I'm always late. Spring cleaning is no exception to that rule. Last week I finally decided to wash my balcony windows which were rather disgusting. And Jamie has just left to return the steam cleaner we rented from Home Depot to clean our rug, couches, and dining room chairs.
On top of that, I was babysitting Erykah and Isabella, made pasta for supper, and had done a load of laundry and pinned in on my little clothesline outside.
I don't know how moms can do this day in and day out!
Next on my spring cleaning list is sorting my closet. I have begun the process, gradually. But it is quite painful for me - I just hate getting rid of old clothes. Here are the reasons I tell myself not to throw them out:
1. It's always good to have old clothes for cleaning and painting
2. I will fit back into that some day
3. But what if it comes back in style?
4. Oh, but I love that sweater!(even tho' I don't wear it anymore)
5. Well, I would wear it... if only I had the coordinating shoes
6. But I've only worn it once! It's a shame to throw out something that's so new.
7. One day my kids and grandkids can have fun playing dressup with these
I blame this addictive quality on my mother (sorry mom! but it's so true). She would never throw out clothes. I have determined that if genetics is against me then I am doomed! Genetics has also predisposed me to a life of tardiness, which brings me back to my original point about being late with spring cleaning.
Also on my list of spring cleaning...
1. Wash the walls (I have slacked on this chore and decided to do only the areas that can be seen...this does not include behind the tv or china cabinet or in the closets...come on, I'm planning a wedding AND moving out in a few months anyway!)
2. Have my cat groomed (If you knew my cat and the amount of fur that he generates then you would understand the importance of adding this to my list).
3. Reupholster the cushions on my "outdoor couch" (this has been on my list since the day I bought that antique couch about 2 years ago...getting done this year? I think perhaps not).
4. Re-organize my scrapbooking supplies (not necessarily spring cleaning but desperately needs to be done none-the-less).
5. Wash out and re-organize my kitchen cupboards (once again I have already decided that the effort to do this would be pointless when I just have to go and pack up my dishes to move in a few months anyways).
So it actually kinda seems that my list isn't so bad afterall. I have either half-assed my way around getting the items checked off...OR...I have managed to develop any possibly excuse to justify not getting them done at all. Boy, I'm good!
All this talk of hard work has exhausted me...I think I shall revitalize myself with some chocolate :) he, he...
How's your list going?
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Ruined Dress Update #4
I picked up my dress from the seamstress yesterday. I don't think I'm happy with it. Not because of the seamstress - she really did the best she could given the damage. What she did was to try and add some embroidery work over the top of the parts of the dress where the threads were hooked. I haven't tried it on yet so maybe...?? But of course, like any bride, I want my dress to be perfect. I don't want to be fussing and worried about the way I look more than what I already will be. I want to be absolutely beautiful.
Luckily, I have another dress, the same exact one actually. So, I'll most likely end up wearing the new one. I'm going to pass this experience off as a crazy memory to add to my wedding scrapbook. I already have enough details to stress about. Lucky for me the dress wasn't an expensive one.
Wish me luck with the new dress - I should hire a guard to protect it! I definitely won't be bringing it to the cleaners...:)
Luckily, I have another dress, the same exact one actually. So, I'll most likely end up wearing the new one. I'm going to pass this experience off as a crazy memory to add to my wedding scrapbook. I already have enough details to stress about. Lucky for me the dress wasn't an expensive one.
Wish me luck with the new dress - I should hire a guard to protect it! I definitely won't be bringing it to the cleaners...:)
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Wedding kiss game decided
Thanks to my friend Daphne for the great suggestion about a kissing game for our wedding. I think this will be fun and a little different than the usual.
Here's the little poem I made up to go on the table so that guests will know what to do:
Cute, eh? he, he...
Thanks again Daph! Love ya!
Here's the little poem I made up to go on the table so that guests will know what to do:
If you would like to see us kiss,
All you have to do is this:
No tinkling glasses or ringing bell,
No songs to sing or jokes to tell.
If you would like to have us stand,
Please take your partner by the hand,
Stand and give a smooch or two,
And we will do the same for you!
Cute, eh? he, he...
Thanks again Daph! Love ya!
Jack and Jill
Last night we had our Jack n Jill - the one I wrote about in my blog a few days ago ("Me and My BIG mouth").
My sister organized a lot of the details for our event (with me as the assistant). It went over really well. I have to admit that I expected more people but the small crowd that we had was awesome! It was so much fun. The music was great, the food was great, friends and family who came to support us were great. It's so good to get together with people, some of whom we don't see very often.
Jamie was very worried about everything but he had a good time as well. Again, he was disappointed about some people not showing up. Part way through the night I had to remind him to mingle and have fun. We could not worry about the people who WEREN'T there. That just wouldn't be fair to the people who WERE there to support us. Who cares about who's not there??...I would rather relax and enjoy myself...after we talked, his outlook about our little bash seemed to really improve.
I really want to thank everyone who helped out. My sister did a great job...THANKS! I also had lots of help from Vicki, Christa and Kristen, Jenny and Chris, Vanessa and Gord, Mark....Carol, Cavelle, Uncle Vic...I could go on forever. We had so much help! Huge thank you to all of y'all!!! Less than 4 weeks to the wedding!!!
My sister organized a lot of the details for our event (with me as the assistant). It went over really well. I have to admit that I expected more people but the small crowd that we had was awesome! It was so much fun. The music was great, the food was great, friends and family who came to support us were great. It's so good to get together with people, some of whom we don't see very often.
Jamie was very worried about everything but he had a good time as well. Again, he was disappointed about some people not showing up. Part way through the night I had to remind him to mingle and have fun. We could not worry about the people who WEREN'T there. That just wouldn't be fair to the people who WERE there to support us. Who cares about who's not there??...I would rather relax and enjoy myself...after we talked, his outlook about our little bash seemed to really improve.
I really want to thank everyone who helped out. My sister did a great job...THANKS! I also had lots of help from Vicki, Christa and Kristen, Jenny and Chris, Vanessa and Gord, Mark....Carol, Cavelle, Uncle Vic...I could go on forever. We had so much help! Huge thank you to all of y'all!!! Less than 4 weeks to the wedding!!!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Beginning and Ending
Christa and I went for our usual Wednesday evening walk yesterday. As we were strolling we heard a voice yelling out to us from a car passing by.
