Mommy by Victoria

Victoria has her own digital camera. The quality of the pictures isn't always the best but the camera is "kid proof" so really that really offsets the poor quality. This is one she took of me yesterday. I promised her I'd post it....




Mommy by Victoria lol

First Apple Blossom picture of 2008...from my cell

The apple blossoms are just starting to come out...they should be perfect by the weekend!

Sorry about the quality...I will post much better pictures later this week.

Countdown to Apple Blossom

Apple Blossom weekend is fast approaching and I am off the WHOLE weekend! I am so excited. I have been too busy with work to really finalize any plans. I am sure things will come together over the next couple days. The countdown is on T-4 days until I have 3 days off and Apple Blossom weekend.

Monday...agian...

Today is my project day again....how can these days just sneak up on me?? On the plus side AVDHA funded a summer student for me. She is starting today...I think....I will let you all know how it goes.

Kool-Aid Anyone??

I picked this up at the grocery store the other day. It may be tacky but Victoria LOVES it! Kool-Aid anyone?


The whole (basic) set


Close up of the glasses

And again

Love the spoon!

Whole set with the extra cups

Ready for Ballet Class..

Victoria is feeling better finally and was able to attend ballet class yesterday. Doesn't she look cute????

She is such a little princess.

Dad's Pumpkin Plants...and stuff...

As many of you know my dad is into growing giant pumpkins. This year he decided to "upgrade" his cold frames...I must say I am impressed. He built the cold frames himself, with a door on the side to easily tend to the plant and a "window" on the top (a sunroof if you will). Now this window is on some sort of mechanical hinge that will open the window if the temperature inside the cold frame reaches a certain temperature and close it if it falls below a certain temperature.


These pictures were taken May 19, 2008


Wide shot of the garden.

The next are shots of the pumkin plants starting with the coldframe shown in the front left (in the above picture( and going clockwise)



Plant one

Plant Two

Plant 3

Plant Four

and plant 4 again

Cold Frame with the window (sunroof) open

Cold frame with the window (sunroof) closed

It's late and I'm tired.....

Today has been a long day and I am so tired. Way too many things happened today, I don't even know where to start.....It's late....I'm tired....I will post tomorrow...Goodnight....

Back to Work....

The long weekend is over and I am back to work. It also happens to be one of the most stressful ( perhaps the MOST) stressful days in my entire rotation. While I love a challenge I sometimes wonder if this project isn't too much, even for me. Is it really wrong that the only part of today I am looking forward to is lunch with the girls? I hope some of you email me to keep me sane or stop by and make sure I haven't snapped yet LOL

Here's to terrible Tuesday....t-10 hours until I am back home!

Shopping Trip

Today I went to Halifax with Aunty again. I LOVE to shop,but that's no big secret lol


The things I got for Victoria:

-3 pairs of shorts
-2 pairs of capris
-4 shirts/tops
-2 dresses
-1 skirt

I also got her some new craft things.

Things I got for myself:

-2 bikini's (like I really need them LOL) 1 white with mulit coloured hearts the other red with white polka dots
-3 really cute skirts
-2 pairs of jeans
-2 pairs of shorts
-2 tops
-2 pairs of shoes

I also got some scrap booking supplies.


Well my long weekend has come to an end....Back to work tomorrow....*sigh

Give Peas A Chance

Proof anyone can get a parade in New York:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/18/ap/strange/main4104949.shtml



Happy Veggie Day!

A Quiet Saturday

Today was a rainy cool day. Victoria is finally starting to feel better and I am on my way to feeling better as well. Stupid flu. Anyways here is what we were up to:

-I read to Victoria for a good portion of the morning, her favorite was "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" (I read it to her 100 times at LEAST, and that was just today.)

-Victoria and I made paper flowers.

-Victoria taught me how to draw a hamster..She assured me I will get better at it over time....I am still not sure why I will ever want or need to draw a hamster but hey now I know.

