I WAS going to try and catch up but I can't.

I'm too busy.

So I took Bandit to the kennel. Had a not good feeling about it, seemed like LOTS of dogs and maybe not enough kennels for them alll. I dunno....God I hope he is okay. He was soooooo scared and stressed. I was starting to regret not taking someone up on their offers to take him. Might have mad me feel better. I even woke up several times at night because I was so sad :( I miss him SO much!

Anyhow, today is the day we leave to sunny Florida. I am excited but just worried about the dog...the kids are thrilled that the day is finally here (planned this since November!) 10 months!!!! And now we are here. We leave at 2 pm, but will aim to be at the airport for 11am.

I will update at the villa.

I look soooooo forward to just getting there and relaxing. Today is Bandits 2nd day ( well almost 24 hours) at the kennel so he should start to adjust today and if not then tomorrow...then I won't worry so much...

Anyhow, enjoy Alberta weather.... (lol, it is suppose to be nice on Thursday here tho!)

Tara

Soooooo behind!!!

Update!

Well its been forever since I have blogged. I miss it actually. But I noticed that everyone's blogs that I read have cut down alot on blogging in the summer too. But anyhow. This week was childless for me, however my sister, her dh and her 2 kids came down...so even though my 2 kids were gone all week her kids were here. They are younger and waaaaay more work. Plus, Tanner, the big lab. But they left today while I was at work so I will go home and wash their bedding and everything. Not sure what I will do this weeknd. I was hoping to go to the lake but I won't be able too. My mom took the kids. My sister is going out there too. But they already left and I don't wanna drive by myself. So yeah. I will stay home. All next week the kids are in a daycamp by my house so they will be home all week (yeah). Plus I offered to take *R* for the week too. So I will be busy. I am hoping to get some stuff in next week with the kids. They have already done Fort Edmonton Park and the Zoo. So I was thinking the corn maze one night. I have never been and have heard so much about it. The week after next, Kennedy is in a camp by herself and Mack in a soccer camp. Then, the week after...hmmmm oh yeah, my sisters house for a week then she will bring them down with her older son and then we are off to Flordia! We are down to 1 month as of today that we leave!!!! Yeah!!! I CAN NOT wait. Next weekend, I have Big Valley Jamoboree my friend and I are going out just for the day to see Carrie Underwood. Then the weekend after that, my dad and Uncle have planned a 'wedding' party for us....how nice. So we are up in Fort Mac then. My Uncle (is very, very rich) spent a HUGE amount of money on making a golf course on his land. Its an sctual golf course, with greens and tee-houses and everything! I can't wait. So we are having the party and a family golf party...for us!!! How nice! They bought prizes and everything for the winners/teams. How nice. Time is surely running out. I need to have the kid's summer school supplies bought before we leave so that they are ready to go the first day of school when we get back. Maybe I will work on that this weekend....its going to be a BORING weekend. Its suppose to be nice,and I can get my house work done tonight as I only cleaned the house 1 week ago and its been really good...so there isn't much to do really...maybe tomorrow I will sun tan or offer to take a friends child (my friend) my Godson for the day or something....who knows?!?!?!

Othen then that, I am good. I am glad that I have decided to stay here. Its pretty good for me. I can't really complain. In a year, I take about 5-6 weeks of holidays and in a 'normal' job...I simply couldn't do it. You know.

Well I will have LOTS of time this weekend so I will update with pics...

Tara

Update.

Well I am staying where I am at. I had decided to leave and even typed up my letter of notice. However after taking the weekend at my lake, on my deck overlooking the lake I decided...I have it way too good here and I will stay. Its not often that you find a job that allows you so much. Basically, I tell them "I won't be in on Monday" and its done. Actually, I took off Monday last week as Fabe was off so we headed out to the lake Saturday morning with my friends little boy and Kennedy. Mack was volunteering at the Grand Prix for the weekend with my mom. So it was nice. Kennedy had hurt herself really bad, her head split open so we had to go to Boyle hospital. It was not good. She got it glued shut.

But I can't type long.

Tara

Well I didn't get the job that I really really wanted :(

Crappy.

I knew I didn't get it after I spoke with someone on the 'inside' and she told me that they are interviewing a casual employee for the same position (who already does this position) so right there, I kinda knew. The interview went really well. I was happy I knew the answers to most of the questions :)

So I am now stuck.

