Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's Day was just a nice, ordinary Saturday. Something I haven't had in awhile. I worked for a few hours this morning, then went to watch Kenton play soccer. It was soooo cold out there! Later on, I went for a run since it was so nice and sunny out. I definitely warmed up quickly. :) After a warm shower, I caught up on all my blogs, then it was time to make dinner. I had bought steaks earlier in the week, so I had saved them for tonight. Along with potatoes, mushrooms, yorkshire puddings and some veggies...it was the perfect dinner. Now Chris has gone to drop the kids off at friends' and get me some chocolate! I'm looking forward to a nice, quiet evening....

My sweethearts....

Third Annual Girls Ski Trip

This weekend four of us girls went on our third annual ski trip. The past two years, we have gone to Manning, but this year we went to Baker. I love Baker!

We rented a condo in Glacier, Washington, which is less than 30 minutes away from the top of the mountain and about 30 minutes away from home. How much more perfect can you get? The condo complex had a pool and hot tub too.

We left on Friday around lunch and headed down to Bellis Fair to pick up some new running shoes, then we headed back to Glacier and checked in. Later, we went for dinner at a little restaurant attached to the local corner store, then went back to sit around and chat over a few glasses of wine before turning in early for the night.

The weather on Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. What a perfect day of skiing! We even accomplished a few black diamond runs since the conditions were so great. On Sunday, two of us went skiing, while the others decided to take it easy. :) It was another great day...beautiful weather, great fellowship, and a few new undiscovered runs.

Next year's trip promises to be even better!

Ms. Independence

The last few days I've been busy learning little things that I've always wanted to know how to do by myself. My husband is the computer whiz around here, so whenever I've needed something I've just asked him to do it for me. But the last few days, I've had to learn on my own and I'm glad.
One of the projects I've been wanting to find time for is arranging all our photos from the trip with took with the kids last year and making it into a movie. It took me about a day and half to scan in a bunch of pics, arrange them, put in transitions and then set it all to music. I've already done a power point presentation, so the movie wasn't anything new, but burning it to a cd was an accomplishment.
Another thing I've never done myself, unbelievably for nowadays, is download songs to my mp3 player. It actually was really easy. I've learned a lot about limewire and where your songs get stored on your hard drive and all the rest.
So, that's what I've been up to the last few days. I love this little machine more and more each day...

A Rebel At Heart

Well, now that NaBloPoMo is finished, I was going to be rebellious and not post tonight, just because I don't have to...but I wanted to!

A few weeks back, Sonya had this on her blog and now it's time for me to make good on my part of the bargain...

Be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post, and I will send you a handmade gift! How much fun does that sound? You then need to post the Pay It Forward challenge on your own blog and make a gift also for your first 3 commenters and so on it goes. :) The gift can be in any price range you like and you have 365 days to send it.

I've always been a great fan of this movie and the entire concept, so my goal is to do a Random Act of Kindness once a month and blog about it. Sound like something the rest of you would like to get in on? Can't wait to hear all about it!

I Made It!

I've always been known as a random blogger, so I'm extremely proud of myself that I blogged everyday this month...and I've got to say that I really enjoyed it. Of course, there were nights I didn't really feel in the mood, or I was too tired, but it was a great accomplishment. I look forward to being a more consistent blogger in the future and making many more friends.

Ten Things I Like...

Ten Things I Like that Start with "D"....

1. Daisies...they are one of my favourite flowers.

2. Dawn and Dusk...and anything else that has to do with the sun.

3. Donuts...I love them way too much for my own good.

4. Dad...he's a great guy!

5. Diamonds...and any other bling.

6. Dance shows...I know...pretty corny, but I love them!

7. Dark chocolate...any kind of chocolate really...

8. Dana...she's a great friend of mine. :)

9. Decorating...interior, Christmas, etc.

10. My favourite colour ends with "D"...red!

I'm Tired!

My back is throbbing,
My head is bobbing.
My skin is bumpy,
I'm feeling kinda' lumpy.
My eyes are puffy,
My hair's lookin' scruffy.
My mind is in a fog...
so that's it for tonight's blog!

Domestic Day

Today, I had the day off and spent it doing domestic chores. (I did sneak in a quick lunch with my mom though) Actually, every once in awhile I really enjoy being able to play the "stay-at-home mom" role. I turned on "Regis and Kelly" and "The View", although I didn't actually watch much, and proceeded to do a bunch of laundry, vacuum, bake banana bread and make an old favourite for dinner.

My dad used to make goulash after church on Sundays...goulash being shredded potatoes and onions with eggs cracked over top. I hadn't had it for years, so decided to make it with italian sausage added in and cheese melted on top. I thought it turned out pretty good.

Now I'm going to go finish off my day by watching some TV and sampling my yummy banana bread. I've been told my recipe is a good one, so I'm going to share it with you.

Banana Bread

1 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 egg

dash of salt

splash of vanilla

3 medium bananas

1/2 cup margarine

Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Enjoy!

Sebastian

Our new kitty, Sebastian, has definitely been making himself at home. The first few days we got him, he was scared of us. Now he searches us out to pet and cuddle him, and we're usually happy to oblige! He has also become very playful...

Handy Girl

Today I finally bought a bookshelf that I've had my eye on for a few weeks now. I'm so excited because I don't think I've ever had a bookshelf since we've been married. I fell in love with it instantly. As soon as I got home, I set to work putting it together...all by myself. All the books on my bedside table inspired me to set it up in the corner of my bedroom.

Love Is...

Love is very patient and kind,
never jealous or envious,
never boastful or proud,
never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable or touchy.
It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice
when others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice,
but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost.
You will always believe in him,
always expect the best of him,
and always stand your ground in defending him.
All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end,
but love goes on forever.