-We watched "Surfs up" again (*sigh I think I know the entire movie from memory now )

-After she went to bed I watched "Sicko" and "Blades of Glory". I enjoyed both but for very different reasons.

The Laptop is here!!!

Futureshop I forgive you. Last Saturday I bought a laptop and had Futureshop set it up. I couldn't wait for it so they were going to have it shipped first thing Monday morning and it SHOULD have been here sometime Tuesday. Well I waited all day. A call to find out what was going on discovered that the computer had not been put on the truck. I was assured that it would be here the next day and I would receive something for my trouble.
Now that the laptop is here and I have a computer that works I totally forgive you Futureshop!!

What A Long Night

Last night seemed to drag on forever! I was having trouble staying awake and I still have 2 more nights left!!!!! I am home and heading to bed now. I want to be awake when my laptop arrives....yes I STILL don't have it!!! Look for a post later about the whole situation.


Good night or rather Good morning ( I have no idea what day it is anymore LOL )

Strange News of the day...

I can just picture this....

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/12/ap/strange/main4090421.shtml



:P

Hockey Tickets Have Arrived!

The Canada Post guy just left and I now have my preseason NHL tickets for Sepetember!!! Yay!!!

Monday Evening Update

Victoria is still not herself. She doesn't want to eat and is still taking a few naps a day. I won't be sending her to school tomorrow and hopefully she will be able to go back to school Wednesday.
I finished my e learning course for work YAY...and 10 days early I may add!!!
Today I spent the first 1 and a half hours in a meeting. It went great!!!! Shannon and I got a bonus for doing the new schedule. I got approved to take yet another course to advance at work AND we got wonderful praise on the project we have worked so hard on. A HUGE motivator for sure.
I can't wait for tomorrow. My hockey tickets should be here tomorrow. Did I mention I am slightly excited for two preseason Boston games this year. Anyone want to go with me LOL :P
Also my new laptop will be here tomorrow. I can't wait for that either. I guess I am just over excited and happy tonight.

3 backshifts then 4 days off!!! What to do....what to do.... :P

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!!!! I hope all the mother's out there have/had a great day. :)


Just a quick update on my end. Yesterday I went to the city shopping. Victoria was on a visit at her dad's since her grandmother was there and it is mother's day weekend. I got lots of nice new clothes for Victoria, a new pair of jeans for me and a new laptop!! My laptop is being set up by Future shop and will be shipped to me. It should be here by Tuesday. I can hardly wait. I got back to the Valley shortly before supper time. Victoria was due home around 6:30pm but was early. She was sick, REALLY sick, with the flu. :(

Apparently she came down with it mid-afternoon, bad headache, fever, vomiting, the whole nine yards really. She continued that way until around 8pm and I was finally able to get some gravol and children's advil in her. She went to bed and had a good nights sleep and seemed better this morning. She wanted some toast and some water and seemed to be playing just fine. Mid morning her fever went back up and she said she had a headache. By noon she was asleep. It is now around 1:30pm and she is still sleeping. Poor kid I wish I could make her feel better. To make matters worse I have to work 3-11pm tonight. My parents will be with her but still I feel bad leaving her.

My gift from Victoria

Victoria came off the bus holding this, with a huge grin on her face.
She couldn't wait to give it to me. I LOVE it. She painted the pot herself and planted the plant with her teacher.

Best early Mother's day present EVER!!

Victoria Climbs a Tree

Victoria is taking her new found love of climbing outside the gym.

For the record I did have a mild heart attack when I saw her in a TREE!!!

Don't Try This At Home....

Another interesting story from CBS news....Only 5 things come to mind

1. What?
2. Ewww
3.Ouch!
4.How????
5. Did I mention OUCH


Please don't try this at home

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/08/ap/strange/main4081833.shtml



.

I heart my accountant!

My income tax refund came in the mail this morning!!! Ron all I can say is WOW!!!!! You are the best ever!!!! The refund was A LOT more than expected. I think I may have to head to Halifax and go shopping :)


YAY SHOPPING :P

Pictures of the new hair-style

Here it is, the new look......