Help me.

So my job now, is around low-paying staff who mostly enjoy their jobs but they are very underpaid (child care). Lots of turnover. But most of them are very good. Its a pretty low-stress job at most times but can get high stress when staffing is down. I am well paid. I am valued there. I am 'the boss' and have really no one ahead of me. Its pretty good. *but* future wise...its a nowhere job. Really. It works wonderfully with my kids right now.

My 'new' job will be with a WHOLE different group of people. Well educated, middle class people. It will be an officey job, approving people for child care services or not. Delaing with angry people who don't get approved or qualified. I will have a caseload. Lots of calls to return...its a 'real' job I guess. Not so much flexibility as my current job...but I don't know that forsure...its pretty much the same pay. But downtown. Parking. Driving. Rush hour. Etc. But it has a pension. It has potential for a future into my first choice job.

What to do????????? My current boss just gets back from holidays tomorrow and I will need to give notice like (now)...

Ugh. What to do....

Help!!!!!!!

So yeah.

I got the Gov't job and am suppose to start on Aug 1st. The job that I really, really wanted is a temp position, wage position...about 2 months she said. But the second up job, is a foot in the door=so yeah. Its kinda annoying as I really really wanted the other job. But today I spoke with a person who does the job that I really really wanted and she told me that she has never seen anyone only work 2 months (temp position) go to nothing. She said that you always always go to perm. So yeah, I dunno. Now I am thinking that I shoud have went for the interview. Grrrrr, I mean I *like* the job that I got, but its not really 'me' But the other job is TOTALLY me and I waaaaaant it. I would have doubted it, I would have cried if I would have gotten it...so yeah. I called the HR lady back after cancelling the interview and asked her for a time for an interview. I look totally unstable about now, But I am only following my dreams and passions and THAT job is MY dream and passion. It kicks ass in pay too, but its NOT about the money...its about what I do really really good at...but yah. We'll seeeeee...

Hump-Day!

Yeah, ALREADY!!!!

So, the week has flown by! Gotta love 4-day weeks..and I have ALOT of them coming up in the next little while...thankfully :)

So, I STILL am waiting to hear about the Gov't job but I have a good feeling. The assistant of the HR lady use to call me and tell me all of the things that I need then now its just the lady who calls me. They need 1 more professional reference and I couldnt' find one. Its been hard...so finally today I took a BIG chance and caved in and gave them my current bosses number. Its was practically life or death people!!!! So, hopefully I will have A job..lol! So, anyhow. She told me, 'we can't offer a position to someone unless all of the references and checks are done and we are only waiting on this one reference....the interview went good and your ability testing was good this is all that we are waiting on" so then I thought, oh well. My job isn't going anywhere...and I will just have to find myself out of this one. So we'll see how it goes.

I should know really soon...as its been almost 2 weeks (and they told me they will decide in 2 weeks) so we'll go from there!!! Yikes! I just have to consider the whole driving downtown thing! And working until like 4:30 pm. Other then that, if the salary is right then I will take it. Starting was only what I am making now, so they need to make it a little more attractive for me...ya know.

So the kids went to my moms house for the next 2 nights...they are in a daycamp with my moms foster girl "R" is back...at my moms house now. Her placement broke down, and we couldn't take her this time, so my mom did..how sad hey? So She was here with the kids since Sunday and my mom took them all to her house tonight until Friday and then Friday they are heading to Fort Mac for the weekend for my nephews b-day....I don't think that I am going to go now, as I will have to drive up alone and I don't feel like it.

Anyhow, I wanna watch the news and go to bed...

TTYL

Tara

A wonderful weekend:)

