Thursday....

Yesterday was really hot so last night Sam and Abby headed off to the splashpark with Daddy to cool off - they had a great time!!!  :)

While they were gone I had my weekly night out at the pub quiz with Samantha...thank you to her Mom for treating me to dinner last night!!!

Naughty Samantha left a note for the guys at the table behind us - they had been looking at us all night and eyeing us up....so she left a note for them saying we were samantha and Jane and were there most weeks and looked forward to seeing them again...and as she walked out the guy smiled and she waved!!  omg!!  What is she like!!  Not a week seems to by without some guy or guys coming to join us lol!!  Sigh...mind you last week it was a 22 year old!!!!!  lol!!

Birch Bay Ranch - Summer Camp 2010

The girls had a fabulous time at camp last week....spending the week riding horses, playing games, learning songs around the camp fire, eating Belgian waffles and having beach parties....crafts, ziplining, obstacle courses and soooo much fresh air that they were both very tanned and were very tired.  A whole week with no tv and no computers and gadgets was wonderful for them :)  They looked healthy and happy and had made new friends :)

Friday fill ins!!

And...here we go!

1. I'm going to give Susannah and Laurence and Jessica HUGE hugs when I see them today!! Each for different reasons but they each need them and so do I!!

2. Being single friends with Samantha is full of adventure and daring. Hahahahaha!!

3. Perhaps today you can make it a point To post on someones facebook wall how much they mean to you!!  Wouldn't that be a lovely thing to do???

4. My friend Christie has a true adventurer’s spirit.

5. The dew of Compassion is a tear. (Lord Byron)

6. I will help her sort this sad situation out no matter how difficult.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to picking Laurence up from camp and seeing him rock climb/ zipline, tomorrow my plans include having my hair cut and Sunday, I want to see what the kids want to do and see what the day brings!

Amber and Rosie keeping cool on the porch...

Such a sense of style ;)

Graysie

Friday fill-ins!!

And...here we go!

1. I feel confused about a few things and not sure what to do.  I have to make some big decisions that effect other people and I really don't know what to do.

2. I'd love to find Faith, Mandy and Becky on FB to catch up.

3. Do I follow my head or my heart?

4. I like friends who are completely unique I think that's what attracts me to people. I don't like sheep.  I don't like those women who follow the crowd and try to keep up with their neighbours and be like everyone else.  If you want to be friends with me be yourself - be who you are - be unique :)
5. It's hard to know how much to hold back...to say....not to say....

6. The dark clouds roll in and the thunder follows suit.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Going to camp to pick up my girls, enjoy the family BBQ and watch them ride the horses to show their new skills, tomorrow my plans include many things - a busy day!!  and Sunday, Lloyd has the children all afternoon, then I plan to take Laurence to camp and then go to A Taste of Edmonton with Darren and maybe the children!

The list...

From High In The Sky .......