******I have removed the pictures.******

Why???? Well one person gave me REALLY bad feed back. Left me feeling really low. I had liked it and everyone who had commented on it to that point had as well. Thank you to all who left positive feed back, I love you guys and gals.

Erin vs The Swimsuit ---> Chapter One

I have yet to go to the gym....yes this joining up was a great idea...however I still have not gotten comfortable enough to go alone. Most of the people who frequent this gym are in near perfect physical condition and makes one wonder if they were born there. Somehow being the "chunky" new girl on the treadmill isn't exactly the look I am going for. Instead I have been running EARLY in the morning before the neighbours get up and while it is still dark. I have also been doing light work with free weights and some cardio DVD workouts. I have determined that my muscles are very used to dancing and anything that takes them out of this normal range of motion they are going to protest. I never thought of myself as grossly out of shape. I can dance (ballet) for long periods of time and I m flexible (bendy as some call it) HOWEVER I now hurt in places I did not know existed! Raising my arms makes them feel like they are going to fall off. This should make work interesting. I should be fine provided I don't have to do any lifting, pulling, pushing or walking....or stairs...hmmmm perhaps this will be a problem.

And so it begins....stay tuned for Chapter Two

Word of the day Lachanophobia

Lachanophobia--> pathological fear of vegetables

My Vacation Day Is Approved!!!!

I am so happy my vacation day for next month was approved. Victoria is in 2 ballet recitals that day and I couldn't imagine not being there. It really made my day!!!

And We Still Made The Bus:

Mornings are chaos. Today was no exception and being a Monday it was, NO exception. The day started something like this:
6:00 am --> Alarm goes off....I hit snooze and hope Monday will go away
6:10am--> Alarm goes off again....guess it isn't going away and figure I better get up.
6:12am --> Check the pellet stove and realize it probably should be turned off so it can be cleaned...I however am far to cold to entertain this idea so I throw some more pellets in the hopper and head for a shower.
6:15am --> I get in the shower only to discover that I have not replaced the shampoo and conditioner bottles I emptied yesterday...GRRRR....I use baby shampoo and hope no one notices.
6:28am--> I can't get the tap to turn off...no matter how much I try the water just keeps flowing. GREAT!
6:45am --> I have FINALLY located a wrench and get the water turned off....and am left feeling like I would like another shower but realize there isn't time. I start cleaning the bathroom (This is a chore that should be illegal at that hour of the morning) and throw on scrubs. (Thank goodness picking scrubs that match doesn't take too much mental effort) I sit on the floor and dry my hair in front of the pellet stove.
7:00am --> I make the first attempt at waking up the sleeping princess.
7:05am--> I make the second attempt at getting the sleeping princess from her bed...she is not amused
7:10am--> I get the "awwww cereal again mom" *sigh Thankfully she eats it and lets me fill out the lunch program form from the week.
7:12am--> I realize that I have next to no change in my purse and paying for the milk order and lunch for 2 days will eat up all my change. Oh good...who needed coffee anyway!
7:15am--> A large crash comes from the kitchen followed by a "mom I am going to go brush my teeth"....hmmmm could something be amiss in my kitchen.
7:16am-->I step in cold oatmeal that has fallen on the floor from the plastic dish that came crashing to the floor. Cold oatmeal feels really gross....especially through a sock....EWWW. On the plus side at least nothing was broken in the crash.
7:25am--> I have clean socks and attempt to do my hair...I have the curling iron out and half the ends of my hair flipped the way I like when my daughter walks in still in her pjs!!!! I ask her to please get dressed the bus will be here in less than 10 minutes. She cooperates....I cannot get my hair to cooperate and I start to wonder if letting a five year old pick out her school clothes was a mistake.
7:31am--> Victoria is finally dressed. Pink camo pants, a sparkly pink tshirt and pink socks...she matches and looks cute...I am happy. I try to get my daughters hair in a pony tail. She keeps telling me it isn't in straight. I tell her it will have to do.
7:33am--> The bus enters the subdivision. I panic as we are not yet ready. I throw a juice box, and snacks in a lunch box (she is ordering lunch today) and manage to find her homework book and cram it all in her backpack. I notice my daughter has gone MIA. I still don't have make up on and have to leave for work as soon as she is on the bus...this is going to get interesting.
7:34am-->Victoria reappears wearing her princess tiara. I don't have time to argue and let her wear it. I make a frantic dash back to the bathroom to make sure I unplugged the curling iron...I did but don't remember doing it. We get in our outside clothes...I grab my keys and work bag. We finally leave the house.
7:36am--> I can see the bus coming up the road. I throw my stuff beside the van, grab Victoria's hand and RUN!!!!
7:37am--> WE MADE IT!!!! Victoria is getting on the bus and waving good bye. I start my jog back to the van to complete my morning.
7:47am--> I am in the Tim Horton's drive through. The line is insanely long. I get my emergency make up kit out of the glove box (don't judge me) and apply my make up (while stopped in line) waiting to order my coffee. They mess up and try to give me a large when I ordered and extra large. I didn't bother to argue though I should have and normally would have. I pay with change on the dash since my purse is empty of all currency.
7:53am-->There is a traffic jam at one of the toll gates to the parking lot....I manage to back up and pull into a lot further down. Great I m going to have to run.
7:56am--> I have parked and make an attempt to juggle my coffee, 2 work bags, my purse and id tag....I try to jog to the hospital without spilling my coffee or the contents of ANY of the bags I am carrying.
7:58am--> I am at work and on time...barely ...I think this should qualify for an Olympic sport LOL.

