TGIF

The sun is up at 8:09, and that is wonderful, I can come to work with the sun rising and when I leave the sun is still up in the sky. I honestly love that.

So last night I finished 5 pairs of earrings, 1 necklace and 1 keychain. It was only Karen and I home, so I let her play with her friends and then she came and sat with me to watch my favorite programs. It was a nice night.

Vernessa didn't get home last night, so I didn't sort out my stuff...I'll wait until today if she comes back.

Does every mom think of all possible things that could go wrong, or things that could happen when your child goes out. Let me tell you, my mind races to all kinds of crazy scenarios. I know I need to trust that my kids will make good choices when they go out, but it's the "other" crazy people that scare me. Both my older kids spent the night out last night, and I know where they were, but were they really where they said they would be? I try to think of the positive things they could be doing, but then those crazy thoughts flood my mind and take over. Oh craziness, I age drastically just worrying about them. I know I am not a very religious person (reason my kids go to Catholic school, just to get some kind of religion), but in cases like this, I do pray that there is someone watching out for my babies.

It's snowing today!

Well I bought this microwave stand from a "for sale" website, and made a deal to buy it for $5.00. So as I drove across town to pick it up, I thought about not getting it cause how good could it be for $5.00. Well imagine my surprise when I went to have a look at it and it was "brand new" looking. Plus it was a lot larger than I thought. So it was my mission last night to rearrange my kitchen to make room for the stand. And I might add, it looks darn good.

Juhnea, Karen and I drove to pick the stand up and the girls helped me load it, and it was heavy. After we loaded up the stand we drove to the hospital to see Leah and her new born baby, Seanna. Oh my gosh, how tiny and small and perfect. I fell in love and I wanted to take her home. She was so quiet and just looked around and her feet were so tiny, with ten perfect little teeny toes. I didn't hold her, cause I am soo afraid of bending her in half. So I admired and poked, then we left so that Leah could have a rest.

On the drive home, we decided to stop in at Catherine's for a minute or so, just to say "hi". It was a good visit, Santana was there also. So after some visiting there we rushed home thinking Lost or Survivor was on, it was only when we turned the TV on, that I realized it was only Wednesday. So for the rest of the night, I rearranged the kitchen, rearranged it again, sat down, and rearranged it again.

Eric gave me a bottle of homemade Coconut Rum, and I was so leery of trying it, just in case there was some nasty poison in it or something. I made him drink a shot with me, and it was so good. So that was a bonus. I need to invest in a wine rack or something. I want to make wine...I want a wine kit. I have only been asking for one of those for a couple years. I guess I will be forced to buy my own.

Seeds and Gardening

So I am eager for spring and have started to look into seeds and plan a garden. I came across this website, www.grooveygreen.com and to my surprise you can grow your own Luffa sponges. You know the kind you use to shower or bath with, well they are not from the sea which I was shocked to learn, but a vegetable that looks like a zucchini. So my plan is to add that one to my garden and see if I can grow my own sponge. Wish me luck, trying to find the seeds. Plus I guess it's a vine, so I can hopefully get it to grow in my backyard up the fence. I am giddy with excitement.

Quote:

"Ultimately, nature will do the teaching." --Tom Porter

American Idol

OMG! I watched American Idol last night and I think they should just end the contest and give it to David Archuleta. He is absolutely the best singer on that show. Plus he is adorable, makes me wish I was 17 agian. Oh dear, I sound like a pervert. But he is darn cute, cute like Tweety Bird and I want to put him in a cage and hang him in my house and listen to him all day long. Sigh.....

Anyways, so last night I was suppose to babysit the Rotten's, but I had to go over to Paulette's house first and that took a little longer than I expected. Paulette bought a bunch of clothes, for me, Karen and Joey, that was so nice and there was some good stuff there. So Missy never called me back once I did get home, she must have given up on me. I did have a good ole' time with my nephew and my mom was there so that was good. Juhnea had her laptop and she has wireless internet, that was a bonus for her.

I seen Catherine and Chelsey yesterday too, gave them a quick ride, and they were off. I tried to get some earrings done, cause I just don't think I have enough made. So my plan tonight is to lay out everything and see what I have and what I need more of. Plus Vernessa is suppose to be coming back home tonight, so we can get together and see how our table will look. I am excited.

