Sunday, December 31, 2006

Squeezing in the last word.

Let me pause and reflect for a moment as the year comes to a close.

It will only take a moment, or two, or maybe more, as throughout the year I have had many "moments":

I have had hysterical moments,
manic moments,
Merry moments,
Passionate moments,
Busy moments,
Stunned moments,
Funny moments,
Lost moments,
Bad moments,
Sarcastic moments,
Embarassing moments,
Laughable moments,
Quiet moments,
Loveable moments,
huggable moments,
a multitude of bad hair moments.
scrappable moments,
wine/whining moments,
lipstick moments,
musical moments,
raging moments,
rainy moments,
clean and tidy moments,
no make that only a moment,
as it only happened once,
favourable moments,
bear sighting moments,
friendly moments,
loserish moments,
laundryroom moments,
actually they were admiration moments,
star gazing moments,
forgiving moments,
helping hand moments,
bloggable moments
forgotten bloggable moments,
late moments,
foggy moments,
mysterious moments,
anticipated moments,
birthday moments,
proud moments,
loud moments,
troubled moments,
forgotten moments,
thankful moments.


I give the greatest amount of thought to being thankful. Thankful that we have all arrived safely at the end of another year, in good health, and happiness.

I am thankful for who I am, and where I am in this life. I am thankful for the family that I have, and the friends that I have made.

I treasure the thoughts of those that left this life the past year, and I cherish my fond memories of them for another year.

I reflect upon the challenges and the accomplishments that I/We have achieved in this past year and plan for another year of challenges and accomplishments.

I consider where life will take us this coming year, but where ever it leads us, I wish for ourselves, our family and friends to travel along with us for a year of good health and happiness.

Happy New Year to all of you out there!

Friday, December 29, 2006

So... get this.....

This is how our community (Conservation Officers) react to unwanted animals:

( I sent this letter to the local newspaper )

Fed bears are dead bears.

Very true, especially when you carry a tranquilizer gun! How absolutely disgusting that the sow and her two beautiful cubs were tranquilized and then put to death. I can't even call it euthanasia, as this was no mercy killing. It was quite simply "getting rid of a problem the easiest way possible".

I had to look up the word conservation again so I could fully understand what the word conservation meant, as it didn't seem to fit with the solution for the sow and her cubs. Conservation: the protection and careful management of the environment and its natural resources. Keeping nature from being destroyed, injured or wasted to ensure that use is sustainable. Nicely put, except that certainly isn't how conservation worked for these animals.

I would like someone to help me to understand how an immediate decision was made that these bears could not have been tagged, and then released back into the wilderness, but instead were immediately destroyed. I am very aware that the bears had learned some very bad habits, but this wilderness exists a short 15 minute drive away! Even the judicial system offers up all kinds of second chances for law breakers, and yet the ones that deserve a second chance, silent ones that inhabit the spaces that humans exist in are offered only one chance: stay behind the invisible line otherwise you die.

There is a complete wilderness that exists down in the GVRD location of Minnekhada Park. These animals should have been tagged and then transported over to this area ( which was more than likely their place of origin), and left to find a spot to bed down for the winter. There is an abundance of forest still very available to them that was not under a blanket of snow. At the very least they should have been offered a second chance. If they would have made their way back into human territory, then perhaps their fate should have been held in question then.

Even as it was very shallow minded of the individual that fed these bears, it was equally as shallow for the decision that was quickly made to destroy these beautiful creatures without offering them one chance to survive without using people's unsuspected offerings to forage upon.

Before the "conservation" officers arrived on the scene I had the opportunity to visit this mother sitting on the tree limb, with her cubs high above her. I could see in her eyes that she was waiting for the darkness to fall, so they could depart as quietly as they had arrived. Clearly the darkness that she had hoped for was not the one that lasts for eternity. What a shame.

These animals were clearly wronged by exactly the people that were supposed to protect them.

How about lunch?

The chicklets and I went out and about to "do junk" yesterday. It was near impossible to get everyone out the front door without destroying each other in the process. This involved menial tasks that involved a slight bit of grocery shopping, which the boy has a completel aversion to. (Although the reason for the shopping trip was for cereal which is his favourite meal of the day).

