#5

9 months later... I pick up with Child number 5, Mr. Levi.
He was a little terror growing up, I remember cleaning up after spilled plants, and extra time spent letting him know that he need to think about what he was going to say, because he stuttered for a year.

He has always been a very diligent hard-working child.

This has carried over to school years and he has become a great student and is amazing organizer and cleaner.

He has always had a six pack and his muscular body, we used to joke about him having more muscles then our 15/16 yr old guy friends!

Now he has a darling in QCI, which he is off sailng off to see every few months.

He is busy working this summer roofing and fund raising for a over sea's missions trip this summer, He is also part of a Drama group at church, where they preform mimes to music for street ministry, something that I was involved with and had helped lead at one time.

This is my old room in the photo of above.

Happy Birthdays!

Today momma's baby is 7, and Darci's Princess is feeling older. I just called and wished her a happy birthday and she confirmed that she feels older today. They are going to the gymnastics's center for the friend's celebration :)

PS Happy Birthday Adam

PPS The #5 post will reappear tomorrow.

8 days later

I have so many post ideas, someday I'll complete them.

In the meantime, I splurge on new runners, got a hair cut yesterday, and was recognized at work for a great call and having great customer surveys. Oh yes I am back to taking phone calls again!
   I'm supposed to be walking to the post office right now to mail my swap package. But Husband delayed that, and then made me some salad, which I promptly spilled on my skirt, and had to change. Which lead me to find the water dish the brat spilled.
  We've been having beautiful sunny days, with snow :) Go figure. I'm reading the White Tie & Decoration book and they said back in the 1930's they didn't get spring until June so nothing shocks me weather wise anymore.
   Well I must finish eating, find shoes appropriate for a short white skirt and run to work.

Sowing wild oats

Grocery shopping is an event that gives me blog fodder, go figure. I am quickly realizing I need a social life
  To start at the beginning I watched a video by the author of Eat, Pray, Love and I read her article Coyote Ugly Saloon, her write up said that this was the base for a movie. Of course at IMDB I couldn't find any mention of her, but I've always wanted to see the movie
So I got it and this morning in a time of sleeplessness I watched. I have to admit that I was hormonal, emotional cried a tear or two. But that was after I did my meal planning/grocery shopping list using www.5dollardinners.com, not that I actually made a meal plan. Oops.

Back to the author, she spoke of  how ideas float past us and we need to grab them and write it down, or it will continue floating and find someone else.

So I am seizing the moment.

Remember Wednesday post about Stephanie Meyer's Books? Well I spent some time being logged in and out of a little time pursing www.nlpl.ca and was able to put the books on hold. Today I was out early enough to stop at my favorite little nook. Where I found a book on Ipod's (my darling bought a new to him one, and I inheirted the cast-off)

 I found two books on Newfoundland, one on the poltics of when they joined Canada and the 80's, and one on how seal hunting bans and other things are hurting the inlets and the women.
  Another patron was banging these odd shelves while I was curled up in a chair and I realized they had stashed old magazines in there and I was able to score last year's Martha Stewart Living.  (I respect this woman for serving her time, after being caught. Hopefully she learned her lesson)
  When I went to pay my fines check out my books, New Moon was on hold for me. Needless to say the gentleman librarian was rewarded with a huge smile.
Side note: I always pick the heaviest book when I am going shopping. It's a short circuited fault I have.

  So I toddled with my grocery list in hand, and I think I purchased about half the items. I did get three unusual protein sources for us. Fresh Salmon, Italian Sausages, and Pork rounds.
  In a past secret life, I learned how to cook salmon and enjoy it. I've even ordered it in restaurants with a blackberry sauce. But let's keep that between us, no need for my mom to know.
  Blackberries were on salesupposedly but I skipped them and later found a Blackeberry Sauce with a fancy wine name to go with the fish.

In reference to the title, I found some Irish oats, really steel cut with presoaking instructions. Of course, my brain went right to the gutter and I was smiling about Irish oats, and sowing wild oats as a blog title.  I am hoping they aren't coated with wheat, but I have to check out their website. The mister is trying to go gluten free, and he does pretty well at it, but I want him to be able to eat foods with me.

I always find the most interesting foods are in the Asian/Oriental sections. I almost stuffed a package a chocolate cookies in my basket, but I resisted and bought the expensive Irish oats instead. Oh, Smellyann(www.smellyann.typepad.com) had a link for www.mixmygranola.com so very awesome. I would love to try it. She is hoping to do a give away.

I always grab a carry basket because I have to pack everything home. So about 3/4's of the way through my list I was tired and the catch-all was heavy.  I decided to torment take the mister and pick up the rest of the things later. Like tomorrow after we watch Terminator:Salvation :)

   So I meandered to the counter and denied my urge to splurge on cut flowers. My cashier was very through and kind. He even asked how I wanted things in the bag.  While preparing to leave, he asked the lady behind me if she had an air miles card, when she replied I debated for 30 seconds, and said "Would you mind using my card?" There is no benefit to her, but I hate hearing the thought of lost miles. She gave me a huge smile.
 
