A contrast: Fredericton

These were taken at two different times of the year (and years)... I took the first one in autumn 2002, before Fiona was born! The second picture was taken (not by me) in Spring 2008!!Alongside the St. John River, taken from the overpass on Regent Street.

This was the highest flood level Fredericton saw in over 100 yrs....

Canada's Federal Election: October 14, 2008

Ok... so it's election time again in Canada. It wasn't that long ago, that we voted for a Prime Minister (less than 2 yrs)! Usually, they're every 4 years... For my American friend... we have a different voting system here in Canada than the US. We have to vote for a local MP, based on who we want to win the PM seat. In other words, If I want the NDP's to win, I have to vote for the NDP candidate in my riding. The party with the most seats elected, is voted into power. Stupid system, in my opinion.

Regardless of that- I plan to vote. Many people don't. I don't understand that. Change will never happen if people don't start taking action and voting. SO many say "why? the person I'd like to win won't get in anyway"... Well, if EVERYONE who said that voted, it's quite possible the underdog would win!! So with that in mind, I plan to vote for who I want to win, and not strategically. By strategic, I mean, voting for a party that I know has a chance of winning (even though I don't prefer that party/candidate), just to ensure the party I don't want to win, doesn't get elected. Make sense?! Hope so!! lol




The Contenders....

Current Prime Minister, Stephen Harper
Progressive Conservative (PC)
No platform apparently...

Elizabeth May
Green Party
Platform


Jack Layton
New Democrat Party (NDP)
Platform


Stephan Dion
Liberal Party
Platform


News Articles ONLINE
An interesting read about the platforms being announced by each leader, in the Ottawa Citizen.
Global News article regarding the Oct 2, 2008 debate
CBC Top headlines Canada Votes

Oct 2, 2008 Debate Video Clips

Boom De Ah Da

This little diddy has been stuck in the heads of everyone in our household this weekend! Although, this isn't the same version that we see on Discovery.ca! Ours has a few people from Canadian programs (such as Jay Ingram from Daily Planet).

My kids love watching Dirty Jobs, Myth Busters and Man vs Wild!

Fall Festival!

Our community league and some local churches helped to put on the Fall Festival in our neighbourhood. There were bouncy castles, an inflated obstacle course, hoola hoops, potato sack races, popcorn and cotton candy, colouring, bubble blowing, woodwork crafts, face painting and a petting zoo... all for FREE!

Kieran petting a furry rabbit!

Fiona and the Zebu!

Face painting!! Kieran, Fiona & Sajia (Fiona's friend)

They even had a wood craft area- Fiona made a car with wood, and juice can lids!

Kieran's car

Kieran and the Zebu!

Fiona petting the chicken... the killer duck is behind her on the right. It bit her bottom lip!!

Bouncy castles and slides!!

The race is on!

Petting Zoo and Bear Paws

Rosheen in her new outfit from Grammie Duck

Fiona & Kieran showing their Petting Zoo a la Mega Blocks!

Bear Paws! Dad made these with a salmon sandwich (cut into fingers/toes) and a full pancake!

The Petting Zoo up close. They worked for a long time on this, together, and did a very good job!!!

A Wednesday in Autumn

This week has been absolutely gorgeous. So, I took some pictures while driving around Edmonton, running errands.



























We went to MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) to get Fiona's winter boots, and scored some hiking shoes for mum at half price!! Woo! I was going between a 10 and a 9.5, and I didn't have my inserts with me to know how they would truly fit. I should have just bought both pairs, and brought back the ones that weren't good! I took the 10's and found them to be a bid slidy on the heels when I stepped. So, I phoned MEC and asked if the 9.5's were still there and if they could them? Nope. Gone. Great. So, I'm working in these 10's b/c I'm determined for them to feel great!! They were only $50! Still a lot, but for hikers that I will likely wear for 5+ yrs, it's a good price!

Mukluks

Julie, you've indirectly inspired me to blog about Mukluks! Plus, winter is looming, and I'm already sifting through last year's stuff to find what will fit, and what I need to buy!

In case no one knows what they are (and honestly, I didn't until meeting Jason), they are traditional hand-made boots which were originally made by Aboriginal (Native Peoples) of Canada (and likely Alaska too)! They are made of leather, fur and often decorated with beads. A traditional pair, looks like this:














Some variations of this original design can be seen and bought HERE

My father-in-law actually makes Mukluks. I have a pair that he made just for me. Each of the kids have their own hand-made pair, as does Jason. It's a skill and trade that is not known by many these days. Bert even has a special sewing machine for handling the thick thread needed to stitch everything in place.