It's foggy out again today and it's a lot thicker than yesterday. The kind of fog that was in "The Others", you know when her dead ghost husband comes back and she is walking in the fog and hears footsteps and then he comes out of the thick fog. Well, it's that kind of fog.

Holy cow, my three seeds that I saved out of the dragon fruit, they are sprouting. It's only been like a week and they are sprouting. I am going to try and keep them growing for as long as I can, who knows I might have my very own dragon fruit tree. I will just have to find a house with 20 foot ceilings and I will be set. I bought my first seed packets yesterday, peas, lettuce and cucumbers...I got some peat cup things. I just have to start them later cause I started them too soon last year and they all just died. But I do think I will start some herbs, cause I can unload those on my sisters.

Beginnings of a New Week

Yikes, it's pretty foggy outside right now...

Work was fine yesterday, nothing new. Same old there.

When I got home, the house was in chaos, clothes and dishes everywhere. Then Joey tells me that some people (Tyson, Monica, Danny and Barb) that we hung around with about 6 years ago are coming over. I did the 10 second tidy in like 5. But still I was embarrassed my house was not tidy and clean as it usally is. It was a good visit and they even bought a few peices of beadwork from me.

Other than that Juhnea was in a sad and down mood last night. Totally makes me sad when I don't know what is bugging her. She is 14, and so hard to please when she is in a snappy mood. Karen on the other hand was outside playing with the neighbours and having a good ole' time. My son Joey asked if one of his friends (Danny) could stay for a while cause it's not working out at home. So of course I said yes, plus he is a good kid and I have no problems with him. They have been friends for years.

My plans tonight is to go over to my sister Paulette's house and see my beautiful nephew Christian. Then I have to get busy cause my craft sale in in 3 weeks....and I am already excited. Paulette is actually at my work today doing a trade show thing for her job. So I will be spending lunch with her. Plus she's got some good promo items. Score!!

Another Plot in the Making

Geri came over and our plan was to take some pictures of ourselves. I know it sounds conceited, but you gotta keep reading for the plot. Our friend Janette is having a housewarming party and our plan is to get her a set of frames for her home, the kind that come in a box. So when we get these frames, we are going to replace the pictures in them with pictures of Geri and I. Knowing she won't open them at the party it will be an extra surprise when she goes to open them and pulls out various pictures of Geri and I. So in all this, we opened a bottle of wine, then opened another, and then we got to drunk. Some how this is not as funny as I remember.

Nevermind....this is still the idea, so we are going to have to make another night to take pictures.

Baking with the girls

Well since Juhnea and Karen were home with me this weekend, we decided to cook something.

We made Puffed Wheat Squares

Stuff needed:
8 cups puffed wheat cereal
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place puffed wheat in a large bowl, and set aside. Grease one 9x9 inch pan.
2. Grease the rim of a medium saucepan to prevent boil-over. Place the cocoa powder, corn syrup, brown sugar, and butter or margarine in the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often until mixture comes to a full boil. Allow to boil for 1 minute, and then remove from heat.
3. Pour chocolate mixture over puffed wheat, and stir until puffed wheat is evenly coated. Using a buttered spatula, press mixture into the prepared pan. Allow to cool, then cut as desired. Wrap squares individually, or store in an airtight container.

Then we decided to make popcorn balls, only we couldn't find a recipe for it. Looked in all the cookbooks I had, no popcorn ball recipe. So we used the marshmallow mix for rice crispy's and used that. We added some food coloring and made some pale green and blue ones. Everyone ate them so they must have been good. I had a couple too, and they were tasty.

Road Trip

Mom's friend Connie needed a ride home, in Kamsack, about 3 hours away. Being as sweet as Joey and I are, we decided to give her a ride home. So mom, Connie, Me, Karen, Juhnea and Joey jumped into the van and we hit the road. We dropped Juhnea off in Balcarres so she could visit with her family there. It was a long ride and to my surprise I stayed awake for the entire thing (well for the entire ride there). We stopped in Melville, looked at our old home...then hit the road again to Kamsack.

Joey's mom lives there too, so after we dropped Connie off with her son, we went to find Joey's mom Sylvia. It was sooo good to see her again. She looks good and happy there. We went out for supper with them and then we headed out. Her boyfriend loaded us up with some cabbage rolls and chips. We plan on going to visit them again. Sylvia is coming to Regina on March 4, so that will be good, all her grandchildren will be able to see her.

