A Promise Made is a Promise Kept

I promised the management at The Great Buffet of China that I would share this story with everyone that I know. So just for good measure I shall blog about it.

Today we went to The Great Buffet of China restaurant for lunch (Me, Jonny, Emerie, Torry and Jeremy). After the bills had been split up and Jonny and I had been given our portion we noticed that we were charged for a child's buffet as well. Now my baby is only 9 months - not quite ready to partake in the chinese buffet. During our meal she happily munched on her puffed wheat which travels everyone whith us. We let our waiter know of the mistake and he said that he would look into it. He soon came back with the manager of The Great Buffet of China and she explained that if a child eats something and makes a mess (we are still working on accuracy with Emerie, only half of what she shoves towards her face actually makes it into her mouth), even if the food does not belong to The Great Buffet of China they will be charged for a child's buffet and that was that.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!

So we grudgingly agreed to pay but let them know that we would share this story with everyone we knew.

Okay, I also have a Juno sighting story. Torry, Jonny and I were standing in the mall today when Torry says "Hey, aren't those the guys from Canadian Idol?" And wouldn't you know walking in the front doors is Farley Flex and whoever the white guy with glasses is. So when they get closer of course Jonny and Torry do the head nod 'sup thing that only cool black guys do and Farley returns it by patting Jonny on the shoulder and saying "'sup man" and then they keep on walking. We just stood there watching them walk away, thinking to ourselves "Well, that was different."

Mmmm, now I shall go and curl up on the couch and finish my venti chai tea latte. Good night all!

Verbal Diarrhea

So many things that I want to talk about today. I hope that I remember all of them.

For starters - I got a new job. I've been applying for different jobs with the city for a couple of months now and I went for an interview yestery and they phoned me shortly after lunch and offered me the position. I wasn't sure about going back to 12 hour night shifts so I've been keeping my eyes open for something new. Anyways, I will be working at Access Transit (which is the public transportation for people with disabilities) where I will be the scheduling clerk. People have to phone in and schedule their pick ups and drop offs and I'll be the person that they phone in and talk to. How nice it will be to actually deal with the public again instead of sitting with headphones on for 11 hours straight. The hours will be so much better as it is just a part time position so I'll still be home for my babies alot too (and not sleeping all day long either).

April 17th is the much aniticipated Epicure party. All are welcome. I'm pulling out some new recipes plus some old favorites. Let me know if you are interested in coming and I'll give you all the details.

This means that I seriously need a new work wardrobe. The dress is pretty casual there but I definately do not want to keep up the utter drab rut that I have desperately fallen into. I'm looking at this as my opportunity to gain back my fashion abilities. Believe it or not there was actually a time in my life where people commented on my keen fashion sense. This may sound strange but the biggest item on my list right now is a great pair of grey pants. Nothing so casual that I'm in cargoville but not dress pants either, something that can go either way. If any of you know where I can attain such a find please let me know (keep in mind this gal is on a budget).

Something that has frustrated me lately is lines. Standing/waiting in lines, specifically. I do not understand why people get so frustrated and antsy waiting in line to the point where they will walk out of the restaurant if the wait is longer than 10 minutes. But on the other hand they will wait in Tim Horton's drive through for upwards of 15 minutes for a stinking coffee. What's worse is I'm one of them!! What is the world coming to. Since when is coffee more important that a beautiful dining experience?

Here's something good. Have you seen the commercial for the hearing aid that helps you eavesdrop on other peoples conversations? WHAT!!!! This is actually one of the uses advertised in the commercial. It shows that when you are wearing it you can listen to the messeges in church better, you can hear your kids playing accross the playground, you can hear the tv when it is down low so you don't disturb your spouse - AND eavesdrop on a conversation that is happening across the room. Tempting, I know. But come on, REALLY? All this for the low, low cost of $19.95. And it looks like you just have your IPOD earphones in. Good grief - people beware.

I should have gotten out of bed in the middle of the night to write this blog while all the thoughts in my head where actually keeping me awake last night.

Can you believe the snow on the ground this morning? Honestly, how disappointing was that? Sometimes I think God is just bored up there and thinks "Hey, I'm gonna mess with those Saskatchewan's for a while, ha ha ha!" Well - IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!!

So I got a free ticket to the Juno's. Jenna had a spare ticket. How exciting!!!! I immediately started to phone people to brag that I was going, especially my husband. 10 minutes later it turns out that the spare ticket wasn't really a spare ticket anymore. Son of a bisket! It's okay - Jenna knows I'm not mad.

