New Family Member!

... and no, it's not a human baby this time!! WHEW!!



We have a cat! Can you believe it... I , the self-professed cat-hater, has a cat!

I gave in. My kids wanted a kitten so bad (and Jason too). I prefer dogs, but honestly, I didn't want to have all that extra work!! Dogs need regular walks, pee on the grass (making nice dead spots), bark, and take a lot of effort to house train! Other than the one shit pile on our duvet, she's been pretty effortless to take care of! However, it is sort of like having a baby again...

• cat-proofing the house
• transition feeding when changing foods (just like formula)
• can't leave things on the counters (like leaving things off the lower shelves for a baby)
• sleeping through the day, awake at night
• possibility of cleaning up shitty messes
• limited intimacy with a cat in the bed!
  

Her name is Caprica. That does not rhyme with paprika! It's pronounced cap-rick-ah. Many people might guess where the name comes from right off the bat! It's from Battlestar Galactica. The human race was divided into 12 colonies. Caprica was one of them. Caprica 6 was the name which people referred to the blonde Cylon Hybrid (played by Tricia Helfer-- Canada's Next Top Model).

Leaves are turning... but the sky's not grey!

So it's be eons since I've posted on here. I figured since there isn't much of anything do do on this computer, and Jason is busy slaying zombies ... I could update my blog!

We are settling into the new house. Everything is pretty well unpacked. Bert & Bobbie are bringing some furniture out on their next trip to Alberta, which will help fill some empty spots! Hopefully, it'll eliminate the echo in the front room (which is currently empty)! The neighbourhood is great, as are the neighbours. We're in a quiet cul de sac, which is great for the kids to ride around on their bikes!

Fiona's loving her new school, and likes her teacher. Ms Hankinson has repeatedly told me how great Fiona is doing, and that her participation is fabulous. She's one smart cookie! She's made some friends at school, and has a girl down the road that she plays with often! I love that she can walk to her friend's house, on her own, and I don't need to worry about her! I just ask her to call when she arrives, and come straight back if no one is home! In the mornings, Fiona walks to school with a boy in her class and his big sister, who is 13. SO helpful. I'm thinking we might lure her in for a babysitting gig!! Fiona's getting a nice sense of independence with these extra freedoms. She's already asking for a cell phone. Great.

Kieran has started pre-school at a place called Tiny Feats. He loves, loves, loves it! I'm so proud of him. He wasn't shy or nervous in the slightest. Off he went, as the engine of the train, into class, with a big hug and kiss for mummy! So sweet. He's doing really well, and his teacher has nothing but wonderful things to say. No timeouts! Yeah!

Rosheen is still home with me, but she'll be in pre-school next year, when Kieran starts kindergarten (WOAH)! That girl has a spirit all her own! She is definitely in the throws of the terrible twos... However, she is at such a fun stage, and this being #3, I know to enjoy it while it lasts.

I've made a friend! Well, maybe a couple. Back in July, I met a woman and her children at the Rotary park in Stony Plain. She is from Japan, and her husband is here on a 2 yr job. He's an engineer. Miki has 3 kids, and one on the way. It's been really nice visiting with her and her children! Kieran has 2 boys to play with, and Rosheen plays with her daughter, Mai, when she feels so inclined! LOL The other person I've met, is a woman named Krisitta. She is a Baha'i here in Stony Plain, and she has 2 children. She has a girl, 4 and a boy, 6. They came over last Sunday and the kids all played so well together! It's nice having so much space, that we can have 6 kids and 3 adults... and not have it feel cramped!! Life is good.

Our townhouse in NE Edmonton is occupado! We have great tenants. We were worried we would have that place sitting empty for a few months, since the interest was pretty low! However, all at once we had 3 people wanting to see it, and 2 asking to move in! We've lucked into having a nice, responsible couple in their late 40's. They foster kids ages 0-5. I stopped by today to pick up their rent cheques, and it was interesting seeing someone else living in my house... with their things... and their smells. At the same time, I felt little attachment to the house, and was happy to be leaving for MY house :)

My parents are coming for a visit this Monday! They'll be here until Oct 8. This means Jason and I get to go out for a date on our anniversary! PLUS, we're going to Banff sans kids for a weekend, as Jason has an ATESL conference to attend. So excited for that. The kids (and me) are so excited for Grammie and Grampie to come out. Fiona's been telling her teacher and friends at school. I think she'll be quite distracted on Monday, as we are picking them up at the airport right after school. :)

Almost forgot! Jason is now the acting manager of the Training Department! I'm so proud of him! Perhaps it will turn into something more permanent, and the adjective "acting" will disappear :)

As for me-- not much is new in my personal progress! I had to leave the Winspear, with great sadness. I miss the fabulous people I worked with. I had a lot of fun at that job. I really got to feel like Katrina, and not so-and-so's mother, or Jason's wife. However, it wasn't realistic to keep on there, now that we're out in Stony Plain. It'd be about a 45-50 min drive into downtown Edmonton, and I'd be burning up my pay in gas costs. So for now, I'm still working at MacEwan College every few weeks, as an IELTS invigilator. The pay is great, and the experience is great, also.