It was a great weekend. Saturday we headed out to the lake. It was a beautiful day! We greeted everyone there, got to spend lots of time with my little nephews. We quadded lots and enjoyed the weekend. The neighbors were out there this time, so the kids were thrilled as they are the same sex and age as them. They have quads too, so they do the loop all together. Saturday night there was lots of fire works going off, we did a few too but saved the rest for Canada day on Sunday. We hung out around the fire until some really scary clouds came and it began to get windy and raining...we all went in..but Fabe, Greg (BIL) and my Uncle Wayne all stayed out until 4:00 AM!!!! Drinking some beers!!! Sunday was absolutely a beautiful day! We enjoyed breakfast all together and the men and my kids went to Elenor Lake to get a truck load of fire wood from my aunts lake lot...they returned 3 hours later with a HUGE load. Oh, and in this time Fabe's brother, sister and parents came out for the day. It was lovely! We BBQ'd supper and ate all together with the children playing around us. Sunday night we did our fireworks, they were awesome. As well, lots of the other people had them going off. Today, it was just my mom and us as my sister and her family left last night. Fabe's parents just came up for the day on Sunday. But today we cut the grass. I tried out the new gas trimmer, and then created a path in the trees half way down to the lake...the kids LOVE it. They are truely inspired now, since we watched the Bridge to Tarabithia and now they can't wait to get back there and build a 'club' house with the left over material from the cabin..they need to find their tools. This weekend, we are off to Fort Mac for my little nephews birthday, he's going to be 2. Then we come back Sunday, and Wednesday my mom is taking them out to the lake until Sunday. But I think that I will join them Saturday morning, Bandit and I will go out there for the night. As Fabe will be working anyhow. I have really enjoyed the lake this summer. Its so nice that its all set up now. We all have clothing out there so we don't need to have the hassle of packing anymore...and hey, my mom takes the kids clothes back with her to wash and take out again...so I can't complain about that! Today, we got LOTS done. We set up the kitchen better with shelves and everything. Its sooo nice now. We are taking the trailer home soon, and adding on to the cabin. Right now, its a half cabin...In the cabin is a bedroom, living room and kitchen area then a door that is attached to the trailer and the trailer has a kitchen area and beds and what not. But we are going to add a big room and have a bathroom, another bedroom and a little den area. It will be a good size. Next year is the big expensive year, as services will be about 30,000 for the sewer, water and gas. We already have power...but the rest of it will be costly! Thankfully, its between the 3 of us...so 10,000 each is pretty good.

My mom drove home with the kids, as we had the truck (no DVD player in there) but my moms car has one, so they went with her. Fabe and I drove home in peace (lol) and got home, I watered the grass and my flowers. Washed our laundry and tided up. The kids came home, all showered and clean (thanks mom!) and they had time for a snack and bedtime. Their clothes are laid out for tomorrow, and I have to work and they have daycamp.

I am very happy schools over, as I get to sleep in 1 hour later and go to work 1 hour later and leave at the same time as before (4)!!! Yeah for me :)

Have a great week :)

Tara

My Friday.

Well today was a really good day! I slept in, had the day off. Woke up had breaky. Read the paper. Tidied up the house. Got ready, went to my work. Went to the bank. Went to drop off my friends son. Wen't downtown...dropped off the kids. Went to RCMP K-Division downtown, got my security clearance (in 2 mins!, for free!) then to Human Resources for Children Services, dropped it off. Went to Good Will. Went to Zellers. Went home. At home, doing laundry. Fabe is working on his truck. I am waiting for the 'big' storm...and starting to get ready for the lake.

Tomorrow we are heading to the lake. Fabe's parents are coming out for the day too. My sister and mom are all there already...tomorrow hoping to getaway by 10...get food and go. Pretty easy since its just Fabe and I.

Anyhow, thats about it :)

Tara

truck!

Fabe's new baby!
:)

Here's the new truck. Fabe has taken MY spot over in the garage now...yeah right! He only had it in there to change the spark plugs tonight :) Otherwise, its my side!!

Good memories!

My pretty little girl :)

Yes, there is a baby under all of the machines :( My poor little baby girl...this was at about 1 week old...on life support :( NOT Good memories :(

My little boy!!! Awwwww, he was the best big brother!!!!Look how CHUBBY Kennedy was!!!

This pic of Kennedy was taken at Sears and they asked me if I would give permission for them to send it to the main photo place and see about having it for package samples!!!I LOVED that outfit too...awwwwww....

Fabe and I were looking at the kids old scrapbooks..but I wanted to post these pics of the kids. These are from Kennedys album which is up here in her room. But weren't they so super cute!!! I love looking back and remembing back then...

My front door.

Okay, my pretty little car!!!
My rose bush! Its doing very very well!

The flowers that I bought today. I will add them into my new planters PLUS, I have these Ikea bag things that I will be planting some stuff in too :)

Aren't they pretty :) Some look like they are VERY thirsty!!!!

