Ok, so Christmas is just a week away...

where on earth did the month go? I have almost all the shopping done although I look and wonder if it really is enough. I have no baking done at all. Arend went out tonight after dinner and got some ingredients I need to do some baking but when he got home I just didn't have any energy left to think of baking. So I went and had a bath (even though I felt too sore to even do that) and then I came up to knit for a bit and relax before going to bed.

Tomorrow (saturday) is our Veltkamp Family Christmas at my sisters (who is married to Arend's brother). We take turns having Christmas each year. The guys other brothers will be coming down from Kincardine for the day as well. I'm not sure if our neice and her boyfriend are coming this year but I guess we will find out tomorrow. It is always a nice day!

I really can't believe that 2010 is almost to an end but I look forward to starting a new year and seeing what the new year brings for us. I know that both Arend and I need to work on our weight and our health. I really hope that we can start and stick to a routine of walking and exercise this year. I have gained too much weight this past year that it is just horrible to think of it. I'm not drastically overweight but I definately need to lose about 20 - 25lbs. I am hoping that the injections I have been getting for my back will continue to work well and that the fibromyalgia doesn't get any worse.

I look so forward to watching Keira, Hannah and Everett continue to grow and learn new things everyday. Enjoying the time we have with them and cherishing every second! Watching them and spending time with them has always been so important to me. Listening to them singing, watching them dancing, swimming, playing and having so much fun brings such joy to my life. Seeing the changes in each of them especially Everett ( he is only 6 weeks old) is so wonderful. Today I was saying to Kandice that he changes everytime I see him. He is now smiling, cooing, laughing and watching him and cuddling with him is so sweet. I feel so blessed to have a beautiful family with gorgeous daughters, wonderful son-in-laws, and the most beautiful grandchildren ever and the most wonderful husband that deserves so much praise for all he does for me and for our family! I love each and every one of you!

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to anyone who may stop by and check out my blog. Maybe in the new year I will have more people stop by and leave a comment or 2!

Do you or someone you know use cloth diapers or be interested in trying a great laundry detergent?

If so then check out my daughters blog. She has done a review of Rockin' Green Soap and has a 45/90 load bag of detergent to give away. Top load allows 45 loads and frontload allows for 90 loads per package. Rockin' Green is great for all laundry not just diapers. This is her very first Giveaway! Be sure to check it out. You never know you may be the winner!

http://www.gethealthymomma.blogspot.com/

If you like to read then be sure to check out this giveaway!

My daughter has her first ever contest on her blog. She is an avid reader and has a copy of Becca Fitzpatrick's book HUSH HUSH up for grabs. (Canada and US only)

All you need to do is follow her and leave a comment on her blog.

Krystal's Stellar Book Blog

Be sure to check it out!

the joys of being a female

Today was my physical which of course would include the dreaded PAP. Everything went well, we discussed a few things and I made it through the app't just fine. The doctor says she is convinced that it is Fibromyalgia that I have although we never did follow up on that discussion. I guess that means I will have to make another app't to discuss that. I'm not convinced that this doctor really believes that fibromyalgia actually exists. She also isn't convinced that the pain I'm having in my side is from my gallbladder. She seems to think that it may just be gas and has said the next time it happens I should go to the hospital and be checked there. They will likely do an ultrasound and run some other test she mentioned.

I have gone shopping with the girls a couple times this past week. Christmas shopping has begun!! I haven't done much but have managed to get a couple things. It's been fun and hectic at the same time. The little girls can be very excitable over Build-A-Bear and the toy dep't of stores...LOL but then again what child isn't? Everett takes to shopping so easily...he sleeps the time away, waking long enough to eat, get his diaper changed and take in a few sites along the ride. Gotta love the life of a 3 week old baby.

Today I got the Christmas Tree up and ready to decorate on Saturday when we all get together. This has been a family tradition, getting together for an afternoon or evening of fun, laughs and decorating the tree. I look forward to it every year and hope it will continue for many years!

Tomorrow, Hannah is coming to visit with nana and gramps for the night. Her parents are going to go to Toronto shopping on Saturday morning. Arend is going to a hockey game so Hannah and I have the evening to ourselves. What to do, what to do? Whatever we do, we will have lots of fun.

Introducing our Grandson Everett....our little prince

Everett Christopher Alfred born Thurs. Oct 28th, 2010 @ 9:11pm. Very proud parents Kandice and Chris and big sister Hannah!

This is a picture of Hannah holding her little brother Everett. He is just around 18 hours old here and was just home from the hospital a few hours. Now does that look like a proud big sister or what? She has been showering Everett with hugs and kisses and "I love you's" like crazy!

I had the honour of being at the birth of Everett as was I with Hannah and Keira. There is absolutely nothing more beautiful, then to watch the birth of my grandchild who I know is coming to a family who will not only love him or her but to cherish him or her forever!

My daughters are my pride and joy but now they share that spot with my grand children.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Fibromyalgia/CFS

Many years ago I was told that the pain and fatique I was feeling was likely the start of CFS (chronic fatique syndrome) and Fibromyalgia. I had 10 of the 11 out of 18 tender points that are used to diagnose fibromyagia. This is a syndrome that is still very often misdiagnosed or misunderstood because people including doctors still don't consider it a problem or believe that it actually exists. This is not a disease it is a syndrome! I have an app't with my family doctor in November for my physical so I will be talking to her again about this and seeing what she says at that time!

