It's hard to fit everything in when it's been so long, but I'll do my best. It's seems the longer it's been the less detail I have the patience to write about.
First there was no writing because Hans, Mary, and Kelly came up. They got here on Sunday and left Wednesday afternoon. We had fun, enough though Mary wasn't feeling well. She kept it together pretty well, after much sleeping. Monday night Al, Rob, and Amanda came over for a St. Paddy's day dinner. Apparently they all knew eachother from Bike Fest days. It was a wonderful evening, sort of like a mini Supper Club. Hans and Jer made a wonderful Irish stew, with many tips from Mary. Al sort of cheated, he brought a green salad instead of Irish food, but it was very good and the only healthy thing on the table, so he's forgiven. Amanda made yummy mashed potatoes that have a special name, but I don't remember what they were called. Being sick killed my brain.
Wednesday Jer and I went to help out at the Fire Department Cadet Camp. Neither of us, plus many others, were feeling that well, but everyone kept it together nicely. Jer taught fire behavior. While I didn't have any knowledge to impart I took a group around between the stations, made sure they behaved themselves and all that. I'm glad I did: it meant I got to participate in the stations too.
First we were at was Giff's. We learned about basket stretchers and how they rescued people who fell off the mountain. I got to be raised in the basket stretcher. It was kinda scary, but really fun too.
Next upstairs to see Jer and fire behavior.
After fire behavior we went to see Duncan. He lead us through 4 Bay on our hands and knees following a hose and under a truck to save Rescue Randy. When I say we I mean, the kids did this, I followed on foot and then walked around the truck.
Out last station was with Rob and Doug doing motor vehicle rescues. They showed us the cutters and the spreaders/crushers. The cutters were the best. First the kids cut little bits off the car door then Rob let me try. He held them while I was cutting, bah. I was at a awkward angle though. We were their last group so they decided to finish removing the front door. They used the spreaders, but when it was down to the last hinge and some metal they had to switch to the cutters. Rob let me cut the rest of the door apart. All by myself. It was sweet. The kids got the use the crushers on some toasters and an old radio. We missed out on the alarm clocks.
After lunch it was hose time in the school parking lot. We hooked up to the school tank and pumped into the lake and pressurized some hoses. We got to run the hoses, water and foam. Doug let me hold a water hose at 125lb by myself, but I couldn't knock over the stupid cone. It was fun pointing the hose straight up: it got everyone so wet. Hee hee hee. The foam one was neat too, but water was more fun. The foam looked really neat when you shook the hose. The patterns were awesome.
After Cadet camp we went to my parents house, I wanted a bath. It always makes my colds feel better. We were just going to stay for a bit and hang out with them, but we felt so sick we fell asleep in my room and were asleep all night.
My aunt and uncle got here Saturday afternoon and I spent the day with them. Then Jer and I went to see Juno. It was so funny! I highly recommend it. I spent some time with my aunt and uncle before they left later.
Last night we had dinner with John, Marilyn, and Caroline. It was a nice evening, even with the power out. They had a very good trip.
I think that's it. Lots of time being sick and some time visiting.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
The saga of the library book.
Okay it's confession time. I don't have a very good track record at the library: please don't hold it against me. I just seem to have a hard time getting back, I tend to go maybe three time a year. So, I was in town and I got one book out. I figured I could get that back on time. I conveniently have a friend working at the Hornby library right now so I asked him to return it. It was all well and good I thought, until he told me he had forgotten to return it. I decide I'll just wait for him to go into work next week, but I get this email saying that the book is due Thursday and he doesn't work until Saturday.