As I stood in the line up at Costco to purchase batteries and cereal I sent the children to go and stand in the food line up in Costco. There was a big long line, and I was tired of them standing with me and bickering. There was a method to my madness. They were both to go and stand in line together, and if they didn't stand in that line up they wouldn't get an ice cream cone. (Something of which they never get!) The girl came back to my line up once, and I told her if she didn't return to her brother, then she would be icecreamless. Yes people, it's a cruel world out there. I have to admit, the magic worked. I clearly didn't give them enough money, especially when I added a Latte to the list of their two ice cream cones. So the two of them had to figure out how much many they required, and had to do so in a manner appropriate to the great outdoors, where other peoples eyes would be watching their antics. HA! They managed. The funny part to this little ploy was the fact that the line up that I was in moved like a charm, and then I had to stand, staring off into space for the two bickering children to make it through the line up with their cones. It was peaceful after that.

With everyone ice creamed and latte'd up we made our way out to the much admired square shopping mall, and ended up with some good purchases, like floor mats and a pair of runners. Well, also socks for the sockless boy. Poor child! ( I think that is the reason they sell socks in a runner store, for the fools that arrive sockless and holey!) The girl even managed to score a pair of laces for her aging but still in very good condition except the laces runners.

The boy had brought his camera with him on this adventure of the day and we travelled over to Pitt Lake. A very nice spot for pictures. As we were about to leave the boy wished to take some pictures of three signs, with the sun in the background. There was also a cement barricade located next to the sings. He was busy shooting pictures like some photo journalist when he casually made it back to the brand new Mazda5. "Uhm Mommy, I think I see a pile of bones behind the barricade". The girl and I got out of the vehicle to investigate this matter. I was kind of ooogied out, but I did it anyways. And sure enough, there were bones! Yes, lot of bones. Included in the bones were two skulls, which looked like cow skulls, or some type of animals skull. The girl in her great wisdom was intrigued with the boney mess. Her comment: "Wow, it looks like someone had a good lunch around these parts".

Enough said!

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

More is better.

Just in case I didn't have enough money transacting through the Mastercard, I added more today. I didn't wake up thinking that I was going to make my Mastercard smoke, but it happened none the less.

It didn't faze on me the other day when the husbandman spoke of certain 17 year old vehicles that needed watering and antifreeze top ups. Those words didn't register at all, until this morning. I asked the husbandman what that vehicle of ours was up to. He shrugged his shoulders, then went to have a shower. While he was in the shower I noticed that the newspaper had been left open to a certain Mazda dealer, with Boxing Day specials to be had.

I marched into the bathroom and started hissing all silly and frantic like.... I asked him if the vehicle still had the power to run around like a good vehicle should. "What's your answer????" I hissed to him, as I stood outside the shower and was unable to read his body language, as I usually have to do, since he is a guy that quite simply doesn't talk.

There and then I drove myself out to the local Mazda dealer, and negotiated a deal. The husbandman refused to do the "car salesman" work that was required, and left me to my own devices.

I purchased a Mazda 5. Indigo Blue. Five Speed.
There, belated Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to myself.
Now that is good Boxing Day shopping!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

What!


It's December 21st... and not a sound or a clatter


I investigate further to see what is the matter..


Way up high, and parked in a tree....


Here is my Christmas present, waiting for me.
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Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Deanna Deanna Deanna

Oh where have you been?
Battling the storms that bring lots of white, and very messy green.

The snow I could live with, and I loved the four wheel drive...
but the wind terrified me, with my trees that reached well into the sky.

I have mailed christmas cards to many, and hand delivered some too
Mind you mine weren't hand made, like Lujza's very fancy ones, thank you!

The knitting needles have had a work out this past number of days,
as I had to build a scarf for the mother that sported blue fluffy flays!

Of course I had to take time to watch Yul win a million from Survivor...
The one show I watch, especially with people like Yul to admirer...

We have attended dinners and parties and small festive events,
and cruised the christmas light displays, which around here are pretty decent!

I have planned, and shopped, and skittered around...
delivered children to destinations, while keeping my feet on the ground.

I haven't managed to stay normal in some way or another,
this twitch in my eyelid, has certainly become a bother.

I had to yell at the dentist people for ripping out the Pip's two baby teeth,
in the meantime we had a plan to march around Christmas land, except now we had to watch her bleed.

I have ran about the craft store and gathered tidbits of scrapbooking gear,
so I could put together an album of our dead dog Cicily, of almost two years.

I managed to learn a tune on the piano, which was a rather huge undertaking,
considering I had never heard the song "Christmas Is a Feeling".