People with fibromyalgia (men and women alike) are often referred to as lazy. That is usually far from the truth. With the pain that is involved with this syndrome it is not easy to get out of bed in the morning or continue the day without having to rest. This syndrome is real and is widespread!

I got a link today on Facebook from a friend of mine who also suffers from fibromyalgia and wanted to post it here as well for anyone who may stop by, to read it and try to understand more about this syndrome!

Women in Chronic Pain

After reading this I hope that you have more understanding on how a person with Fibromyalgia goes through everyday life!

Autumn is here as of...

11:09Pm!

Can you believe it? Where did the summer go? I have to admit I do love this time of year although summer is still my favourite season. The smell of fall makes me happy! Yesterday while up at the trailer with a friend from work we were mentioning that we could smell the fall air. It was hot, in fact very hot the last couple of days and while we were up at the trailer I got a sunburn. I do of course have another reason to be excited that fall is here too....our new grandson is due to make his arrival on Nov 2nd. Where did that time go? Seems like it was just yesterday we found out that Kandice was expecting again.

Kandi reminded me that I hadn't updated my blog in a very long time and so I thought I should get to it today! The problem is that I just don't have a lot going on in my life to be blogging about.

I'm working on a new knitting project for "baby brother" (grandson). It is a beautiful blanket that Kandice picked out but man am I having some issues with it. I have to admit I have never really attempted any project that had much of a pattern to it and really I have to say this doesn't have much but I seem to have some troubles with it. I haven't given up on it although I have taken it out almost as often as I have started it...lol! But, I think I have finally conquered it or at least conquered the first set of patterns. I was determined not to give up and walk away from it and so far so good!

I am a self taught knitter and never really worked on learning all there is to knitting, just always picked something out that looked like I could do it. This has been a challenge for me and I'm sure if others were to look at it they would laugh and ask me what my problem was...with that said I just never did patterns before!!!

Kandice has now started knitting as well and is very excited to be picking it up. She is working on a sweater for Hannah. I wonder, well we ever get Krystal interested in knitting or crotcheting? I hope so but Krystal is an avid reader and enjoys sitting reading a good book in her spare time. Krystal has her own blog where she reviews books and gives honest opinions and reviews so be sure to check out her blog.

This weekend we are celebrating Keira's 6th birthday with dinner at King's Buffet and coffee and cake back here at nana and grandpas house. Her birthday is actually on the 29th. I can't believe she is going to be 6 yrs old. My little sweetheart is growing up and getting to be such a big girl. Which means nana is getting older too...oh dear!

so sleepy yet so wide awake

I have just started to get this cold or whatever it may be so tonight Arend went out and got me some Drixorel which I have taken for a while now whenever I get a cold but lately, if I take it at bedtime I will only sleep for about 1-2 hours and then I am awake and my legs just won't hold still. So tonight I thought I had taken it early enough so that it wouldn't bother me at bedtime. WRONG!!!

I slept for just 1 1/2 hours and WHAM there I was laying in bed actually tossing and turning trying so hard to just fall back asleep but couldn't do it.

I'm so tired and trying to stay awake here but yet when I crawl back into bed I'm awake again. It is driving me nuts.

So that is it...no more Drixorel at or near bedtime!

On a better note I have started to knit a really cute sweater for "baby boy" otherwise known as "baby brother" to Hannah and Keira. (Can't wait until Kandi and Chris decide on his name, although I'm sure he will quite often be called "baby brother" by the girls and all of us being we have been calling him that since we found out he was a boy!) I've been having a really hard time finding cute baby boy sweaters and even some that say they could be unisex tend to look to fancy for a boy. It wasn't this hard finding stuff to make for the girls that is for sure, but this sweater is just the start I hope. I've actually never had to make for a boy I don't believe or at least not in the last 6 yrs. I hope this one turns out ok and fits "baby brother" like it should.

Of course I will post pictures of it when I finish.

Shopping in the States

The girls and I left friday morning at 10:30 and eventually got to the hotel at 5pm friday evening.  The drive should have only taken about 4.5 hours but the border was very busy and we were there about 1 1/2 hours or so.  The drive overall was good, we listened and watched Cat in the Hat, The Wiggles, and Toopy and Binoo and when the little girls fell asleep for a bit the radio came on.  At the border we played lots of "eye spy".  Lots of fun!

We stayed in Saginaw and the Fairfield Inn by Marriot.  The room was great.  Clean and very comfy.  The last trip we took to the states for shopping was to Buffalo and the room and hotel we stayed in was the worst, but we did get ALL our money back after a lot of fighting with the hotel and head office.  Anyways, this was really nice.  We went for dinner at Denny's on friday night then came back to the room and got ready to go swimming.  That was lots of fun.  Hannah and Keira love the water and played lots until it was time to head back and get ready for bed.

Hannah was so excited to be going "shop, shop, shopping" on saturday and Keira was very excited to be going "back to school" shopping.  And boy did we do lots of shopping for the kiddos.  All 3 (even "baby brother" as he is known as at this time) got lots of new things.  I think they are all set for a while now.

Birch Run Outlet Mall in Michigan is very nice but not so suitable for kids in strollers and tired kids.  It is a lot of walking and it is all outdoors.  The sections are spread out over a lot of space and we found we had to get in and out of the car a lot with the kids.  I really think i like indoor malls better.  There were restaurants near but again you needed to walk quite a ways or get in and drive.  We choose to walk to Bob Evans but then it looked like it was going to storm really bad so I headed back to the car to get it so we didn't all have to walk in the rain.  Turns out though it didn't rain after all...just got really dark and looked like rain.