Now the ride back was tiring, I slept most of the way, we stopped in Balcarres to wait for Juhnea and then we hit the road again. Stopped in Fort Qu'Appelle to have coffee with Vernessa and then off we went again.

Got home kinda late, my son was enjoying having the house to himself.

Lunar Eclipse

So the kids and I watched the lunar eclipse last night, I tried to take a few pictures, but you can't really see (which sucks). Still watched it and was totally amazed. I also read that the next one won't occur now until 2010.

Plus we tried two new fruits. We tried the blood orange, which was kinda good, with a grapefruity flavor. And the inside was really cool, it did look like bloody oranges. We also tried the dragon fruit...that was amazing. It has this wonderful color on the outside, and the inside is creamy white with kiwi-looking seeds. It was lovely, so we took pictures...

I also bought some hummus for us to try, never did try last night, but we will tonight.

I didn't do any beading, but I did pick up some supplies. Looks like I will have to be beading alone tonight, unless of course, my daughters sit and make a craft with me... Vernessa is gone to Fort Qu'Appelle for a few days, and Eric is still gone to. I think maybe we should bake something tonight, not sure what,,,but baking is always good.

I'm Tired...

Whew...I don't know why I have been so tired lately, but I am. I wish I could sleep until I wanted to get up, I wish I could nap whenever I felt tired. I darn better win the Millionaire Life draw, then I could sleep whenever I wanted to.

Any who, until then, I drag my ass out of bed and go to work like the rest of the working public.

Tonight I have plans to go to pick up a few grocery items, look for some fabric, pick up some wire and visit my mother (if she is home). Plus I bought some mirrors the other day and I want to make some earrings, but first I have to finish the hair combs I had started. So much to do and so little time to do it all...so much for wishing for sleep.

My first payment for my Crisco hamper comes out today,,,,only 8 more left. I am still excited, even more since I made a payment towards it. I can't wait for Christmas....

It's finally getting light out when I get to work...yay, no more coming to work in the dark and getting home in the dark. The days are getting longer and spring is on the way. Holy crap, yesterday there was I swear, like 100 birds in the bush in front of my house. It was totally nice to hear......

News Fact: They found sea spiders in Antarctica...and there is the discovery of an amphibian named the "devil frog" that lived 65 million to 70 million years ago and was so nasty it may have eaten newborn dinosaurs. It was the biggest, baddest, meanest froggy ever to have hopped on Earth. Freaking amazing huh?

Quote, seen this on a picture frame...

"Sisters are different flowers from the same garden."

I'd be the sunflower, Catherine would be the rose (always perfect and regal), Paulette the cactus flower (prickly, but pretty), Kym (sister from New Zealand) would be the daisy (lovely, who doesn't love daisy's) and Randine would be the Venus fly trap (lie and wait for the weak and then snap).....just joking...I still find it funny, I crack myself up.

I'm still laughing.

Still........laughing.

Ok, I am done.

Fire and Ice Festival

The weekend was good, my headache was gone come Saturday afternoon...so Joey and I took Karen and Alexia to the Fire and Ice Festival and looked at the ice sculptures, there were some really pretty ones there. Let Karen and Alexia, run around a bit, bought them a sno cone, I know, sno cones in the winter. What a great idea, I thought. Then we went home cause the sun was so bright and it was taking a toll on my eyes.

Saturday night Vernessa came over to bead, Cory also popped over. Cory is going well in her craft adventures. We had a few good laughs. I did a whole lot of beading this weekend. I was pretty proud of myself. Vernessa is Eric-less this weekend, he went to help his sister and she stayed home. So we have been beading a lot lately. Need to get ready for our table in less than a month.....

It's Family day today and most places have it off, so the drive to work was pretty clear, it was nice. Only I wish we could have had this day off, since there was no school either. Juhnea is not home anyways, she is at the farm...on family day. Crushes me, honestly.... Karen is home, Joey is home, Joe is home, and I, I am at work. How much does that suck?

Monday, a new start to a new week...

Well I am back, no more suffering from the sunlight, my headache is gone. My only grunt comes from the fall off the two front steps this morning. As I swung open the front door, took a deep breathe of cold air, flipped my bag around my shoulder, and stepped down the step. My ankle buckled, probably from sheer weight, and I went down, on both knees and hands. Missed both steps and I stayed there for a minute or two, wincing from the pain and then hopped up quickly as I remembered how silly I must have looked. For the brief time I was down there, I didn't even feel the cold. I hobbled to my van and started it. The pain is gone somewhat, but it is throbbing...