I LOVE this welcome planter! I knew it would be perfect for my front door!

Isn't this the cutest little planter?????

The front door. Its pretty cluttery though as I just bought some new dirt and flowers. But anyhow, this is what I am working on this week is making it all pretty. Once its not suppose to rain, I will paint it again!

I want to creat a colorful and welcoming entrance..and I think that I am almost there! I still need to repaint the porch again this year, as it was left half done. But in the meantime I have been adding tons of flowers to assist me in getting to my goal.

GoodWill.

My books for the week:

Kennedys enzymes holder:

A piece

A bowl

another piece

My planters that I spray painted

Does anyone else LOVE Goodwill as much as me? I do, love it. I bought some planters, that were just a terracotta color, but I spray painted them black to match the trim of my house..of course, I bought flowers for them too. It will be nice to have some more black pots to add more detail to my house. They turned out really nice, and I will take a pic once they are display! Also, I bought somethings that I ALWAYS buy when there:

1) Pottery-I am addicted to buying little pieces of pottery. I don't know why. I just think that its so neat and pretty. Everytime that I go there, I walk out with someone's old pottery. But I love displaying them. I washed them all up and will decide what to use them as, the two pieces will display candles..but the bowl, I am not sure yet. The one thing, I added a bottle of Kennedy's pills..looks MUCH better then a big pill bottle.

2) Books- omg. I buy at least 5-7 books. But they aren't novels or anything like that. Just books, like self-help/inspiring ones. I loooove books like that. Lesson-learning books. I don't have the time nor the patience to sit and looks through novels there...ugh. But I LOVE searching for some new ones. I bought some last week and I almost done one called "Clearing the Black Clouds" talks about removing the black clouds from your life....(bad friends, job you don't like, relationship your unhappy in, etc) not everything pertains to me, but I do love reading this like that. The one I am excited to read is called "ways to make your life simplier" (yeah!!)

We use the backyard!!!!

Kennedy and her friends in the backyard eating TimBits. Mack cleaning up for me, all the sod

Mack's friend and Kennedy on the trampoline! Wow, he's high!!!

Fabe, BBQ'ing in the yard.

We actually are using it now. I actually just came inside from laying on the hammock out there. Its so nice to have a yard that we can use. It just seems like every summer we have had to do this, or do that. Don't get me wrong, we need to do things still....but at least we can enjoy it...because of this, I honestly don't think that we will ever build another house again. We 'wasted' 2 years on waiting from final grade, sod, deck, driveway and then a fence...it was truely horrible. Now we can just put the finishing touches on and we are good to go :) Its just nice to have a place to relax. Mind you, we haven't been able to even set up the patio stuff and leave it up as its been so windy everyday. It just feels like a whole other room when its all set up. I love sitting back there with a book and my feet up just kicking back. We haven't entertained (yet) this year, but I think it will be so much better this year. I am dying to use all my patio settings and candles,etc. All the stuff that I visioned using out there to create a perfect patio party for friends..we'll see I guess.

Backyard.

I cut the sod from around the firepit as it was horrible (see pic down below) and now it looks much better!

My dis-organized firepit, but doesn't it look MUCH better with rocks around in. No more grass getting on fire. We just have to fix the bricks as half of them are in the pit

All the flowers are doing super well this year!

Can you see Bandit over there? He is getting some shade!

Everything is blooming :)

My birth bath. The closet thing that I can get to 'wildlife' and nature with NO trees around here. But I bought this bird bath and loooove it. On the top I put the food and the bottom water. Its one busy little bird bath. They hardly use my feeder anymore!

The back of the house....I wish I could leave my patio stuff set up, but the freaking WIND everyday is getting really, really annoying!!!!

See how the firepit use to be???? Just like sitting in the middle of the yard..I hated it like that!!! I loooove it now though!

So I have been really enjoying the backyard this year. I am soooo happy I was able to repair the puppy piss patches. You should have seen the big one...omg. It was about 4 feet x 3 feet in size. Its from where Fabe shovelled the snow so that Bandit could pee in a non-snow covered area. Anyhow, all the pee ruined the grass in one big spot. The grass looks soooo good now. The patches have all pretty much filled in. Now, I am watering the grass every single night, and lots to cut down on the pee soaking in. They say to prevent them, to have a watering can with water and once he pees just grab the can and dilute the pee. We just water lots every night now. Anyhow, the backyard has been really nice this year. We just need to paint the fence and we are good to go..oh and oil/stain the deck. I have to paint the front porch again...we didn't finsih it last year completely...but it looks waaaay better. My flowers are doing so good too. Today I bought more, but I will blog about that later.

