Our unexpected Christmas guest has FINALLY left(Wednesday night)......

Poor guy................he didn't leave the same way he came!!!!!




Thank goodness he's OUT OF HERE!!!!

FRIDAY'S IT'S A WRAP.....breathe everyone!!!!

Well I'm sure at this stage of the game everyone's every minute of every day is filled to the MAX!!!!!!! Here's hoping you all have a GREAT holiday season!!!!!

~*~*~*~MERRY CHRISTMAS~*~*~*~

Be sure to enjoy the precious little faces as they enjoy the WONDER of CHRISTMAS!!!

Eat LOTS, have a FEW shots(if you wish), and most importantly BE MERRY!!!!!!!

To all my family and friends that I cannot be with on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day(that's right folks.........3 days in a row).................please know I will be thinking of you wishing I could stretch myself just a little further!!!! ((((HUGS))))

WEDNESDAY'S FUNNY on Friday......

The following are memo's sent out to the staff of a large corporate organization!!!!
(re: Christmas staff party)
as you read you will see MD, I am guessing MD means management department(not sure)?
.....................here goes!



FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: 4th November 2004
RE: Christmas Party
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols........please feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if the MD shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas Tree will be lit at 1.00p.m.. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time, however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees! The MD will make a special announcement at the Party. Merry Christmas to you and your Family. Pauline

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FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: 5th November 2004
RE: Holiday Party
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognise that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our 'Holiday Party'. The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians. There will be no Christmas tree or Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Pauline.

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FROM; Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: 6th November 2004
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table...you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn't be anonymous anymore!!!! How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody? Forget about the gift exchange, no gift exchange allowed now since the Union Officials feel that $10.00 is too much money and Management believe $10.00 is a little cheap!!!
NO GIFT EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED!!!
Pauline.

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FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: 7th November 2004
Holiday Party
What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins The Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' Sorry! Did I miss anything?!?!?!?!?!
Pauline.

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FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F**ing Employees
DATE: 8 November 2004
RE: The F****ing Holiday Party.
Vegetarian pricks I've had it with you people !!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death"(as you so quaintly put it), you'll get your f***ing salad bar, including organic tomatoes, but you know tomatoes have feeling too..........they scream when you slice them, I've heard them!!!!! I'm hearing the scream right NOW!! I hope you all have a rotten holiday, drink drive and die.
The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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FROM: John Bishop - Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: 9th November 2004
RE: Pauline Lewis and Holiday Party
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pauline Lewis a speedy recovery, and I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, the management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and instead, give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd December off with full pay.

Thursday's THINK ABOUT IT on Friday.......

Christmas decorations (Coming soon!!!!)

TUESDAY'S PHOTO DAY CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEK!

As I had much to post about in the last week(including photos)...........I have decided there is no need to post for Tuesday of this week!!!!!

Welcome......Tayte Jaira

CONGRATULATIONS Mom & Dad(and Athena & Reeve).........as you already know she is a real sweetheart!!!!







It's not very often I ASK to get my picture taken.....but when a new baby comes along I am always up for a picture!!!!

It's a WRAP.........and a GOOD one!!!!

Well to wrap up an ALREADY GREAT week...............there is a BABY ON THE WAY, and if all goes well it will arrive DEC. 15th!!!!! I will head back to the city this afternoon.......gotta see baby!!!!

Update later today!!!!

Weds. funny on Friday(thanks Blanche)

Sorry for the mix up here..........but I can't wait until Weds.

Two sides to everything.................

A man and his wife are dining at a table in a plush restaurant, and the husband keeps staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sits alone at a nearby table. The wife asks, "Do you know her?" "Yes," sighs the husband, "She's my ex-girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up seven years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since." "My God!" says the wife, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long"

My Weds. funny on Thurs.

Well yesterday we found out we had an extra CHRISTMAS guest.................................I'm guessing you will find this a little funnier than I did!!!!!
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MOUSE, and it's not MICKEY!!!!!!


a real life sneaky one............in the HOUSE!!! Yes the traps are set.........24 hours, nothing yet.....he/she had better find their way to the peanut butter by morning!!!!