It was a voice from the past, my ex-boyfriend. We dated for nearly 4 years and broke up when I was about 19 years old. I don't even really remember anymore what the breakup was about except that I felt that our lives were taking different directions. Whatever the reason, I am confident that it was the right decision.
He pulled over into a driveway to chat. It had been a few months since I'd seen him. He and his wife had twins in February. Such an exciting time! I expected his answer to my "How are you?" to be "GREAT!...tired but wonderful". But instead, I was met with a crushing, "Alright...but in the middle of a divorce..." Wow...I am in my glee about my wedding while yet ANOTHER marriage is ending!
The three of us chatted for about a half an hour. Time flies when you meet up with old friends. And I do consider him an old friend, being an "ex" doesn't make him the enemy.
He spoke very candidly about the difficulties he has been facing in his marriage. I told him (perhaps I am too honest) that I was not surprised at his admission. I had a bad feeling about this marriage from the start. Just some weird intuition. I had hoped that I was wrong. I really want this guy to be happy, he deserves it. And I thought that things must have been going okay, especially with the birth of the twins.
Christa and I reminded him that a marriage takes two, that maybe he could help out more with the babies, not work so much. Maybe she is going through post-partum (he insists that this is not the case because things had been difficult even before the pregnancy). It would be so easy to take his side of the story and run with it. I don't know his wife at all. But I refuse to make him the victim in this situation. I would love to say that's it all her fault, that's just not fair.
It was a sad conversation. Not at all the conversation that I was hoping for. I was eager for him to "light up" when talking about his babies and his first Fathers Day. Instead, a potentially sad ending to what could have been a beautiful marriage.
Last night and this morning have left me to ponder the meaning of this encounter. A sign? Yes, perhaps. But not a sign to deter me from my upcoming wedding. I am excited and reminded once again at the difficult dynamics of spending the rest of my life with one person. I know that it will be hard work, I know that every day has to be met head-on with a decision to try our hardest for each other, I know that it takes 100% effort. It's scary but I'm ready to move forward to a new beginning with Jamie. Ending before "death do us part" is not an option.
It was a voice from the past, my ex-boyfriend. We dated for nearly 4 years and broke up when I was about 19 years old. I don't even really remember anymore what the breakup was about except that I felt that our lives were taking different directions. Whatever the reason, I am confident that it was the right decision.
He pulled over into a driveway to chat. It had been a few months since I'd seen him. He and his wife had twins in February. Such an exciting time! I expected his answer to my "How are you?" to be "GREAT!...tired but wonderful". But instead, I was met with a crushing, "Alright...but in the middle of a divorce..." Wow...I am in my glee about my wedding while yet ANOTHER marriage is ending!
The three of us chatted for about a half an hour. Time flies when you meet up with old friends. And I do consider him an old friend, being an "ex" doesn't make him the enemy.
He spoke very candidly about the difficulties he has been facing in his marriage. I told him (perhaps I am too honest) that I was not surprised at his admission. I had a bad feeling about this marriage from the start. Just some weird intuition. I had hoped that I was wrong. I really want this guy to be happy, he deserves it. And I thought that things must have been going okay, especially with the birth of the twins.
Christa and I reminded him that a marriage takes two, that maybe he could help out more with the babies, not work so much. Maybe she is going through post-partum (he insists that this is not the case because things had been difficult even before the pregnancy). It would be so easy to take his side of the story and run with it. I don't know his wife at all. But I refuse to make him the victim in this situation. I would love to say that's it all her fault, that's just not fair.
It was a sad conversation. Not at all the conversation that I was hoping for. I was eager for him to "light up" when talking about his babies and his first Fathers Day. Instead, a potentially sad ending to what could have been a beautiful marriage.
Last night and this morning have left me to ponder the meaning of this encounter. A sign? Yes, perhaps. But not a sign to deter me from my upcoming wedding. I am excited and reminded once again at the difficult dynamics of spending the rest of my life with one person. I know that it will be hard work, I know that every day has to be met head-on with a decision to try our hardest for each other, I know that it takes 100% effort. It's scary but I'm ready to move forward to a new beginning with Jamie. Ending before "death do us part" is not an option.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Bridal Shower Pics
Christa forwarded me some of her digital pics from the bridal shower. Just thought I'd share some...ENJOY!
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Our First House
Jamie and I just came back from a ride to Acton, the location of our new home. We bought the house about a year ago after deciding to move out of Brampton after we were married. Our friends had bought there before us and we really liked the little town.
After a year of waiting we finally got to see some progress within the last week. The concrete in our basement has finally been poured!! Yaahhh!! So exciting, I just can't wait to move. Our closing date is not until November 24th, still a few months away. After the wedding, I expect those few months to pass by very quickly. Before we know it we'll be moving it. This year...Wow! A wedding and moving into our first home all within a few months. I sometimes think we're smart to get it all overwith, sometimes I think we're stupid to have taken on so much within such a short period of time. Either way, it's craziness! But I'm happy with how things are going. In 4 weeks we will be en route to Prince Edward Island.
That's all for now. Will keep you posted about house details.
After a year of waiting we finally got to see some progress within the last week. The concrete in our basement has finally been poured!! Yaahhh!! So exciting, I just can't wait to move. Our closing date is not until November 24th, still a few months away. After the wedding, I expect those few months to pass by very quickly. Before we know it we'll be moving it. This year...Wow! A wedding and moving into our first home all within a few months. I sometimes think we're smart to get it all overwith, sometimes I think we're stupid to have taken on so much within such a short period of time. Either way, it's craziness! But I'm happy with how things are going. In 4 weeks we will be en route to Prince Edward Island.
That's all for now. Will keep you posted about house details.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Me and My BIG Mouth
Jamie and I are having a "Jack and Jill" (or "Buck n Doe", whatever you wanna call it) next weekend, June 25th.
Originally I wanted nothing to do with such an event. But Jamie really wanted to have one. Getting married away means a lot of people are unable to attend the wedding. The Jack n Jill provides a way for everyone to get together to help us celebrate.