Overall we had a great time and would do it again but maybe without the kids next time?  Mind you the kiddos make it lots of fun too.  Especially when they are supposed to be going to sleep but would rather sing, laugh and giggle instead.  Eventually though they went to sleep and we got to watch the funniest show about the 80's. 

Can you believe someone can go shopping in the states at an outlet mall and still come home with absolutely nothing for herself?  Well that is me!  Kandi called me a "lameo"...LOL!  She bought herself a beautiful diaperbag from...COACH!  woohoo Kandi and Krystal bought herself a cute little clutch or whatever you calll it from....COACH!  woohoo Krystal.  I just carried the big bag for Kandi as we headed back to the car looking like I bought something from Coach....LOL!!! 

Thank you Kandi, Hannah, Krystal and Keira for a great weekend.  Lets do it again sometime!

Pictures from Driftwood Beach Park

this is looking onto the lake where we can go out in the paddleboat.  Not sure who this is, Kandi and I were out taking pictures.  She is helping me learn to take better pics.

Arend and I had headed out to go fishing and I thought this was a nice pic to take.  Way off in the background you can see the lighthouse.

Where we go fishing.  As you can see from the clouds a storm was moving in.

Looking at the storm clouds in the water.  A beautiful reflection!

Sun Aug 15th...storm moving in!  Just as we got back from fishing the skies opened up and it rained for quite some time.

As Promised here are some pictures of our Summer Get together. 

Girls weekend away!

Well, it really will depend on how Kandi and the girls are all feeling in the morning. We have a weekend planned in Birch Run Michigan for Kandi, Krystal, Hannah, Keira and nana (me)! Back to school shopping and baby shopping. I'm just going alond for the ride! LOL! I'm hoping to get each of the kids a new outfit or something that they might need. Yes, including my precious little grandson that is due in Nov.

I'm excited to go but on the same hand worried about Kandi. She has put in a terrible month with kidney stones and urinary tract infections. It has been a rough time for her. The pain has been horrible and she has even ended up in the hospital a couple times due to this. Finally, the family doctor ordered an ultrasound yesterday to see if there are stones. Don't ask me why no one ordered one a long time ago, but anyways she is now waiting for results from that that were supposed to have been sent to the doctor ASAP. I guess next day (hopefully) is ASAP to some people. I know that they are busy and I had the same thing happen when waiting for results from my mammogram. So I'm hoping and praying that if we do decide to go that all is well with her. The girlies have a bit of a cold each too. Keira just found out her adnoids have grown back in again and therefore she needs to see the specialist again this week too. Not sure yet what they will do but most likely remove them again.

We had a great family get together up at the trailers last weekend. Lots of fun! There was 25 of us. Lots of yummy food, fun and great times were had by all by the sound of it. I'll try to post some pics here tomorrow before we go or when we get back.

For now my McFlurry is melting away. My wonderful hubby just went and picked them up for us. YUMMY!

well I finished the...

throw I was making for Kandice. Turned out pretty good I think. There are a few spots that I noticed along the way that I made a little oppsy but unfortunately, I had many rows finished before I noticed. I forgot to take pics to post again but I know where it is and can get pics when I go over! I really need to remember to take pictures of everything as I finish just so I have them and can look back at what I have done.

I am looking forward to heading back up to the trailer this weekend. I'm sure it is going to be a warm one so maybe we will spend some time at the beach cooling off. Last weekend it was just Arend and I up there and we did some fishing (being it was National Fishing Week and I didn't need a license). Not much luck but I did manage to catch a 14" large mouth bass. The park we are in asks you to release any that are 12-14" back into the water so that is what we did, besides neither of us know how to fillet a fish. LOL!!! I also caught a snapping turtle and 2 other fish. Arend caught 3 nice size ones but again we just released them.

where is the time going?

I can't believe we are already into July. The summer is slipping by quickly. It has been so super hot here in Southwestern Ontario. With the humidity it was 45 degrees again today. Talk about a scorcher. I feel horrible for my hubby and anyone who is working outside on days like this. I know Arend comes home from work totally exhausted and wore out from the heat and humidity.

We had a beautiful long weekend at the trailer. Arend took thurs and friday off which was great. We really had a nice time. The weather was the best you could ask for even though it was warm there was a nice breeze which kept the humidity down. I loved it!

At night we had campfires and roasted marshmallows and we even did Smores and bologna the one night. Bologna on an open fire, yummy nothing like it!

So we are having a family get together at the trailer in August which i'm looking forward to. I'm sure hoping for some great weather that weekend too. The next weekend Kandi, Krystal, Hannah, Keira and I are heading to Michigan to do some shopping. We are going to the Birch Run Prime Outlets. I've never been there but sure sounds like we will enjoy it! Kandi knows several people who go there and they have all good things to say about it. We are going to be staying for a couple of nights. I'm excited!

Well, I guess that is it for now. I know it has been way to long between posts. I really need to smarten up and get posting more!

finally an update..

but to be honest I don't have a lot to write about. Seriously, do I really have such a boring life? No, not really it just seems like the only person reading this is my daughter Kandice and being we chat several times a day usually then she already knows everything!

So, how do I get people to come and check out my blog? I wish I had some ideas but until then I guess maybe I shouldn't talk to Kandice and tell her everything....LOL! That won't happen because like I said we chat several times a day!

We have been enjoying our weekends at the trailer since opening it for the summer. The weather for the most part has been very nice with the exception of this past sunday when it rained and was cool and damp pretty much the whole day. The park really cleared out early it seemed. This weekend isn't looking all that great either...rain, thunderstorms but warmer temps.