Valentine's Day

Well to my surprise Karen didn't want to take her Valentines to school. I always thought kids loved getting valentines and making a valentine mailbox to attach to their desks and collect all the valentines from other students. Did this stop happening after I left school? At what grade do you stop handing them out? Now my son, Joey, who I bought Valentine's for up until his 8th grade, never really told me that it was lame after the 4th or 5th grade. I chuckle about it now cause he was so mad at me, he was the only grade 8 student to give out cards. Yet in my thinking I thought how darn adorable for him to give out little cards to the girls in his class...I probably scarred him for life with that one. As for Juhnea she will smile, take the cards and hide them, burn them (same difference)... Karen tells me straight.

I did get a Valentine card from my sister Randine. I really liked it, it was nice and I miss her. Yet we work in the same building, have the same mother and sisters...and I miss her.

Anyways in the end, it's just another day. I will give out some extra hugs and kisses...

Quote: (not sure who said this) but I like it...
Yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision
Today is all we have
(one day at a time)

I'm baaack!!!!!!!

It's been a few days since I have updated this blog, and it's due to a nagging headache. Oh yeah it's a whopper. But nonetheless, I have made it into work and will suffer through my day just so that bills will be paid on time. Yeah right... I thought better come to work since sitting at home and looking at the pile of dishes and heaps of laundry that needs folding was far less "work". So here I am...

It's been chaos at home right now. My two older angels who have avoided bringing home report cards had the idea to try and drag it out as long as they could. However, it's was the wrong child I thought was behind this. Juhnea didn't do as well as I expected. I was disappointed with her marks and she knew it, and hid for the rest of the night in her room. She did promise to do better and I will have no other choice but to believe her and hope she will tell me on her own if she is struggling. Joey did well and we made a deal that if he could bring up his marks and keep them up until the end of the year we would help him buy a car. So he has been trying extra hard...so far. Maybe I will have to come up with a bribe for Juhnea...

RV, Boat and Car Show (sunday)

Joe, Karen and I went to check out the RV show this weekend. It was great. I tell you some of those RV's are more than a house, and in some cases are houses on wheels. Oh my gosh there are some seriously awesome trailers available...I was quite impressed with some of them. I did take pictures.

We went on a $189,000 tour bus and it was beautiful...makes me want to be a rockstar...oh yeah!

We stopped in to visit Karryann and Terrylyn. Then we went and had coffee with the neighbors and then went home. Juhnea was home when we got there...so was my son.

Vernessa came over and we did some beading. I found that Karen will sit and do her homework as long as I am sitting at the table. So that also gives me some time to sit and finish some projects. I had about 10-12 barrettes that I took off my loom and just didn't have the barrette backs to finish...now that I do that is pretty much what I am trying to get finished. So far, after I finish the ones for the kids, I will have around 8, so that is a good start.

Chinese New Year (Feb 9)

Paulette and I went to the Chinese New Year at the Regina Casino Show Lounge, it was awesome. We played a few games, never won, and we bumped into a few people. It was really good. They had an awesome supper, with some excellent desserts that I have never seen nor tried before. It was lovely. They had these fantastic sculptures made from lard (the dragon was by far the best). We tried and absolutely love the honey mandarin oranges. I really did enjoy it.

The best part was that we sat right in the front row. So we got to see everything right up close.
The ladies dressed in the Chinese dresses were lovely. It was so nice and the show lounge itself was something to be appreciated. I really enjoyed myself.

Spa Night...(Feb 7)

Well we had a girl's night, spa night and it was fun. Geri, Janette, Sheresse, Karen, me and Juhnea all did face masks...homemade ones. LIke this one.....

Bohemian Oatmeal Masque

Oatmeal is mild, soothing and acts as gentle exfoliator while the egg white tightens the skin and the honey draws in moisture.

Here's what you do:
Mix until you have a thick paste. Apply to clean skin and relax for 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and finish with a splash of cool water and a bit of your regular moisturizer.

You'll need:
2 tablespoons dry oatmeal
2 teaspoon honey
1 egg white

I bought a cooler and a bottle of red wine. The wine was great...we (responsible adults) had drinks and did nails and hair. It was a good night. Geri ended up spending the night and she had to go to work the next day. I pretty much woke up the babies, and sent them off to school.

Every day is a Paula-Day!!!