I called to get him to bring it to Supper Club, but he didn't come. So, I call again the next day to see if I can pick it up on my way to Art's Afternoons at the school, no answer. I leave early to stop at his house to pick up the book anyway and the stupid dog starts barking it's head off at me. The dog wakes up Greg, who I need to talk to anyway, but he had night shift the night before and I felt bad. But he's up anyway so he comes out to his truck with me and gives me the book. I drop it off at the library and I am still on time for Art's Afternoons. And yes, I did get it back on time. *takes bow*
You might be wondering what Art's Afternoons is. Every Thursday, it used to be Wednesday, for a month the kids at the school get to spend the afternoon with a local artist learning their craft. I offered to help out if I was needed so I ended up with Norma doing pottery. I loved Art's Afternoons when I went to school here and I wanted to get to go again, volunteering is a good way to do this. This week was the final week so our group was glazing, well not everyone. Because so many people are sick AND one of the art teacher couldn't come in our group grew from last week and we had some kids just starting to sculpt and some glazing. Norma said the kids that started late can glaze after spring break. In between helping the kids and Norma I got to glaze my turtle I made last week. He is so cool now. I'll post pictures in a couple of weeks when I get him back. Norma said she'd put him in the kids' art show.
I called to get him to bring it to Supper Club, but he didn't come. So, I call again the next day to see if I can pick it up on my way to Art's Afternoons at the school, no answer. I leave early to stop at his house to pick up the book anyway and the stupid dog starts barking it's head off at me. The dog wakes up Greg, who I need to talk to anyway, but he had night shift the night before and I felt bad. But he's up anyway so he comes out to his truck with me and gives me the book. I drop it off at the library and I am still on time for Art's Afternoons. And yes, I did get it back on time. *takes bow*
You might be wondering what Art's Afternoons is. Every Thursday, it used to be Wednesday, for a month the kids at the school get to spend the afternoon with a local artist learning their craft. I offered to help out if I was needed so I ended up with Norma doing pottery. I loved Art's Afternoons when I went to school here and I wanted to get to go again, volunteering is a good way to do this. This week was the final week so our group was glazing, well not everyone. Because so many people are sick AND one of the art teacher couldn't come in our group grew from last week and we had some kids just starting to sculpt and some glazing. Norma said the kids that started late can glaze after spring break. In between helping the kids and Norma I got to glaze my turtle I made last week. He is so cool now. I'll post pictures in a couple of weeks when I get him back. Norma said she'd put him in the kids' art show.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Nalysnyky and Pysanky
Wednesday afternoon I left quilting at 2:30. I thought this was a bit of overkill, but I had to shop before cooking and I know cooking always takes longer than I think it will.
I started cooking around 3 and didn't stop until about 6:45. Nothing was terribly hard, but the crepes are a little time consuming because I can only cook one at a time. Everything went according to plan except, for one small thing; I started running out of the cottage cheese filling. I had an easy fix though, I got Jer to make me up some more.
Everything at dinner was delish as usual. So much variety, too much good food. One of the nice things about being a little late is that people are almost ready to eat by the time you get there. Usually we have to spend at least half an hour inhaling wonderful smells without being able to try them.
The food was great, but the highlight of the evening was pysanky, Ukrainian Easter eggs. Rob and Amanda graciously supplied eggs, dye, and tools for us all. The decorating was so much fun, it's very hard to stop. In fact Jer and I stayed a little too long because I was on egg number three.
I was ready to go, but then Savannah starting make Humpty Dumpty and I thought he needed a girlfriend, Humpy Dee-dee. Jer said he didn't mind saying so I started once again. It took longer than I thought it would: I looked up and the only other guests left were Savannah and Bethany. The four of us did help clean up though.
The top left egg is my favourite, egg number 2. The symbols showing are the symbol for swallow, as in the bird. Amanda had a book with traditional symbols in it. The egg also has the symbols for: sun, star, tree, bee, and flower on it.
Thanks for a fun evening guys.
I started cooking around 3 and didn't stop until about 6:45. Nothing was terribly hard, but the crepes are a little time consuming because I can only cook one at a time. Everything went according to plan except, for one small thing; I started running out of the cottage cheese filling. I had an easy fix though, I got Jer to make me up some more.
Everything at dinner was delish as usual. So much variety, too much good food. One of the nice things about being a little late is that people are almost ready to eat by the time you get there. Usually we have to spend at least half an hour inhaling wonderful smells without being able to try them.