I maintained my negative status on the exterior citing many excuses:
- Didn't want the hassle of planning
- Too much up-front costs involved (although you get the money back in the end)
- Nobody to help with planning with so many other things happening
- Too late to find a location
Jamie totally bought all of the excuses but I had secretly decided with the help of my sister to go ahead and surprise him. After all, it usually ends up being the bride who gets spoiled and the groom gets jipped. And nobody loves surprises more than Jamie. He gets so excited about stuff like that.
Everybody did such a good job of keeping the secret. All of our families knew, his entire softball team, friends, co-workers. Nobody spilled the beans ONCE!
But then, me and my mouth met up with an old college friend who is also getting married in July. She began talking about her wedding saying that her fiance was from New Brunswick and that they would be going down east after the "real" wedding to have a second wedding for all of his family to celebrate.
I pipe up and say, "Oh yeah, we are doing almost the same thing because we are getting married in PEI. We're having a Jack and Jill here so that everyone can get together." Even after saying it, I was completely oblivious to the fact that the words had come out of my mouth with Jamie standing RIGHT BESIDE ME. I continue my conversation, say Goodbye to her, and walk into Walmart. As we walk in the doors, Jamie says, "Why did you tell that girl we were having a Jack and Jill?"
CRAP!! Totally Caught!! I started laughing, searched desperately for a way to get myself out of the situation....hhmmmm???....NOTHING!! I was busted! I couldn't believe it!
But the look of excitement on his face totally made up for my losing my mind (and my tongue). He rambled on and on and asked neverending questions:
Where is it?
When is it?
Who's going?
Who's planning it
How long has this been going on?
How were you going to surprise me?
etc, etc, etc....
In a way, it's a relief. Keeping secrets from Jamie proved to be extremely difficult. That's a good thing, right? There should be no secrets. I figured this was a good exception to the rule though. But I'm happy that he's happy. It should be a really fun night! Hope you can come!
Originally I wanted nothing to do with such an event. But Jamie really wanted to have one. Getting married away means a lot of people are unable to attend the wedding. The Jack n Jill provides a way for everyone to get together to help us celebrate.
I maintained my negative status on the exterior citing many excuses:
- Didn't want the hassle of planning
- Too much up-front costs involved (although you get the money back in the end)
- Nobody to help with planning with so many other things happening
- Too late to find a location
Jamie totally bought all of the excuses but I had secretly decided with the help of my sister to go ahead and surprise him. After all, it usually ends up being the bride who gets spoiled and the groom gets jipped. And nobody loves surprises more than Jamie. He gets so excited about stuff like that.
Everybody did such a good job of keeping the secret. All of our families knew, his entire softball team, friends, co-workers. Nobody spilled the beans ONCE!
But then, me and my mouth met up with an old college friend who is also getting married in July. She began talking about her wedding saying that her fiance was from New Brunswick and that they would be going down east after the "real" wedding to have a second wedding for all of his family to celebrate.
I pipe up and say, "Oh yeah, we are doing almost the same thing because we are getting married in PEI. We're having a Jack and Jill here so that everyone can get together." Even after saying it, I was completely oblivious to the fact that the words had come out of my mouth with Jamie standing RIGHT BESIDE ME. I continue my conversation, say Goodbye to her, and walk into Walmart. As we walk in the doors, Jamie says, "Why did you tell that girl we were having a Jack and Jill?"
CRAP!! Totally Caught!! I started laughing, searched desperately for a way to get myself out of the situation....hhmmmm???....NOTHING!! I was busted! I couldn't believe it!
But the look of excitement on his face totally made up for my losing my mind (and my tongue). He rambled on and on and asked neverending questions:
Where is it?
When is it?
Who's going?
Who's planning it
How long has this been going on?
How were you going to surprise me?
etc, etc, etc....
In a way, it's a relief. Keeping secrets from Jamie proved to be extremely difficult. That's a good thing, right? There should be no secrets. I figured this was a good exception to the rule though. But I'm happy that he's happy. It should be a really fun night! Hope you can come!
Little Ballerina
We just met Erykah outside on her way to her second and final dance recital of the year. She was dressed in her blue sparkly (and "itchy" according to Erykah) bodysuit with white leotards and Tammy-Faye makeup. It is rather strange to see a 5-year old wearing so much "face-paint" (looks much too grown up). But yet, in my eyes, she looks just like a porcelain doll with her red lips and those big eyes rimmed in long black lashes. It is a requirement that the girls wear all this makeup. It and the bodysuit are equally a part of the costume.
The first recital was on Wednesday night. Jamie and I had tickets, of course. We wouldn't miss it for the world.
Erykah started dance classes last year. She began taking Jazz and Acro but didn't particularly like either of them. This year she decided to try ballet instead. She seems to really enjoy it and did a wonderful job at her recital on Wednesday night. I love watching her, I am such a proud auntie. She follows her teacher with close watching eye and imitates step after step. Seeing her on stage almost makes me cry.
I've seen Erykah practicing at home on occasion. Normally she is very secretive and will only run through her steps when she thinks no one is watching. I hear her whispering the choreography to herself..."1,2,3,4...Heel, together, heel, together....plie....join hands" I don't know the steps but that's what it sorta sounds like.
I took a whole bunch of pictures at the recital. The theatre doesn't allow flash because it distracts the performers, understandably. I tried my best, I am not the best photographer. I'll be sure to share the pics when I get them developed next week.
"Break a leg, Erykah"
(Not for real...I'm told that means "good luck" in performer speak)
The first recital was on Wednesday night. Jamie and I had tickets, of course. We wouldn't miss it for the world.
Erykah started dance classes last year. She began taking Jazz and Acro but didn't particularly like either of them. This year she decided to try ballet instead. She seems to really enjoy it and did a wonderful job at her recital on Wednesday night. I love watching her, I am such a proud auntie. She follows her teacher with close watching eye and imitates step after step. Seeing her on stage almost makes me cry.
I've seen Erykah practicing at home on occasion. Normally she is very secretive and will only run through her steps when she thinks no one is watching. I hear her whispering the choreography to herself..."1,2,3,4...Heel, together, heel, together....plie....join hands" I don't know the steps but that's what it sorta sounds like.
I took a whole bunch of pictures at the recital. The theatre doesn't allow flash because it distracts the performers, understandably. I tried my best, I am not the best photographer. I'll be sure to share the pics when I get them developed next week.
