Livin' The Life of Leisure

I don't know if I can have anymore kids. Not for medical reason, but laziness reasons. Having 2 kids that can get themselves up in the morning, including getting themselves dressed and getting a snack, makes it hard to get pregnant again knowing full well all the work that I will have to do. Getting up in the middle of the night and getting up with the kid in the morning. Not to mention all the other work a baby requires, and I am not even talking about the delivery!

I love my kids more and more as they get older and the thought of a new baby, Yikes! I do want more kids so I guess I gotta psych myself up.

Can't get enough!

I only have limited time for this blog. It's 9:45am and my kids want breakfast... geez I am blogging leave me ALONE! In all fairness this is their second breakfast, Bart fed them before he went to work, while I was sleeping. I led a charmed life.

OK, but the reason for my post.

Joshua James. Love him!

30 and Feelin' Fine!

Okay, I know this should have been posted last post but I just wanted to make sure that the day after I turned 30 I didn't suddenly need a walker and my family didn't put me in a home. Because if they did, I would NOT have titled this post '30 and Feelin' Fine'. Maybe it would have been '30 and Super Pissed'.
In all seriousness being 30 years old is great. I am healthier than I have ever been, I have more energy and now a little more money to do the things I now have energy for (can you follow that?), and my temper is just starting to balance itself out. This past week 1 out of 3 opportunities I didn't lose it on someone who deserved it. - I am not talking about my kids, I try to keep it together, even if they deserve it. I am talking about perfect strangers that are rude and asking for it. I can't get into the stories they just rile me up and remind me that maybe I should have said more and I start thinking that I should go back to that store and give the lady a piece of my mind. OK - maybe my temper hasn't changed at all, but the first couple of things are definitely true. I realized a few years ago that every stage of your life has good and bad. I would never want to go back to high school - living with my parents, not having a car or money. But I would never trade all the good times for anything.

Maybe I'm Glad I had Kids

Sweetest thing ever. Makes me happy that I had kids.
I says (that's right says) to Ethan last night while we were snuggling before bed (also a good reason to have kids)
"If you could have anything in the whole world what would you have" I thought he would say some sort of vehicle, but instead he said
"I would have mommy."
Almost makes me want to stop the yelling and beating...almost.

I am a Chicken!

Ethan is going tomorrow to get his kindergarten vaccination. In reality he should have gotten his shot about 3 months ago, but I was too scared.I hate going to take my kids to get the dreaded needle, no matter what age. When they are babies, they are so unsuspecting and then WHAM-O, pain! I cry everytime. As they get older and understand more they are still don't understand why they are being needlessly tortured. Again I cry everytime.
I bribed Ethan will all sorts of toys and treats, mostly for my ease. I told him if he did not hide or run away or scream or cry and I would buy him a gift. Then he sweetly asked me 'mom, would it be okay if I just cried quietly to myself?' So I took away the crying clause in our agreement. I am pretty sure there will be crying on my part, again.

Saturday Afternoon Shout Out - I actually have plans tonight?!

Well it seems that I will have to do my Saturday Night 'shout out' this afternoon. I can hardly believe it, I have plans tonight! - But that's for another blog, I don't have to much to blog about gotta save what I got.

My 'shout out' today goes to my sister, Jill, who taught me to read. I know, I know she's 10 years younger than me and it should have been the other way around.
Actually Jill taught me to really love to read. She loves books and her love is infectious. Now we swap good books back and forth. I remember a few days before Ethan was born sitting on the couch with Jill, she and I would take turns reading Harry Potter #4 out loud (good times).

One of our fav things to do is take a trip to the library. I get chills when I go to the library, so many books, so little time - plus I am a slow reader.
Thanks Jill.

Would You Be My Neighbour?

I think I am a great neighbour. I would feel extra safe if I lived beside, or within sight, of myself. Some - like Bart - would call me nosey. But I call myself observant ... alright, I am a little curious as well.

