One of those pictures I'm saving to show the first girlfriend ;)

Tim has decided that he is going to be either an inventor or a scientist when he grows up. He is constantly inventing new things - and he loves building things with his K'Nex.....usually something related to fans and/or windmills.
Recently, he had a fort built from an old cardboard box in his room - he had a whole contraption built that when he turned his oscillating fan on and aimed it at the box his 'ceiling fan' (made from K'Nex and hanging from the top of the box) would spin. He had it down to a science for the slow, medium and fast speeds -- depending on the direction that he would aim the fan.

Today he decided that he wanted a hat with a propellor on top. I said we would do what we could and try it. We made it a family affair and with a little help from Dad - we got it;
Atleast we know who to call when he needs a job.....

Did you eat your Pancakes today???

We are making a tradition of having Pancake Tuesday with Hillary!!! She joined us last year for yummy Pancake goodness too! She wouldn't let me take her picture tonight though......so I threatened her with one of the random blackmail shots I have of her (and believe me - I have a lot!) but I figure that I have traumatized her enough in her life, for now.

I told Garnet I needed glasses to read the digital cable menu.....

He pulled a "Garnet"

I won't even discuss how he drove through a snow storm to Windsor to get it and ended up paying more than the agreed upon price.....

I won't even bring it up - because I'm over it.

I am over it............almost.

Lifestyle Changes

I am really proud of Garnet. Since I rag on him quite a bit on here (all in loving funness of course ;) I figure I should give him credit where credit is due. One thing about him (maybe attributed to the OCD...) is that when he puts his mind to something he does it. No excuses - he just follows through with anything. I admire that about him because I am not like that at all.

The beginning of this year he decided he was going to start biking to work and eating better. Since we got married he has gained over 80 pounds. We weighed the same on our wedding day - I was carrying a little baby weight he was a very tiny guy. So obviously he is not setting out to lose 80 pounds and look like that little 19 year old again - but he wants to be healthier. The snow and the cold weather came and he couldn't bike to work anymore - but he has since cut down on his portions, stopped eating in the evenings and switched to Whole Grain instead of white. We have been going to bed a decent time and that is helping a lot too I believe - I am actually up this morning at 7 by myself without the groggy head feeling that I would normally have on a Saturday morning. Garnet has also been working a lot of days (he used to switch so that he was on nights all the time) And all of these things combined have been marvelous for us all!

He has lost almost 20 pounds already! It is completely melting off of him - it's crazy!

I am a little jealous seeing as I have only managed to lose 5 pounds -- but that is the curse of the Womanly body. It's amazing because the healthy things may not always taste better - and we look for the immediate gratification of junk food. But it's the junk food that makes our bodies feel like crap.

Yes, he's even eating whole wheat pasta! (He swore he would never touch the stuff!)

Birthday Pictures

Tim and Hillary made me a cake :) Yummy!!













My friends Sandra and Jenn (and Hillary too!) took me out for dinner!

Eyes like a giraffe, no sexy rims like a PT - but I have darn good peaches!

27....is really close to 30. But I still got asked for ID last night when I asked for a glass of wine!!!! So it's nice to know I still look like I am 16. But my little sister still had to rub it in that I'M OLD! (hence the peaches reference, before anyone has a nasty comment on that one ;)

All I wanted was a date. That's all I asked him for. We are spending so much money on the kitchen I figured that it was only fair that I not expect anything for my birthday. Instead we could take advantage of our free babysitting service (read: Hillary) and Kitchen Renovation/Eating out gift from my parents. I wanted to go to Olive Garden, because I love Pasta and I knew that I'd never be able to get him into that restaurant for any other reason except my birthday. And he even has it easy as he gets to incorporate Birthday and Valentine's Day into one --- which is any guy's dream!

I knew we were in for a really romantic night when he suggests maybe going out for dinner at 8 instead of 5-- so that he can spend the rest of the daylight putting the PT cruiser back together.

Yes, king of romance strikes again.

My blank, evil stare with my 'don't-even-think-about-it' eyes must have given him a clear message.