I just checked the "So You Think You Can Dance" website and they are doing auditions as I type. Infact they only have one location left. Let the obsession begin.

I had a Curves weigh in yesterday and I am 4 1/2 inches smaller. Oh, the little things in life.

Hmm, seems that's all I got. Until next time...

Single Black Male

I am posting an advertisement for my single friend Torry.

This guy is just the sweetest guy ever. He orchastrated a great day for me and my hubby's anniversary. He arranged for babysitting and cooked up a fiest in our house (which was a complete surprise to me until I stepped into my house to change for going out for supper) and treated us to a movie afterwards. What a doll! So to all those single ladies out there you better snatch him up quick because he is quite a catch.

Okay I'll stop that now, I am preparing myself for the reprucussions of blogging such a blog. Mwahaha mwahaha mwahaha!

Second Anniversary

So Jonny and I have our 2nd Anniversary on Sunday. This is what I found online for suggestions for such an occassion. What a lame-o website. I'll let you guys know how it actually turns out.

Ways to Celebrate Your 2nd Anniversary:
Plan a Cotton Club themed evening together and listen to jazz music.

Plan a movie night and watch your wedding video.

Get tickets for a movie, sports event, concert, theatre, etc. to attend together.

Gift Suggestions to Purchase for Your 2nd Anniversary:
Cotton gloves.

Cotton handkerchiefs or bandannas.

Cotton T-shirts.

Cotton plush towels.

Canvas shopping bag or book bag.

Cotton table cloth, napkins or place mats.

Nifty looking cotton socks. (this one I find particularly humerous)

Cozy cotton his and hers bathrobes.

Egyptian cotton sheets and pillowcases.

Rope hammock.

China plates.

China figurines.

Garnet jewelry.

Gift Suggestions to Make for your 2nd Anniversary:
Put together a gift basket that has a variety of Cosmos seeds, along with a pair of cotton garden gloves, and a coupon on red paper stating your willingness to help plant the seeds. (who wrote this?)

My Inner Child

Your Inner Child Is Happy

You see life as simple, and simple is a very good thing. You're cheerful and upbeat, taking everything as it comes. And you decide not to worry, even when things look bad. You figure there's just so many great things to look forward to.

How Is Your Inner Child?

The Secret

OMG!! I JUST WROTE LIKE THREE PARAGRAPHS OF STUFF AND MY COMPUTER ERASED EVERYTHING! I'M SO MAD - I AM NOW GOING TO TRY AND REWRITE EVERYTHING. THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE IT WILL NOT BE AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME. ARGGHHH!

Oprah has had a couple of shows recently on a book/dvd series called "The Secret". All of a sudden it appears as though everybody is talking about it. Now, I don't know a whole lot about it because if my memory serves me correctly Lisa, Jenn and I were having coffee they day it aired on Oprah and it seemed a little sketchy so we stopped watching. However, today on The View they were talking about it and it caught my attention. They summed up the dvd as being about how to visualize what you want in every detail and then you will attain it.

Now, I can buy that if you are working really hard at the same time to achieve this goal, but, they said that it was mainly about material things and it was almost like a magical thing. The example that they used was how a kid envisioned a particular bicycle and concentrated really hard on it and then his grandpa showed up at the door with the bike. Or you visualize your hands wrapped around the steering wheel of your dream car and then *poof*, I guess. This seems like a crock to me. I have spent endless hours thinking of my dream home - it is decorated in my mind and everything and so far - nothing. I think this book/dvd has good ideas in theory but are missing what the purpose to life really is.

HA HA - good segway. So I was reading The Purpose Driven Life right afterwards (my small group would be so pleased as I haven't touched it since Day 14). I have no idea what day we are on so I just kind of picked whereabouts I thought we might be. Day 29 (which after getting Shirly's email today I now know that we are on Day 28). In the very first paragraph it says, "While many best-selling books offer advice on how to "get" the most out of life, that's not the reason God made you. You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it." HMM - coincidence I happen upon this - I think not.

Then I came upon a passage written by Colleen Townsend Evans which read:
"Jesus promises that satisfaction will come to those who seek the good things of God. He says that they will be filled - not with an easy way of life, not with someting of limited value that can be taken away from them... but with the joy and contentment that come from doing God's will. The filled people are the truly happy people in life"

But, of course, Jesus said it best.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:3-10)

Point to Ponder - Am I seeking my house, my furniture, my perfect paint color? Or am I seeking salvation?