Fiona in her mukluks that Kieran now fits. She fell asleep on the toboggan... She's in there somewhere! LOL












Now, recently, Mukluks have been making their appearance in the latest fashion trends... This is the most rediculous display of Mukluk wearing I've ever seen!! Sadly, I've seen this train wreck of a fashion statement WAY too many times...


And honestly, those aren't even Mukluks! They're just fur boots! TRASHY comes to mind....

Geocaching in Fort Saskatchewan

The Fleming's set out for another geocaching adventure yesterday. We headed a bit north of Edmonton to Ft. Saskatchewan, and hiked quite a way along the river. It was a beautiful fall afternoon!! It was really fun getting out, all of us together. This is the time of year that I really enjoy caching. The weather is perfect, and fall is such an enjoyable time.

Here are some photos.

First Day of School: Grade One!

Fiona started school yesterday--- Grade 1! She's now in full days, staying for lunch and a step closer to
independence!

Rainbow Tears

Although Fiona had a great time at the Teddy Bear Picnic in Hawrelak Park, and truly loved her face painting that we waited 1.5 hrs in line to get... She shed a little tear when she got reprimanded for playing rough with her sister... lol

Lost

I've been thinking lately. Yes, that happens from time to time.

I've been thinking about who I am as a person.

How would I describe myself? What do I believe in? What do I enjoy doing? What am I passionate about? What are my goals? Those kinds of things. The more I ponder it, the more I begin to think I've really lost sight of me. Since getting married, and having 3 kids... I've changed. Some ways are for the better, but in many I don't like how I've deleted parts of my personal hard-drive. Does that even make sense?! I feel indifferent about things. My confidence has plummeted and when I think about my future- I have no real visions. By that I mean, career, school etc. It seems my mind is living day to day.

I used to be able to multi-task. I held 3 jobs after college! I was working 80 hrs a week and doing quite well at managing it! I loved being busy. I look back on some of the things I've done over the years (work-wise) and I'm stunned. Would I be so daring now, if I tried it all over again!? I'm mostly thinking back on working for the Children's Aid Society and the Catholic Children's Aid Society in Hamilton, Ontario. I had so much passion for my work. I really wanted to make a difference and felt it was possible. Passion. I'm lacking that bigtime nowadays.

After working at an intensive treatment centre here in Edmonton, I vowed never to return to youth work again. I was constantly dealing with aggression & abuse (from the kids)! Every shift was sure to include a restraint. Now, when a job is this horrible and ungreatful... and pays crap, having an employer that treats you like dirt and gives no support just makes it all the more worse. I was beginning to loathe the sight of teenagers congregating in malls or on streets. I always thought they were up to no good. This is a horrible way to be. I'm still trying to rid myself of this negativity.

I'm not as patient as I'd like to be. I'm not even as compassionate as I would like to be. I used to be better at those things. More ways that I've changed... and not for the better.


When people ask me what I do... and by this they mean as a contributor to society and for income... I almost always reply "I'm just home with my kids"... Why do I feel the need to say JUST? Three kids under the age of 5 (almost 6) is a fulltime job. I don't profess to be any good at it, but I've sacrificed a lot of myself to do it. People often equate their value with the job they do to make money... by their career. I wish people could get past this, including myself.

I've been home with my kids fulltime for over 3 yrs. I'm feeling out of the loop. I have very little friends, even after being in Edmonton for over 4 yrs. I don't always meet people through common interests... like music and/or hobbies. I get to pick from parents of kids in Fiona's class. This is how I get to meet new people. Then there's meeting people through other people... I have trouble with this. Even though I may really find this person to be really interesting, fun and cool... I don't trust that the person truly wants to be my friend. Are they just being nice? Do they feel obligated? Am I just riding on the coat-tails of other people to get friends!? It's like highschool all over again, sometimes... trying to break into already existing social circles. Am I annoying? Do I talk to much? Do I laugh to loud? Do I have any substance?!

I used to really sociable. I loved being with friends and interacting with friends all the time when I was younger. Now, I find this exhausting and relish alone time. I guess that's par for the course when you're a mum to 3 kids.

I used to bike & rollerblade! I don't do either anymore. I don't even have a bike.

I used to take time to make myself look good. I did my hair, wore some make-up and semi-fashionable clothes. I don't do any of those things anymore. I don't take any pride in my appearance.... not even my hair [and anyone who knows me, knows how I am about hair ;)]

I used to write short stories, and poetry. I used to read poetry. Where did that person go!?!?

I feel lost.

Out of touch.

