I love the sounds of Africa

http://www.wavelit.com/index.asp?ch=Wildlife&sh=africam


This is one of my favourite websites. It is a live camera at a watering hole in South Africa. It is a great site, I usually call it up when I get to work and listen to the sounds as it is night time over there and I cannot see much! I have yet to see any big game, but still just love the sounds. Africa is so loud- but it is amazing.
I have to have noise all around me, perhaps that is what happens when you grow up in Africa. I have the TV on or music or something on at all times. It is not like I am watching TV all the time, but I like the noise of it if I am at home during the day. Anyway as I was sitting here with the dryer tumbling (jeans with very loud buttons), the TV on and the live cam, I realized how noisy my life is! Well I hope you enjoy this webcam as much as I do.

Friday the 13th

I have never paid much mind to this day. 13 is a lucky number for us it is Dani's birthday. But today- oh no the horror! While making myself a lovely cup of afternoon tea, Delaney decided to jump off the sofa and straight into the coffee table. Heart pounding I tried to assess the damage through the copious amounts of blood pouring out of her head. Off to emergency we raced! Luckily for us there was only about an hour and a half wait before we saw the doc! She definitly needed stitches, but luckily for us he used the super glue! So no pain, no more tears and a great war injury to talk about. I on the other hand am still shaking. Neither of my kids have been to emergency and I really don't want to have to go there anytime soon. I am just glad that she is okay and that a little blood is all we lost. Happy friday the 13th...

Seeing red!

I am into the 4th week of Rhonna's challenge and it happens to coincide nicely with my happy scrapping. I was about a year behind in photos when I discovered this digital thing. I had no room to spread out all my papers and stamps etc. So I started doing all digital pages. Needless to day it is now incredibly difficult to pull out the paper and glue. Having said that I am still a few months behind in 2006 photos. I am currently scraping my Xmas photos which is a tad difficult to do when spring is in the air. But I desperately have to finish 2006 before we head to Maui next week, otherwise I will be 100's of photos richer and oh so far behind in the scrapbook department! I just printed 44 12 x12 digital pages last week and they are mostly of last summer; my girls have opened that album every day and giggled over the pages- it makes this scrapbooking thing all the more worth while.

The tooth!

Dani has this top tooth which she will not let me pull. I have tried bribery, coercion and all to no avail. She will not let me pull that tooth for anything. It looks awful, I keep telling her she looks like Nanny Mcphee and she does not like that one bit! It is gross, tonight I had to cut her food into strips so that she could chew it out of the corner of her mouth- otherwise it bleeds all over every time she bites something (sorry too much info I know!) Mind you once it is gone she is going to have a hard time chewing much of anything as there is no sign off the other top tooth and she lost that baby tooth some time ago.
I should just sit back and let it fall out-there is no rush! I cannot believe that my baby is getting her adult teeth. Where does the time go?

Green Eggs & Ham- or Apples anyway!

Week 3 of Rhonna's challenge and a green week it is. It is perfect for our apple barn trip last September, which is exactly where I am in my scrapbooking! 3 weeks until we head off to tropical bliss. I have to at least finish off 2006 before I come back with 2 weeks of beach photos.

Soccer

What a great weekend it turned out to be! We were supposed to have 2 weekends in a row of soccer, but due to a washout last weekend we had a 1 weekend mini tournament. Dani has come so far in the last 2 years it is great to see her out on the field. All the girls are great, they can actually chase the ball, turn it around and get some kicks on goal. What a difference from last years "swarm ball" where they all just followed each other around.

A colourful weekend

I was feeling rather "bright" this weekend so I thought I would use this great kit that I downloaded from Two Peas last month. It is rather delicious looking and matched Delaney's jacket quite well. These were photos taken at the end of last summer. Just when I think I am getting ahead in the scrapping department along comes a weekend of activities, that I had to take photos of, that puts me at least 140 photos behind. (okay who am I kidding I love scrapbooking :)

A Blue week

We were away the first weekend of Spring Break with 2 other couples and my sister and her family. We had a fantastic time on the Sunshine Coast, although the weather could have been better. The house on the beach was amazing and all 7 kids had a blast. My girls had their rain boots and jackets on and they were off. Danica had a great time building a fort out of driftwood - the 3 older friends had so much fun with this. Delaney and the younger 'uns were content just running up and down the beach. That is the inspiration behind this page- here she is just chasing seagulls. Oh to be so carefree and see the fun in everything!

Orange Challenge

I have been so busy lately that it seems I have neglected my little blog. I have been up late each night doing my digital scrapbooking and getting so caught up in that- I realised that I should start posting those here. Then at least people will be able to share my moments in life through my scrapbook pages (that's the idea behind a blog right?) So in my internet wanderings I can across Rhonna's website (I LOVE her designs) and decided to take on her colour challenge. Well here I am again and hopefully each week will be in a different colour! Thanks for looking.

Snow Boots!