I can't believe it is only Monday!!!

More strange news...

Honestly makes you wonder about people....does anyone else remember a teacher in high school telling us a story along these lines? I may be wrong...we all know how much I paid attention in English class!


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/05/ap/strange/main4072849.shtml

Note to self

Remember to check all pockets for lip gloss. It makes a HUGE mess when it goes through the dryer.

Stupidest Prank EVER!!!!!!!

Today was a beautiful day and I decided to clean out the van. I have tried several times since I got back from vacation to open my trunk but I just couldn't do it. I figured where the weather was extremely cold that was the reason, boy was I wrong!! Today I was still unable to get the trunk of the van to open. Upon closer inspection I noticed it looked like cement (okay maybe not cement but something along that lines) was IN the lock. Needless to say I got frustrated pretty quick and enlisted the help of my father. He thought it looked like Liquid Weld. He had to chisel it out and force the key in with a hammer. It got the trunk open for the time being but once closed again I doubt very much it will be able to be opened. I swear if I EVER find out who did this I will use the liquid weld to glue an orifice (I have yet to determine which one) shut!On the plus side I did clean out the van and it looks pretty good. Still I need a newer vehicle. I really need to start looking. I think, now that supper is out of the way, I will take Victoria to DQ for ice cream and try to calm down.
MMMMMMM ice cream lol.

Party girl

This afternoon Victoria went to a princess birthday party for one of her school friends. She looked so pretty I had to take pictures lol.



All ready to go.

Are you we going now???

Cheese.

Why toe dexterity is important....

While reading the morning news, I stumbled upon this little gem from CBS news.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/02/ap/strange/main4068497.shtml


Remember to do your toe exercises, it could save you someday.

Unexpected Visitor

While doing dishes tonight, I noticed there was a visitor in the back yard. A wild rabbit! This explains what happened to the plants in the garden.

Erin vs The Swimsuit ---> The Prologue

With summer fast approaching and the swimsuit weather just around the corner, I have decided it is time to take matters into my own hands. I am very unhappy with how I look. My self esteem has never been what you call "high" or even "good" but after my last relationship came to an end, it is at an all time low. So in an effort to climb out of this rut and face swimsuit season with some amount of dignity I have started a makeover process. It started with my getting my hair and nails done yesterday. I must say I do really love how they turned out. Also a friend and myself have joined a local gym. Lets hope this works well and I will continue to post the saga of Erin vs the Swimsuit.