Have I ever:
1. Seen The Terracotta Army in China - No - never even heard of it (??? sigh I'm dumb lol)
2. Cross stitched a sampler - yes..well I've started several but never finished any...I find cross stitching boring, but I have been given two stunning cross stitched samplers by friends and LOVE them!!
3. Kept a friend for more than 20 years - several - and they are very special :)
4. Made your own jam - yes - and I will be doing it again in a few weeks as I want to go and pick more Saskatoon berries with the kids - it was so much fun last year :)  Anyone want to join us????
5. Seen the Crown Jewels in The Tower Of London - Yes!!!!  :)  I love sparkly things :)
6. Attended a school reunion and enjoyed it No - I missed the reunion a couple of years ago but it was fun seeing the pictures and catching up with everyone on the group on faceboook!!
7. Kissed the Blarney Stone - YES!!  :)  on a trip to Ireland with my friends Siddick and Azaad when we stayed with Maressa and her family :)
8. Learned how to tap dance - No although my daughters have tried to teach me a little and every year when I watch the adult group at Rachelles school I think about joining the following year!!
9. Seen one of the Wonders Of The Ancient World - no
10. Ridden a tandem bicycle - no but I have always wanted to!!!
11. Commissioned a piece of furniture - yes
12. Sold for profit something you made yourself - photography - does that count?  
13. Seen Sydney Opera House - no but I'd quite like to.
14. Walked up the outside of a volcano - well an extinct one - Edinburgh castle is built on an extinct volcano ;)
15. Met an idol - yes - Daryl Benson - the photographer...and he signed my book and talked to me about photography for ages...
16. Found or sent a message in a bottle - yes - years ago on a beach in Dorset.
17. Held a stranger's hand, just because they needed you - yes....many times.  
18. Thought you might have seen a ghost - I haven't seen a ghost but I have felt and heard one - the house I lived in was built in 1901 and was most definitely haunted....the ghost favoured females and was very comforting.  I felt a hand on my shoulder one evening..and heard someone yell 'Sssshhhh' down the hallway.  Another evening I heard heavy footsteps walk across the floor upstairs.  My Son said an old 'yellow lady' would visit him in his room...he drew pictures of her and thought of her as his friend...
19. Been caught speeding - yes - doing over 100 in a construction zone with workers present...but I didn't realise it and I apologised and the police officer was very kind and let me off.
20. Won a bet only with friends/ family....
21. Visited a penpal I've met penpals - like I met Lianne who became my best friend when I moved to Stockport - she had been my penpal first.
22. Published a poem - no but my stories and articles have been published.
23. Had your appendix removed -no but I'm told it might have to be at some point.
24. Pierced an interesting part of your body - no - I leave THAT for Christie ;)
25. Seen your name in lights - no
26. Had a handsome man buy you Champagne - my husband :)
27. Had tea at The Ritz - No....Harrods...Hamleys...plenty of other places in London but not The Ritz...walked by it a hundred times though...
28. Found a peacock feather yes...and have watched an Irish Setter attack one by the river on dartmoor :(
29. Made a collection of more than 50 objects keyrings, badges, bits of Victorian china, rubber stamps, books, ATC's,
30. Crossed The Equator - no
31. Partied through til breakfast - yes
32. Found a fossil - yes....
33. Seen The Northern Lights - yes...several times from our backyard...I used to go out on the back deck and sit and watch them for ages...and I used to get an email sent to me that told me when they were going to be quite bright....I would love to travel further north and seem them brighter than they are here...I think they are amazing....when we were at the old house there was a year when they were amazingly bright.....I haven't seen them like that since though.....I guess the solar flares go in phases...
34. Built your own house- well, not exactly - we had a house built for us in Scotland, we had a house built for us in Sherwood Park...and we had a big addition built onto the back of this house - that we partially designed.
35. Started a Mexican Wave - no and I'd feel an idiot taking part in one!!
36. Judged a competition - a few times with the kids and I don't like doing it so I always make sure there is a prize for everyone.
37. Flown in a hot air balloon - no but I'd like to - but not over Edmonton - I'd like to fly in one over an African safari!!!!  I think that would be amazing :)
38. Spent too much money on something you've only worn once - Not really...
39. Scored an own goal - no
40. Appeared on live tv - no
41. Asked for your money back - yes although I normally exchange things - and I don't do that often!!
42. Had your photo taken with someone famous - I think so when I was a child - several people...but I can't remember who....
43. Grown your hair long enough to sit on - no but it has been all down my back...
44. Been locked in somewhere overnight, or long enough for it to start getting scary - no
45. Found something valuable and made sure it was returned to its rightful owner - a dog and we took it to the police station..
46. Taken part in some kind of endurance event or attempt - not an endurance attempt but I ran the 5k Run for the Cure a couple of years back...
47. Driven from one end of your country to the other - Yes - England/ Scotland.  I had no choice lol as I lived in Scotland and Lloyds parents lived in the South of England!!  I'd like to do the same in Canada from East - West like on the movie One Week.
48. Been publicly recognised for bravery or special community service - no
49. Gone out on the town in an outfit you've made entirely on your own -omg no - thankfully!!  It would all fall apart and I'd end up walking along naked!!!!
So, what have you done from this list???