No exagerantion, I look out my window everytime I pass one. If the blinds are closed I sneak a peek through one of the slats. Everytime I get up in the night - which is about 3 to 4 times, with various nightmares and bathroom breaks - I look out my window and if I am putting Ethan back in his bed, I look out his window too.

It's turned into an obsession. You'd be surprised what you see and what you can learn about people. My fav neighbour drama is the divorce that happened accross the street. There was a full blown throwing possesions out of the house fight. Very entertaining.

The irritating thing is when I know something is going on but I can't figure out exactly what it is. Stupid neighbours and the need for privacy!

I will find out! I'll keep you posted!

My Not So Secret Love

Why you ask did I become a teacher? Possibly to mentor a child and help them to become an active and responsible citizen. Or maybe because I love children and there is no greater call than to teach them and love them.

Those are all great reasons. But not my reason.

The reason I became a teacher was my love for school supplies. Sometimes when I am bored or need to get out of the house I go to Staples and peruse the isles. There is nothing better than the smell of newly sharpened pencils. Don't get me started on a fresh package of markers....

Some husbands worry about their life savings when their wives go to the mall. My husband demands my credit card when I need to go pick up 'a few things' from staples.... - yeah right, like I would give anybody anything that they demanded, I am a Hamilton!

Tutti? Seriously?

I am no TV executive, but seriously why would you name a character Tutti. What the H? Common, Tutti! TUTTI!

Geez, she was an outcast already with her rollerskates and pig tails, not to mention she was the only visable minority. Why makes things harder for her?

Why not name her Tabitha , Taine, Talia, Tamara, Tammy, Tanya, Tania, Tara, Taryn, Tasha, Tegan ,Teresa, Teri, Tertia , Tessa , Thea , Thelma , Theodora, Theola, Thirza ,Tia ,Tonia or Tracy.

Oh Mrs Garrett, where were you on this one?

Seriously I Am In Trouble For Hitting My Sister?? Your Kidding!?

I am sitting in my office on the computer - you know being a dutiful mother - and I hear, in my opinion, the greatest conversationtion ever. It's a convo I remember having so many times with my sisters.

Ella - crying

Ethan - 'Ella, Ella no it's okay. Here you can have my toy.'

Ella - 'Mom!'

Mom - no answer (I am online, leave me alone)

Ethan (this time with more urgency) - 'Ella, it's okay. What do you want me to give you? What do you want you can have anything you want.'

Ella - 'No, I telling.'

She finds me :(




I like it when she takes Ethan's bribes and they solve the problem without involving me. It really makes my life so much easier.

(note: It was totally his fault, he should have been bribing her not to tell. He had to go to time out for a good 10 minutes.)

Nothin' Like a Cup of Cocoa

A shout out to my mom for giving me my love of hot chocolate. I remember my mom drinking hot chocolate on cold winters nights. At least it's one thing to look forward to when the weather sucks!

I added my own touch by doubling the calories and adding canned whipped cream. Everything is better when you can double the calories.

Just a note, when looking on-line for canned whipped cream, be very careful.

I Know What Goes Into Hot Dogs! And I Still Love Them!

One of my all time fav foods is hot dogs. They are so good. One year for my birthday dinner, instead of choosing a nice steak or homemade lazagna, I chose me some dogs and donuts. I do not regret the decision. If I could I would eat them at least once a week. But I hear they are not that good for you and I have children to think about. But once they move out everyone should buy some shares in Schneider meats, because sales will be going up.

Yeah, I know there are lips and ears and hoofs and balls - I am talking about eyeballs - well I guess I could be talking about ... nevermind. The point is, I know full well what goes into a hot dog, and I STILL love them.

It was really hard for me not to make a wiener joke this whole blog. It's even harder for me to not laugh when Ethan makes one while we are eating dogs. I am trying, that counts for something.

My Saturday Night Shout Out!

I've decided that a lot of people have influenced my life - stay with me I am not gonna go all grown up on you- and every single person in my life has given me great ideas. Some think I am creative, but really I am good at plagiarizing other ideas and adjusting them just enough to call it my own.