Seven years ago today is when Garnet proposed. We have been dating for 8 1/2 years -- I know him by now. I should know better than to expect some big romantic gesture out of no where. I sat looking at him over dinner with a smug look on his face as he's trying to blind me with the reflection off his watch. Pretending to talk all deep and serious while watching the light blind me - and really cracking himself up in the process. A few minutes into the meal I catch him staring into my eyes, and my heart melts. I stop and return the loving stare into his eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" Giving him the clear path to say something sweet and romantic, opening it right up for him, he didn't really even have to try hard;

"Imagine what it would look like if a giraffe wore mascara."

Wow.

He may not be the most romantic, he may not even have an ounce of romance in him -- but I wouldn't change a thing. All these years and he still makes me laugh and keeps the excitement level high -- I'd take that over flowers anyday ;)

Decisions, decisions........

We picked up our ceramic tiles today!!! We got an awesome deal on some 16x16 tiles and now I'm deciding on the grout colours and paint.....this is so much fun!!

If it was going to happen to anyone.....

.....it would happen to us.

I have a feeling this is going to put a hold on any progress in the kitchen;















Everytime we turned a corner and heard the jug of washer fluid slide and bang we made a mental note; "Gee, I should really take that out." And the mental note was gone as fast as it entered the cerebral region........
Until I got into the car yesterday and smelled something really funky and chemically and then the mental note hit me in the cerebral region like a tonne of bricks.

One of those slides and bangs cracked a hole in the lid and 3/4 of a jug of Washer Fluid had trickled into the car. When Garnet got home and went to investigate the damage, he found the entire carpet was saturated with it -- all the way up to the front. Now, he is ripping the seats and carpet out in an attempt to dry it. Wish us luck.

(In a good kitchen side note; we pick up the ceramic tile tomorrow!!! No guarantees on when it will be installed though -- the installer is too busy being a car detailer! Good thing I married a genius! ahem....no comments allowed on that one Jmike and coondog!)

The Grammys

Awards shows bore the hell out of me and I can never watch the whole thing - but I am so happy that the Dixie Chicks kicked ass! 'Not Ready to Make Nice' was my running song for a long time (I have to have angry music to run.....just my thing) and I love that they never backed down for speaking their opinion.
And I'm so happy that John Mayer kicked JT's ass!

Some (long overdue) Kitchen Pics

This is the view from our Hallway into the Kitchen -- comparing when we moved in (yuck!) -- to now.

This is the view the other way down the hallway. It looked like someone had puked wallpaper all over our house when we first moved in. Garnet has done a wonderful job!! Now we are just awaiting the paint and the ceramic tile! (This job of his gets in the way ;)

I love being the big sister!!!!

hehehehehehehehehehe (my evil cackles)

A Good Day

I volunteered at the Hospital today. This month marks 1 year of volunteering. And I am still loving it as much as the first day!
When I went in today I looked at the board to see who the Nurse's Aide was that I would be with -- and there was no name. I asked the nurses if there was anybody here for me to help. But they informed me that the Aide had called in sick and they couldn't replace her. One nurse sort of wrinkled her nose and asked if I knew what I was doing enough to stay. (Understandably, I would simply be in their way, on an already busy day, if I didn't know what I was doing) The one nurse there who knew me stood up and said "Oh, she is good - she'll be a great help today!"

So I was alone - doing the Unit Helper's job and helping the nurses. It felt great - and I actually knew what I was doing! I almost surprised myself! All morning the nurses were asking my name and thanking me. It's the first time that a few of them had even acknowledged me - let alone ask my name. They even said they should treat me to lunch ;) I assured them it was my pleasure to help.

I came home on a cloud - thinking "That is where I belong - that is what I want to do everyday."


I opened the mailbox to find beautiful Valentine's Cards and Birthday card from my wonderful, thoughtful Mom and Dad...................AND MY ACCEPTANCE LETTER TO THE NURSING PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!!