For today......

Outside My Window... the crows are noisy, they were born here last year and have returned.....I feed them every day on the bird table and they are sooooo greedy :)  but I think they're beautiful :)

I am thinking...about my friends and hoping they get good news this morning.  About the mess I have to clear up downstairs - and that I need coffee before I face it!!  That tonight I get to sleep in one of my favourite places....in the most comfortable arms I've ever been held in :)

I am thankful for...My friends Christie and Sid and for all they have done over recent weeks - and for Sid for painting my room last night....and the way they've educated my Son (hahahahha)....That Rosie,Amber and Chewy all survived the coyotes on Sunday night......for the bits and pieces I picked up at the thrift store yesterday.....that Abby was so excited to go to camp and the weather has been fine so far!!

From the kitchen...I've been making proper suppers more...making use of the crockpot...even keeping leftovers and with visitors here we've been socializing in the kitchen a lot..sitting round the island and chatting etc etc....

I am wearing...my red little nighty that has polka dots on it....

I am creating...a lovely home....my room is almost finished now - I want to sand down the furniture and white wash it - and maybe even the floor.....then it will look so calm and beautiful.  I am loving how it looks so far!!!!  :)  
I need to do the hallway.....the brown is horrible - and finish the stairs.

I am going...to see Darren tonight :)  to pub quiz on Thursday!!  To take Rosie to the vets on Friday.  To pick the girls up from camp on Friday night....to have my oldest Son to stay on Friday and Saturday.....to A Taste of Edmonton next week before Darren heads back to work.....and then again before it ends with Tess I hope!!  
I am reading...two fiction and two non fiction books but I haven't had time to look at them for days...

I am hoping...my phone rings soon with some good news from my friends...that the registry still has my certificate.....that I am organized enough to get to the bank today....

I am hearing... Laurence coming upstairs with my coffee followed by Rosie close behind...

Around the house...hanging out with Laurence and Sam and our visitors Christie and Sid.....the girls are at camp so the house seems quieter than normal.....we all do our own thing during the day or potter about or run errands or whatever...in the evening we watch movies or chat or hang in my room and chat....and laugh and watch videos on youtube which leads to telling stories which leads to endless laughter!!!

One of my favorite things...putting money in my savings account...and in my little jars and seeing it add up...but  its frustrating me that I owe a certain someone first :(

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...pub quiz, getting Rosies drains removed at the vet, Getting the girls from camp, taking Laurence to camp, Samanthas family BBQ.

Sam's new shoes.....

Nice :)

Poor Rosie...

Poor Rosie was attacked by coyotes last night and ended up having to be rushed to the emergency vets in Edmonton (thank you Christie and Sid)!!!

She had a huge puncture wound that had to be checked in surgery because she wasn't putting weight on her leg and they were worried about muscle damage.  She has two drains and has to stay indoors until Friday when the drains come out....My poor girly......she is on a lot of different meds at all different times of day....she is really not herself and seems quite aggressive :(  poor thing.  

Off to camp!!!

The girls went to camp yesterday - Lloyd met us there so he could see the girls rooms and see them settled in - we had supper there and made sure they got the beds they wanted in their dorms.  Abigail had been excited for DAYS!!!!  So far the weather has been good for them - not fabulous but dry - with just the odd shower at night......I hope it stays that way for the most part!!!  They did forecast heavy rain for the first three days but that seems to have missed us!  

I hope they have a wonderful time this week with the horses and all the other fun things they do at camp :)

Snuggling up with Caleb...