Thank goodness for snow boots. I have lived in Vancouver for 16 years and have never owned a pair of snow boots. Well this season I thought I would go and buy a pair. Thank goodness I did. I have never seen weather like this- we are on storm number 14 and counting. I cannot count how many times we have lost power or the power has dipped and we hold our breath. I usually have no problem with winter but I am about ready for Spring now.
My New Years resolution is to clear out the car port so that I can get my car in. Today would be the SECOND time this season that I could not get into my car!!! I do all the right things get this snow off so that it doesn't form a layer of ice, etc, etc. Then this morning I go and get in the car and no such luck. After attempts to hair dry with a hot dryer the locks- still no luck, I gave up. An hourish later, the back of the mini van seemed to be thawed so I was able to open the hatch- "elegantly- in snow boots!" climb over 2 sets of seats to get to the front to of the car and start it. Only to have the car run for 45 mins while I tried to scrap the ice off. (Sorry Al G0re.) Then I had to drive to work on a sheet of ice. We are so unprepared for this weather- where did all the salt trucks go?
Well that is my rant- although I must say it looks absolutley gorgeous outside. I can see Seymour Mountain from my office window- wow!

I love Halloween

What a great Halloween we had this year. It sure was chill but so nice out. I didn't like the fact that I had to work this year- only the second Halloween I have had to work - with kids around that is. (Did I ever mention that I love not working Mondays and Fridays). But anyway we were up early, Delaney for once actually wore the outfit that I put out for her!! She went as a little witch - her day outfit. Then came home and changed into her Mini Mouse outfit for trick or treating. Danica was a black cat- both morning and night. I missed the parade at school which sucked as all the kids look so "cute" in their outfits.
Frank got to take the girls out t or t'ing as I had to hand out candies (if I left it to Frank - he would hand out 6 at a time and I would run out and then my house would be egged or something like that!!!). But handing out 2-3 candies per kid I still ran out and I had 250 chocolate bars! The streets around here were buzzing- it is a great time of year.
I was so happy so see my little niece and nephew too - they popped over for the "photo shoot". It is so nice to see my sister, Nat, happy. It has been 6 years this Halloween gone by and the smiles are back. (Graham you are in our hearts, and thoughts always.)

Pumpkin Patch

What a city we live in. The weather today was outstanding. We spent the day at the Pumpkin patch and it was incredible. We could have (and many were) worn just t-shirts today. The down side is that half of the GVRD was at the Patch, but there were more than enough pumpkins to go around. What fun. I love that we get to do these fun activities with our girls and know that before long they will be turning their button noses up at the prospect of a pumpkin patch-sigh! But it is awesome to ingrain these memories into their heads now- we can only hope that it will make them nicer teenagers.
Dani had such a busy weekend. 2 birthday parties and a sleepover at friends. Frank & I had to go to a function for his work and all I can say is it is great to have good friends. A couple that we have become great friends with looked after the girls. Our kids are all the same age and at school/preschool together. We are so lucky to have found them they are awesome and it is so nice to know that there are people you can rely on in life.
It has been a week of blessings I guess!

Holidays are over :(

We were away last week camping for the week. The kids had so much fun- it is unbelievable how they can run free for a week. The only thing about camping is the dirt- I have a hard time being that dirty for that long. I would wash the kids in the shower then pull them back in the wagon to the tent and then carry them into bed so that their feet didn't touch the dirt. I figure they can stay clean for a few hours while they sleep! Ahh but the fun we had. I love being away from civilization- no phones, no TV, no email (okay that one is hard), it is so nice to get that far away. (Sigh) that was my vacation time for the year- two lousy weeks- I think that sucks.

Digital Scrapbooking

Have I mentioned my passion for scrapbooking?
I Love it and now I am hooked on digi scraping I love it.
The photos I took in Florida last year were still unscrapped and making me feel so bad as I was so behind and the thought of scrapping 400 photos scared the heck out of me. So I saw this digital site and that was it - hooked.
Now I have just finished Florida and am ready to scrap the 360 photos I took in Oregon. Maybe I should take less photos and then I wouldn't have this problem- nah never gonna happen.

Ah Holidays!

We were away in Oregon last week and it was so nice. We had the most perfect weather which one can never guarantee on the coast. It was a little foggy in the mornings, clearing to blue sky by 11am. The girls had so much fun on the beach it was amazing. It was also incredible to see their growth in a year. Dani still LOVES the waves and jumps in and out of them like a Salmon up stream; but Delaney was funny, last year in Florida she would not go NEAR the waves, this year she was right up there with Dani loving every moment of it. It was great to be down there with friends too, we had our freinds I & D come down with their 2 little ones- the same age as ours. They were all so into the beach.
The most amazing experience was spending the 4 of July on the beach. We had a campfire on the beach and were surrounded by fireworks, it was incredible.
Did I mention the shopping??? Oh my gosh- the outlet mall is the best place in the world. I was buying t-shirts and shorts for the girls for $1 ( no tax in Oregon either!) I got myself crazy deals- Gap t-shirts for $2.99. The shopping alone is worth the 8 hour drive down.
Sigh! But soon the week passed- the only thing that made it bearable was knowing that we are going camping for a week next week- yahoo. And so the packing begins! I just found the best list ever for all camping stuff- love it!