Disconnected.


Then there's faith.

What do I believe in? This is another area in which I feel indifferent at times. Wishy-washy. Unable to clearly state what I believe or which Faith I believe in. Perhaps it's fear.

I was raised Roman Catholic. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe in treating others as you would have them do unto you. I belive in the 10 commandments. I don't believe in natural sin. I don't believe in using guilt as a means of getting people to tow the line. I don't believe in having clergy, all men, delegated by men who consider themselves representatives of God. I don't believe that in order to be obsolved of my sins, that I have to confess to a man who allegedly represents God. Corruption is all over the place in the Catholic Church. I have first-hand knowledge and experience with this. I don't support this, either. So, I don't really consider myself a Catholic. I believe that God is compassionate, gracious, understanding, loving, accepting, non-judgemental, all-embracing.

Jason is a Baha'i. We are raising our children in the Baha'i Faith. I attend Feast when possible. I go to devotionals, when possible. I attend celebrations such as Ayyam-i-Ha & Ridvan. [Of course since moving to Edmonton, and now having 3 kids, it's hard to get to celebrations and feasts]. I believe that God wants peace for the world. I believe in unity and equality, as does the Baha'i Faith. I even believe that a man named Baha'u'llah existed and had a very important message to deliver to the world... So why can I not officially accept this Faith as my own, and profess it to the world by signing my card? What am I afraid of? Am I afraid of not being able to celebrate Christmas anymore? Losing all that is familiar to me? Worried that I will be condemned to hell for turning my back on the Catholic Church?! I don't really have the answers.

Promoting Local Talent

Ok, so a couple of months ago... I went to see Martin Kerr perform at the Baha'i Centre here in Edmonton. Martin, as you might remember, made it to the top 16 on this season of Canadian Idol. Along with Martin that evening, a young lad by the name of Joe Nolan performed one of his original songs. I was gobsmacked. This guy is 18 yrs old, and the talent in him is unreal. His voice is very unique... one of those that you could listen to w/o knowing the song and know who's singing! His guitar playing was beautiful and the lyrics and insight in his music was like listening to a Bob Dylan song or Neil Young. Those were the 2 influences that I heard from his stuff immediately.

Joe, Martin and Joe's father all performed that evening. It was wonderful to watch and hear. The talent was just oozing! Fabulous!

I find myself going to his MySpace page often so I can listen to his tracks!! I really like "This World's Half Asleep". I'm hoping to get down to Megatunes (where his CD is for sale) sometime next week, once Fiona's in school and I can take the other 2 for a nice leisurely trip on the LRT and city bus :)

My point? I want to spread the word, and share his music! He's got a cd out, that seems to be only available at an independant music store here in Edmonton, or to be purchased from Joe himself! The album is called "Pocket Dreams".

This is an article about Joe in the Ft Saskatchewan paper. Ft Sask., is only a 15 min drive from our house... closer than driving to Whyte Ave! ;)

Please check him out, and if you like what you hear... spread the word!

Compare

Style Comparison...

















The above items are what I prefer to wear. Comfortable, practical and not season-specific (for fasion)!!


The items below are just stupid.

New haircut

Ok, so I went to get my hair done last night..... I need some opinions, or at least some affirmation! lol The first time I went to get my hair cut by this girl, Carlene, she did a fabulous job! I got compliments ALL the time while I was out! So I went back to her. I should mention, the first time she cut my hair (first appt of the day on a Saturday), she was late. She slept in and came in about 40 min later than my appt time!! The salon was good about it, and gave me a moisture treatment... Plus, c'mon... we all have those days, right?! Well, appt #2.... same thing. First appt on a Saturday. LATE AGAIN! WTF?! She did a rush ass job and I wasn't happy with it... It was heavy behind the ears, the bangs weren't connected properly... Just a bad cut. Sloppy.

So, I make another appt, and don't specify a stylist. I get Carlene again, anyway! I get there, and she doesn't remember me... asks who did my hair last? and before that cut? Ugh. I tell her she did both cuts previous to this one... I can tell she's feeling lousy.
She says "Oh you got a nosering!"... I told her "I've had it for 9+yrs"...
"But you just got a hoop, right?"... I say "no- I wear only a hoop".... *sigh* Not impressed.

This time, I bring a photograph... Victoria Beckham, wearing the precise style I'm after. How much more specific can I get?!













After much "texturizing", razoring, chomping with thinning shears, and hacking... This is the end result....


What do you think? Honestly?




















I feel like Liz from the ORIGINAL Degrassi... Carlene wasn't even alive when that show aired.