Well I feel better today and back to my normally chiper mood. I think I just needed to be with my girls and realize that they (and my two Joe's) are all I need to get me through any rough patches.

Paula-Day, is another term for holiday, just that it involves me...everyday. I know it's lame, but in my world, everyday is a Paula-Day. Ha Ha Ha

The girls and I had a good night. Both Joe's were gone to work and it was just me and my girls...so we went to Giant Tiger, picked up a few things, dropped the groceries off and then when out to the dollar store. We then went to a different dollar store and then stopped in at Paulette's to pick up my beadwork. We picked up mom too, then we went to yet another dollar store and drove mom home...finally got home, and I started on my housework. Helped Karen with homework, made supper and sent her off to bed. It was a late night for us...but we had a good time just driving around and being silly.

It's one of those days again...

Have you ever just felt like the world is against you? Like everything that you do, is not good enough. Just seems like the world looks down on me and I just can't seem to shake it. I can put on my happy face, and act like nothing bothers me...which I can say that I honestly do. But in the end I go to sleep and those skeletons come dancing out and surround me, and I can't get away. Breathe....

Things just seem to go out of control, one thing goes bad and it snowballs from there.

Whatever...life goes on whether it is good to you or not. So I will just take a breath, let it all go and get on with my day. Cause I have three/four people who I have to shine for, and it's those people that I make my choices for. Sometimes they are not the right choices, but in the end I have to live with them.

So my pity party ends here.

I am scared!!

Well since Joey was home during the night for the past two days, I really haven't done anything at home...tonight he goes back to work (he has a night job), so I will be busy tonight when I get home...and home alone with my babies.

There is a house down the street that has some gang bangers that live there. We only know that from word of mouth, from the neighbors. Never mind the fact that there has been police that blocked off our block twice since I lived there...which is going on 4 months. Plus, the first time our van was part of the crime scene, cause one of the men touched it and left a bloody hand print. Now this last time, a man was beaten right in front of our house, and I never heard a thing. Only clue was the massive police presence and the blood spatter on the street. It's scary, they seem to leave everyone (who lives on the street) alone and mind their own business, but you can't help but think of our safety. I can't afford to move so we pretty much just have to tolerate it and hope that they will get kicked out of the neighborhood soon. Keep your fingers crossed, and hope that there is no more violent, late night parties.

"When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home" —- Thornton Wilder

I am not a religious person by any means, but just in case there is the teeny tiny chance that there is a God. I do pray for the safety of my children.

The Weekend is here....

It was a busy weekend.

On Friday, Vernessa came over to bead, Paulette came for coffee and Cory came over for some venting and brought some beer and wine. So we had a few drinks...made a dreamcatcher to.
I did manage to finish some beadwork this weekend. Juhnea went to the farm, Joey worked all weekend and then stayed with his friends. Karen stayed with Karryann...it was quiet, cause I was home alone agian...not sure yet if I like that.

Saturday, Bobby and Christine were over at Vernessa's and invited Joe and I over. We had a few beer and then returned home. It was a nice visit though!

Sunday, it was Vernessa and Drew's Birthday... So I had to get up early and make Drew a heart-shaped cake (I have pictures), and made Vernessa a cake with cupcakes...(I do have pics), and I was pretty proud of it. Only down side was when I went to drop off Drew's cake he was already gone home...so his mom and sister ate it. Then we went and had a birthday supper with Vernessa at her house. After that we dropped off Raydean and went home.

I did hang some Valentine decorations and put on a valentine table cloth...then as I was going out to admire my decorations. I step back and have a look....looks like I am confused on the holiday cause I have valentines hearts in the window and Christmas bows and garland under the window. So it's my mission to take the Christmas decorations off this week, and admire my shiny Valentines day decorations.

Weekend in finally here....

My van finally started, and now I am a little leary taking it to work and leaving it out in the open all day. Geez, I have to go and start it every couple of hours. And it's cold out there.

Went over to Vernessa's last night and had some coffee and visited with the neighbours. She came back with me and we beaded...she started a lightercase for Bob. Then "LOST" came on and I shooed her out the door so I could watch it... and it was good.

I have to come up with a plan to make Vernessa a birthday cake for Sunday...cause it's her birthday. I don't know what to make...I am stuck. SO it's my mission today to find a cake that I can make (rhymes, shoulda been a rapper). I haven't really made a birthday cake, so it should be an adventure.