So, every Saturday night I am going to give a 'shout out'. Maybe you influenced me and never knew. So Saturday nights is my night to say thank you on a public stage. - it's still public if only 2 people read this thing right?

So many to choose from but;

SHOUT OUT TO THE STEED FAMILY!

For introducing me to melted cheese in my chicken noodle soup.

If you haven't tried this ... well just try it, it's good. I've eaten this delicious combo hundreds of times, and I almost always think of Sunday lunches after church at the Steeds.

Good Times.

Big Hair Is My Limit!

Ethan went to a birthday party this last weekend as the boy was opening present I kept looking around to make sure I wasn't back in the 80's. The gifts consisted of transformers, hot wheels and Star Wars, the same gift that were given when I was that age. Yeah, I know I sound like an old lady - back in my day...- But seriously, is it the lack of creativity on toy producers part or were they just that good of toys?

old school chewie

2008 chewie

old school optimus

new optimus.

Okay, the new toys look a little cooler. I guess it's true what they say: Things always come back into style. I just hope the big hair doesn't come back...

Do You Have GAS?

I debated just incorporating this subject with my 'fav things' blog, but I think that GAS deserves its' own post.

Garner Andrews Show is awesome! He cracks me up, I wish that I could be as funny as him. He makes the other morning show DJs in Edmonton look like chumps.

He doesn't need to resort to crude and offensive tactics (although he does talk about farts more than I want to hear). He is just plain funny.

Garnie makes supper preparation a joy (yeah, I know, he's a miracle worker). I listen to him on his daily podcast as I am preparing supper and the time just flies by.

Dwight K. Schrute - An NDP???



Personally I would have thought him to be a hard core conservative. But I guess I was wrong.

Apparently he is running in my riding. Heehee.


I laugh every time I drive by the NDP candidates sign. It's located on 91 street just before 23 ave. I swear it is Dwight K. Schrute shaking hands with Jack Layton.


Take a peek for yourself and tell me what you think.



Vote Dwight!!

Please don't let me take after my mom!!!



Ethan first day of school was over a month ago. (don't mock the geek hair part - I love it.) He is doing really well, loves it, and is making friends, blah, blah, blah.
Here's the real blog topic:
Why am I so nervous?
I was all excited for the first day of school. In my head I could see myself taking afternoon siestas and lunching with other socialites. ( actually I was just hoping to get my laundry done and a toilet or two scrubbed)
Well the end of the first day came and to my surprise, I was so nervous that I couldn't eat and I couldn't even take a nap (YA, I KNOW). First day nerves I told myself, fear of the unknown.
Fast forward to one month later and I am still nervous. Honestly everyday I go pick him up I get a knot in my stomach. As I said earlier he is not the problem, he is doing well, the teacher is wonderful, he has tons of friends and most importantly he loves going.
I have drawn two conclusions: 1) I am a control freak. That I already knew. 2) I am like my mom, a nervous nelly. This is an unexpected development in my life!
SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!!!!

I love Ann with an E!

One of my dreams came true this summer, I visited PEI. To be more specific, Green Gables.

I know that Anne is a fictional character (I am not delusional), but I love her. A big part of my love comes from watching the movies with my grandma and sisters in BC. I am not going to lie, I got a little emotional when we first crossed over to the island. Thinking of my grandma, my family and days gone by - I sound like I am an old lady - but family is really the only thing that gets to this stone cold heart. Every lake we passed became the lake of shinning waters, and every old man we saw was Matthew. Bart was a good sport and managed to keep his manhood -he was the photographer. I could go on and on but it was one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have been. We plan to back in a few years and spend at least a week - Bart agreed because there is a golf course on every corner - maybe when the kids are older and we save our pennies.

The sand dune where Diana and Anne would go for walks. Right behind a beach we played at, the sand was nicer than the sand in Hawaii and the water was not as cold as I expected. Ethan, my little chicken, went in up to his chest.

My male versions of Anne.

Temper included!