I Corinthians 13:4-8
The Living Bible

Where The Sidewalk Ends

When I was in elementary school, one of my favourite books was "Where The Sidewalk Ends", a collection of poetry by Shel Silverstein. A few years back, I noticed it in one of the boys' Scholastic Book Orders, so I bought it for myself. Here's a favourite...

Sick

"I cannot go to school today,"

Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

"I have the measles and the mumps,

A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,

I'm going blind in my right eye.

My tonsils are as big as rocks,

I've counted sixteen chicken pox

And there's one more-that's seventeen,

And don't you think my face looks green?

My leg is cut, my eyes are blue-

It might be instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,

I'm sure that my left leg is broke-

My hip hurts when I move my chin,

My bellybutton's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,

My 'pendix pains each time it rains.

My nose is cold, my toes are numb,

I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,

I hardly whisper when I speak.

My tongue is filling up my mouth,

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,

My temperature is one-o-eight.

My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,

There is a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is-what?

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is....Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Thank you!

I just wanted to say "thank you" to a fellow blogger. You inspired me to do the NaBloPoMo challenge, you've passed along many insightful posts and tonight I watched a wonderful movie that you suggested a few weeks ago. This evening I watched "The Ultimate Gift" with a friend. We both agreed that it was one of the best movies we have seen in a long time.
I'm really thankful for the opportunities this blog has given to me...growing friendships and sharing and affirming thoughts with other women. I've discovered that this blogging thing is really something special and worthwhile! Thank you. :)

Deep Thoughts

As a teenager, we used to love to watch Saturday Night Live. For some reason, the other day Jack Handey and his "Deep Thoughts" came to mind. I recently decided to google this topic and discovered that Jack Handey is a real person. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 25, 1949. He is a humorist known for his one-liners. He worked for a newspaper, but was fired for offending someone. He then went to work with Steve Martin, which led to him working on SNL. This past April, he published his first collection. Here is are a few samples of Jack Handey's "Deep Thoughts"....

"Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind."

"Instead of a trap door, what about a trap window? The guy looks out it, and if he leans too far, he falls out. Wait. I guess that's like a regular window."

"Instead of having 'answers' on a math test, they should just call them 'impressions' and it you got a different 'impression' so what, can't we all be brothers?"

"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people. "

"I wish I would have a real tragic love affair and get so bummed out that I'd just quit my job and become a bum for a few years, because I was thinking about doing that anyway."

"If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason."

"Better not take a dog on the space shuttle, because if he sticks his head out when you're coming home his face might burn up."

"One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to Disneyland, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said. "Disneyland burned down." He cried and cried, but I think that deep down, he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real Disneyland, but it was getting pretty late."

As you can see, you definitely need a different sense of humour to enjoy "Deep Thoughts", but I hope at least one or two of these made you smile!

LOST is Back!

After a long wait, LOST is back tonight! If you haven't been following, here is a cute 5 minute trailer to get you all caught up. Enjoy!

My Best Friend

Yesterday, I received a gift in the mail from my BFF, Sonya. She sent me a beautiful necklace that she brought back from her cruise vacation. Along with it, was a great card.

This is what it read...

How to be an amazing friend...

listen

hang out

laugh when it's funny

cry when it's sad

remember the good stuff

share dreams

stay true...

be you!

I just want to take this time and tell everyone what an amazing friend Sonya is to me...she is everything the card says, and more! I can always be "me" around her, which is one of the things I love most about her. Here are a few pics of us together throughout the years.

Thanks for the special gift Sonya. I love it! You're the best friend a girl could ever have!

Love As A Way of Life

I got this new book for Christmas and I can't wait to read it! It was one of the books in my pile of must-reads from an earlier blog. This is what the front jacket cover reads:

What does a love-driven life look like-not just at home, but in friendships, at work, in the church, and in business relationships? And how does the pursuit of authentic love change not only your relationships, but also your life?

In "Love As A Way of Life", Gary Chapman shows how the seven traits of love work together to transform the way you live. Over time, you will learn how to allow love to direct the way you respond to others in every situation. Your interactions with other people-from your spouse or best friend to business associates and casual acquaintances-can have an eternal impact on their lives.

Embark on the daily adventure of loving others. As you do, you will discover new meaning in every aspect of life.

New Easter Candy

This weekend I was introduced to a new Easter treat...Cadbury Popping Mini Eggs. Now I've seen it all! A mini egg with pop rocks mixed in with the chocolate. The chocolate and the pop rocks get stuck in your teeth and keep popping and crackling for a few seconds after you're done your chocolate treat. I guess it's the treat that keeps on giving!

Mental Health Day

Today, Dana, Christopher and I went to Mt. Baker to do a little skiing. The weather was absolutely perfect. The conditions weren't perfect...it was really icy in spots and a little slushy in others, but it was just so beautiful being out there in the mountains. When you're out there in the snow with the sun shining all around, feeling the wind in your hair as you go flying down the mountain, it just does something for your mental health.

Organization Update

The way Chris and I (mostly Chris) have been cleaning house this week, you'd think we were retiring and moving across the country. Chris can not stand clutter and gets rid of absolutely everything...even if it's something brand new and in perfect condition. I've been doing a pretty good job of getting rid of stuff too. We've made a few trips to MCC and the local dump. Closets, cupboards, behind the fridge...nowhere has gone untouched. I must say it feels really good to know that everything has it's place.

This evening I even finished up a sewing project. I had a duvet cover that I had put snaps on years ago and just finally put on a zipper instead. It took me forever, but it's done!

I guess now I can go shopping and make way for some new stuff! ;)