The Tag

Thanks Karen for the tag- I actually did it!
I AM: A mom, wife, friend
I WANT: To enjoy each moment of life as if it is the last
I HATE: (A strong word) rude, self-righteous, ignorant people
I LOVE: My family- more than words can say
I MISS: Ouma, Oupa & Graham
I FEAR: Not being a good parent
I HEAR: My children's laughter
I WONDER: How life would be Africa
I REGRET: Losing some friends along the way
I AM NOT: ready to be in my 30's!!!
I DANCE: To my own drum
I AM NOT ALWAYS: As cheerful or as thoughtful as I would like to be
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: Chocolate chip cookies, pizza dough- play dough!
I WRITE: Things to do on my calendar- daily!
I CONFUSE: Words to songs all the time
I NEED: More time in my days and more sleep
I SHOULD: Finish one of the millions of profects I have started
I START: Lots of things I never finish
I (always) FINISH: A good book

Weeds

How come the weeds in my yard grow so much faster than the flowers??
When we bought our house 2 years ago I was so excited about the huge back garden- there was so much potential for lovely flower beds- like I had in my towhouse.(I realize now my townhouse garden was 2 foot by 3 foot- so small and easy to maintain!) Now all I seem to do is pull weeds- honest. I go outside just to chuck the garbage and I pull a few weeds- go outside to get the laundry (yes my laundry room is outside under the stairs-sigh!!) and I pull weeds. Last month we had a landscaper come and level off the backyard and returf- while he was there I got him to eliminate some flower beds around the house and he put river rock all the way around the foundation- boy does it look nice- and no weeds. Hmmm maybe I should just rock the whole yard- I used to think people who did that were weird- but I now see this as a good thing.
I do love the flowers but oh all the work to get those blooms- did I mention the bugs??

Still alive!

I thought I would finally post a new entry in case there is anyone who actually reads this!
Well I did it- the Sun Run that is! I actually ran 10km's in 73 mins. I would have liked to do a lot better but- I had to stop for a potty break and frankly the line ups are crazy. I must have waited 4-5 mins just to get into the disgusting, stinky, gross cubicle (no affinity to porta potties here!!!)
But after that I felt much better and I did it. I cannot believe I did- I woke up to a beautiful morning the day of and as everyone was wondering at the blue skies I was wondering what happened to the rain, snow and sleet I had been training in for the last 13 weeks. I was in no way, shape or form prepared to run in the heat, hence over hydrating and a 4-5 min delay.
I was so proud of myself when I finished I almost lost it at the finish line. Then I did lose it when I got home as my darling husband and children had done up a huge congratulatory card and flowers- it was lovely.

Now I just have to keep this running thing up- we have been a few times since then and if I can just keep it up I will feel so good about myself. 30 pounds to lose and summer looms!!!

Finally!

I get to sit down and post. Where does the time go?? I have 4 days a week off- 4! But before I know it, it is time to go back to work on Tuesdays. I spend Fridays recovering from the week and picking up the disarray of stuff scattered around my house. Friday night I am out for the count - usually in front of the TV- by 10pm (at the latest). Since I have been running (yes I am still there- running 3 times a week for the last 9 weeks!!!!!!) I am so exhausted it is not funny. This last Saturday my DH managed to take the kids for 4 hours while I cleaned the house- woohoo- just the way anyone wants to spend a Saturday. Then I went to Karen's shower- which was awesome. It was so great to see her so happy- that was fun. The sitting on my ass for 4 hours was great too. Sunday I had to wake up and go for a run- the longest I have run thus far. My muscles are still retaliating this morning!! I also decided that Sunday was a great night to have my family over for dinner, so I had to cook for 10ish people (the kids are the "ish") that is once again a fun thing to spend your Sunday doing- especially since I cannot stand from the 1 hour run that morning!!!!! By Sunday night at 9pm that was me- done like the dinner I had just cooked. I tried to stay up to finish that damn book ( A million little pieces) but I still don't like it and trying to read something I don't like when I am so tired- obviously is not going to work! SO here I find myself Monday - once again tidying up (story of my life) and doing laundry, only to have to start my week all over again. I have done nothing I wanted to do and am still tired and (sigh) I give up!!!!

Oh wait a moment I did get ONE thing done- I mastered how to use the photoshop brushes on my computer to enhance my photos (see attached of Dani!!!)

That new baby smell!

My sister just had a new baby-and he is adorable! I love everything about new babies, the way they smell, the way they cry and the way the nuzzle into you. Oh I miss those days. Coming home today from daycare with 2 kids that don't stop whinning from the moment I pick them up to the moment they go to bed; I sure miss those days of helplessness. My 2 girls have grown so fast and so much in the last 5 years I cannot believe they were once that tiny. It is amazing to think in 2 and a half years Delaney went from this tiny 5lb11ounce bundle to a walking, talking, whinning machine. Those first few years are crazy busy, but it was fun.
Oh well, no more for me, I have no idea how I would handle more than 2. So I guess I will sit back and enjoy all the new babies that are about to be born (sigh)!