A BIG day for ALBERTA, and a BIG day for NATASHA

Smiles & Cameras were plentiful amoung the proud audience!!!!

Concentration!!!!

A little peek at Dad, and Auntie Dana!


When you're in playschool and you're in a Christmas concert..........that's about as BIG as it gets!!!! Nastasha did a VERY good job performing in the concert............her Mom & Dad thought for sure(as did Grandma)Natahsa would basically be there, not really participate(Natasha is often VERY shy).............I'm happy to report we were ALL wrong!!!! WTG little Missy!!!

It was so cute how Natasha was tapping her toes through EVERY song.........I tried so hard to get a picture, but every time I clicked her feet would hit the ground........oh well.........here's the proof of my efforts!!

the ceremony itself.........Goodbye & Hello all in one!!

THINK ABOUT IT........IT'S A BIG DAY IN ALBERTA!

These days don't come around very often.......I am very happy I made the effort to attend the swearing in ceremony for Mr. Edward Stellmack...............ALBERTA'S 13th premier!!!! Below you will see a few of the site & sounds of the event!!!

FESTIVE PHOTOS CHRISTMAS 2006

I just LOVE these pictures!! They were taken on the spur of the moment......the set up makes me laugh............one diaper, a pair of panies, a flat sheet, black towel, and a SANTA hat, and that's it.........oh my...almost forgot, and TWO LITTLE SWEETHEARTS!!!!!

wow it's been quite some time since I did a layout..........happy with this one!!!!

WHAT'S UP THIS WEEK..........

Oh man, this week is going to be a crazy one!
I need to:
Make and mail out Christmas cards
Go to Natasha's playschool Christmas concert(I can't wait, I can already see myself laughing........little kids are so darn cute, no matter how they perform)!
Finish making and deliver my Christmas goodies
on, and on the list goes!!!!!

Did a double page layout today..........................feels good, it's been awhile since I've scrapped!!!!! Love the page..........great pictures of you know who!!!!! Will post in the morning when I can take a decent picture in nature light.......tried to night, but it's YELLOW!

Also waiting for the arrival of Brett & Dolci's baby.............I'll be heading to the city, as soon as I get THE CALL!!!!!

That's about it........looking forward to a great week of things I LOVE TO DO!!!!!

HEY LORI.......SO GLAD YOU CHECKED IN!!!

My SIL is a regular visitor to my blog............and I am so excited that she has signed on and left me a message.....THANKS LORI, hope to you post often!!!!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS WHILE I COUNT MINE!

Often when we/I think of blessings we/I think of little ones........therefore the blessings I think of today are the four little ones that arriving in our family over the next several months. One on my side of the family(hopefully he or she will arrive by the end of this week(due the 17th)), and the next three are on my husbands side, due Feb. Apr., & May!!! Dec., Feb. & April's babies are the 3rd in each of these families, and the May baby is first for T.J. & Rhonda, I am so excited for them!!!!

I am hoping these 4 little BLESSINGS all arrive safe & sound, healthy and happy!!!! Watch for a NEW ARRIVAL post......hopefully on or before Dec. 17th!!!!!

AROUND THE HOUSE(Sat. post on Sunday)

Well, I just loved my Sat.....................I was alone from 10ish-7:00p.m., and basically did what I WANTED ALL DAY!!!! It's a GREAT feeling!!!!!

I was productive.....................laundry, and other everyday stuff! Pulled out a few more Christmas decorations, but best of all I FINALLY got some of my CHRISTMAS GOODIES made. Note: I said some.........much more to go!!!!! I made 2 batches of Eatmore bars, one batch of Caramel popcorn, and 4 batches of Trail Mix! Sunday I will make Poppycock, more Caramel popcorn, more Eatmore bars, and then Peanut Brittle on Monday.