We have some issues with a light switch in the trailer that Arend has been trying to figure out without luck so far but after talking to a couple people I think he has a few more things to try. Everyone keeps asking if there is another lightswitch in the trailer that controls those same lights but if there is I sure haven't found it that I know of but when I go up again this weekend I'll double check. If that ends up being the problem I'll scream! LOL!

I'm lookiing forward to Kandi's ultasound on June 18th to find out (hopefully) what sex this baby is. I've flip-flopped back and forth so often that I really don't know anymore! I"m getting so excited to find out though! Maybe we will be buying for a boy this time? Hmmm....I just have to be patient for a while longer.

Getting ready for the long weekend...

It started out that it was going to be a beautiful long weekend but now they are saying rain! Of course, what else is new? Seems like the May 24 weekend is always wet and yucky! I hope it doesn't take in the whole weekend though. the last I heard was rain on Saturday and nicer on Sun and Mon. Please let the weather be nice!

I got my cleaning all done up there the past weekend which I wanted to have done ASAP. After it being closed up all winter it just felt better to have it done. Arend got our sign up that he made. I looks so good! He really did a great job. I'll have to remember to take my camera this weekend and take some pictures. He put lattice around the deck too which makes it look finished now. Again it looks really nice too! Kandi gave me some of her hostas to put around the deck which look really good. Thanks Kandi for sharing with us! I may put some flowers there too but haven't fully decided if I am or when I am.

Kandi and Chris did lots of work with their flower beds and man what a difference it makes. She has some beautiful huge hostas around her trailer. In fact I have never seen such huge hostas. I hope they come up this weekend but if it is going to rain all weekend then I don't blame them for not wanting to....although it won't be the same without them! :)

Krystal and Adrian and Keira were going to come up too so not sure what will happen if Kandi doesnt'. They are still more then welcomed to come and stay with us but then again if it is going to rain the whole time it isn't that fun for the kiddos.

weekend is almost here...

and we are going to the trailer! I hope the weather is somewhat like they are predicting. Sunny and warmer. All I care is that the sun is shining being we haven't seen it too much this week with all the rain and clouds we have had. It's been great for the sod Arend put down but enough is enough already!

Well, it appears that my healing is going along well, as I took the steri-strips off yesterday being they were curling at the edges and looking terrible. I'm not sure how long they were to be left on but I'm sure it was ok to remove them. I'll see the doctor on the 25th and I'm sure he will be ok with it!

I finally finished the afghan that I was making for Kandi. I've posted some pictures here. I've quite happy with the finished product except for the edging which you will see in the pictures. But, overall I think it turned out quite nice! Kandi seems to be happy and much warmer at work so that is what counts!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my Grandaughter!

Kandi and Chris had Hannah's 2nd birthday party on Saturday. Wow, I can't believe my Hannah is already 2 years old. Where does the time go?

We had a great time helping her to celebrate! She got lots of nice clothes, toys, and surprises! Mommy and daddy got her a playset for the backyard with a swing, slide and such. Titi, Uncle and Keira got her lots of cool things including a scooter for her to use...although I didn't get to see it being it was a special surprise waiting for her for yesterday I'm sure she is loving it. She had tried them at the store apparently and enjoyed it! We got her a sand and water table for outside and by the look of things saturday evening she was enjoying it as well.

She had her grand parents, great-grandparents, aunt, uncles, cousin and Keira's avo and lolo (grand parents) there as well. Lots of yummy food and lots of pictures taken.

what has been happening?

Well, I was in and had my surgery to remove the lump I had in my left breast. As far as we know it is a cyst but has been sent for a biopsy just to be sure. I'm good with that, that way I know for sure. I have complete confidence in my doctor but it never hurts to double check right? The surgery went well, although I thought when I woke up friday morning that maybe it would be cancelled just because the lump appeared to be smaller than it had been. I mentioned it to the surgeon before being put under but he checked and still recommended going ahead with surgery. Turns out it hadn't gotten smaller just moved deeper in I guess. When the surgery was over he talked to my daughter Kandice and let her know that is was large and deep. So needless to say I'm glad it was done too!

Krystal and Adrian were a big help watching Hannah longer than usual that day being Chris was busy at work so I really appreciated that they were able to help Kandi out while she was with me. I never got home from the hospital until close to 630 or so that evening.

I have been doing well since then, with very little pain. I'm very surprised with the lack of pain actually but I'm not complaining trust me! The outer dressing is off now and there is still lots of swelling and some bruising but as long as I don't use the left arm too much it seems good. I did go to work today thinking I'd give it a try and see how things were but it certainly swelled up more using the arm like I did. I tried not lifting the arm too high but when you are at work you have to do what you have to do. I can't have someone else doing it for me, as it was, they were asking why I didn't do the upper shelves even though my DM should have let them know. Oh well what can you do! I did close to 1/3 of the store as it was....almost all the centre racks and part of the one wall...what more can you do?

whats been going on?

Obviously nothing too much because I haven't had anything to write about...LOL! I'm still so excited about the news of another grandchild but am worried about Kandice being she hasn't been feeling well lately. Work seems to be stressing her big time. I sure hope she is feeling better soon.

Today I picked up Krystal, Keira and Hannah for the girls to see the doctor. Hannah has an ear infection (poor babe...I hate to see them sick) and Keira needs to go back and see the ear, nose and throat specialist. She is just having some breathing difficulty again and night time seems to be hard on her again. Hopefully they can get her in soon and get things fixed up one way or another.

