It hurts.

It does hurt me when others intentionally try to hurt others. These are mothers for crying outloud. Makes me wonder if they SERIOUSLY have NOTHING else to do with their time all day long..are their lives SERIOUSLY that lame that they have to cause others greif??? They should be ashamed of themselves for acting like immature little brats. GROW THE HELL UP!

Thursday.

Hello! Its 8pm and I just am sitting down to catch up on some pics. Today I worked only until 2pm. Then I went to south common and got some maternity clothes for Amanda (read about her below) must be nice to buy an XS MATERNITY clothes! Wow. Anyhow, their clothes are soooo cute, omg! So I did that. Then, I went to check out the new Walmart however I did a U-turn when I saw the traffic all trying to get into the parking lot...so I went to Zellers at MWTC instead....I bought our bedding!!!! Yeah, here we have a beautiful bedroom suite with horrible bedding...so we did it. We bought some new stuff...and its sooooo nice! Its chocolate brown and white....very very nice! Its Alfred Sung (not that I care about brands) but its pretty stylish!!!! So Fabe and I put that on the bed and it looks so nice. He is out right now to try to find curtains...finally I can add accessories to make it finished in there...I hate things half done. I need it done-done. So I did that...Fabe and I just went for my evening walk...he came with me. We just chatted and talked about houses as we walked. It was nice. Now he is getting curtains I am showering the kids. I'm exicted to get into my new bed...new pillows even!!! OOoooooOOO!

Well, check out the pics I updated....

And I am very happy as its Frrrrriday tomorrow!

Tara

I shouldn't even admit this.....

The pile of expired, yukcy, non-liked food that was donated, thrown out or taken to work...

After: The pantry usually is pretty organzied however now everything in here is still that we will eat...its not expired or wasted...

But I cleaned the panty out the other night. And well, it was so sad to see the amount of food we wasted! Horrible. Now I did sort out what I can dump into the foodbank bin. As well, since Amanda is pregnant (my foster sister, she lived with us since she was 4 years old for

12 years!) she is almost 19 and pregnant. She is very broke....so I put aside alot of food for her to take home when she is over on Saturday! But yeah....still lots had expired...just a waste!

Wheres the SNOW????

Not that I really am complaining because I hate winter! But the kids are dying for snow!!!

Ski Season!

We bought the children ski equipment and passes already, so they are ready to go!!!! We just need snow!!!!!They will go into lessons again and then they will be ready for our annual Jasper ski trip!

Shioh.

After having one horrible hamster experience...we have another hamster. Shiloh, was R's hamster. But she didn't like him. She was scared of him. So, I took him for the daycare pet. Well after bringing him home on weekends, I feel in love with him. So he doesn't go to the daycare much anymore, and actually since we had him at the daycare a parent got their daughter a gerbil. But they hated the gerbil. So they brought the gerbil into the daycare for us to keep. So now we keep Shiloh at home. Fabe isn't much into him. But he doesn't complain too much about him. I just make sure that his cage is cleaned a few times a week so that he doesn't smell. There are SO many hamster toys to buy too! We bring him out every night to be held and give him a run in the ball. Bandit goes crazzzzzy but we just make sure that he is out of Bandits reach!!!! Anyhow he is really cute!!!!

Small Reno around home...

The rec room :)

Our little fireplace...this thing totally pumps out good heat!!!!! Its perfect for the basement!

Bandit walking all over the new couch as we were trying to find a place for it, can you spot me in the picture???

The color against white. It is such a nice color. I love it!

Anyhow looking for a nice boys color, this is it!!!!!!

The red chair that I bought from Ikea. It looks really good against the grey walls...I just love the color!!!!

The upstair bathroom. I have since bought a nice thick Ikea red bath mat...but other then that...it goes well. I did leave this wall beige as I didn't want it to be too overwhelming!

Love the color!

So nice!

It was a while ago now, but I painted one weekend when the kids were with my mom. I painted the main bathroom upstairs in a red color. I loooove it. But it was a real pain in the ass to paint! I'm very happy with the end result!

