorite sandwich? not a real sandwich fan! unless of course a cheesburger is a sandwich -- in that case -- cheeseburger
11. What characteristic do you despise? selfcenteredness
12. Favorite item of clothing? anything that fits
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? wow - too many choices here - so I will have to copy Tanya - well only sort of - anywhere Brian and Phil are. and even better - a huge family vacation - Tara, Chris, Tanya, Andre, Warren all together somewhere!
14. Favorite brand of clothing? dont care about labels so i will say see #12
15. Where would you retire to? I was hoping to retire to the basement of one of my kids houses so I can help with daycare? what do you think?
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? my 50th - or maybe my 30th - they were both very special
17. Favorite sport to watch? kids playing
18. Furthest place you are sending this? not sending it anywhere - just posting it here
19. Person you expect to send it back first? no one
20. When is your birthday? I will only tell you if you promise to send presents
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? lately - neither
22. What is your shoe size? not telling you! it is a national security thing
23. Pets? the largest cat in the neighbourhood -- Rascal
24. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us? I want Tanya to have another baby!
25. What did you want to be when you were little? Famous
26. How are you today? Good - getting ready to go visit Sharon, which is awesome!
28. What is your favorite flower? carnations
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Feb 26 - going to scrapbook camp
30. What’s your full name? Laura Jane Lang
31. What are you listening to right now? a rerun of Hope & Faith and the click click click of our keyboards
32. What was the last thing you ate? a Baileys chocolate
33. Do you wish on stars? sometimes
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? midnight blue
35. How is the weather right now? i think it is cold cause i am cold.
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Diane - from work
37. Favorite soft drink? root beer
38. Favorite restaurant? hmmm dont really have one
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? a baby doll that i lost in a hotel in the states somewhere , i was really sad
41. Summer or winter? Fall.
42. Hugs or kisses? not going to choose
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? vanilla
44. Coffee or tea? dont want to choose
45. Do you want your friends to email you back? if they like
46. When was the last time you cried? today - when i looked at my paycheque and the reality of the cutback hit me!
47. What is under your bed? much dust
48. What did you do last night? sleep
49. What are you afraid of ? small close places
50. Salty or sweet? depends on the day
51. How many keys on your key ring? no idea, never counted
52. How many years at your current job? 5
53. Favorite day of the week? now
54. How many towns have you lived in? do you really care?
55. Do you make friends easily? Sometimes? I like to think I do

Sunday's Rock!

2009-02-08T19:33:00.002-08:00

I started my day off in kind of a strange way -- I was at church, setting up the Easy Worship for the first Service. I had downloaded all the new backgrounds and was starting to set up the program when ..............

I was rudely awoken by Phil saying -- we need to hurry, it's 7:30 and we need to leave now.

That is right I was dreaming - dreaming of what I was going to do this morning. I was quite saddened to learn that we were not there yet.

So up we got, quickly got ready, got Brian up and dressed and off we headed to McDonalds drive thru for breakie. Hit the church right on time and settled in for next 3.5 hours. First service was good- missing some sound for the first part (someone had unplugged something!) Second service went off with out a hitch. The new backgrounds worked out awesome!

Brian spent both services in a ball on the floor, poor kid is barking when he coughs and was feeling pretty miserable! But he is a true trooper and he hung out with us with out complaint.

After the second service we invited Cathie, Gray and Isabelle to our house for sandwiches. Sounded like an easy lunch - Phil and I wanted Chicken Salad on potato buns. Yummmy! So we headed to IGA to get the best buns - they had lots, but now chicken salad or even a deli chicken to cut up for chicken salad. So off to Safeway we went. There we got the chicken salad and a few things for the sick kid!

After lunch we all watched Open Season 2. The DeForges left and the Langs took a nap.

Then it was off to hunt down some fish and chips for dinner (Phil's craving). Not as easy as it sounds, there are not too many fish and chip shops around anymore, and most of them are closed on Sunday. We found some and brought them home to eat while we watched America's Funniest Home Videos - which Brian slept through.

And now - because there is nothing on, Phil and I are watching the Grammy's and Brian is playing Maple Story. He is headed to the bath shortly and then off to bed!

Even with a sick child, we have had a great day, worshipping in the house of the Lord, spending time with family and friends. I think this is what Sunday's are made for.

One Month To Live

2009-02-01T22:26:00.002-08:00

We started a new series at Church today - it is called One Month To Live - Thirty days to a no regrets life.

Phil and I started reading the book to day and will continue to read it for the next 30 days. We are hoping to join a Challenge Group that will be running for the next 6 weeks.