"Break a leg, Erykah"
(Not for real...I'm told that means "good luck" in performer speak)
Thursday, June 16, 2005
About me
Leslie (Tara's friend) just posted this on her weblog. I thought it was a great idea (I'm such a copy-cat!)
LAYER ONE: On The Outside
- Name: Myrna
- Nicknames: None really, Ron at work sometimes calls me Myrnski, or Myrn
- Birthdate: July 15
- Birthplace: Corner Brook, Newfoundland
- Current Location: Brampton, Ontario
- Eye Color: greenish
- Hair Color: blondish
- Height: 5'8"
- Righty or Lefty: righty
- Zodiac Sign: cancer
- Religion: Christian - Pentecostal
- Sex: Female
LAYER TWO: In The Inside
- Your heritage: My 5-times great grandparents were from England
- The shoes you wore today: Black Mary-Janes
- Who you look like: everyone says my mom
- Your weakness: Chocolate
- Your fears: Mirrors in the dark
- Your perfect pizza: Pizza Delight (meat please) or my homemade pizza (with bacon, salami, pepperoni, ground beef, onions, green peppers)
- Goal you'd like to achieve: Visit a 3rd world country to volunteer at a clinic or school.
LAYER THREE: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
- Your most overused phrase on AIM/MSN: lol
- Your thoughts first waking up: Snooze button??
- Your best physical feature: Hair? Yeah, I usually like my hair
- Your bedtime: 10:30 ish during the week
- Your most missed memory: Sunday afternoon "randies" (that means car rides in Newfie speak) with my Grandad.
LAYER FOUR: Your Pick
- Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi but I'm not really a pop drinker
- McDonalds or Burger King: McDonalds Chicken nuggets and fries
- Single or group dates: both
- Adidas or Nike: I like both
- Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate. But if it's ice cream or cake, I usually prefer Vanilla
- Cappuccino or coffee: Neither. Tea?
LAYER FIVE: Do You?
- Smoke: nope
- Curse: very little
- Sing: in the car when a good song comes one
- Have had a crush(es): lots of 'em
- Think you've been in love: Absolutely
- Want to get married: Only 36 more days!!
- Believe in yourself: Definitely
- Motion sickness: Yes, very much so
- Think you're attractive: Sometimes. I have confident days and "ugly" days
- Think you're a health freak: nope
- Get along with your parents: yes
- Like thunderstorms: if I'm inside looking out, yes
- Play an instrument: only the recorder and I probably can't even do that now
LAYER SIX: Have you ever...
- Smoked: tried it once and thought my lungs were going to collapse
- Done Drugs?: Only the prescription ones or tylenol
- Gone to the mall?: not today
- Eaten an entire box of Oreos: Oreos? - NO; Fudgeos? - YES
- Eaten sushi: at a New Years party two years ago...blech!
- Been on stage: Yes, many times both at school and in church
- Gone skating: not for a long time
- Gone skinny dipping: ha, ha....
- Dyed your hair: highlights
- Been called a tease: yeah
- Gotten beaten up: only a little bit by my siblings
LAYER SEVEN: Getting Older
- Age you hope to be married: I always said "28" and that's exactly what I will be when I get married this summer.
- Numbers and Names of Children: No kids yet. If I ever have a girl I want to name her Sarah.
- Describe your dream wedding: On the beach, casual, fun, handsome groom, gorgeous sunny weather....did I mention that it's only 36 days to my wedding on the beach in PEI?
- How do you want to die: Whenever God decides that it's time is okay by me, as long as it's quick and painless. It's not death that I'm scared of, but I'm terrified of the process of dying.
- What do you want to be when you grow up: Obstetrician
- What country would you most like to visit: Austrailia
LAYER EIGHT: In a partner
- Best eye color?: Pretty blue
- Best hair color?: I have to say Blonde (Jamie is blonde)
- Short or long hair: Short
- Height: Tall
- Best articles of clothing: Board shorts and a cute tee
LAYER NINE: In The Numbers...
- Number of CDs that you own: just a few, rarely buy CD's
- Number of Tattoos: one
- Number of piercings: one
- Number of times your name has appeared in the newspaper: Three times - one for a community award (drawing a flag or something like that). Once for basketball (winning team). And once for getting a high percentage on some grade nine provincial testing.
That's all for now. I'm off to go to the tanning salon for the first time ever in my life. I admit I'm a little nervous....Let you know how it goes.
LAYER ONE: On The Outside
- Name: Myrna
- Nicknames: None really, Ron at work sometimes calls me Myrnski, or Myrn
- Birthdate: July 15
- Birthplace: Corner Brook, Newfoundland
- Current Location: Brampton, Ontario
- Eye Color: greenish
- Hair Color: blondish
- Height: 5'8"
- Righty or Lefty: righty
- Zodiac Sign: cancer
- Religion: Christian - Pentecostal
- Sex: Female
LAYER TWO: In The Inside
- Your heritage: My 5-times great grandparents were from England
- The shoes you wore today: Black Mary-Janes
- Who you look like: everyone says my mom
- Your weakness: Chocolate
- Your fears: Mirrors in the dark
- Your perfect pizza: Pizza Delight (meat please) or my homemade pizza (with bacon, salami, pepperoni, ground beef, onions, green peppers)
- Goal you'd like to achieve: Visit a 3rd world country to volunteer at a clinic or school.
LAYER THREE: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
- Your most overused phrase on AIM/MSN: lol
- Your thoughts first waking up: Snooze button??
- Your best physical feature: Hair? Yeah, I usually like my hair
- Your bedtime: 10:30 ish during the week
- Your most missed memory: Sunday afternoon "randies" (that means car rides in Newfie speak) with my Grandad.
LAYER FOUR: Your Pick
- Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi but I'm not really a pop drinker
- McDonalds or Burger King: McDonalds Chicken nuggets and fries
- Single or group dates: both
- Adidas or Nike: I like both
- Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate. But if it's ice cream or cake, I usually prefer Vanilla
- Cappuccino or coffee: Neither. Tea?
LAYER FIVE: Do You?
- Smoke: nope
- Curse: very little
- Sing: in the car when a good song comes one
- Have had a crush(es): lots of 'em
- Think you've been in love: Absolutely
- Want to get married: Only 36 more days!!