The Stroke Group did a craft.. something that we had never done before...
but it turned out a success since the craft was mailed as a "card" to each of their doors.

The Boy has managed to be a challenge, with his wierd and funny ways,
continually asking him to practice his piano, and do his homework, for many countless days.

I finally managed to purchase a huge roll of christmas wrap...
I am running out of hours to now wrap up all this crap!!!

I went to a christmas party, where I stayed past midnight.
I thought I better leave when my good friend of many years hadn't said a word to me all night.

The boy had his piano recital, which started at 6:30 PM
I can honestly say, oh he was ready for them!

I bought the girl a beautiful dark blue dress, which she really didn't need,
but as I passed by the sale rack, it sang out to me.

I thought that she would look lovely, as she could wear it on the stage,
where she would sing a christmas carol, as it is the schools only christmas "forray"

I still have to shop for the Christmas day feast, which I can safely say I will not cook,
the King will be at the helm, for that he is on the hook.

The frenzy has settled a little, and the twitch still remains in my eye
I will create some lists to help me, or at least it might try...

I have a couple days left, to finish up my stuff..
I even tried to get Saturday off, by buttering up the staffing clerk.. which is prooving very tough

But as for now the house is finally decorated, with the tree the last thing to do.
Except for me to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, from me to all of you.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Holy flippin fridgemagnets I'm an idiot.

Yes I am. It's all true... I am an idiot. I sent along a package to Australia TODAY, an then proceeded to send an email to the receiver as to how come it was sent today, and not three weeks ago. Plus, had I actually unpacked one or two extra plastic bags I would have paid way less to have it shipped. But I had already stood in a line up way too deep to count, and had used up a roll of tape packaging up my stat parcel... all to have the girl tell me it was "point something" over the weight mark. (( Of course for all you frequent flyer readers out there.. I had to contain my very favourite word inside my head which made my eyelid twitch at twice the speed it already was at )). The days are freaking zipping past in a super sonic blur. I have an incredible bad twitch in my eye, something to do with the fact that a nerve just needs to die off and stop misbehaving like some attention seeking brat. Then, to make matters even more laughable... the girl at the mail counter asked me how much the parcel was worth. Well, my twitching eye rendered me unable to calculate the little items that I had squirreled away for good times on Christmas Day... so I said fourty dollars, although it was worth a bit more. I then had to pay $43.00 to ship it. Like I said... I'm an idiot... what I should have done was bought some individual puffy envelopes and the Australian people would of had things in a couple of days... at this rate it will be a New Year's gift.

It's always adventures when I fly by the seat of my pants.

The Pipness

Invited her friend over for a visit yesterday. I said sure, come on over.. and they could play in the Pip's room. The Pip's room has seen better days in the tidy and orderly department. I bought her some pretty boxes a number of weeks back, so she could organize some of her smaller items that find space on her floor. She immediately turned them into stuffed hamster houses, and yes, turned one into a cathouse. (So far the cathouse has gone undetected to most people, except the mother's radar). The room is still a mess. We trudge across her big beautiful butterfly puzzle as she claims that it is a carpet, and really ... what else do you do with big beautiful puzzle, if you can't walk all over it! Once upon a time the stuffed animals had some sort of resting places, and now they have exploded about her room, and fluffy things are bumbling about all over the place. She told me she tidied her closet last week, she was so proud of herself. I opened it and screamed. The Pip requires her own storage company to come and pick up some of her things, but that will never happen, as she wont part with a thing. She will be up soon, wish me luck... I hope I can find her in her bed.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Excuse me... I'm looking for some pictures.

Don't ask me what the Freaking Flying F*** happenend. ... but all of my pictures in Picasa are gone, including my whole file of "My Pictures". Gone Gone Gone.

I am wondering if I secretly take my computer apart, and take it to someone who is quite brilliant... maybe they could look inside and see if they are still in there somewhere... as I know they are in there, because I was busy looking at them last night, until I exited the program.. and scurried off to bed.

Anybody... does anybody have 2 years worth of photos meandering about?

Chicken rolly up ---- for breakfast...

I was busy building the boy his lunch. He likes my lunches, or more so.. he likes having his lunch made for him. (He doesn't know any other way actually...) But it struck me... these rolly ups are looking so good. Mind you, they were pretty basic, as the boy only does basic food. Today was going out on a limb by packing his food with colour attached. Todays rolly up was a tomato basil wrap, hence the colour addition of red. He was quite willing to eat it up...so he told me. Things were looking so good that I thought about building one for myself.. right then and there... but do you have a chicken rolly up for breakfast or not? I am not entirely sure if "mayonnaise" is breakfast. I could eliminate it from the rolly up... but then... why have the rolly up at all. Hmmm.

