I saw this picture on Pinterest (which I am quickly becoming addicted to), and when I first looked at it, I didn't think I understood it because of a language barrier....but then.....I got it. I was telling Mum about it this weekend when we were driving to Chatham for Joel's volleyball tournament and we got laughing about how cute this little segment on Sesame Street was. We both love that show. I wish the kids of today watched it instead of all these cartoons with people with weird looking faces and stuff - just seems odd to me - but then I guess....Snuffleupagus probably seems weird to them!! But here is your friendly neighbourhood Grover!! Chow for now. Jacqui
The Spiking Sharks traveled to Chatham this weekend to participate in another club tournament. The goal of every tournament is to win..of course..but this time, we were successful. They boys played well, they played together and I think they had fun. Even Todd was pretty calm this weekend!! Unfortunately, Joel rolled his ankle in the semi-final round, so he was not able to play in the gold medal match, but he worked hard all day to get them to the gold match. I'm proud of the boys and they should be proud of themselves as well. They worked hard and it shows. I really am enjoying this club experience. All of the boys are great. They all get along well and they have fun when they are together. And all of the parents are great too. We do not have one "rotten apple" so that is awesome! Here is a picture of the boys lining up to receive their medals, and here is the shot of them after they got them!! Way to go Sharks!!!
Today is day 36 of my weigh loss journey, the beginning of week 6, and I am happy to say I am down 13 pounds all together. I was a little worried about this week as I ate out twice this week and that usually is a hard thing to control, but I made the best choices possible, and it worked out fine! Chow for now Jacqui
I guess it's either baby lambs or baby people season! One of my friends at work is gonna be a grandma in April and another friend is gonna be a grandma in September!!!! A different friend asked me to make a baby card for the first friend!!!! So I came up with this. The picture really does not do it justice - it's very sparkly in real life, and I just took the shot quick cause I needed to get to bed. The girl she is giving it to is having a boy and they have used greens and very neutral tones in the nursery. We are off to Chatham tomorrow for another Spiking Sharks Club Volleyball tournament! I hope the boys do well. As always, the coach is expecting us to win - which we should do, but we have maybe one guy out unless he gets cleared to play after his concussion and my Joel was coughing up a storm this morning...so I hope it's just a cough and not too much more. Chow for now. Jacqui
This week we lost another good one to cancer. Man oh man I hate that disease. I remember sitting in science class and watching Mr. Kennedy teach. He was one of those teachers that really cared about the students and truly wanted to see everyone do well. He made his classes interesting and most of all fun. I forgot how musical he was until I saw this video, but then again, I should have clued in cause he helped Mrs. Schram with the choir for all those years when the NMDHS choir travelled and won competitions. Thanks to Facebook, I came across this video of him on guitar along with Megan Vamos as they lead the Strathroy United Church children and congregation in the Negro Spiritual "This Little Light of Mine". Rest in Peace, Roger, you will be missed by many. Jacqui
Well I had big plans for my long weekend. I was going to do some cleaning and some purging. I know it's not spring yet, but I thought I would get a jump on the spring cleaning.....well.....I didn't get as much done as I wanted to. I did some baking...made cheesecake, donut muffins, cinnamon buns and a batch of bacon and potato chowder. I got the kids down to Grog's and MacPherson's to put their resumes in, in hopes of getting a job, and I got my grocery shopping done. So I figured we deserved to watch a couple of movies! We watched In Time which has Justin Timberlake. It was quite good - a different concept than any other movie I have seen before. We also watched A Dolphin Tale. What a good movie. I love animal movies to begin with, and this one was based on a true story. The cast was great as well. Kris Kristofferson, Harry Conick Jr., Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman. All star cast, for a really good movie. Laughs and tears too! Here's hoping this short week feels short...they usually feel longer than a normal week! Chow for now, Jacqui
When I had my kids I thought the spacing between their birth dates was pretty cool. You know how when you go in to the doctors office for that first "I think I'm pregnant" appointment and they ask you the date of the first day of your last period....well when I was pregnant with Joel the date of the first day of my last period was actually Jade's birthday, which I thought was kind of cool. Then when Joel was born, he was born at exactly 21 months and 12 hours apart from his sister. Jade was born on April 8th at 10:45 AM and Joel was born on January 8th at 10:45 PM. That's just been a kind of cool little tidbit for their births. But now......Jade is gearing up for leaving the nest and going to college. We are still waiting for responses back from two of the schools, which should be coming soon because they have to let the kids know by March 1st. I hope she picks Lambton. It's a bit of a smaller school and it seems to have the same principals and goals for making the kids succeed as NMDHS does. I think I am prepared for Jade to go off to college and start her own life and "come into her own" so to speak. She has been away quite a bit in the last couple of years; Germany for 23 days, then working in Woodstock for the remainder of the summer and then last summer she was in