Well i'm off to work some more on the afghan and guess what? I'll be done very soon! Yippee....Kandi will be happy!

I have such great news to let you in on...

I'm going to be a nana to a 3rd grandchild! I'm so very excited and have kept it to myself for a while now. Kandice, Chris and Hannah are opening their arms and hearts to a new baby who is due Oct 28! She had an ultrasound on Tues and everything is looking good.

Hannah is so cute saying she is going to be a big sister and kissing her mommy's tummy. Kandice will have so much fun with her over the next few months as her tummy grows and hannah gets to feel the baby kicking. She is going to go to some midwife app'ts as well with her mommy and daddy! Keira may even get a chance to go as well so she can hear the baby's heartbeat.

Since we first found out I've had a feeling that it was a boy but today as I was filling out her "baby poll" I all of a sudden had a hunch that it is another girl! Can't wait to find out although I have several months until then!

So for now I'm just so excited for them and of course "gramps and I" too!

A great weekend!

Well we certainly couldn't have asked for a better Easter weekend that is for sure. With temps hitting in the mid 20's and breaking all records it was the best! The sun was so nice and being able to sit outside just made it a wonderful weekend. We managed to get some yard work done on Saturday and then we got to sit and enjoy some time with Kandi, Chris and Hannah for the afternoon.

On Good Friday we went up to the trailer to check things out and to open the popout and just see what it was like up there. Everything is great...lots of leaves so I guess next time we go up we should take a rake and some bags and gather them all up. The trailer and deck survived the winter although I guess this one wasn't so bad. We had lots of flies and ladybugs in the trailer and while Hannah was there she kept saying talking about the "eweys". That is what she calls bugs.

On Sunday we were all over at my parents. Again we sat outside in the beautiful sunshine although it was a bit cooler then the other days. We had lots of fun, laughter and of course food. It was nice to get together again with family. We even set a girls day date again. My neice is having a "spa day" on the 26th of June! These days are always fun when us girls get together. I'm looking forward to it! Hannah and Keira enjoy them too which is great!

it's a long weekend!

So we finally have a long weekend and it sounds like the weather is going to be amazing! I think maybe we will get a bit of yard work done if hubby is up to it! We aren't doing too much with plants this year being we now spend most of our time at the trailer in the summer. In fact I think Arend wants to either lay sod or plant grass seed. I'd rather do some plants and stuff at the trailer to enjoy up there.

Trailer time is getting so close now, in fact Chris (SIL) was saying the gates are now open and we can go in anytime! Wine and cheese get together is in Apr and the water will get turned on sometime there after unless the owner decides to before then! That would be nice although it will still be cold at night so not likely too many overnight stays for a bit!

We are having an Easter Egg/chocolate hunt for all the kids at Mom and Dads on Sunday. Keira already asked me if there was going to be one this year. Seems they look forward to it come Easter. There is always so much chocolate and candies for them when we do this. Way tooo much in fact.

Well, not sure if anyone will be stopping by here this weekend being I don't get much traffic at all...LOL I can only wish, but if you do stop by please say hi and let me know you were here and if you have a site then I can return the favour! G

Happy Easter to you and your family!

weekend

Ok, so I didn't get to see Hannah in her Kindermusik class yesterday as they all slept in! That is ok, glad that Kandi got some needed rest! We did spend the afternoon together and went to the Home Show before dinner. Not a whole lot going on there but Chris was able to get some information that he was looking for! Then we came back here and ordered pizza and had some more fun with Hannah. While the guys were out getting the pizza Kandi, Hannah and I were playing around with the laptop video camera. I don't think I laughed so hard in a long time. We had fun playing around with the extras that come with the video feature! Adding hats, mustaches, glasses, different voices and so on.

Today I haven't done too much other than my knitting. I have to work tonight and I guess I'm having a lazy day. Arend isn't feeling well and he is just taking it easy so I might as well too!

I wonder how Keira made out with her daddy at the Syrup Festival? I haven't heard anything from her yet. I guess when I go tomorrrow to watch Hannah and take Keira to school I'll find out! I'm sure they had a lot of fun!

Well, I'm off to do somemore knitting before getting ready for work!

new update!

So here it is Saturday again and I haven't posted in so long. It was bit of a busy week working a couple of odd shifts. Starting later in the day and getting home later but that is the way it goes when you do inventory! You go when the customer wants you there. This week was a couple of days at the University of Guelph bookstores. I enjoy doing these each year. The manager that we deal with is very nice and easy to work with. They certainly do a lot of prep work which makes it much easier to do our part!

So today I'm going to go and meet Kandi, Chris and Hannah at Kindermusik for Hannah's class. I'm not sure what all they do but it sounds cute and she seems to enjoy herself.

Kandi has a couple of maternity shoots to do this weekend so Krystal is helping her out with those while Keira and Adrian go to the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. That should be lots of fun! She loved it last year although it was cold and yucky out. Today on the other hand is supposed to be a better day for the festival. Lets hope so! Have fun Keira and daddy! Yummy pancakes...have one for nana too!

I had a great afternoon yesterday visiting with a friend and going for a nice long walk with her. It was cool but sunny. We did a lot of uphill walking which takes a lot of of me but I enjoyed it very much! I love going for walks if I have someone to walk with. Maybe I just need to start putting on the headphones for the IPod and going off during the day now that the nice weather is starting to show!!

long time since I posted!

So it has been a while since I was here to post anything. I peeked in a couple times but didn't really feel like posting for some reason.