It is a Church wide program, from Grade 6 and up. All services and all study groups will be doing the same series.

I am really looking forward to it - I am looking forward to what God has planned for us and learning more about how to live my life as He would have me live it.

Fireproof - a review

2009-01-31T17:28:00.002-08:00

Ok- so last night we went to see the movie Fireproof. We met up with Sylvia and Ozzie - she asked me if I brought kleenex as the movie was a tearjerker. Kleenex? I hadn't even thought about that!

Well, I must say that I truly enjoyed the movie - and I did tear up a couple of times. And we laughed! The story was good and the movie was entertaining. The movie challenged us to look at our marriage and our relationship with God.

I would recommend this movie to everyone -- If you get a chance see it - see it!

Friday - Lunch time

2009-01-30T12:11:00.002-08:00

And I am really truly taking a lunch break today. Heated up a bowl of chili and got a cup of tea. So far so good. The phone is quiet and not being demanding today. Of course I am working in the Abbotsford office and the phone here only rings if someone is calling for me directly.

The sun has broken thru the fog that had engulfed the office this morning and it feels good to look out the window and see the great shining orb warming up the earth!

Tonight Phil and I are going to a dessert and movie night at the Church. We are seeing the movie "Fireproof". It looks good - if I remember I will write a review of it when I get home. But I am making no promises.

And now I guess I really should get back to work - write some letters, generate some documents, that sort of thing!

25 Random Things

2009-01-27T20:45:00.002-08:00

OK Tanya - lets see how far I can get

1. American Idol is a hoot!

2. Phil makes good oatmeal cookies

3. I am going to go to Scrapbook Camp

4. this guy is butchering Imagine and i wish he would stop!

5. My fire is burnt out - is it too late to start it up again?

6. Phil can not build a fire for love or money

7. Cathie is hanging out tonight -- such fun!

8. I think Phil has caught Tanya's code

9. Work was very stressful today

10. I have Fridays off starting next week

11. Not sure that I have an 11th thought

12. Brian has a ton of homework and he is not working on it right now (too late)

13. We had Ham for dinner

14. I was very sad to see snow this morning

15. I was very glad to see the rain this afternoon

16. I came home to a driveway full of strangers

17. The basement suite is for rent again

18. The furnace is on its last legs

19. My itrip broke and I need a new one

20. I am getting tired

21. The raison oatmeal cookies are all gone - Phil make more

22. There is laundry to be folder - again!

23. Simon is being mean

24. My house is cold

25. Phil is eating jello with no toast - the world as we know it has ended!

Successful!

2009-01-24T20:24:00.004-08:00

It was a good day!

Paper , stamps and Starbucks - fun with Tara
Dress Shopping/Looking - read Tanya's Blog (crackedhelmet.ca) for the hilarious details
New top for Me - the consignment store was a great idea girls!
Lunch at Toyo Sushi - such good food! Thanks for taking me there
Shopping at Toys R Us - mission accomplished!
Hanging at Lara's - thanks for cake - it was great to see you all
Shopping with Lara - I loved the stores
Hanging at the Baron's - Scrabble anyone?
A quiet evening at home - men at my house are still sick, sad to say

Like I said - it was a good day --- thanks kids, you made it awesome!!!

Children in the workplace

2009-01-22T12:44:00.002-08:00

There is a lot of material written about children in the workplace, on site day cares, flexible hours for parents etc.

I have decided that I have the best arrangement for children in the workplace! On Tuesday - as you have read previously, the sick kid spent the day with me - traveling from office to office - and yesterday stayed at home with Dad - who worked from the living room.

Today - once again - the kid has a fever so he is here with me in the office. The wonderful thing about my employers is that they have no problem with kids in the office as long as they are not being disruptive. And seeing as I am the only person in this particular office today - no one would even know. I did call my boss and let her know that I would have him with me again today.

That said - it is now 12:30 and I am having lunch. We have been here since 9:15 and my wonderful child has not interrupted me once. He has been extremely quiet, (a good sign he is not 100%). Playing a game or watching a movie and just in general being a good kid.

I am very thankful for understanding bosses that honour family values and allow me to do two things at once, take care of Brian and work at the same time. And should he still be under the weather tomorrow - maybe I will try to work from home.

Now if we could just get him feeling better and back to school!!!!

Mom! I think I am going to........

2009-01-21T20:40:00.002-08:00

yup - that is what I heard about 2 blocks from the school. And yes the last word of that sentence was puke! Thankfully - he only felt like he might have to - he didn't! (Cause there is nothing worse than puke in a car! trust me I know!)