Woodstock all summer, I think she came home twice, and this school year a couple of weekends a month she is in Woodstock working. So she has kind of eased me into her being away. But yesterday, Joel (my baby) comes home with College books because he has to pick his courses for Grade 11 and he has to make sure they are courses that he needs for the career choice he is making. I'm not sure I thought this through. I'll only get 2 more years with Joel in the house and then my nest will be empty. What will I do with all my free time. Will I stamp? Will I read? Or will I sit and wonder if the kids are okay away from home. I'm sure they will make good choices as they move into their own little worlds....but I'm not sure I'm prepared for not knowing what they are doing and where they are every minute of the day! I don't think I am an overprotective mom, or a mom that hovers, but I do like to be kept in the loop and I'm not sure I'm mentally ready for all this change! I feel like I am still coming to terms with the fact that my "baby making" chapter is done. Don't get me wrong, I really don't want another baby - but just knowing that it is never going to happen again was a big thing to grasp. So the thoughts of my babies going off into the big scary world is making me think. I'm not really stressing yet....there is still lots of time for that! But I'm not sure I like all these chapters of my life slamming shut on me! I guess I'll just have to spend the rest of my time getting all the quality time and hugs I can! I don't tell them too often cause I don't want their "heads to swell" (ha ha) but I am truly very proud of my kids and I love them more than they will ever know. They are good kids - I am very lucky. I just don't know where the time went for them to go from this to this. Chow for now, Jacqui
A number of years ago, when we were attending my little sister Courtney's graduation from The University of Windsor, as Granny was walking across the street, I think her feet got tangled up and she fell. As she started to fall, she hollered, "I'm goin' down", and then she laid there on the street giggling. The poor police man who was directing traffic, must have been thinking to himself, "holy crap that lady just fell, oh man I have to stop all these cars". So as he was frantically getting cars to stop, we got Granny up and she seemed to be okay....only later did we find out that she broke her elbow, but she didn't complain at all...took a couple of Advil and enjoyed Courtney's graduation. Well this morning, I stepped off my step and down I went. We had rain over night as well as this morning and our lane way slopes down toward where my car gets parked and I stepped on the "right (er wrong)" spot and down I went. I don't know how Granny had time to holler "I'm goin' down" cause it was so darn quick that I was down and sliding through the ice and mud. So I had to go back in change my clothes before heading off to work. I'm hoping the rest of my day goes better than my morning went. I smashed my knee off the ground, so hopefully it won't swell, but other than that I am okay. I needed one of these signs this morning! Chow for now, Jacqui
When I got up this morning there was a vase of carnations on the table with a handwritten card from my hubby. I love carnations - they have got to be my favourite cut flower. They last so long, they are awesome. They were white carnations with purple edges and purple is my favourite colour so it was a nice surprise at 4AM when I was sitting at the table eating my breakfast. February is also Heart month. We, as women, must be aware of the warning signs of heart attacks, as that is the number one killer of women. So in honour of Heart Awareness Month I am sharing this video with you...even though it's funny (and is has that Cutie Patootie, Colin Egglesfield in it) it's a good video to watch. Enjoy your valentines day! Chow for now, Jacqui
We watched a movie yesterday called Tower Heist. The write up says, " When a group of hard working guys find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence." It was pretty good. I thought the cast would make for a pretty good movie. And it did. Ben Stiller - he's a great comedy actor Eddie Murphy - always love a movie with Eddie Murphy - especially when he gets all excited and talks really fast! Casey Affleck - I haven't seen much of him before - but he was pretty good too Alan Alda - Always a good actor - from way back in the MASH days to his more recent ER days Matthew Broderick - he will always be Ferris Bueller - no matter what other roles he plays - he will always be Ferris Judd Hirsch - had some Taxi flashbacks! Tea Leoni - I really like Tea Leoni - I like her voice - it's kinda deep - kinda raspy - She is (maybe not anymore) married to David Duchovny (Fox Mulder from the X-Files) - they make a good pair I think! Michael Pena - I have seen him in lots of stuff, but had to look up his name - but he was funny in this one Gabourey Sidibe - this is the same girl who played the role Precious. I have yet to see that movie, but I hear it is very good. Chow for now Jacqui