Yesterday while Christie and Sid were out for a little while I got to snuggle on the bed with Caleb...we had a bag of plastic animals and he liked playing with the scorpion and spider.....and the dinosaurs...Caleb took a real shine to Susannah this weekend and they were inseparable...he followed her everywhere and cuddled into her by the fire last night.....he was even giving her kisses :)

Hair cuts for the dogs....

Christie and Sid have been here staying for the weekend and while they were here they shaved the dogs....their dog Chewy, and our dog Rosie....Rosie was very matted from going in the pond so often, so she needed to be shaved right down...she is now sooooo soft and looks like a sheep :) 

Now hopefully we can control her fur and keep her coat groomed better.

Thank you Christie and Sid!!!  

Friday fill-ins!!

And...here we go!

1. This is what life does. It lets you build up faith and trust in someone and then it knocks you down and hits you hard and teaches you valuable lessons...but it also makes you stronger.

2. Why is it so often difficult to just slow down enough to appreciate the moment?

3. Upon reflection, Lloyd leaving me was probably the best thing to happen this year.

4. I haven't had a green monster for quite a long time.

5. Later, you wake up and smell the roses and realise that he was being honest - he really HADN'T loved you the WHOLE time he was married to you!!!!  Ha!!!  But...in the end it didn't really matter....

6. I would love to be able to run off to the far and boundless sea. I miss the ocean very much.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to talking to Darren, seeing Christie and Sid, having an early night...catching up on some reading and maybe some writing, tomorrow my plans include taking the girls shopping for their camp supplies - some little travel bottles of shampoo/ toothpaste etc and a disposable camera for Abby...some glowsticks for their bags and a beachtowel for Susannah....batteries for her camera etc..... and Sunday, I want to take the girls to camp and reassure Abby that she is going to have a wonderful time horseriding all week!

Morning coffee with Sam......

Amber and Rosie are sat in the doorway desperately wanting to come in...Amber keeps creeping in and then tries one paw over the threshhold and removes it when I say 'out'!!!

Then I turn around and see her asleep on the mat INSIDE the kitchen.....sigh....

I love quiet mornings here....coffee in the kitchen or on the deck...the breeze blowing through the trees outside...the birds and frogs outside......

Sam is now painting a box beside me and gluing some 'clothes' onto some foam people.

I have so much to do today and yet here I sit...drinking coffee, chatting, emailing and procrastinating....and enjoying my home :)  

Kitty

Kitty is a year old now and will have been with us for a whole year in a few weeks.  He's still a gentle sweetheart, and now he's had his pompoms chopped he no longer sprays, so he he can stay - YAY!!!!

He's such a sweety!!!!!  All he does is purr and cuddle!!!!

Bathtime :)

I had a fun afternoon at Ikea today with two of my most favourite people :)

Owen decided to get in the claw foot tub in one of the bathrooms, so I snapped this picture...he was then 'soaking in the tub' the other way round...but when I went to help him out, we realised that the bath wasn't attached to the floor and it almost fell over!!!  Ooops :)  

It was funny :)

For today......

Outside My Window... It is cloudy and breezy...I think it is starting to thunder in the distance.  The wind is really starting to pick up and it's raining a little.  I like days like this after a series of hot days.

I am thinking...of so many thinks that it feels as if my head may explode.

I am thankful for...a few wonderful people in my life who have been amazing recently!!  I seriously don't think I would have survived without them....or at least would be in the position I am in without them!!!  Thank you, thank you!!!

From the kitchen...I've been barbecuing more now that I know how to!!  I made a yummy pasta a couple of nights ago and threw in some mushrooms...the girls had some for lunch yesterday.  There are so few of us here right now (Chris and Laurence aren't around right now) that there are leftovers!!

I am wearing...as always, I am writing this in bed, so I'm in my nightwear still!!