Well--- that's it for now... I'm not going to bother posting pictures. If you want to see some, check out my FB profile! :)

So long for now!

Summer Update

So, yes... my activity on my blog has dropped off the map almost completely. I can blame this in part on Facebook. My apologies. It's just easier to post a slough of pictures on there and have most people see them quickly. Besides, there really aren't may people who check this page religiously!! lol

It's already the middle of July. Holy smokes! We have less than 2 wks to finish our packing, before we leave for Manitoba. Our possession date is actually while we're away, so we won't be moving in until August 8th. Since we're moving, we have cut our visit to MB a bit shorter than we planned. Hopefully, we'll be back in Edmonton no later than the 4th, so we can pack up our remaining items and be ready to go for the weekend!! Fiona & Kieran will be staying behind with Grandma and Grandpa, and RVing back to Edmonton. This actually worked out well, b/c that will give us a break while packing up... since we'll only have ONE kid! Pft. Easy peasy!!

Fiona will be starting in a new school this year. She's excited, but sad to leave her friends behind. She actually told us that she wanted to move in the middle of the year, so the kids would know she was new and want to be her friend!! lol The girl loves attention :) I think she'll do just fine. Fiona has always been very resilient.

Stony Plain is about a 50 min drive from where we're living now. Sadly, I've had to quit my job at the Winspear. I really loved working there, and I'm going to miss it. More so the people. I got to feel young for a few hours each week. Not to mention, seeing some cool shows (like Ani Difranco) for free! Billy Bragg is coming this fall... *sigh*

As you can see from the picture, I've inserted here... Stony Plain isn't that far from Edmonton. It's super close to Spruce Grove- which has pretty much everything a person would need (except a Michaels and Costco)!

So, the days are racing by and we'll be in our new house before we know it. I'm ecstatic. I can't wait to cook in my spacious kitchen while watching the kids play in the huge yard from the window.... to have a nice wood-burning fire on Christmas morning in our cozy family room. I can't wait to wake up loving the house I'm living in!!!

Moving!!

Yes, I'm sure most of you who read this already know... Facebook gets the word around pretty quick! We're moving to Stony Plain! It's about 40km west of Edmonton, but a shorter drive (time-wise) for Jason to get to work!

I'll just post pictures of the house... I'm so excited!! Definitely my dream home!!!

The Anticipation of Seeing Coldplay!!!!

I could pee myself I'm so excited!!!!!! Tomorrow night.... that's where I'll be...

Stupid and Impractical Shoes-- HILARIOUS!!

I'm still laughing... this video make you feel better in seconds!! LOL


News Anchor Cant Stop Laughing At Model - Watch more Funny Videos

May Long Weekend! Geocaching, of Course!

Easter with the Flemings! PT 1

My brothers and I

This was taken summer 2005, I think...

Girls Night Out!!

The Presidential Suite....





Yesterday, Erin, Keri and I spent the night at a fabulous 4.5 star hotel in downtown Edmonton! We drank wine, did facials, soaked our feet, swore profusely, stayed up late and got up when we felt like it!! We even made it out to a trendy bar/restaurant and had some appetizers and muddled drinks! I hadn't ever had one before, and didn't really know what it was.... apparently, it's alcohol mixed with juice and fresh ingredients (using a special pestle)!

I don't drink often, so it didn't take much to bring out that lovely bright pink in my cheeks!!

B-52's Rock Lobster live 1982

This was my absolute fave song to dance to throughout highschool (and earlier)!! I tried requesting it at the bars and weddings throughout college, and was amazed at how many DJ's had no idea what song it was, and if they did... it wasn't in their collection!! Say what?!?!

jimmy eat world the middle

In many ways this song really sums it up for me...

Hey,
Don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out,
Or looked down on.
Just try your best,
Try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves
When you're away.

[Chorus]
It just takes some time,
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything, everything will be just fine,
Everything, everything will be alright. (alright)

Hey,
You know they're all the same.
You know you're doing better on your own, (on your own)
So don't buy in.
Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough (good enough)
For someone else.

[Chorus x2]

Hey, don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out, (feel left out)
Or looked down on.
Just do your best, (just do your best)
Do everything you can. (do everything you can)
And don't you worry what their bitter hearts (bitter hearts)
Are gonna say.

The Cure - One Hundred Years (live, Glasgow 1984)

My favourite Cure song... Friday I'm in Love should be abolished.

Rosheen's Two!!

Rosheen had a busy birthday! She had her 2 yr checkup in the morning. Afterward, we went to McDonald's Playland (Kieran, Rosheen & Mum- Fiona was in school). She had a great time there, b/c the play structure was low and perfect for little toddlers! Once we were done at McD's, we had to pick up the infamous Elmo cake and get her a special balloon. Unfortunately, they had NO Elmo balloons (as she had been eyeing them for weeks leading up to her birthday), but willingly accepted a Dora ballon in it's stead! We spend the evening having cake and opening presents with Dad and Fiona!