Also, I painted Macks new room. Before when R lived here it was a horrible pink color. But I found an industrial grey color...its so nice down there :) I love it! It matches perfectly with his duvet color and accents of red...plus I bought a wonderful red Ikea arm chair for his room. It

looks so nice! I really like it. As of yet, he hasn't moved down there. He wants to (he says) but we haven't had the chance to make the big move yet...then we will be stuck as to what to do with the old room of his....(sigh) one thing to another.

Another thing we did, was get the new basement furniture. Its so nice! It was so cheap! But with a 10 year warranty...we can't complain! The basement is totally different now that we have it. We still don't use the basement either...kinda wasted space. The only thing that we use down there is me, and I use the craft area! But I like it to feel complete tho. I hated having the basement sitting there, being unsed. It kills me not use the space in our house considering there are so many homeless people and people who need homes and here we have a whole basement not being used...horrible.

But our house feels a little better to me. Now we need to work on the painting everywhere else. Ugh. The staircase from jamming our big screen tv up here RUINED the walls in the staircase...

Hello!

Did I miss updating yesturday (opps!)

Anyhow right now I am at work. I am off in like 20 mins but I am already 'off' in my own mind. Tomorrow the new SuperCentre Walmart opens and I can't wait to see it!!!!Yesturday (monday) I was totally tired after work. And COLD! But I still was able to take Bandit for a nice big walk...I was FREEZING when I got home though! But it was worth it. Today I weighed in, 2 days early. And I was only down .8 but due to the 'time of the month' and not walking all last week I wasn't expecting a big loss! Next Tuesday I expect a bigger amount :) I feel super good eating so well. It is crazy to not stick to it forever, really.

Work has been really well lately. We are nearing our accreditation date fast...we have by Dec.30th to book our 2-day site visit. So we will be having it sometime in January. I pray to God we are approved. Everyone will get rasises and my life will be almost stress free from worrying about it this so much (and ALL of the work going into it). The licensing officers say that we are at the same level, so we will see. They can't see why we wouldn't get approved. Sounds good! Other then that, not too much new. My poor sister's nanny is looking for antoher job. My sister lives on an acreage and the nanny wants to live in the city where she can babysit and houseclean in the evenings and make more money. Sucky for my sister...mid-school year. She is a vice principal so its not like she is able to just not go to work...they will get another foregin nanny hopefully in time. My sister and the kids are coming down this weekend. On Saturday we are having one big family birthday party. Its Amandas (pregnant old foster girl for 11 years) and R's birthday, my uncles birthday and OUR sons 11th party...at my house on Saturday everyone is coming over. Its going to be great! Sunday, we have a b-day party to go to. Then on Monday my sister is leaving and my meeting for accreditation is for Monday morning...crazy! It will be nice, my sis is coming down with just the kids. And Fabe is working, so it will be her and I and our kids. That will be nice :o)

What else? Kennedy has gained a HUGE amount of weight in the past 5-6 months...she gained like 8 pounds! Its GREAT!!!! But the dr's are sure its actual weight or height..that girl is TALL!

Tomorrow is Macks' soccer, Kennedy's gymnastics. Busy! I drop him off, drop her off, go get him, go get her. Blah. But at least its all over with one night during the week rather then two. Soccer games are on Saturdays every week.

Hmmmmm, we had a scare with Bandit. On Sunday he puked up a NASTY blob of 'something'. It looked like worms. Then today we took a stool sample to the vet...it was negative. So it must have been string that he ate...DUMB dog!

Well the boss is here. I better go.

TTYL

Tara

Hello :o)

Hi! Do I still have readers? Or has everyone given up on me? Heeeellllloooooooooooo?

I know that it has ONLY been for-ever! But what-ever I 'm here. Still.

Whats new with me? Well as you may recall..last year. About this time, I was actively doing WW. And really taking off the weight. Well I joined again! In my first week I lost 6.2 pounds!This week, I weigh in on Tuesday but I am thinking its going to be pretty good! I'm hoping I REALLY stick to it this time (again).