I have decided that I am going to start going into the nursing home on Thursday nights to go to Hymn Sing with Granny. She never misses it, so I thought she might enjoy it if I went to sing with her. So last night I went in and she was in her room. The nurses were doing some things for her and she had a bit of an issue with her appliance so she had her nightie on already. I asked her if she was going to go out for Hymn Sing and she said "oh I can't go in my nightie". So I found her a house coat, got it on her and out we went! She takes a little notepad with her and writes down all the Hymns that we sing and then Tim, the fella who leads the Hymn sing, always asks her how many we have sung. The record is 17. We only sang 14 last night. While we were sitting there, I saw someone come to the door and it was Aunt Donna! I have not seen her since my little sister Courtney's wedding, so it was nice to see her. (this is a shot of her and Mom at Courtney's wedding - I love this picture) Granny has been missing her, so I am glad she came for a visit. She joined in the Hymn Sing with us as well. When the Hymn Sing was all done, we went into the dining room and sat and talked for a while. We had a good visit. I left around 9PM and Granny was worried that the nurses would be mad she was up so late. I mentioned it to the girls and they all said the same thing - "A visit is worth more than us getting her to bed at a certain time". Granny wasn't tired, so we just kept on chatting. She looks great. She had a bit of a spell the other day, but I think it was related to an infection she has brewing, but they have her on antibiotics so that seems to have calmed things down. I showed her some pictures of the lambs from the farm and she really wants to see a little black one! I might just have to kidnap one from the farm and throw it in the car and take it in to see her! The residents at the home get excited when you take a dog in there, can you imagine what they would do if they saw a baby lamb!!!! I heard that Courtney is coming home this weekend - so maybe I'll get a little sister time in while Mom and Aunt Donna are getting a little sister time! Chow for now, Jacqui
Ya know, we all spend countless energy worrying about things. My dad always says to me, why worry about the things you can't do anything about. (you know like the weather, dying, the end of the world, stuff like that). As much as it is easy to say that and to try not to worry about things, we still do. It's hard not to. I worry about my kids - will they succeed and reach all their goals and dreams? Did I do enough to help them get there? Will I lose weight? Will I be able to pay the bills this month? Then I saw this video, and I thought to myself - man - instead of worrying all the time I need to start to be thankful for things. Thankful for the wonderful parents I have, thankful for the wonderful family I have, thankful that for the most part we are all healthy, and thankful that we live in a Country that allows us basic freedoms. Chow for now Jacqui
I watched this movie the other night as it was on TV. It was a cute story and loved the way it turned out. I didn't care for the character, Darcy, that Kate Hudson played in this movie - just cause, well she was a BI***. But I do like Kate Hudson's acting. I loved her in Fool's Gold and in Raising Helen and in How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. The fella who played Dex - Colin Egglesfield - had kind a of Tom Cruise look to him at certain times in the movie. Ginnifer Goodwin played Rachel. She is so cute. I had never seen her in a show (that I remember anyway) until I started watching Once Upon a Time. But she is a good little actress - and very pretty. I don't think I have ever seen John Krasinski in anything either - although I saw him on Ellen and was funny! I liked his character too. It was a nice little feel good movie - I shed some tears and laughed too. Usually the signs of a good movie! Chow for now, Jacqui
Well my little girl is growing up. This past week she applied to college. She has applied at Lambton College in Sarnia, Fanshawe College in London and St. Clair college in Windsor. They are in between semesters right now so she is spending some time in Woodstock with friends until Sunday. So she called me last night to tell me that she got an email from Lambton College and she has got accepted there! (she has to make sure she passes English next semester - but that won't be a problem). I am so excited for her. I remember applying for colleges wondering what I was gonna do if they all said NO! Even though it's an exciting time - I'm excited for her to move on and start her own life and make her way in the world - it's a sad time too. I look back on baby pictures and wonder where the time has gone. Congratulations Jade, I'm proud of you, Chow for now, Jacqui
Well semester one is officially over. Jade was done her exams on Tuesday and Joel finished his yesterday! Here's hoping their marks were awesome. February 6th starts the beginning of the new semester and starts Jade's last semester of high school. Wow, that's making me feel a little old. One of Joel's friends decided to have a little get together last night to celebrate exams being over. Joe went to pick him up around midnight and on the way home....they hit a deer. Luckily, neither of them were hurt. My car took a bit of a beating, but it is still functional, so that is the main thing. I need a new headlight and a new left blinker, but I think other than that it will survive. It bums me out though that they couldn't find anyone to help them with the deer cause I really would have liked to have some venison in my freezer. So as I am walking out the door this morning to leave for work...Joe says..."not to be a smart ass, but watch out for the deer." Little does he know that I have run ins with them at least 3 times a week driving to work. I leave at 5AM when it is still dark and they are VERY active at that time of the day. I think he jinxed me......I hadn't even gotten by the first neighbours house and out come 3 deer zipping across the road in front of me. Fortunately I saw them - those shining eyes and their white tails - so I was able to slow down and let them pass. I still beeped my horn at them to let them know I was not impressed and really did not need that jump start to my heart at 5AM.
It's lambing season on my Mom and Dad's farm! I think last count was 24 - but a late night email from Mom indicated a couple more may be coming, so the number might be higher now. They are so cute. Jade and her boyfriend Brian went over to see them yesterday so I made her take the camera so she could get some shots of the babies. Chow for now, Jacqui
..but then.....I got it.
..but then.....I got it.