Just being crazy

Tim was trying to balance on my knees - like my Dad used to do with us. He spent most of the time laughing his head off and shakin' what his mama gave him with his signature moves. Hillary captured these great shots when she wasn't doubled over in laughter ;)

Fort

Tim amused himself for hours last Sunday afternoon while I got some much needed housework done......why do we even bother to buy them toys?!

I was tagged

Michelle tagged me -- I'll tag Hillary (cause something needs to be done about her lousy blogging skills) and Rachel (cause you are on my mind after that really sweet email ;)

1) Are your parents married or divorced? 34 years married
2) Are you a vegetarian? No, I was for 6 years….but I’m a carnivore now
3) Do you believe in Heaven? Yes, but not the biblical interpretation
4) Have you ever come close to dying? I don’t think so, but I’m a wimp so I may have felt like I am sometimes ;)
5) What jewellery do you wear 24/7? My wedding rings, my hoop earrings, my gold bracelet that Garnet bought me for Graduation in 1999, and the white gold chain that he bought me when he went to Canada’a Wonderland without me on our First Anniversary.
6) Favorite time of day? Evening/Night…I am NOT a morning person
7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Yes
8) Do you wear makeup? Yes, I’m a recovering Makeupaholic
9) Ever have plastic surgery? Nope – it’s all real
10) Do you color your hair? Yes
11) What do you wear to bed ? Depends on the temperature….
12) Have you ever done anything illegal? Ummm…speeding? I burn CDs and DVDs…..I’m a relatively good girl ;)
13) Can you roll your tongue? Yes
14) Do You Tweeze your eyebrows? Yes….I don’t like the caterpillar look I inherited from my Dad ;)
15) What kind of sneakers? My running shoes are New Balance, My other shoes are comfy clog types but I’d wear flip-flops all year if I could.
16) What is your Hair color? Usually blond – but I recently went almost back to my regular natural light brown – with a little red. Ok, truthfully? I don’t have a flippin clue!
17) Future child's name? What if we don’t want a future child……..?
18) Do you snore? NO! (and I have a husband who sleeps like a log so no one will ever know if I do hehehe)
19) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? Anywhere warmer than here….I would love to travel everywhere. And I have a husband who won’t fly so I’m looking for travel partners ;)
20) Do you sleep with stuffed animals? No I sleep with real ones.
21) If you won the lottery, what would you do first? Travel, but then I’d probably have to do the sensible adult stuff that Michelle said too….pay off mortgage and student loans and stuff.
22) Hamburger or hot dog? I really don’t like either – except in the summer BBQ. But even then I’d prefer a Chicken burger over both….does that count?
23) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Cheese Cappelletti
24) City, beach or country? Beach, totally.
25) What was the last thing you touched? My cup of water….?
26) Where did you eat last? On the couch (I got home from work and they had already eaten)27) When's the last time you cried? Yesterday…it doesn’t take much
28) Do you read blogs? Of Course, I’m addicted ;)
29) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex? If I had to sure……Halloween, as a Joke….but I don’t think I’d make a habit of it
30) Ever been involved with the police? No, I told you – I’m good.
31) What's your favorite shampoo conditioner? I go by the smell – it has to smell fantastic….cause they all work the same
32) Do you talk in your sleep? No, but I am forced to listen to Garnet in his sleep
33) Ocean or pool? Ocean.
34) What's your favorite song at the moment? Depends on the mood….anything but twangy country and head banging shit
35)What's your favorite color(s)? Yellow and brown
36) Window seat or aisle? Window
37) Do you feel you have had a truly successful life? I think I am in the midst of living a successful life, but I think I would be settling if I said it was already successful. There is still so much life to live….
38) Do you like beer or wine? Strawberry Wine mmmmm and Red Wine...beer is stinky
39) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? Cut it
40) Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey? Oprah….most days
41) Basketball or Football? Basketball – cause guys in tight pants give me the heeby jeebies
42) How long do your showers last? Looooong…..and baths last forever…..wanna see my water bill? ;)
43) Automatic or do you drive a stick? I CAN DRIVE A STICK NOW!!!! (but because I am a daydreamer I will always prefer an automatic)
44) Cake or ice cream? Neither….I like salty stuff
45) Have you ever drank so much you threw up? Only once, and I hated it….I’m a good girl
46) Have you ever given money to a tramp? Whoa! No!....oh like a Homeless person? then yes.
47) Have you been in love? Of Course
48) Where do you wish you were? Somewhere warmer than this winter shit
49) Are you wearing socks? I hate wearing them – but I hate being cold even more – so Yes! It’s -30 out there!!
50) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? Yes, but I don’t remember much of it
51) Can you tango? No, but I really want to learn!! (Something else that Garnet won’t do with me ;(…..any takers?
52) Last gift you received? An over the range microwave (the extent of my birthday this year….and it hasn’t even happened yet!)
53 ) Last sport you played? Wow….I don’t play sports anymore. I kicked Garnet’s ass in Badminton in the summer…..does that count?
54) Things you spend a lot of money on? Home renovations…..blah
55) Where do you live? Sarnia, the stinky city
56) Where were you born? North Bay, the mullet town
57) Last wedding you went to? My Cousin Nick and Lanna’s….but I’m going to Kim’s in April weeeeee!!!
58) Favorite fast food restaurant? Subway
59) Most loved food(s): Pasta, Pickles, Olives, Fruit
60) Most hated food(s): Mashed Potatoes….and mushy stuff, but really – I’ll eat anything.
61)What's your least favorite chores? Folding Laundry! (I would buy a machine to do it if there was one!)
62) Can you sing? No, and I’m not one of those people that think I can….I really suck at it. Like totally.
63) Last person you text messaged? I’m so out of the loop….I never have!! (Yes, I’m married to mr. technology but that’s one thing we haven’t gotten into)
64) Last place you went on holiday? North Bay to see the family
65) Favorite regular drink? Water or milk