As I huffed and puffed my way a crossed the parking lot, it started to sprinkle and I had the urge to borrow a shopping cart. Which of course is followed up by the thought that I really am turning into a bag lady (I wish I had my photos from home... Sarah would know what I mean)  As I walked, I decided that I was going to weigh my Sobey's bags. My estimate is the bags had to be at least 15 lbs each.
   So I hopped on the Wii Fit when I got home and it said I was hold 37.4 lbs of weight.
I am not feeling the need to work out just yet because I try to curl the bags as I walk home. just cementing the neighbors ideas that I am crazy

Well my Ipod battery just died, I've waiting for this moment for a few days. It managed to last me through and hour and half of dishes and counter cleaning the other night.

I must get on with finding something to eat that doesn't require to much thought.

Because I'm feeling lazy right now, I will update a list of links later, with book names and what nots.

Family picture

Family picture
Originally uploaded by muffinza

Cheaper then Therapy

 

Taken the day I left, can you spot me? This is my entire family, including the brother in law (tallest one on the left), the adorable little Birdy, and my grandmother. My mohawked brother is traveling now, and the bearded one was trying to leave for the west coast and kayaking last time I heard. The blonde brother in the back just got back from a short trip to see his LD gf, the brother with a touque had his lovely dark curls all straightened, the youngest girl on the left turns 7 in 9 days. The youngest brother is playing soccer along with the sister right above him. Married sister is super busy, always helping the politian father and roofing and being a great mother. The blond sister in the back is headed for a fun filled weekend 1 province over. My mom is the doer, doing everything my dad needs as he flies out the door. I am just missing the two sisters in the middle (in front of pink mohawk bro) Time to call/write home and find out what they are up too.

You know it's popular when...

You are 25/38/34th in the line for a book or audio recording.

I have to admit I finished reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, which had a chapter of New Moon in the back and now I am hooked. I watched the movie with the Husband earlier. After talking with my S.I.L. and her commenting that the book was better, I thought I would give it try. Honestly though, I found the movie followed the book, to the point I could see the movie playing my in mind while reading, which left no room for my imagination. After getting to the middle my brain finally started making it's own sets and scenes.

Right now I am listening to The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs, which is quite amusing.

I tried going for a run today, something I've been daydreaming about doing for a week or so. It was clear and sunny out(13c) but extremely windy. It felt like I was being pressed backwards, as I struggled forward. There is something in the wind here, which gets stuck in my lungs. It makes me hack, and I can barely breathe. It is one of the most horrible feelings. I had wanted to make it 50 houses, but I made 27 instead.  So I walked up to the corner and turned around. I spotted a green 08 Escape which reminded me of Keith, Camp and the snow from the wedding.

This week has been pretty uneventful, I worked 4 days in a row, clocked my 8 hours of double time and half. I've started this frusterating tradition of getting an hour long call right before my lunch time. An issue which I can't fix and I end up scheduling a tech.  I had a caller last night who was very upset and she kept repeating herself and acting like I was 5 yrs old. (and she told me that too) I had to keep refraining from speaking my mind and finally said that if she didn't want to follow the troubleshooting advice or I could get her a supervisor. To which she said "I am doing it" When I had to call her back, her tone was completely different. We did solve the problem but the internet was still intermittent.

I am freezing right now, but a few days ago I walked out sight and was taken back by the muggy wave hit that hit me. This city has such an extreme range of tempatures. I still wear my snowboarding jacket because at 2 am, it drops drasticlly. Last night there was fine mist coming down, and earlier that day Husband spotted a beautiful snail and he gently put it back on a lawn, to make up for the one he accidently crushed the night before.

Well I don't have much more to say, so I shall end my run on sentences now and fold my laundry.
 A reward for making this far :)

 

Stolen from Ms. Bobbie-Lisa's photos on Facebook

Trip in Photos

Bride & Groom

 

Candle holdersGotta love kidsThe senery after the weddingFar PointProof we stood on the lakeOn Greyhound back to PGOld train stopFirst sight of Terrace3 youngest girlsMonkey boyThe 6 youngest (one is a niiece)Little BirdyAll candidates meeting (My dad in brown)Uncle and Birdy bowling 

She put herself in the locker but I missed it. 

I miss her :)

  The family saying good bye In laws met me a that the Van Airport 

 Jade sculptures

Sunrise over Toronto

Balmy Winds

I've started knitting a new square for my patchwork knitted blanket. I took the first one a part. This one is green and will have an asterix in it.  The baby blanket I am working on doesn't look anything like the photos :(

The last two days have been so balmy, it's such a lovely change. We went to a drop in clinc last night, so Husband could get checked out by a doctor. His chair dropped to the floor last week and jarred his back. It's getting better though, we decided to not wait 50 mins for the bus and walked home, and we even made a pit stop to pick up more butterscotch pecan cookies. We made it home in an hour and saved $4.50!