- Believe in yourself: Definitely
- Motion sickness: Yes, very much so
- Think you're attractive: Sometimes. I have confident days and "ugly" days
- Think you're a health freak: nope
- Get along with your parents: yes
- Like thunderstorms: if I'm inside looking out, yes
- Play an instrument: only the recorder and I probably can't even do that now
LAYER SIX: Have you ever...
- Smoked: tried it once and thought my lungs were going to collapse
- Done Drugs?: Only the prescription ones or tylenol
- Gone to the mall?: not today
- Eaten an entire box of Oreos: Oreos? - NO; Fudgeos? - YES
- Eaten sushi: at a New Years party two years ago...blech!
- Been on stage: Yes, many times both at school and in church
- Gone skating: not for a long time
- Gone skinny dipping: ha, ha....
- Dyed your hair: highlights
- Been called a tease: yeah
- Gotten beaten up: only a little bit by my siblings
LAYER SEVEN: Getting Older
- Age you hope to be married: I always said "28" and that's exactly what I will be when I get married this summer.
- Numbers and Names of Children: No kids yet. If I ever have a girl I want to name her Sarah.
- Describe your dream wedding: On the beach, casual, fun, handsome groom, gorgeous sunny weather....did I mention that it's only 36 days to my wedding on the beach in PEI?
- How do you want to die: Whenever God decides that it's time is okay by me, as long as it's quick and painless. It's not death that I'm scared of, but I'm terrified of the process of dying.
- What do you want to be when you grow up: Obstetrician
- What country would you most like to visit: Austrailia
LAYER EIGHT: In a partner
- Best eye color?: Pretty blue
- Best hair color?: I have to say Blonde (Jamie is blonde)
- Short or long hair: Short
- Height: Tall
- Best articles of clothing: Board shorts and a cute tee
LAYER NINE: In The Numbers...
- Number of CDs that you own: just a few, rarely buy CD's
- Number of Tattoos: one
- Number of piercings: one
- Number of times your name has appeared in the newspaper: Three times - one for a community award (drawing a flag or something like that). Once for basketball (winning team). And once for getting a high percentage on some grade nine provincial testing.
That's all for now. I'm off to go to the tanning salon for the first time ever in my life. I admit I'm a little nervous....Let you know how it goes.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Balcony Barbeque
Yesterday Jamie and I purchased a new barbeque. Jamie has been convinced for quite some time now that his life cannot be complete without one. And not just ANY barbeque of course. He must have the gigantic stainless steel 4-burner barbeque, the one with the rotisserie included, and side burner, the one that costs a bloody fortune! He saw one at Home Depot a while ago (ONLY $1599.99) with a remote starter and back lighting!! He tried desperately to convince me that we needed such a backyard accessary for the new house but to no avail. I told him that I would only agree to a bbq with a remote if it did all of the cooking for me. It did not so that was the end of that conversation.
I do not even care much for barbequed food and would be perfectly content to spend $99.00 on a bbq. But, alas, my husband-to-be is super spoiled and we decided on a compromise. This compromise was not supposed to become a part of our spending until after moving into the house but then....Zellers! (Jamie just LOVES looking at the sales in the flyers that come every weekend). And there it was on the front page! THE barbeque!
I had to admit that it was a great deal so I completely caved after only a couple of days of him coaxing and pleading. And then we got an extra 10% off for buying the floor model - I love a great deal!
But now, picture this! I live in an apartment building....with a small balcony. I think I'm crazy. But Jamie is ECSTATIC and I love to see him so excited. Tonight we eat chicken-a-la-grill.
I do not even care much for barbequed food and would be perfectly content to spend $99.00 on a bbq. But, alas, my husband-to-be is super spoiled and we decided on a compromise. This compromise was not supposed to become a part of our spending until after moving into the house but then....Zellers! (Jamie just LOVES looking at the sales in the flyers that come every weekend). And there it was on the front page! THE barbeque!
I had to admit that it was a great deal so I completely caved after only a couple of days of him coaxing and pleading. And then we got an extra 10% off for buying the floor model - I love a great deal!
But now, picture this! I live in an apartment building....with a small balcony. I think I'm crazy. But Jamie is ECSTATIC and I love to see him so excited. Tonight we eat chicken-a-la-grill.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Wedding Kiss Game??
I need to decide on what kind of game/activity to do at the wedding in order for guests to have Jamie and I kiss.
Here are the ones that I hate:
Here are a couple of ideas that I like:
Here are the ones that I hate:
- The "tinkling" of the glasses or bells (People just don't know when to stop!)
- Singing a song with "love" in it (I've seen this so many times)
- Telling a funny story (some guests some seem to go on FOREVER with their stories...."There was this one time....")
- Telling a joke (I'm afraid of the "dirty" jokes)
Here are a couple of ideas that I like:
- Fill balloons, inside each balloon is a clue. When the balloon is "popped" by a guest they have to do whatever it says on the piece of paper. Clues could be "Your table must sing Ring Around the Rosie"or "Pay the bride and groom $1 Canadian Tire money or $10 real money". If the clue is completed, then we kiss. My concern with this one is that the kids will want to pop all of the balloons at once. Perhaps another way to do the clues?
- Pad of paper and a pen on each table. Guests much write a song about the bride and groom and sing it to us.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Mouse Trap
I was just thinking about mice...lol :) I have no idea where my thoughts come from sometimes. But there it is....my topic for today - mice!
I suppose it may have started when I was scrapbooking photos of Erykah and Uncle Darren the other day. Erykah had gotten the mousetrap game for Christmas and Uncle Darren was helping her put together the teeny tiny never-ending plastic pieces.
My mind is brought back to my teenage years and my first mouse experience. My bedroom was in the basement of our house. As a teenager I wanted the privacy and the space this room provided. But with the good comes the bad. This room was also the coldest, attracted the most spiders, and even made a good home for a mouse on at least one occasion.
I had awakened in the middle of the night, thought I felt something. So I turned on my lamp. There, sitting amongst my stuffed toys was a teeny little mouse. I looked at him, he seemed to be hiding. It was as though he was thinking, "Ok, if it just sit very still then she'll just think I'm one of the toys!" No such luck for the rodent. I was petrified and started screaming for my dad to come downstairs right away, "There's a mouse! A MOUSE!". Dad was somewhat accustomed to these late night calls but they were normally to exterminate a spider.