We got our new bedroom suite and its beautiful!!! Our room looks a world of a difference! Finally, its so pretty!

This weekend Fabe and I totally cleaned the bedroom. Got rid of total books, bedframe, etc...just soooooo clean in there. We NEED new bedding now and we are done in there...I'm so happy we got the basement spotless and set up. Now our bedroom. As well, today I organized the kitchen cupboards and everything. Things are looking up in our house!!!!

Work is work.

The kids are doing great! They LOVED Halloween this year. IT was so nice having nice weather. We had our Godson with us, and he loved Trick or Treating!

Anyhow, gotta shower the kids!

Tara

I'm still here.

I Tara, (right hand up) swear to be true to blogging from here on in. I swear to update at least 1 in 2 days and post pictures on a more regular basis.

Thursday.

I'd be calling in sick tomorrow if it wasn't for my boss right-about-now. One staff is soooooo unhappy. Not with the job, with her whole freakin life. So QUIT then. God, don't keep torturing us all. Anyhow I made a MAJOR change at work today and this one staff was not happy about it. But it had to do with an issue that she kept on complaining about. So I 'fixed' it. Its not even an option anymore. Done. Done. Done....

The day was GREAT until this issue arised. I dealt with it. And done.

So anyhow.

Tonight the kids have the community league thing. I will take Bandit to the dog park while they are there. Tomorrow, I can't wait!!!! Friday! After a week like this, I think about taking the easy way out and quitting. But I'm not like that. I told my boss I will be here to get them accredited then go from there. And from there will either be a reduced week of work or something....next summer I AM only working 2-3 days a week. Thats it! I am NOT wasting the whole summer working. I enjoy working. And I work to enjoy it. I don't want it to become 'work' or stressful. That is why I do not work in the social work field anymore...and my job was doing great for me. I expect some stresses...but not day after day of them...God.

Well I want to turn on Dr. Phil and get the kitchen ready for yummy mushroom soup meatballs and rice :) This is the children's favorite meal :)

Tara

Wednesday already!!

Yeah and WOW the week is flying by!!! Gotta love short weeks.

Today was kinda stressful at work. The staff are acting worse then the 55 kids we have there! Ugh, some days I picture myself saying "I'm DONE with you all...bye!" and walking out with a BIG smile on my face. But, tomorrow will be a better day and I won't think those nasty thoughts!

Tonight Kennedy had gymnastics. The kids are sleeping down in Macks new room (well he hasn't moved down there yet). So I guess it is still the spare room, really. Mack is trying to get use to it down there before he decides and before we move his stuff down there. I don't care either way. It is kinda scary having him down there though!

Tuesday Fabe was gone all day to the lake. Trailer is out there. He brought back the kid's quads for tune up and oil changes. So thats good. He is thinking about taking them out to Bruiderheim on the weekend for quadding for the day. That will be nice for them. I had supper waiting for him when he got home..we had yummy BBQ'd chicken, french bread and spinach dip, pasta and veggies. While doing that, I put my roast and potatoes and carrots in to the slow cooker pot and put it in the fridge for the morning to turn on. This morning I turned it on and when we got home...the house smelled so good. Tomorrow we have cream of mushroom soup meatballs and rice for supper. I love when its pretty much prepared. Makes it SO much easier! Tomorrow is early day...yeah for me :) The kids are going to the community league once-a-month club. They play games and whatever for 1.5 hours. And its only 1.00! I will drop them off then run to Micheals...I dont know what for exactly...but I have 2 40% off coupons that I NEED to use!!!!I hate scrapbooking now...so we'll see ;)

Friday, no plans thus far. And Fabe is off this weekend...so we shall see what comes of it.

Have a great day!

Monday.

Today was another great day! I finished up the house with a final cleaning...it looks very nice. Perfect timing as my mom came here with the kids...Mack checked out the house and said "Is this the same house?" LMAO!