Redefining Romance

On Thursday night Tim was having a sleepover at a friends house, Hillary was out for the evening and Garnet got home from work at 8. Looking forward to an evening alone together I joked with Hillary to make sure she knocked really loud before coming in. When Garnet came home he looked at me with a smug look and said 'You better get changed....into some work clothes. If you want this kitchen done before your birthday - you're going to help!'
And so we spent our romantic night alone up to our elbows in drywall mud, TSP and old wallpaper glue. Sigh, he really knows how to sweep me off my feet.
I am overwhelmed with this feeling of deja vu -- I've been here before. We renovated our condo, and then moved a few months after. Never really enjoying the fruit of our labour. I hope we can enjoy this one a little bit longer.

In the midst of all of it - I asked Garnet if we had all the money in the world -- would he still want to do all of the renovations himself. He responded with music to my ears; "We are building our next one!"

The reason for the deadline of my birthday for the kitchen.

In true Garnet style, he decided that we should have an over the range microwave - which he has been trying to convince me of forever. I agree that they are more convenient for a tiny kitchen (which we have) and look really nice. But my problem is starting another project when he has 15 on the go already. (ie; THE KITCHEN) But his argument was that it would only make sense to do while the wall is already ripped apart, the cabinets are already in pieces and before we paint. Which, I have to admit, makes sense. So I agreed - with the condition that he finish the kitchen by my birthday and not start another project in the meantime.

We spent the day putting up the microwave, taking it down, putting it up, taking it down etc, etc, etc. When it was PERFECT (because Garnet would not accept anything but perfection); we turned it on.

tickticktickticktick.....the fan made a noise.

And of course; it was the last microwave in Sarnia.

So the story of Garnet's life he HAD to drive to London that night to get the last one in the London store. We got that one up. Turned it on.

tickticktickticktick.......

He read my 'don't you dare' face well, because he's living with it. Putting up with it. Understanding that perfection is not always attainable. But he does have to turn it on and off 7 or 8 times when he walks by, just to hear the noise. Just because.

Read blog at your own risk

Apparently I look like Belinda Stronach - Garnet's co-workers are strange.