So my father armed himself with the most readily available weapon in the house (a shoe) and chased the little mouse and hit him over the head. Dead! Well, at least severely brain-damaged. I was so upset! I didn't want the poor little mouse to DIE - he was just looking for a nice warm and cozy home. My father picked him up and put him outside and tried to reassure me that he was probably "just knocked out".
Funny, isn't it? How such a tiny little creature could have such an impact on me that I still think about it today. I can still see him hiding there in the toys, determined not to make a move. I wonder what if he/she had a family? What if I hadn't called my dad but instead had tried to scoop him up into a jar and put him outside to be free? I feel terrible.
Please feel free to share your similar stories. I certainly cannot be the only one with such ridiculously over-analyzed experiences with rodents.
(the more I write, the more I realize what a nerd I really am...)
I suppose it may have started when I was scrapbooking photos of Erykah and Uncle Darren the other day. Erykah had gotten the mousetrap game for Christmas and Uncle Darren was helping her put together the teeny tiny never-ending plastic pieces.
My mind is brought back to my teenage years and my first mouse experience. My bedroom was in the basement of our house. As a teenager I wanted the privacy and the space this room provided. But with the good comes the bad. This room was also the coldest, attracted the most spiders, and even made a good home for a mouse on at least one occasion.
I had awakened in the middle of the night, thought I felt something. So I turned on my lamp. There, sitting amongst my stuffed toys was a teeny little mouse. I looked at him, he seemed to be hiding. It was as though he was thinking, "Ok, if it just sit very still then she'll just think I'm one of the toys!" No such luck for the rodent. I was petrified and started screaming for my dad to come downstairs right away, "There's a mouse! A MOUSE!". Dad was somewhat accustomed to these late night calls but they were normally to exterminate a spider.
So my father armed himself with the most readily available weapon in the house (a shoe) and chased the little mouse and hit him over the head. Dead! Well, at least severely brain-damaged. I was so upset! I didn't want the poor little mouse to DIE - he was just looking for a nice warm and cozy home. My father picked him up and put him outside and tried to reassure me that he was probably "just knocked out".
Funny, isn't it? How such a tiny little creature could have such an impact on me that I still think about it today. I can still see him hiding there in the toys, determined not to make a move. I wonder what if he/she had a family? What if I hadn't called my dad but instead had tried to scoop him up into a jar and put him outside to be free? I feel terrible.
Please feel free to share your similar stories. I certainly cannot be the only one with such ridiculously over-analyzed experiences with rodents.
(the more I write, the more I realize what a nerd I really am...)
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Talkin' 'bout MY GIRL
Erykah, my niece, is five years old today. I am flabbergasted...FIVE! How did that happen? She was only born yesterday...
Yet, last night, she was talking about school and helping me draw and colour a "Happy Birthday" poster, writing her own name, and chatting about wanting to get a new "big girl" bike.
Erykah is growing so much. She has her moods which seem to swing wildly out of control at times. I kinda like that about her. It drives me crazy sometimes but I love her personality. She is fun, silly, grumpy, over-exciteable, talkative, cautious, helpful, curious.
Erykah definitely has her own likes and dislikes. This year, unlike her younger birthdays, she is very picky about the clothes she will receive and asked her mom about what to do if she got an item she didn't like. You can imagine the look of shock on my sisters face at the comment. Seems that children have a brutal honesty that leaves you speechless sometimes.
Erykah loves to cook (and is quite good at it!) thanks to her wonderful parents who take the time to let her do such things under watchful eye. She very much enjoys going to restaurants to eat. She loves to do crafts, much to the delight of her auntie Myrna. She loves to take the time to notice the little things....the smell of a flower, the spots on a ladybug, the new colour of my toenails. I love that!
Erykah will be my little flowergirl in about 6 and a half weeks. She likes to ask about the wedding and sometimes talks like such a "grown-up" that it completely throws me off. She asked her mother, "Mommy, which part of the wedding comes first - the boring part or the fun part?" When my sister asked what the boring part meant, Erykah responded with "the part where I have to do the walking (down the aisle)" lol :) What a character!
Erykah is truly my girl...I know that I am certainly second in line to her parents. But to me she is still MY GIRL! I have spent so much time with her and I cannot imagine life without her. My mother says that Erykah is a lot like me when I was a child....so many similarites, it's weird to see myself in her. I feel sometimes that I am watching a mini-me. I am excited about moving into my new house but, at the same time, I absolutely dread the day when Erykah will no longer live so close. The years go by so quickly and I just don't like to miss anything with her.
So, to my baby girl (although you are not a baby anymore): You are a beautiful big girl and I am very proud to be your auntie. Happy Birthday....I hope you have lots of kisses and hugs for me today...and always!
Yet, last night, she was talking about school and helping me draw and colour a "Happy Birthday" poster, writing her own name, and chatting about wanting to get a new "big girl" bike.
Erykah is growing so much. She has her moods which seem to swing wildly out of control at times. I kinda like that about her. It drives me crazy sometimes but I love her personality. She is fun, silly, grumpy, over-exciteable, talkative, cautious, helpful, curious.
Erykah definitely has her own likes and dislikes. This year, unlike her younger birthdays, she is very picky about the clothes she will receive and asked her mom about what to do if she got an item she didn't like. You can imagine the look of shock on my sisters face at the comment. Seems that children have a brutal honesty that leaves you speechless sometimes.
Erykah loves to cook (and is quite good at it!) thanks to her wonderful parents who take the time to let her do such things under watchful eye. She very much enjoys going to restaurants to eat. She loves to do crafts, much to the delight of her auntie Myrna. She loves to take the time to notice the little things....the smell of a flower, the spots on a ladybug, the new colour of my toenails. I love that!
Erykah will be my little flowergirl in about 6 and a half weeks. She likes to ask about the wedding and sometimes talks like such a "grown-up" that it completely throws me off. She asked her mother, "Mommy, which part of the wedding comes first - the boring part or the fun part?" When my sister asked what the boring part meant, Erykah responded with "the part where I have to do the walking (down the aisle)" lol :) What a character!