We have to start working on our room now as the bedroom suite will be here soon...tomorrow Fabe and his brother are taking the trailer out to the lake. Gonna be weird not having it on the driveway. We NEED to find a place close to Edmonton to camp it for the summer so that we can commute back and forth to work while enjoying camping afterwork. The trailer looks great now that I did my own mini-version of 'flip this trailer'. Its an old Award trailer. Nothing special thats forsure. Its a great set up and it was a upper-model trailer. Well built and everything. We can't justify paying for a brand new one (200.00 a month) when Fabians work schedule is sucky and we don't use our existing paid off trailer enough now. Plus, with the cabin we won't really need a trailer too much. But it is nice to have anyhow. So thats what he is doing tomorrow, while I am working. We don't have much plans for this week. Nothing exciting anyhow. Kennedy has gymnastics and thats about it on Wednesday. Mack starts soccer next week.

Tomororw I will have to go grocery shopping as lunches tomorrow will be not prepared. I usually buy all of my fruits and veggies for the week. Then I prepare it in ziplocks for the week so the children can grab a bag after school and in the mornings for lunches its very easy to prepare.

Well, I should go. The children are going their homework. They both needs baths and showers. I have to wash their clothing from Fort Mac. And prepare for the upcoming week.

Have a great week everyone :)

Tara

A wonderful Sunday!!!

Yeah, no work tomorrow!

Today was a great day! I didn't sleep in very late (8:30am) the Brick called to tell me they will be here between noon and 2pm. I took off the tape from painting in the bathroom and Macks new room. Looks lovely! Then I did the finishing touches and cleaned the bathroom (Painting is SUCH a mess!). Then, I went to vote. My boss, who is east Indian had asked me to vote for this lady. So I told her fine, every vote counts. But today the time came to vote, I went to the Acca Centre on 91street and immediately seen that this is clearly an ALL East Indian event! Omg, so I called her on her cell and we laughed about me being the only white person..haha. But I did it. And I was the ONLY white person. LMAO!!!!! I was about to have an anxiety attack and run out of the emergency door exit. It was soooooo traumatic..seriously! I told her she owes me BIG!!!! Then, I went to Ikea to find some red accessories for the newly painted red bathroom. I found a nice bathmat, big red flowers and some other stuff. But my BEST find was a red chair. ( I will add pics tomorrow!) Its a comfy adult chair. Its soooo modern and contemporary. So nice. It will be a great contrast to the dark grey in Macks new room. His room will be dark grey, suttle black hues and a bright red for contrast. It will look great! I love the chair!!!

Oh yeah, my furniture came. Wow, its a great deal!!!!! So I bought an area rug (already!) for it down there, some lamps, candles, more accessories, comfy toss blankets and some other little things. I hung up the pictures down there. Its so comfy now! Pics will be here tomorrow! So thats all done. We need to get Macks new room in order before starting to move anyting down there. Thankfully his bed is down there already and one dresser but we will move the other down there...it will be an easy move.

Then, I went to Micheals as I had a 50% coupon to use up...can't let it go without using it! So I bought a (excuse my horrible spelling)...decoupage (?) set. And some plates, little cardboard stuff. I want to make a place for the kitchen with our family pic in it, for displaying up high on top of the cupboards. Also, I bought some canvas sheets. For Macks new room I used the dark grey paint and my red bathroom paint and didn't big lines on the canvas to hang up on his wall...to 'blend' the colors together.

I was busy this weekend, huh?

Macks soccer coach called. He made tier 2-3 for soccer...1 being the best and 7 the worst. So he didn't do bad at all. He will be pleased. I don't care what he makes, as long as he is having fun. Soccer is the same night as gymnastics. So I will drop him off, drop Kennedy off pick him up, pick kennedy up. Good by to my Goodwill shopping days while she is at gymnastics. BUT you know what? I am happy they are both on the same night...means more home time during the week. He has soccer games every Saturday tho...oh well.