The next sentence out of his mouth was "Mom can I go to work with you and not go to school?" Now that means the kid is sick!

You see this all started on Monday evening - Brian came to me and said - "I have had a stomach ache for the past few days" So I felt his head and sure enough a low grade fever. So a dose of tylenol and off to bed the kid went.

Tuesday dawned, Phil hit the road at 6:30 am headed to Pemberton and I was headed to Chilliwack for the day. Brian awoke - sick! Stomach ache and low grade fever. So - a dose of gravol and a tylenol later - we packed the car with dvd player, ipod, and a blanket and Brian came to work with me. He slept all the way to Chilliwack, watched a movie in the office and snoozed, slept all the way back to Cloverdale, hung out in the office while I saw clients. Got home at 6 ish and said "I'm Hunrgy!!!!"

We thought the illness had passed ... and then this morning!

I drove right by the school, called them and let them know he was staying home. Dropped Brian off at home and Phil stayed home with him (lucky Phil). Brian went back to bed where he stayed for the entire morning. Cold and sick! Apparently he spent the remainder of the day just taking it easy.

So now we wait to see what happens tomorrow. Again, both Phil and I are out of the local area for work. Fortunately, I can take Brian with me to Abbotsford for the day if needed. He can sleep on the couch, watch a movie or read a book. Hopefully- he will be able to go to school. But in reality - he is not looking so hot, a bit pale and certainly not his usual self.

And then there is the fear that he is just the first one in the family to come down with whatever it is he has. Let's hope it is not!!!

It's Wednesday

2009-01-21T08:16:00.002-08:00

And we are at the half way point to the weekend. The day commonly known as Hump Day. I always find Wednesdays to be a long day - not sure if that is because it is half way to the weekend or because I have been away from my desk for the first 2 days of the week, working in the other offices.

I know when I get to work this morning there will be at least 10 new messages (read problems) that I will have to deal with right away. I would love to delegate them to other staff members but there really isn't anyone to delegate them to at this time.

I have a ton of Family stuff sitting on my desk that I should have done on Friday but as I was running around all day I didn't get it done.

So I am off to run Brian to school and then hit the bricks running!!! Have a good day and think about this -- when we get to the end of today --- there will only be 2 days of work left until the weekend!!!!

Sunday Morning

2009-01-18T10:49:00.002-08:00

I am here at Church and listening to the sermon for the second time. Thought maybe I would blog as I listened.

The sermon this morning is about friends, part of a series. This week it about Foolish Friends.
Parable of the Virgins and the Parable of the Builders. You can hear the sermon yourself - and the others in the series at Calvary.ca - select media and then sermons.

Another cool feature - is the "watch live" - you can watch our church services on the webcast.

Phil and I both work in the media department at the Church - both of us with computers in front of us during the service. So while we listen to the sermon it is not uncommon for us to be doing something else - Like blogging or playing Star Pirates.

Our new schedule for 2009 has us at the helm of the media once a month for me and every 3 weeks for Phil. On those days we are up at 7 and in the drivethru at Tim Hortons by 7:40. We are in our appointed places at 8:00 am - we are here until the end of the second service - about 12:30. Brian is not too happy with this schedule - as he has to be here for the same time. We have started training him on what is done up here in the media room. That way he can feel some sense of purpose for being here (that is my theory at least). He goes to Kids Church during the second service.

Back to the sermon - it is interesting to me that Pastor is preaching on Friends. The past few weeks I have been thinking a lot about Friends. The friends that I have and how I treasure them. The friends that I have had in the past and lost contact with. I have also been thinking about how I need to put my self out there and make new friends.

When I was younger it seemed so easy to make new friends - for some reason I seem to find it difficult now. Maybe I just need to stop looking at myself and just join something where other people are. And then call one of them? I never thought of myself as a shy person - but I seem to behave that way lately.

And this desire to make friends seems to be evolving out of a feeling of loneliness. And where has that come from? I have a close family - closer than many! I have a loving husband - who likes to spend time with me (so he says). But some days I find myself feeling lonely.

So I am looking for any advice you may have - all ideas gratefully accepted.

Now I must go back to my duties - the sermon is starting to wind down and I am sure that the congregation would like to have the words to the song so that they can sing along!

Oh Dear what have we done!

2009-01-17T12:14:00.002-08:00

I am not sure how many of you are Friends fans - but if you are think back to the show where Ross pulls out his keyboard from college and plays in the coffee shop. His own compositions - the one where he uses all the weird noise functions on the keyboard and makes up a "song". And I use the word song loosely!!!