My layout thingys I made

So I totallllllly lost interest in scrapbooking. BUT, I found this to do instead. Since my walls are lacking art and pictures...but I do enjoy SOME scrapbooking...so I did these. I loved doing them. Right now I am working on one about Bandit. But we have lots of neat themes to do them on, so this is my new thing. And they look super good on the wall. Its just a scrapbook idea without the obligation to complete the WHOLE book...I love these now...I don't mind doing one a week and plus it kills two birds with one stone :)

Ugh.

I am so tired and just wanna call the kids in the house and GO TO BED!!!! I am really, really tired. Thankfully I have Friday off to SLEEP in. I took Friday off due to the kids not having school on that day. Their daycamp adventures don't start until next week. So yeah. We have been busy.

So I went for my interview with Alberta Children Services and they called on Monday, said that I was one of the top candidates! I was shocked. So I had to give them my refrences and then a criminal record check. The COOL thing is, there is a *special* place for me to go (lol) and I can get a free check and it will be done in 20mins. So, I am doing that on Friday then I have to drop it off down at the Human Resources place. Pretty cool. So then anyhow. Fabe was off Monday and Tuesday. Monday I came home late from work to an awesome supper...Tuesday we went to my ma's house for supper and Fabe did some little things for her around her place. Today I got home from work, the kitchen was a mess as I left it. Yuck. But I thought 'for get it' and took the kids to the mall...and OMG, have you BEEN to Dollarama lately? they freakin sell pregnancy tests there!!!! AND Mack got a fishing rod thingy!!! How COOL is that. Of course I picked up a preg test, because ya just never know and those things are so expensive. Anyhow. Then, we headed to Pollard Meadows park so the kids could play for a hour. Then we came home, checked out the other neighbors new camper (gave me an idea!!!) and came into my messy kitchen. Cleaned that, its all pretty. Through in a load of laundry...tomorrow is EARLY day as the kids are off at 3:00pm. I really really wanted to do my check thing tomorrow, I wonder what time they are open until??? Because I just want to get it over with and know whats going on....

Anyhow,

I know, pictures...but honestly I have been dragging my feet everyday...I have them on my camera but just don't have the time to do it

Tara

10 years ago today.

I was a young almost 22 year old mother, with a 7 month old son. Really, sleep deprived. Mack was the type of baby who was VERY needy...I made him that way tho. I tended to his every single need, before he needed it. Fabe and I were no where near serious in our relationship. I mean, this was an unplanned pregnancy. My mom was loving the fact of being a grandma and had Mack all of the time. I had a cool condo downtown and was attending Alberta College for upgrading...but in a few more months I would be leaving this city to attend College in Fort McMurray. Fabe decided not to come with me, so I went alone. I got into student family housing for college students, had a 3 bedroom place with a bedroom for Mack and me to share and 2 empty ones left over. I hated being up there. But I stuck it through. Mack celebrated his first B-day up there and as soon as school was done, I was back to Edm. Fabe came up to see us and we came down often too...it was this year that we both soon realized that we needed more of a commitment to each other. We hated being apart. That year, no matter how much I hated living up there taught me so much. I relied on my mom to help me parent my young son, but after that year I knew that I could do it alone. Fabe realized he needed to settle down with us and be more in tune with me.

Some times its the most hardest times, that teach us the best lessons.

Anyhow, just wanted to share :)

And did I mention my son wants to move his room down to the BASEMENT to have his 'own space'.....

waaaahhhhhhhhhhh

Don't worry, I did take pics...

I will upload them later.