Purple People Eater

As promised here are the pictures of Alanna and her purple hair. I'm not sure you can tell how purple it really is but it's darn close. I just love her to bits.

Here's an old picture of Emerie I found. This was at her dedication. Can you believe how much she has changed!?

Times A Changin'

Ah spring - a time of changes. Diggin' the new look? I figured a springy looking blog was in order. I know spring has always been a time of change for me. I can't make any really big changes in my life anymore without rocking the family boat a little too much so I have turned on my daughter. I died Alanna'a hair purple last night. (pictures to come) I think it looks so great on her. She loves it!

Is it not the greatest feeling in the world to have your windows open and not feel cold or anything. I am in such a good mood right now. Spring really is my favorite time of year. I just get that get up and go feeling (which could be bad because it can mean more trips to the mall out of desperation for something to do).

Okay so this is probably the employee of the police station in me coming out - because it is getting nicer out the crime rate goes up without a doubt. Not too much I can do about it personally (except blog about it, lol). But it stemmed a thought. I remember when I was a kid we didn't have to deal with half of what goes on now a days. I can't imagine how baby boomers feel to see how much times have changed. That being said, times have changed and with that so many more things are permissable now compared to even ten years ago. Kids go to parties assuming that someone there with be carrying a weapon of some sort on them. That was unheard of when I was a kid. But, how much of this starts with the parents. Do you think we allow our kids to get away with alot more than what our parents let us get away with. For example have you seen how much movie ratings have changed in the last couple years. Half of the PG rated movies I would never let Alanna watch. Jonny and I watch virtually everything before we let Alanna watch it. There was a scene in Monster House where the babysitter kicks her boyfriend out of the house with his bottle of beer, screaming at him that he needs to respect women more after the two of them were "giggling" on the couch. And I can't tell you how many "childrens" movies have "adult" humor in them. Is this so the parent can enjoy watching the cartoon with their kids? You watch cartoons with your kid primarily for their enjoyment not yours. That's whey there are kids shows and adult shows. But if sexually suggestive dialogue is making it into the G rated movies I think we need to seriously examine what we as parents are letting into our kids lives. No wonder times have changed so much - how many more teen pregnancies are there now compared to twenty years ago. Maybe if we kept our kids at the old G ratings we wouldn't have X rated teenagers.

That paragraph took a little bit of a different turn then I had originally anticipated but that's okay - I don't remember my original point - but I still agree with what I wrote. Let me know what you parents out there think. I know that some people have said that Jonny and I are extremely strict with our kids but honestly I think that my reasons are reasonably backed up.

Free Boobs!!??

So this is the rumor of the week. I heard through the grapevine that mothers may now be covered under Saskatchewan health for free breast lifts and tummy tucks. Here's the deal. If someone has had twins they are eligible for a tummy tuck and if they nurse they will throw in a free breast lift. And for those who don't have twins - if you have nursed three babies then you too can qualify for a free breast life.

How stinkin' amazing is that? It makes me seriously consider having that third baby that Jonny and I have been hmming and haing about. I would wear a maternity shirt that clearly states "I'm doing it for the boobs".

I did try to research really quickly about it and didn't find any evidence to support this rumor. I didn't spend a lot of time on it though, so if anyone has any information on this please post it.

One of my dear friends said it best (I'm assuming she would want to remain anonymous) "If I get stuck with three kids and no boobs I'm coming after someone!"

Velvet and Sandpaper

We all have known family or friends who bring out the worst in us instead of the best, rubbing us at just the wrong spots, uncovering our weaknesses rather than our strengths. They're like sandpaper. It is good to remember that Jesus encountered these sandpaper experiences at times even from within his inner circle. It is also good to remember that one of his closest friends was one he knew would never understand him and would even betray him. He was a constant sandpaper to Jesus, yet Jesus loved him daily as he did the others. Even in this way he was laying down his life. Since we are also loved sacrificially we are to lay down our lives for each other (1 John 3:16).
But the Lord gives us others who are like velvet, whose words are comforting and supportive, and who really understand us. They are the soft cushions we need when we are scraped with the "sandpapers" and can listen to us as we explore the weaknesses and needs they bring out in us. They tangibly reveal God's perspective - just when we most need it.
- Kathy Narramore, Alice Hill