Well, last night Brian and his friend discovered the mode on his electic piano where every key played a different sound, and then Brian played the theme from Star Wars. It was interesting to say the least!

They then proceeded to make up "songs" -- it was so hard not to say - "turn that noisy thing off!" After about 1/2 hour I did ask them to turn it down just a tad. Which they did right away! (they really are good kids)

I guess - regardless of the actually sound being produced - if he is practicing and playing we have success -- what do you think?

Misc stuff - more like an update!

2009-01-16T13:44:00.003-08:00

Work is still crazy nuts - never know from one day to the next what is happening - but at least I am still employed.

Brian is awesome! He bought a new electric piano and now plays all his songs in clarinet, or organ, or dog, or one of the other 503 sounds that the machine has. His Piano Teacher says she can already see a difference in his playing - he is practising much more now.

Phil is wonderful - he survived his procedure and seems to finally gotten back into the swing of working - he had almost three weeks off!!

Chris is having birthday on Sunday and we are hosting the party! It will be such fun!

Tara and Chris are getting married - so we have a wedding to look forward to.

Tanya and Andre and Warren are heading to Europe soon.

Phil and I are going to go see the Good Noise Choir

I bought new shoes today (and a top and a pair of pants) so really I bought a new outfit!

And that dear Friends - is a misc update of the Lang household! Love you all!

And now for something completely silly........

2009-01-12T20:25:00.002-08:00

"Take the tin can and give it to the guy in the house"
"The meat is on the counter, put it in the frying pan"
"Put the frying pan on the toast"
"That is not where that belongs"

And what do each of these quotes have in common? Well --- these are all random sentences that Brian and I heard the other day.

You see - Phil had a procedure at St Paul's Hospital on Friday. They gave him an anesthesia in order to do the procedure and Brian and I had the "pleasure" of sitting with him for about 2 hours as the drug wore off. There were times when Brian and I were quite bored -- but then Phil would pop up with one of these beauties!! There were more - but Brian and I agree that these were the all time best!!!

When asked, Phil was able to explain each statement. But Brian and I like the randomness of what we heard!!! Imagine it if you can --- a quiet hospital room, Brian and I sitting in peace and quiet when all of a sudden -- Phil says -"Take the tin can and give it to the guy at the house"

And Brian and I are still laughing!!!

Oh and on the medical front -- the procedure went well and we are waiting now for results of the biopsy.

Someday We'll Laugh About This

2009-01-08T22:54:00.002-08:00

I thought I would share this email that I sent out to everyone at my Office today.

Apparently this week is “Someday We’ll Laugh About This Week”. How many of you knew that? (well Belinda – as she reads the same online magazine as I do)
I read that and I started to think about some of the things we now laugh about that were not at all funny at the time. Some of my most embarrassing moments, moments when at the time I wanted to just curl up and die, and how now even I find them funny enough to tell the story.
That thought process led me along another path, maybe I need to stop and take a look at all that is happening around me right now and look for the humour – the one part that I will find funny later on. Maybe, just maybe, if I can do that, then the stress that I find myself in now will be relieved a bit.

And then – as my mind continued to wander , I thought maybe I should start a journal, start writing down some of these moments so that I can look back later and laugh. And then – the big revelation came – I ALREADY DO THAT! I have a blog, a blog that Is shared with my family and friends. In my blog, I tend to ramble about events in my life, some of the stressors that I face, the embarrassing moments and my triumphs. Once blogged, and posted, my family and friends read and comment. It is often reading the comments of those close to me that help me see the bigger picture and help work through the stress.

So in keeping with the celebration of SWLATW - I am challenging each and everyone of you to look at the things that are stressing you this week, and see if you can find the one thing that you know you will be laughing about someday – and then laugh about it today! And if you feel so inclined – share it with the rest of us – we would be happy to laugh with you!

Enjoy your day and look for a laugh!

I found this silly joke online and it made me laugh – so I am sharing it with you

What to do if Housework is getting you down.

1. Open a new file on your desktop.
2. Name it "Housework."
3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN
4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN
5. Your computer will ask you, "Are you sure you want to delete Housework permanently?"
6. Answer calmly, "Yes," and press the mouse button firmly....
7. Feel better?
I hope you got a giggle out of that! Have a great day!

Laura

Look at that Rain!

2009-01-06T12:10:00.003-08:00

Wow - I know we all said we wanted to snow to stop - but really now - did we really ask for all this rain at once?