The food was great, but the highlight of the evening was pysanky, Ukrainian Easter eggs. Rob and Amanda graciously supplied eggs, dye, and tools for us all. The decorating was so much fun, it's very hard to stop. In fact Jer and I stayed a little too long because I was on egg number three.
I was ready to go, but then Savannah starting make Humpty Dumpty and I thought he needed a girlfriend, Humpy Dee-dee. Jer said he didn't mind saying so I started once again. It took longer than I thought it would: I looked up and the only other guests left were Savannah and Bethany. The four of us did help clean up though.
The top left egg is my favourite, egg number 2. The symbols showing are the symbol for swallow, as in the bird. Amanda had a book with traditional symbols in it. The egg also has the symbols for: sun, star, tree, bee, and flower on it.
Thanks for a fun evening guys.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Fun and Excitment Galore! mmm pizza opens next week
Wow, lots of stuff happened today.
I decided today was a good day to start a new knitting project. I went through my options and thought I'd attempt a toque: it looked like a fairly easy one. I might have been finished right now if I hadn't missed the small line that said "knit 75 rows..." I cast on my 85 stitches and then proceeded to follow the instructions for the crown. I followed the instructions perfectly, after I interpreted them, just at the wrong time. I finally figured this out what I had done sometime around 2:00ish. I am now doing it correctly and I've got about an inch and a half done. It is a beautiful bright spring green. I'm not sure who I'm going to give it too. I am not a toque person.
After starting my toque it was off to the depot. Not very exciting, but definitely necessary. Or so one would think. I have nothing to read so I wandered into the Free Store to look at books, I only found one novel, BUT I found a Japanese/English Snoopy book. I have been looking for a Japanese/English book, comic, manga, whatever for ages. The good old Free Store pulls through. And if that wasn't enough I found something almost as cool right after. Jer called me into the back to look at this sewing machine he'd found; it was a decent machine, it worked and all, but... I looked down and there was an old case and when I opened it inside was like the coolest sewing machine I've ever seen. It's a really old looking Aristocrat. I can't find any information on it online. It's missing it's foot, but who cares, it's great.
After the depot Jethro and I helped Jer clean out his trailer. Toglia's getting a small family of woofers and it's the only place to put them. After that back to the house for not much action. Until later...
Jer's beening planning on make this awesome dessert called Dulce de Plantanos: so, he decided tonight was the night. We decided that it was too much for just us and gave Doug and Rachelle a call. A quick run to the Cove and we were set. Jer cooked with a bit of chopping/peeling assistance from Rachelle and I; and some stirring/pouring assistance from Doug. Lots of laughs and conversation: much of it around food. The dessert turned out awesome! We could have done with at least two more people to help eat it though.
More photos soon, Google isn't happy right now
I decided today was a good day to start a new knitting project. I went through my options and thought I'd attempt a toque: it looked like a fairly easy one. I might have been finished right now if I hadn't missed the small line that said "knit 75 rows..." I cast on my 85 stitches and then proceeded to follow the instructions for the crown. I followed the instructions perfectly, after I interpreted them, just at the wrong time. I finally figured this out what I had done sometime around 2:00ish. I am now doing it correctly and I've got about an inch and a half done. It is a beautiful bright spring green. I'm not sure who I'm going to give it too. I am not a toque person.
After starting my toque it was off to the depot. Not very exciting, but definitely necessary. Or so one would think. I have nothing to read so I wandered into the Free Store to look at books, I only found one novel, BUT I found a Japanese/English Snoopy book. I have been looking for a Japanese/English book, comic, manga, whatever for ages. The good old Free Store pulls through. And if that wasn't enough I found something almost as cool right after. Jer called me into the back to look at this sewing machine he'd found; it was a decent machine, it worked and all, but... I looked down and there was an old case and when I opened it inside was like the coolest sewing machine I've ever seen. It's a really old looking Aristocrat. I can't find any information on it online. It's missing it's foot, but who cares, it's great.