I am creating...Not much this week - it's been a busy week with other things....I guess you could say it's been focused on creating a new life for me and the kids ;)

I am going...insane ;)   but apart from that.....I am going to miss Darren when he goes back to work tomorrow.  I am going to have breakfast with Val at some point this week and catch up with all her news.  I am going to take Susie to see Eclipse.  I am going to go to our favourite outdoor pool as soon as the weather heats up again!!  I am going to see Christie and Sid again next weekend :)  I am going to take my girls to camp next week.
I am reading...three books right now - two fiction and one non fiction.  The non fiction is one Darren gave me and I'm working through.....I'm reading a Jane Green novel and a novel Vals Daughter Kayla let me borrow!!

I am hoping...that this week is much easier than last week....


I am hearing... Miss Spiders Sunny Patch on Treehouse, and the window blowing through the window and under the door..

Around the house...I'm still painting my room, working on the stairs....life keeps getting in the way of me finishing it!!!

One of my favorite things...sleepovers :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...get the windows clean, go swimming, give Chris a driving lesson, cut the grass, count the money in the jar, start packing for the girls for camp. go to the bookmobile, see the Twilight movie.....

City Hall Wading Pool...

Cooling off (freeeeeezing off????) in the water after the festival...they were having a blast!!  They all had cups to fill with water and throw at each other.....and Sam was the only one with spare clothes to change in to!!!  :)  

Street Performers Festival...

Yesterday we went to the Street Performers Festival in Downtown Edmonton with some good friends of ours.  You can read about it

 HERE

It was the first time we had ever been to this festival and it was a really fun afternoon!  Of course the first focus for the kids was the FOOD!!!  lol...so they all had hot dogs or lemonade, poutine or snow cones etc....

I got to have some Indian food :)  

We did eventually get to watch some of the street performers!!  I really enjoyed one guy who was making a couple play tennis with a ball that he was controlling on a stick.....and then he was pulling a little girl along with a rope....

I also really enjoyed the guy in the pictures above!!!

I would have liked to have watched the girl who was hula-hooping as Barbie, but the children had all been in the City Hall pools by then and were wet and cold, so we wanted to get them home!!

It was a fun evening and perfect weather :)

Sunday morning sunshine....

The weather here has been gorgeous lately.  Today is the first cool day for a while and it's supposed to rain today and tomorrow and then be hot again by Wednesday.  

This was me yesterday morning, bright and early, having coffee out on the back deck with my laptop checking facebook.....bed hair and still in my nighty lol.....oh I LOVE living on an acreage with no neighbours that can see me....it doesn't matter that I've just crawled out of bed and I'm outside....no one can see me :)  well, except you lot now because I've posted this picture lol!  :)

Oh my, I look FABULOUS in the mornings huh??? Hahahahaha ;)  ok no comments please ;)

:)

Glow stick fun....

On Saturday night I gave the kids a bag of glow sticks at bed time and they had a blast messing about with them.  At first they couldn't get them to glow - in fact it was little Sam who finally found a way to snap them and get them glowing :)  Once they were glowing they were all high as kites for a while enjoying them :)  

Shocking how much fun you can have with a $2 bag of glow sticks :)  

Friday fill-ins!! - a day late!!

And...here we go!

1. Layers of chocolate cake with fresh cream and fruit puree....mmmmmm.

2. I'm grateful that although I have a disorder, it is one that allows me insight.

3. I'd be willing to bet I know who that is on the phone.

4.not much scares the dog but thunderstorms scare our neighbours dog so much he has been known to run away to the other side of Edmonton.

5. I'm fond of listening to the rain....

6.  Sometimes it all gets too much!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not much as I was sick all day Friday and didn't stop being sick until midnight or shortly before, tomorrow my plans include (well we were supposed to go to the Scottish gathering at Fort Edmonton but the rain and the fact that I was recovering from a migraine, meant that we have cancelled that.  I also had plans with Darren tonight but can't make that either :(  so instead, I am having a quiet day at home with the younger three and watch a movie tonight....do some laundry, read, shower....feel better....and Sunday, I want to go to the Street Performers Festival!