It seems that the weather patterns of the west coast have really and truly changed over the past couple of years. I think that I will be looking at the end of season sales this year for a few winter items that I have not had for a long time. Here is the list of items I will be shopping for:

Winter boots - snow type - ones that come up to at least mid calf - maybe even higher if this year was any indication of things to come

Winter jacket - it is time for a new one anyways

Snow shovel - one with a longer handle - the one we currently have was designed to be used by a young kid - and if you know my kid at all you know he tuckered out on the shoveling before the whole driveway was done - he did lots and I was very proud of the way he offered to help shovel and sand the walks!!

Snow shovel - a third one - so then we can all shovel together - - look I created a new family activity for the Lang book! Aren't I smart!

Warm inside shoes - ok slippers really - but Brian is too cool to wear slippers so I thought if I called them inside shoes he would wear them!

Afghans - for the cold room, I mean living room, we could use a few new ones - ones that dont look like they have been used by the entire family over and over and over again!!!!

Cord of wood - or maybe two - it is apparent that we will never have heat to the living room - so we need to use the fireplace to heat that part of the house. So a cord of wood would be a great way to do that. Anyone know anyone with a truck load of wood they want to get rid of?

Umbrella - apparently the one that lived in my car has died an untimely death!

Gum Boots - so we can sloxh through the snow that is melting! (those I may go get tonight so I can start wearing them right away!) Ooh - maybe I could find some cool ones - not the black ugly ones but a pair of cute ones. I deserve cute ones!

And while I am at it - I want new furniture for the living room! A coffee table and a storage chest for all the blankets and afghans are my first choice - then new couches and chairs

Wow - looking at this list I think I may need a second job to pay for it all. I guess I will evalute each item and buy the ones that I can afford and leave the others for the time being.

But back to the rain --- I am happy to see it start to wash the snow away -- I hope that it does not cause any flooding for people. Drive carefully on the super wet and slushly slippery roads.

2009? Really?

2009-01-01T15:42:00.003-08:00

Wow - hard to believe that it is 2009 today! Seem such a short time ago we were all wondering what 2008 would bring. It never seems to amaze me how quickly time seems to pass at this point in my life.

I remember when it seemed that the passage of a year was a eon! not a blink of the eye as it seems to be now.

Looking back - 2008 was a year full of interesting events and excitement. Warren was born, Tara and Chris got engaged, we went on a fabulous vacation to Alberta with Brian. And that is just a sampling of the years events!

Looking forward to 2009 - Tara and Chris will get married! A brother or sister for Warren? (hint hint) I will get a new couch, maybe! Brian will turn 11 if you can believe that.

I hope all of you have had a good time today - looking back at 2008 and all of your accomplishments and looking forward to all the 2009 will bring your way.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to All

2008-12-24T17:10:00.002-08:00

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!

2008-12-22T19:12:00.004-08:00

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?

2008-12-13T13:38:00.003-08:00

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

2008-12-12T07:22:00.002-08:00

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

2008-12-08T21:56:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-06T21:38:00.002-08:00

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!

2008-11-27T22:07:00.002-08:00

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

2008-11-25T11:55:00.002-08:00

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!

2008-11-19T16:04:00.003-08:00

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!

2008-11-15T17:19:00.003-08:00

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

2008-11-12T16:01:00.002-08:00

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?

2008-10-26T21:22:00.003-07:00

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

2008-10-18T19:34:00.003-07:00

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????

2008-10-14T21:10:00.004-07:00

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!!!

2008-10-12T10:46:00.003-07:00

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!

2008-10-08T20:27:00.003-07:00

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!

2008-10-04T08:58:00.003-07:00

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

2008-10-02T09:17:00.002-07:00

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!

2008-09-27T20:48:00.002-07:00

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?

2008-09-21T18:47:00.002-07:00

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

2008-09-17T13:41:00.003-07:00

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?

2008-09-14T21:33:00.002-07:00

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!

2008-09-12T07:32:00.004-07:00

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?

2008-09-09T21:36:00.003-07:00

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

2008-09-07T16:21:00.002-07:00

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!

2008-09-03T20:21:00.004-07:00

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!

2008-08-25T07:57:00.002-07:00

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

2008-08-21T21:05:00.002-07:00

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

2008-08-20T22:35:00.002-07:00

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!

2008-08-18T16:20:00.003-07:00

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!

2008-08-16T08:24:00.002-07:00

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

2008-08-10T19:39:00.003-07:00

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!