Well, I finally heard back from the doctor with the results of the mammo and the ultrasound. I have a 5cm benign cyst. This is great news and certainly puts my mind at ease. Now I wait and see the surgeon on the 29th and go from there to see what he wants or thinks we should do about it.

The other day I took Krystal, Keira, Hannah and my neice Addison to the mall to look for shoes for Keira and Hannah. They each got a new pair from Nana and Grandpa. Keira needed new indoor shoes for school and Hannah just needed new sneakers for everyday. So this will be part of their Easter gifts. They were both so very excited about their new shoes. Keira has been wearing them all day while in the house!

Yesterday we went to the dinosaur exhibit at the university. At first Keira was a little nervous about the dinosaurs but eventually she decided to go a little closer to have a look at them. The display was very small and not much of anything really but the girls enjoyed it and that is all that counts. It actually took us longer to park and walk to the building then it did to look at the display. LOL!

Well, I'm off to work on my knitting for a bit before bed. I'm getting there slowly but surely. Kandice is patiently waiting for her afghan and has picked out a few other things for me to work on as well. She saw some alphabets done for her photoshoots. This is so exciting! I love making things, I find it is relaxing most times! LOL!

I was supposed to have gotten the results from my Mammo and ultrasound on friday but unfortunately for me the mammo never got read by the radiologist therefore I didn't get the results. I was so upset when I talked to the doctor that I think I ended up hanging up on her. It is so frustrating because she told me that being she was going to be away until thursday this week that she had asked that the radiologist had been asked to read and report to her friday so she could let me know. I just find it frustrating being I had to wait and worry all weekend and who knows how long this week. The doctor did mention that maybe there would be someone at the office who could possibly let me know the results otherwise it will be thursday. So wait I will until I get the results, which I'm sure are going to be just fine but still not knowing is very hard. Not only on my but for my family as well!

So today Kandice is picking me up and going with me to the hospital to get my 2nd injection in my back. I have just been noticing the last week or so that I'm starting to get the pain back slowly. I have to say the injection that I had a month ago has been working well for me! I was pain free for a few weeks and able to be up and about with much more comfort. Thank goodness for Dr Moamar for listening to me about the pain and discomfort. It took many years and finally sitting in the family doctors office crying and letting her know what I've been going through for so many years.

Friday evening we enjoyed a fun filled visit with Hannah and her mom and dad. She is quite the little ham I tell you. She keeps us laughing and having so much fun with her. She sure is learning so much and talking nonstop these days. Putting so many sentences together and the cutest is when she is telling us something and we just can't figure it out and we are repeating what we think she is saying only for her to say "no", "no" "no" and finally a "yes" when we get it right. She is just a sweetheart and hard to believe she is going on 2 yrs old already. Wow, where does the time go?

Yesterday then we had a visit with miss Keira and her mom and dad. She is a sweetheart as well and man can she read. She is now reading at a 6-8 yr old level and she is not even 6 yet. She is doing so well with the reading. Definately like her mom and her aunt for reading. They were both reading well when they started kindergarten. She is another ham too....she was so silly yesterday but I think some of it was the chocolate she had eaten.

We are truly blessed with 2 wonderful little grand daughters. They are such a joy to us and bring so much happiness to both Arend and I. Being a nana is the best thing!

Ok, so it has been a while since I was last here and posted anything. I guess I just lead such a boring life that I really just had nothing to post! LOL!

It seems like the only thing that I have to post about is the sickness or the pains that I have been dealing with lately and that just gets depressing and boring after a while. I'm dealing with a few issues right now though and just want to get through them and be feeling better again. I went for a mammo and ultrasound today for a lump on my left breast that is quite large in size. It suddenly appeared out of the blue a couple weeks ago and it was a struggle getting into the family doctor while I was waiting for the app't with the surgeon. The surgeon looked after me a year ago when I found a lump. He had a mammo and ultrasound done then and then I had a biopsy done to be sure it was ok. That was a very small lump in comparison to this one so this concerns me even more! It's funny how you worry about the what if's even though you try to tell yourself not to worry until you know that there really is something to worry about. I'm sure this is just a lump and everything will be fine but still the thought of a lump where there really shouldn't be one scares the heck out of me! So tomorrow I will know what they think and whether the family doctor thinks I should see the surgeon sooner than later!

On the bright side! The weather here is absolutely beautiful. Sunny, warm and springlike. I have been driving with windows down and actually have had windows open in the house to air out the sick germs that may have been lingering in the house since being sick! I love this weather...not only does it make me feel better it makes me excited to know that with the nice weather comes TRAILER TIME!! Yippee.

Well, it was an interesting week last week. The kids got back from their vacation as I had said in the last post. Everyone who didn't get sick while they were away got sick when they got back home. I babysat Hannah on Friday being Krystal who is her caregiver was sick. Actually, both her and Adrian were home sick that day. Keira has been sick off and on throughout the week as well. So then Sun morning I got my turn at it and have been sick since. Sure hope my hubby doesn't get it and that it has now made its rounds and has decided to leave for good now. The one good thing about this bug...I lost 7lbs! Not the greatest way to lose weight that is for sure.



I just realized today that I still haven't added a picture of myself here. I'll have to see if I can make it downstairs to upload a picture from the computer down there.



While babysitting Hannah the other day we made several videos of her acting silly and having fun. She was having lots of fun watching herself on the screen.