As some of my readers know, I have made these Christmas goodies for years...........I have never really taken the time to figure out the cost.......................this year I did................YIKES!!!!!! Never had a clue............to date I have spent $275+ on nuts, butter, corn & lilly white syrup, brown sugar, raisons, chocolate chips, etc., etc...............I can't believe it!!!!!! Yesterday I went to Safeway for bulk Smarties(trail mix), when the cashier weighed the bag it was $40(wowzers), I took some out..........so if you get some Trail Mix and there are not very many Smarties, you'll know why!!!!!

I am expecting Sunday to be pretty good day as well..........never thought I would say I love NFL football(keeps the men in the house, out of my hair)!!!!!

Another ALBERTA funny!!!

Snorkelling in Canada's Great Reefs...ALBERTA STYLE!!!

Delivering a eulogy............tougher than I thought it was going to be!!!!

Karen asked me to deliver part of the eulogy at Nick's service..............my part would be written by their daughter, all I had to do was read it on her behalf. So my first thought was if I don't have to write it, it should be easier to deliver! Not sure where I came up with that idea, but was I WRONG!!!!! It of couse was way more personal, and emotional simply because the daughter wrote it...........very hard to get through!!! I had it all rehearsed in my mind..........I would speak directly to them. When I got to the podium I caught a glimpse of them crying, and needless to say my eyes never made contact with them once while I was speaking. I knew if I did that would have been it................so instead I played it safe looking onward, and at that I barely made it through!

If you visit my blog often you will remember a post(about 6 weeks ago)complete with Bride & Groom photo's............the gentleman that passed away was the Father of the Groom! It's such a bittersweet memory now..........everyone was so happy............miles of smiles......so soon we gathered again.............and of course not a smile in sight!!!!

IT'S A WRAP.........thank goodness!!!!

I am so glad this week has come to an end..........if fact the last two weeks!!! I am glad to kiss both of them GOODBYE!!!! I haven't be so sick for so long..........ever(with the exception of surgery)!!! Besides being sick it has been a crazy busy, stressful two weeks!!!!!

I haven't even thought about Christmas.............no shopping, not much decorating, no baking, etc., etc.......yikes, look out next week, I will be in HIGH GEAR!!!!!! Wish me luck!!!!

THINK ABOUT IT...........

My 1st THINK ABOUT IT day unfortunately revolves around death(sorry, loyal readers)!

Whether we want to or not there are times when this subject is right there in front of us, there is NO dancing around it! Well..........this week it's been right there in front of me, and many back home family, friends & neighbors.

Coming from a very small town of 400+ people it's hits everyone pretty hard when there are 3 deaths in a week or so, and 2 near death accidents!

Yesterday was the funeral for a long time family friend, and the anniversary of my Grandma K's death. Yes, we all know that life can change in a minute, we all know we should treat others as we wish to be treated, do we have bridges that need repairing, things that should dealt with before it's to late???? The message from the Minister/Family was ARE YOU READY? Makes alot of sense, but we don't take the time to stop and think about it!!!! Besides the family, this unexpected loss is very hard for my brother(and his wife)................this gentleman was a VERY good friend/neighbor to Daryl & Lori(Karen refers to Daryl as Nick's 3rd son). As with most deaths, good memories are what helps you get bye...................glad to know they shared many!!!!!

Of the two near death accidents I speak of one is my Aunt and Uncle(and their Great Grandson(8 years old))who barely escaped carbon monoxide posioning.......they literally would have died in minutes!!!! By the time the rescue workers arrived they were at the point of being unconcious and had to be cared out on stretchers!!!! The second is a head on collision(one person in each vehicle, both from the SAME small town)...blowing snow, icy roads! One of the people who is most seriously injured is my husband's cousin's husband........both his legs are crushed, and other injuries of which I am not sure!!!! He has been in surgery every other day since Tuesday...............and will have a VERY long recovery!!!!! The other person in the accident is not hurt very bad(compared)...........she is the mother of four young children..................I think both people could have very easily been gone, but luckily even with serious injury they are both still here!!!!!

Then poor Baba had more heart problems, coupled with a bout of phemonia.............she seems to be bouncing back(at 88), I am amazed at how tough she is!!!!

I think that about sums up my THINK ABOUT IT................more than enough for one week, my brain is already on overload!!!!