Erykah is truly my girl...I know that I am certainly second in line to her parents. But to me she is still MY GIRL! I have spent so much time with her and I cannot imagine life without her. My mother says that Erykah is a lot like me when I was a child....so many similarites, it's weird to see myself in her. I feel sometimes that I am watching a mini-me. I am excited about moving into my new house but, at the same time, I absolutely dread the day when Erykah will no longer live so close. The years go by so quickly and I just don't like to miss anything with her.
So, to my baby girl (although you are not a baby anymore): You are a beautiful big girl and I am very proud to be your auntie. Happy Birthday....I hope you have lots of kisses and hugs for me today...and always!
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Kinda Surprised
Today my bridesmaids - Tracey, Vicki, Christa, Jennifer, and Joann - hosted a wonderful bridal shower for me. They have been planning for a long time and worked very hard to keep it a secret. I was informed that I would be having a shower but they refused to share any further details - date, time, location, guests, NOTHING. Oh, the suspense!
Due to my nosey nature (I have spoken about this in a previous blog), I have had my eyes and ears open, watching and listening, for a "slip of the tongue", or any pertinent information that might lead me to find out anything to do with the shower. Through the creation of a bridal registry I was at least able to satisfy some of my curiosity by taking a peek at the gifts everyone had purchased day by day. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
And with so many things happening this summer - birthday parties, softball season, camping, weddings, Jack and Jills, I had narrowed the date of the shower down to two potential weekends. One of those possible weekends had past so I deducted that this must be my lucky weekend. But which day? Saturday? Sunday?
This morning, there was little doubt in my mind. Christa has cancelled our shopping excursion to "babysit", Jennifer had "driving school", Tracey had borrowed my car to "run errands, take Erykah to ballet", etc. AND, Jamie was so compliant with my wanting to visit the mall in the afternoon, it was completely unnatural. Seems he was searching out ways to get me to the shower en route to the mall.
And then Vicki called....
V: "Hey Myrna, I picked up those shoes to try on with the bridesmaids dress. You should come by to see what you think."
M: "Well Jamie is out right now but I'll give him a call to see if he can drop me off cause Tracey has my car."
V: "Okay, I'll be home for a little while so you should come over soon. I won't be home later"
M: "Alright, will call you back in a bit"
And then Jamie calls only a couple of minutes after I get off the phone with Vicki...
J: "Hi, whatta ya doin'?"
M: "Not much"
J: "I'm almost at the apartment, you should come downstairs and we'll go out to the mall"
M: "Well Vicki just called to see if I could go over to look at the shoes to match the bridesmaids dresses."
J: "Oh ok then (trying to sound annoyed at the idea of a detour), we'd better go there first."
Of course, during all of these conversations, I had already decided in my mind that I was on my way to my bridal shower. I had already had a pedicure early in the morning, I had showered, dressed super-cute, did my hair and makeup. I was all set and grinning from ear to ear.
And I was right. Jamie and I drove to Vicki's apartment building where the bridal shower was being held in the downstairs party room. Vicki met me at the door, asked "did you know?" I nodded and said, "kinda" and I entered the room to a big "SURPRISE". It was just so exciting! All of this for ME!! Well, kinda for Jamie too. But he was gone now, scared by the thought of a room full of ladies. So, all for ME!
All of my friends, family, coworkers, had sacrificed their air-conditioned homes and cars for an afternoon of stuffy humid basement bridal shower for me. It was wonderful. My heart was beating so fast! Everyone just looked so cute in their summery skirts and shorts, with lei's around their necks. I don't see many of these people nearly often enough.
Everything was really well organized and we played some games to get everyone mingling and having fun. Then there was yummy food (and lots of it!). And then the gift opening. I got SO MANY gifts, it is unbelieveable! I am just so thankful, everyone was so generous! Where am I going to put all of this stuff in my little apartment? It's a good thing Jamie and I have bought a house.
After the cake cutting, I hugged everyone and said my thanks and goodbyes. Too many of them cannot make it to the wedding.
Now, I am exhausted. The excitement of the day seems to have drained me completely. It was all so awesome! My bridesmaids are truly the best girls ever!
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!
Due to my nosey nature (I have spoken about this in a previous blog), I have had my eyes and ears open, watching and listening, for a "slip of the tongue", or any pertinent information that might lead me to find out anything to do with the shower. Through the creation of a bridal registry I was at least able to satisfy some of my curiosity by taking a peek at the gifts everyone had purchased day by day. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
And with so many things happening this summer - birthday parties, softball season, camping, weddings, Jack and Jills, I had narrowed the date of the shower down to two potential weekends. One of those possible weekends had past so I deducted that this must be my lucky weekend. But which day? Saturday? Sunday?
This morning, there was little doubt in my mind. Christa has cancelled our shopping excursion to "babysit", Jennifer had "driving school", Tracey had borrowed my car to "run errands, take Erykah to ballet", etc. AND, Jamie was so compliant with my wanting to visit the mall in the afternoon, it was completely unnatural. Seems he was searching out ways to get me to the shower en route to the mall.
And then Vicki called....
V: "Hey Myrna, I picked up those shoes to try on with the bridesmaids dress. You should come by to see what you think."
M: "Well Jamie is out right now but I'll give him a call to see if he can drop me off cause Tracey has my car."
V: "Okay, I'll be home for a little while so you should come over soon. I won't be home later"
M: "Alright, will call you back in a bit"
And then Jamie calls only a couple of minutes after I get off the phone with Vicki...
J: "Hi, whatta ya doin'?"
M: "Not much"
J: "I'm almost at the apartment, you should come downstairs and we'll go out to the mall"
M: "Well Vicki just called to see if I could go over to look at the shoes to match the bridesmaids dresses."
J: "Oh ok then (trying to sound annoyed at the idea of a detour), we'd better go there first."
Of course, during all of these conversations, I had already decided in my mind that I was on my way to my bridal shower. I had already had a pedicure early in the morning, I had showered, dressed super-cute, did my hair and makeup. I was all set and grinning from ear to ear.
And I was right. Jamie and I drove to Vicki's apartment building where the bridal shower was being held in the downstairs party room. Vicki met me at the door, asked "did you know?" I nodded and said, "kinda" and I entered the room to a big "SURPRISE". It was just so exciting! All of this for ME!! Well, kinda for Jamie too. But he was gone now, scared by the thought of a room full of ladies. So, all for ME!