So I've been very busy working on the afghan for Kandi.  It is a fun pattern to work on but it is going to take me a while to get it finished.  I'm excited to be working on it and can't wait for the finished product.  As I continue with it I will post some pictures of it!

So what are your thoughts on the government talking about changing the words in the Canadian Anthem to make it more gender appropiate?  I personally say "Leave it alone and work on getting this country fixed!" 

what a weekend that was!

So as I last posted I was going to be heading to the airport to meet the kids and share in all the excitement of thier Dominican vacation.  Well, that did and didn't happen!!!

When I arrived at the airport I waited for what seemed like an eternity for them.  Eventually after an hour and 20 minutes from the time they arrived I see Brenda and Ken.  They come over to talk to me and inform me that "they wouldn't let them on".  Wouldn't let who on I wondered?  At first I thought she was joking with me until she said it again this time with tears in her eyes.  Now I'm scared.  The story is long and it is best to read it here   http://www.gethealthymomma.blogspot.com/  This is Kandice's blog where she describes what happened in a shortened version. 

So that night I brought Krystal, Adrian, Keira and Hannah home from the airport thankful to have them home safe and sound.  We talked the whole way home about what happened and about their trip which by the sound of things they all enjoyed very much.  We get home and head to bed being it is now 5am.  At 830 I just can't take it any longer and I start trying to reach Kandi in the hospital in the DR.  I have no luck so Kyrstal who is up now tries.  After many attempt she is able to get in touch with Kandi and lets me talk to her right away.  It is so good to hear her voice although she sounds so tired and not well it makes me so happy of course though the tears start to flow.

So now with Krystal and everyone else ready we leave to take them home so that they can change and do whatever they need to so they can head out to pick up their dog who was staying at Adrians parents.

That night I talk to Kandi again at which time she is sounding much better.  I get the word that they will be on a flight out that night at 11:40 and would be landing here approx. 4 hours later!  So I get a couple of hours sleep that night, wake at 2am and head back to the airport!  Not much of a wait this time and finally there they are!  Home safe and sound!  Thank goodness!

Picking the kids up in a few hours!

Well, shortly I'll be heading out to the airport to meet the kids.  Sure hope they had a great vacation and everyone is doing well.  I'm excited to see them all!  Sage will be so excited to see them too I"m sure or else she will give them the cold shoulder.  LOL she has been so good this week.  So has Buddy (hamster) although what trouble could a hamster cause?  Other than escaping and not finding him?  Well that could have happened the other day being I forgot to close his cage door!  Thankfully he didn't get out because I would have freaked i'm sure!

As for the Olympics...what a great group of athletes!  Canada's athletes ROCK!  WTG...at this point Canada is tied for the record of Gold medals 13 which only Norway (2002) and Soviet Union (1976) have also managed to get.  We have surpassed the USA by a couple as well.  Awesome job!

Friday already!

Well here it is friday already although the week seemed to go by slow or at least the first part of it did with being sick.  Tomorrow night I go and get the kids from the airport.  WOW, i'll bet it went super fast for them too.

Kandice had asked me before they left about making a couple of afghans for her...1 for work and 1 for on her bed now that they are redoing their room.  So here I had plans on getting the work one started but with being sick I didn't get out to get the yarn until yesterday so I haven't got much of that done.  I also wanted to go over and paint for her what I could of her room but that never got accomplished either.  I feel bad for not being able to do it but I just wasn't up to it and now here it is the end of the week.  :(

This is the afghan she choose to have me make for her to take to work....

http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/knitting/aran_afghan_with_matching_pillow.php

It is very nice and I love working cables so it is a nice one to work with.  It may take me a bit but I will accomplish it!  I'll post pics once it is done.

i guess i'm wrong!

The Canada Russia game is tonight!  Grrr...oh well i'll watch it later.  They always have reruns of these games on different channels. 

decluttering

So why is it we seem to collect things and hide them away in closets and drawers as if we never really needed it in the first place?  While making the move from room to room I found purses, clothing, knick knacks and other things that were just hiding away never being used or noticed?

So today, while reorganizing the closets and drawers I'm disgarding things we don't need.  Mind you this is only in the 2 rooms that we are dealing with right now.  Later, as I start feeling up to it I'll work on other rooms.

I have a bag of clothing to take to goodwill or talize tonight on my way to work, which I was thinking was tomorrow night not tonight.  But this is good...then i'll be home for the game tomorrow night!  Yippee!

today we moved into...

the bedroom we have just finished working on.  The only thing left to do is get a nice ceiling light.  I'm not sure yet what I want for a light but I do know anything is better than what is here.  It took a while to do the moving as I have been quite sick today with some sort of flu bug.  I was up through the night a couple times which didn't help me sleep.  Oh well I think I'm on the mend now.  This afternoon I slept for a few hours and when I woke the last time I was soaked with sweat so I guess I was sweating it out.  I had to toast for dinner while Arend took Sage for a walk and now I'm just going to relax and lay in bed. 

Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day.  I was supposed to do laundry today which I never did and now I've added to it with sheets too.  I have cleaning to do in the other bedroom so I can get the furniture moved into there too.  So as you can see I have to be better tomorrow!

Well, i'm off to watch the Hockey Game now.

Tomorrow I take the kids to the airport!

So tomorrow is the big day for the kids.  They are heading to the Dominican Republic.  I'm so excited for them but will miss them all very much.  This is the first time that they are all going away together and we are staying home.  We've done family cruises before but this time mom and Arend are staying behind.  Actually, we are dog sitting and hamster sitting which will be fun!  Today was the first day with the hamster and yes I was able to take Buddy out of his cage and put him in his ball to run and then put him back in his cage again.  I wasn't sure if I could but I told Keira not to worry that Nana would make sure she would give him the exercise he needed. 