In other thoughts that plagued me last night.... just before I closed my eyes for the night.... is living in the ocean at night any easier than in the day. I mean, I hate walking down the hall at night to the bathroom, let alone swimming in a big ocean for hours on end in darkness.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

A good thing, or not a good thing

We have discovered lime wire. Well, I have known about it for quite some time, but I was ignoring the fact that it was around. The boy has jumped all over this like it was the ultimate in video games. So, apparently I am going to be down loading something that is going to take about three days to complete. That boy of mine has about two dozen items waiting in the wings to be slotted in. I don't believe I have enough internet time to make him happy. ... on that thought... I need to go and double check if I have umlimited time, or something silly like "150 hrs"... which I'm believing that to be the case. Oh where is my memory when I really need it.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Creature Feature

Current conditions: raining
Current conditions: raining
Current conditions: raining
Current conditions: afraid of the rain
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Current Furniture conditions.....

The husbandman was busy moving around the furniture last night... with all his big talk. I asked him why he needs to move all the furniture around.. it is fine where it is. I just love to get him going... he flips out.. and he complained that things look awful... all these couches, and nowhere to put them. I think he might have flung his hands about, but I could be mistaken... and the fact that he talked about it for a whole 2 minutes was indication that he might be unhappy with all the extra furniture floating about. I believe that my chuckling most certainly got him frustrated. But, he is so much fun to watch "almost-kind of-maybe" have a hissy fit!!!

Tick tick tick goes the christmas clock...

Ok, it's time to start making a move in the Christmas Department. Even though I am not undertaking my currently kind of layed up by her knee friend and her 50 freaking home made christmas cards... I am undertaking other feats, that may be too much of a feat... I will know on the christmas eve when I am still up scurrying about doing things until the wee hours of the morning.... I can say that none of it will be baking adventures. I have no time to waste, there is too much to do.

In other things that might be exciting....

I have very bravely asked to have the 23rd and 24th of December off. I really didn't think that I would still be working at my current place of employment for the past 19 years, this year.. so I didn't book off any holiday time for the Saturday and Sunday before christmas. I have now decided that I most definitely would like the days off... as the husbandman is off as well... and he likes to talk when life gets busy... so I met get a whole years worth of talking in, in the five short days. This is truly a grand adventure. I hope the planets are in alignment with this request.

Other things on my mind....

I bought a brown sweater the other day. I don't own any brown. But I had to, because I bought a pair of brown pants. I am not sure why I did that either. I wore them both together, and then I felt like a piece of chocolate. I guess better feeling like chocolate than feeling like shit. Ha Ha.

I am thinking that I am going to use that link up there to advertise for The Stroke Recovery Association of BC. That just might be a good idea. It would be good for people to know that there is such a thing that exists out there.... as it really does help a lot of people. We are not part of the Heart & Stroke Foundation, as they are around for research and education. yes, I have made my mind up.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Life in the blue chair

Little Miss Milly busy pondering life from her blue chair. Well, pondering life on top of a beach towel that is. This is where she likes to stay, when she isn't busy sleeping on her green leather couch. This also would be another view of the currently very ugly kitchen, that will eventually be replaced... perhaps that is what the little miss milly is busy thinking about... "oh what a lovely chair... too bad that it has to be placed in a dumpy space...., oh well.. I will close my eyes and dream of pretty kitchens while I sleep in my blue chair..."

Anyways, she is a very patient little thinking dog, as I took about a dozen pictures of her in this chair... and she never moved for one of them... it didn't help that I was busy taking pictures of her in the dark, and the flash has temporarily blinded her... but she has remained faithful to her blue chair... This blue chair is suppposed to be in the new family room eventually... except that is only being built after the new kitchen... I think it may gather some dust in the process.
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The King Despairs:

With all this winter weather the King has not had the chance to perform some of his Kingly duties. As luck would have it.. the King likes Christmas lights. Lots of them. The strings are lines up in the garage ready to go. Now all he needs is the the cooperation of the weather, and the time to perform this great task.

With another weekend upon us... I am thinking that The King will make it to the great outdoors and set his kingdom of christmas lights... we could be up and shining by the end of the weekend.