All of my friends, family, coworkers, had sacrificed their air-conditioned homes and cars for an afternoon of stuffy humid basement bridal shower for me. It was wonderful. My heart was beating so fast! Everyone just looked so cute in their summery skirts and shorts, with lei's around their necks. I don't see many of these people nearly often enough.
Everything was really well organized and we played some games to get everyone mingling and having fun. Then there was yummy food (and lots of it!). And then the gift opening. I got SO MANY gifts, it is unbelieveable! I am just so thankful, everyone was so generous! Where am I going to put all of this stuff in my little apartment? It's a good thing Jamie and I have bought a house.
After the cake cutting, I hugged everyone and said my thanks and goodbyes. Too many of them cannot make it to the wedding.
Now, I am exhausted. The excitement of the day seems to have drained me completely. It was all so awesome! My bridesmaids are truly the best girls ever!
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!
Friday, June 03, 2005
Happy 2nd Birthday Joshua
Dear Tara,
Today is two years since the birth of your son, Joshua. My thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family so intensely this week. I just want to share some of my feelings.
I think back to the day Joshua was born, he came into the world so early. Your email announcing his birth was surprising to say the least. Of course, I was happy for you and sent congratulations on the new arrival. At the same time, I was so worried and eagerly awaited your updates about his progress. I was shocked and devestated and cried so much for you on June 20th when I received word that Joshua had passed away.
I have just finished reading your blog. It is beautiful, so honest, so heartfelt. I am very proud of you and how far you have come as a person, a friend, a wife, a mother, in the few years that I have known you. Your tributes and your traditions for Joshua are wonderful and inspiring. I cannot possibly understand your "reality" but I am so appreciative of the way that you have chosen to share Joshua's life, especially through your awesome journalling and scrapbook pages!
You worry about forgetting....never! I will never forget either. I even have my own little "tradition". I don't always wait until his birthday. But I do, quite often, take out the pictures, read the emails, look at the funeral tribute card with his little footprints. I hold out my hand and try to imagine how tiny he was, so fragile. He fought so hard to stay with you, Tara. Only God knows the reason why he was taken. Perhaps we will never know.
As you, Jacques, and Noah are growing as a family, I like to imagine that every now and then, God allows the curtain of heaven to be pulled back so that Joshua, now in his absolute perfection, can look down on you. He will surely smile at how you love him every day....from now until eternity!
Love & Prayers,
Myrna
Today is two years since the birth of your son, Joshua. My thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family so intensely this week. I just want to share some of my feelings.
I think back to the day Joshua was born, he came into the world so early. Your email announcing his birth was surprising to say the least. Of course, I was happy for you and sent congratulations on the new arrival. At the same time, I was so worried and eagerly awaited your updates about his progress. I was shocked and devestated and cried so much for you on June 20th when I received word that Joshua had passed away.
I have just finished reading your blog. It is beautiful, so honest, so heartfelt. I am very proud of you and how far you have come as a person, a friend, a wife, a mother, in the few years that I have known you. Your tributes and your traditions for Joshua are wonderful and inspiring. I cannot possibly understand your "reality" but I am so appreciative of the way that you have chosen to share Joshua's life, especially through your awesome journalling and scrapbook pages!
You worry about forgetting....never! I will never forget either. I even have my own little "tradition". I don't always wait until his birthday. But I do, quite often, take out the pictures, read the emails, look at the funeral tribute card with his little footprints. I hold out my hand and try to imagine how tiny he was, so fragile. He fought so hard to stay with you, Tara. Only God knows the reason why he was taken. Perhaps we will never know.
As you, Jacques, and Noah are growing as a family, I like to imagine that every now and then, God allows the curtain of heaven to be pulled back so that Joshua, now in his absolute perfection, can look down on you. He will surely smile at how you love him every day....from now until eternity!
Love & Prayers,
Myrna
Thursday, June 02, 2005
A Walk in the Park
Christa and I walk together every Monday and Wednesday evening, we've done this over the past couple of years when the warm weather arrives. We decided that we needed a little something in the exercise department to fill our schedules after the conclusion of our winter volleyball season.
It's amazing how great a simple walk can make you feel....
...and I have never needed to walk more than I did last night. I've been rather stressed lately with the ruination of my wedding dress, the search for the jewelry I had bought for my bridesmaids and have now somehow lost, shopping for groomsmen attire, and being super busy at work.
Yesterday was a beautiful warm and sunny day here in Ontario. It was perfect to get out and breathe some "fresh" air, take a brisk walk through the park, talk Christas ear off, and clear my muddled brain.
As an extra note, it seems that walking through the park also means encountering swarming clouds of tiny blackflies. Blackflies + Sticky lipgloss = not a good combination.
Perhaps the blackflies can be my symbolic lesson for the day. Sometimes in life we have to walk through annoying dark clouds of pesky blackflies. We can't let those annoyances "stick" but rather we must walk straight through, brush ourselves off, and enjoy the rest of our walk in the sunshine.
So, I encourage you! Take your stressed-out self for a walk through the park, down the street, around the bend to visit a neighbour. Take a friend, your hubby and kids, your dog. Walking - does the body (and the spirit) good!
It's amazing how great a simple walk can make you feel....
...and I have never needed to walk more than I did last night. I've been rather stressed lately with the ruination of my wedding dress, the search for the jewelry I had bought for my bridesmaids and have now somehow lost, shopping for groomsmen attire, and being super busy at work.
Yesterday was a beautiful warm and sunny day here in Ontario. It was perfect to get out and breathe some "fresh" air, take a brisk walk through the park, talk Christas ear off, and clear my muddled brain.
As an extra note, it seems that walking through the park also means encountering swarming clouds of tiny blackflies. Blackflies + Sticky lipgloss = not a good combination.
Perhaps the blackflies can be my symbolic lesson for the day. Sometimes in life we have to walk through annoying dark clouds of pesky blackflies. We can't let those annoyances "stick" but rather we must walk straight through, brush ourselves off, and enjoy the rest of our walk in the sunshine.
So, I encourage you! Take your stressed-out self for a walk through the park, down the street, around the bend to visit a neighbour. Take a friend, your hubby and kids, your dog. Walking - does the body (and the spirit) good!
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