After the depot Jethro and I helped Jer clean out his trailer. Toglia's getting a small family of woofers and it's the only place to put them. After that back to the house for not much action. Until later...
Jer's beening planning on make this awesome dessert called Dulce de Plantanos: so, he decided tonight was the night. We decided that it was too much for just us and gave Doug and Rachelle a call. A quick run to the Cove and we were set. Jer cooked with a bit of chopping/peeling assistance from Rachelle and I; and some stirring/pouring assistance from Doug. Lots of laughs and conversation: much of it around food. The dessert turned out awesome! We could have done with at least two more people to help eat it though.
More photos soon, Google isn't happy right now
Friday, March 7, 2008
Turtles and mysteries
I was supposed to go to town/Demxx yesterday, but I got a call from Tina asking for help with Arts Afternoons. I had offered help earlier so I only felt right saying yes. It was so much fun!
I was helping Norma with a pottery class for the primary grades. There were four of them: Spencer, Heron, Cassidy, and Sachel. Four kids to two teachers was a good ratio, although they didn't need much help today. It was the third week so they were pretty independent. By the end they were working on sculptures instead of the platters and house candle holders they were working on before. I made a turtle candle holder: haven't played with clay forever.
Norma's daughter, I think, is the woman who makes the crooked, jazzy looking house candle holders. I've wanted one for so long. It was neat to see the kids making them. We're glazing them nextweek. I'm glad Tina called, it was a blast. They even helped clean up.
Afterwards I went home and hung out for awhile. My mum and I got sucked into a computer game. We started it at 10:30, but I didn't think it would take that long to finish. I didn't leave the house until 1:05AM. Bah, stupid mystery games. Interesting story line though: wife wins lottery, husband's having an affair with her best friend, they fight, wife trips and falls down the stairs, goes into coma. The game takes place in a coma induced nightmare.
I was helping Norma with a pottery class for the primary grades. There were four of them: Spencer, Heron, Cassidy, and Sachel. Four kids to two teachers was a good ratio, although they didn't need much help today. It was the third week so they were pretty independent. By the end they were working on sculptures instead of the platters and house candle holders they were working on before. I made a turtle candle holder: haven't played with clay forever.
Norma's daughter, I think, is the woman who makes the crooked, jazzy looking house candle holders. I've wanted one for so long. It was neat to see the kids making them. We're glazing them nextweek. I'm glad Tina called, it was a blast. They even helped clean up.
Afterwards I went home and hung out for awhile. My mum and I got sucked into a computer game. We started it at 10:30, but I didn't think it would take that long to finish. I didn't leave the house until 1:05AM. Bah, stupid mystery games. Interesting story line though: wife wins lottery, husband's having an affair with her best friend, they fight, wife trips and falls down the stairs, goes into coma. The game takes place in a coma induced nightmare.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium"
We just watched the best movie! Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium sounds like it would be a children's movie, but it is reality a touching story. Magorium's Emporium uses a fun situation to teach you about life, friendship, death, and Magic. His store is incredible. It's the first original movie I've seen in like a year. Everything is a sequel or a remake. Bah.
Feet firmly planted on the ground
Last Friday I was all set to take the kids climbing at Rob's, but poor Rob cut his hand. I'm very sorry that Rob hurt himself, but I am relieved that it didn't happen. Energy levels run a little high, so I was worried about them not having much space to run. If we go down in April they can play outside.
It seems Thursday was a tough day for more than just Rob: Jer broke his toe that night. I believe the story currently is he was ripping it down The Way and a little puppy ran in front of him. He swerved to avoid hurting it, crashed, and the only damage he did was to his baby toe.*
*Facts may not be 100% accurate. Check out Jer's blog for his version of the story.
It seems Thursday was a tough day for more than just Rob: Jer broke his toe that night. I believe the story currently is he was ripping it down The Way and a little puppy ran in front of him. He swerved to avoid hurting it, crashed, and the only damage he did was to his baby toe.*
*Facts may not be 100% accurate. Check out Jer's blog for his version of the story.
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