Tonight I went to work and then I got a voluntary go home early, so I only worked for 3.5 hours.
I was so hungry so I made pancakes with frozen strawberries and blueberries with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream.

I am in the process of uploading photos and vidoes. I have an adorable one of little birdy. My mom taught her how to say Grandma :)

Enjoy!

Snow & Sunshine

In Prince George for a few more hours. The train ride here didn't seem quite as long, even though we did stop on tracks before Smithers.

To recap, I flew into P.G. spent the afternoon with a friend of Henny's and spent the night with Nathan and Henny, (Henny who packed me a great big delish lunch) and took a bus out to camp, had my first Slurpee, was able to hang out with Keith, Courtney and Jo. I watched Madagascar 2 and as I walked back to my cabin it was snowing!

The next morning everything was covered in a fine layer of snow, Courtney and I went and hung up balloons on the camp sign, the Groomsmen took my camera to town for some fun.

The wedding was beautiful. When the bride read her vows, the words she had written, I started to cry, just remembering the summer and all the emotions she went through. They had a family ceremony, for the bride's daughter, where they all acknowledged their new roles as father, mother and daughter.

The reception was lovely and kid friendly. We had crayons to decorate the paper-covered tables. The father of the bride sung a song, and had people in tears.

I helped clean up after everything was done, then later I went and hid in the staff room, where Keith found me. We started talking about last summer, and I was in tears, so many good memories. Looking a crossed the field, I mentioned it looked like snow. Keith wanted to go for a road trip in his new Escape, so a bunch of us piled in and headed for 7-11. It was snowing huge flakes, almost pre-made snowballs, Keith discovered that we share a mutual enjoyment of computers and we had a good laugh and discussed W.o.w. for part of the trip.

When we came back to camp, after eating the wings we bought, we headed out to Far Point. Which was beautiful and calming. We threw rocks on the ice, and tried skipping them. Finally when our hands were going numb we walked back along the shore, to the old boathouse. Where the ice was thick enough to stand on, which was highlight for me :) We made it back in time for dinner. We started watching Alien, but it was slow and I was falling a sleep so we opted to watch a movie the trailer. Sunday morning we got to raid the kitchen for food, and Keith dropped me off at the hole in wall bus station. It snowed like crazy all the way back to P.G.

I got to hang out with a new friend and her adorable little guy at the park, and we had pizza and watched Surf's up. The new morning, Henny dropped me off at the train station; it was a beautiful ride, the day clear and sunny. I arrived early and no one was there, because the train never arrives early :)

We had pizza in the park, and I spent the first night at Penny's, I took care of Birdy while her mom was roofing and painting signs for my dad. I helped clean a house; I went bowling with Caleb, Mom, Birdy and the B.C. paraplegics’ society and squeaked into third place, winning myself a ten-dollar Tim's Card and a lovely stainless steel coffee mug. I went on a roof and helped clean up, I had a lazy day reading the sun and hanging out with Mom. Attended Speech Arts at the school, Attended a Peruvian fundraising dinner and auction, where I won a loom for $30, now I just have to learn how to use it. (It got left at home, because it was heavy) To finish up the week, I helped with a BBQ, and sunburned my shoulders; we tied with another city for hottest places in the province on Saturday (25 degrees). Went to the trades fair, and sat at my Dad's booth (B.C. Conservatives) Abe took me on a short tour of the fair as it was closing, I was able to check out the new arena. But I didn't see the silly seating. Picked up Bonnie and went to see Ben and Eric, then off to see Jen for a few hours. Which ended at the E.R. because her little guys were sick.

So it was quite an eventful week, and I know there are lots of people that I didn't get to visit. (Sorry)

Sunday morning we took some family photos at the train station; everyone was there except for my darling.
My family seen me off and the service manager Moun said I was the most popular :)

I asked Birdy twice if she wanted to come home with me, and both times she shook her head NO. But then after seeing the train, she changed her mind! I took her and a few of the kids on because we had a few minutes. I was disappointed the conductor didn't blow the whistle as we left. They blew it at every station after that though. Birdy wasn't waving goodbye, she was making the signal for toot the whistle.

I missed every evening event I wanted to attend. Some I forgot, others I ended up being busy helping out with things. Didn't renew my driver's license or get my dental records. The visit wasn't long enough, and I was a little sad to realize, I had to spend so much time waiting in P.G. when I could've been hanging with the family. Plus I have a 4-hour layover in Van tonight. I've read all my books, and I didn't do any knitting.

I think now I am going to find out who got kicked off of Survivor and find a sweater. Soon I will catch up on my commenting on everyone's blogs.

Have I mentioned yet that my dad is running for MLA in the Skeena area?