We just watched Desperate Housewives on the tv in the basement. Fabe is still down there enjoying the new couches..they are just so comfy!

Well I am going to read in bed, not sure what book. But, I will find something....God knows I only have 50 to pick from :)

Night!

Dinner Party!

This is what we walked into....isn't it beautiful :)

A little bit of Lisa there, but wow...fancy serving dishes and everything!

My friend Lisa invited us over for supper. We didn't think it would be anything fancy. Were we mistaken or what! We had Braxton our Godson with us for the night and brought him along. Thankfully he fell asleep after watching tv...so we didn't have to worry too much about him...

Its our turn to host next time...how can I possibly meet these expectations ???

Family Fall Pics!

The kids and mommy
The kids and daddy

Do I LOOK uncomfortable? Bccause I was...lol!

I like this laying down one. This is the one that I will blow up and frame for the wall. The first one, my boobs were practially falling out!!!

Last year we did family fall pics at the dog park. They turned out so well that I got them blow up and framed for the wall. The pic is by the front entrance of our home. So many have said "who did those?" and when I tell them it was me and just with the timer they are shocked! But this year, didn't turn out as well. I will still get it blown up to a 8x10 and frame it. We never go for family pics, something that we just never seem to have time for. But at least, these are memories! I add them to the kids photo albums as well. Mack didn't want to come but we made him! As my mom use to tell me "sometimes in life there are things that you won't want to do, but you just do them anyhow". He's getting to a very tough age where he likes to hang out with friends (lots of sleepovers!) and while thats all fine with us, he needs to understand that family

comes first and foremost :)

More fall pics.

Can you tell that I love fall???

Although I am not looking very forward to the winter. I am enjoying fall. I have been getting stuff done around the house, preparing for winter. There is something about winter tho. I guess its just those cold mornings where you wake up and dread going outside. The crisp air, steals your breath at times. The part that I am truely dreading for winter is the fact that I can't have a car starter in my car. If you are a long time reader of my blog you may recall last year. My car was at the place for 2 weeks while I tried to get a car starter in it...they couldn't. So last year I hated it. Leather seats=cold butt! But last year I at least could use the van, but since we sold it I am stuck using the SUV. Brrrrrr! The truck has a starter, but its also pretty big to drive around. Hopefully, it won't get stolen with the key in it running (outside my work is my main concern) The mornings are fine because I park in the garage. I'm sure I will manage, but just be prepared for the big complaints from me ;)

Other then that, winter isn't too bad. The kids can sled. Skate. The house will be toasty and warm. Preparing for Christmas. Fire place on. Its kinda cozy in the winter...

Fall Pics...

Kennedy was only with me this time at the dog park so she is in the pics. Mack doesn't like to come anymore here, since his dog attack on our street. If only those people knew how much they affected him and maybe sending him home by himself bleeding and in pain with soaked pants (he peed his pants during the attack) MAYBE they might have taken more serious...oh and of course the handwritten note "Sorry- my dog bit your son and it broke skin and its bleeding. My husband isn't home and I can't leave my baby here alone. Please call us, we're very sorry!" and Kennedy came home flying in the door "Mack got bit by Jordans dog!!" and I ran outside and sure enough...grrrr...I still do NOT like those neighbors!!!! (VENT OVER!)

I love fall and taking pics in the fall. They are so beautiful. Anyone can capture natures beauties in the fall. Kennedy takes her digital camera with her to the places I go for pics and she captures some great pics too.

Even tho it is the season before the COLD bitter winter its so nice to know that you get one last taste of beautiful season.

Dr. Laura...

Okay call me stupid.

But I do like her.

I listen to her on the radio all of the time.

I confess, I bought the book "Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" and it has some very valid points (especially the chapter on nagging!!!)

Anyone else crazy?

Our 6 month anniversary!

Already been that long (lol). Its been great. Not one thing has changed for us. We just each wear rings. Thats all :)

Oct.4th was 6 months :)

but this summer was 16 years together :) (holy CRAP!!!!!) We were 17 when we met