Today is Sunday..already. Yesturday the kids came back early as it was raining out there. So they came home and played outside for the night until I had to call them in. Mack had the neighbor boy sleep over. Kennedy went to bed early..and Fabe and I watched TV in bed. Fabe BBQ'd chicken for us. Yesturday, I am so proud of myself I cut the sod out around the fireplace, put in edger stuff and then filled it with rocks. It now looks so clean and tidy! Yeah. It was HARD but looks great, I have a pic later to show. The birds LOVE my birdbath. Its so cute. I am going to cut all along the fence line, and add more stuff to it because my raspberries are totalllllly taking my bed over. So I will make a longer bed. I picked out the tree that I want, a lialic tree for the corner of the yard. With some cinder blocks or something...a bench thingy, I don't know. I can't wait to have a tree! My little birdies will be so happy. There are a few bird feeders hanging from the shed and now my bird bath. I love birds, its just feels BETTER when they are around...except Bandit chases and barks at them....So yeah. Today I plan to get all of the laundry done and put away...re-tidy what needs to be done. Wash the fruit for their lunches this week, maybe pre-bag them too. And, both the kids need baths tonight...not showers...Kennedy's hair needs to be done. I will lay out their clothes for the week in their clothing organizers and maybe hit a movie or something tonight....we'll see.

Thank GAWD its Friday!

What a horrible, long day. Today I slept in until 7am, which normally wouldn't be an issue however I had to shower, Mack had to shower and both the kids had to eat, get dressed, brush their teeth and get to the bus all by 7:50 am! Plus, in between there I had to get myself normal looking, hot roll my hair, look good for my interview...and make sure that I have all of their stuff ready to take to the lake. So, I got to work...worked until 10, left got to my HORRIBLE scary interview...(1.5 hours long!) and then rush back to work for lunch breaks....then work until 3, leave and get the kids from school..pick up my friends son from his school (way deep down in Mill Woods) and then rush downtown to drop them off at my moms....THEN, I had to rush back to work...as I had to work late. Then, I had to get my glasses. Then finally home...H.O.M.E. And it feels soooooooooo good. My mom had a hamster to get rid of, so I took him to my daycare. My mom said that he needed more food so I stopped at WalMart on my way home and holy crap! They have SO much stuff for HAMSTERS! I bought like 40.00 of treats, nibbling things, fluff to make beds, food, chewing sticks, wood shavings and etc...oh and of course one of those little balls. Jane, a hamster would be a wonderful preschool pet. This is what we will use to calm the children at the daycare when they are being very loud! Also, for science we are going to have a chart (math too) to see how much food he eats in a week and a chart for cleaning water container out...etc. Also, we will ask which parents would be okay with him going home for a weekend to hamster-sit then the children can discuss how the weekend went with the hamster...as well I will be buying a hamster pet book to see the kind of care it requires. This is SUCH a great learning opportunity for the kids!!! And, an active science lesson! Anyhow, so that was that. I came home, to a very quiet house. I made myself 2 potatoes in the microwave (lol) and enjoyed them. Then went in the back yard and filled up the birdfeeder...I bought a birdbath the other day so I set that up....I hope that they use it! I checked out my plants and flowers...holy my raspberries are consuming my whole flower bed...grrrr! Then, I came in the house. Made some popcorn...wore my new glasses (lol) and watched my Tara Road. Now, I loooooved this book. I read it years ago when I was preg with Kennedy but I loved it. So when I saw the movie at Blockbuster I had to iget it. It was good...but as usual the movie was better.

Also, I got through half of my new book now but I cheated and looked ahead to the last page of the book and disappointed myself. I ALWAYS do this...I hate that!!!!!! Anyhow, if anyone is looking for a good read "My sisters Keeper" is very very good. Its a moral-challenging book...kinda...LMAO!

Well anyhow, I am going to lay in bed and read now. Tomorrow I am hoping to do some yard stuff....maybe the rock around the firepit...and also...buy another birdbath for the front yard. I need somethin out there. The backyard is soooooo plain. Tomorrow I will take pics of the yard and tell you my plans for it...but ask for suggestions on what to do....The grass is great and I am very happy to say that I have fixed almost ALL of the puppy-piss spots with just grass seed and topsoil. No more puppy patch repair crap...it DOES NOT work...other then that I'm not sure whatelse to do...I cleaned so much that I don't need too. Maybe I will clean my car this weekend and the kids rooms...we'll see. I should get done what I need to as next weekend we are at the lake...and the weekend after is Fort Mac. So I won't be home-home for a weekend for a while again....I just hate the thought of that!

Anyhow,

night!

Tara