Tonight Kandi, Chris and Hannah brought Sage over for us to watch.  She is going to miss her whole family and Rocko (krystals dog).  They are good friends and being they all live in the same house the dogs are together everyday.  Arend is going to take her for walks every night he says when he goes for his walk so she'll be getting lots of exercise for sure.  Who knows, maybe if I get ambitious I can take her out during the day being I'm supposed to be doing things to help me loose a little weight too.

So i'll be picking up my friends van in the morning and then going over and picking  everyone and everything up!  Let's hope we can fit everything into the van and have room for everyone to be comfy!

bedroom colour

This is the colour of the bedroom, although it just doesn't show up the true colour.  It is called Coastal Villa!

Our Bamboo floor we installed.  Again the pics make it look more reddy/orange which it really isn't.

The floor turned out really nice.  This was so easy to install once we figured it out!

Canada is doing awesome at the Olympics!

5 Medals and still many more to come I'm sure.  The second GOLD today was awesome.  I was so nervous for her while watching it.  A couple of times I thought she was going to fall but she held on to take Gold. 

I'm watching some of the Canada/Norway hockey game right now.  We are leading 4-0.  At least it isn't like the womens game the other night.  That was so lopsided it wasn't even funny.

Well, the bedroom is getting closer to being done.  Arend and I installed our new Bamboo flooring yesterday (family day holiday).  It looks great.  I'm going to post some pics but it will have to wait till tomorrow.  Tonight we put up the blind...that was frustrating.  Have you ever read the instructions on putting up a blind?  They never make any sense at all...and Arend was getting so ticked with the whole situation.  I couldn't help but laugh but that only makes him more ticked.

So the paint is done, the floor is done, the blind is up...now to find a nice light then once we figure out what to do with the wheels on the bedframe then we can move over I guess.  Maybe we will have to look into getting a new frame.

I forgot to get a before pic but I will get some after pics.  I'll have to see if I have any from in there but I really don't think so.  That is on my todo list for tomorrow!

Olympics have started!

I was just laying here watching the Canadian womens hockey team playing against the Slovakian team.  In the first 12 minutes of the game Canada had already scored 6 goals.  The first period ended at 7 - 0.  I tell you I felt terrible for the goalie of the Slovak team but good going Canada!

I was also watching the Womens Mogels (sp?) and the last I saw before they changed to the hockey was Jenn Heil was in 2nd  and Kristi Richards was in 4th.  This of course is just for qualifications.  20 of 27 woman will qualify to go for the medals.

Now I'm watching the womens speed skating short track qualifications.  Looks good for Canada there too!

well, i've been slacking

for a couple days now recording what I've been eating.  I usually do this on SparkPeople but for some reason I just haven't been doing it.  I need to have someone kick my butt and get me back in there again.  Yesterday I was painting the bedroom and didn't go on all day and then last night I just didn't bother and then today I was gone to the hospital for my injection and didn't really eat much all day just because of being nervous.  I've always been that way....never ate much if I was nervous or stressed because my stomach always bothered me and I felt yucky if I ate. 

I should get over there to SparkPeople now and fill in what I did eat today even if it was only a couple things.

Painted our bedroom

Today I painted our bedroom.  Well actually it is the one we were in up until a year ago and then we moved to the room at the back of the house.  We have decided to move everything back to the Master again.  I know it sounds strange but we just found that during the summer evenings it could be quite noisy with a certain motorcycle that would go by every night at 9pm and then come back later in the night.  It was annoying.  Well now all this past summer there was no sign of the motorcycle or the man that drove it which is weird (hopefully nothing happened to him).

The room looks great in the new colour.  Hmmm...can't remember what it is called though.  I'll have to have a look and post the colour later.  We are going to put in new carpet or hardwood so it will be a while before we are ready to switch rooms.  I'm anxious now to get everything back to normal and have the room looking all so pretty and cozy!

Well, I guess now I should tidy myself up and start to get dinner ready.

Nascar is starting!

Tonight was the Budwiser Shootout!  I wonder how Dale Jr will do this year?  I really hope big things happen for him.  He had a pretty rough year last year.  Another one of my favourite drivers is Mark Martin.

The Amazing Cucumber

 

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc..

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finished a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

 

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

I'm glad it is FRIDAY!

Thank goodness it is friday and I don't have to wake up at 5am for a while now.  I don't know how Arend does it everyday.  Just way to early I think.  I was working early morning shifts doing inventory the last few days and it has once again totally exhausted me.  Those cement floors and up and down the ladders are killing me.  Oh well it is all done for now and I can sleep in tomorrow.  Yippee!

I did the treadmill on hills at a 3.3 speed.  The incline went in intervals of .5 from 5.0 - 7.0 and back down several times.  I did this for 17 minutes today!  It was a nice workout for me.  I really didn't feel up to it after being at work but I told myself to just do it and so I did! 

Well, off to play Super Mario for a bit with Arend once he gets back from his walk.

My first attempt at a blog!

So today I decided I would attempt to set up a blog and see how successful I am at posting and keeping it up to date.  I have had a family website before and worked very hard at it and enjoyed it very much but for some reason it went on the wayside and now it is gone.  I hope that this will work for me!

I want to be able to just post whatever here and maybe I'll be able to encourage myself to work at my weight loss.  I don't have a lot to lose but I want to be healthy and enjoy life!