Sunday

I had a very productive day!
Should have; since it started about 5:30 am!
Ray went to work yesterday for 3-4 days.
I worked at my other job for 7.5 hours, then went to town.
It was my friend Inges' 65th birthday!
Gawd, I'd have never thought it!
Came home and did some laundry, and hung it out this morning.
I made a bird feeder. Was going to plant the shrubs I brought from moms, but got sidetracked!
I didn't just make the bird feeder, I sided it with some of the old shack I took down. You know, the one the outhouse is made out of. Sucker's kind of heavy, but oh well.
Then I came in and finished my 'O's".
They look pretty good. Should have taken a picture for you, but I'll put one of the whole banner on when I get it!
Just when I was thinking I should have a nap, Kalen called and said that him, Kendra & Jason were coming for supper.
I dashed like a mad woman! Did pretty good too.
We had steak, potatoes & corn, all BBQed, and I whipped up a pretty good macaroni salad!
Then we played Sequence, and they left not too long ago!
I did get one shrub planted, should have got the kids to do some while they were here! They can run the post hole digger just as well as I can!
They're excited about going camping this weekend. Told them that if Ray had to work, we'd hook onto the camper, and go. Wayne could back us up!

Holy Moly Batman

Wow, this week at work, and it's not even over, has been a killer!
I've got thee slowest computer on the planet earth, and I need to get my calendar & newsletter done by tomorrow night at 4:30 pm.
I also, and you can laugh if you want, joined the Fiskateers back in February or March. It's a great site, and really good for inspiration!
And there's swaps.
I joined a punch swap, where we made 50 punches of one kind for about 10 people, then we sent it all in and some nice lady sorted it out, and sent us back all our goodies. I got some really neat stuff!
Now, I have until September 1st, to finish my 'O' for the HAPPY HALLOWEEN banner!
Trouble is, one of my fiskafriends is supposed to be punching me an owl to put on it!
I don't have them yet!
I haven't been to the site in a while, should I wait until my name is mud for holding up the swap, or check to see if she forgot!? Not that it will get here in time anyway! Might have to 'haunt' the drug store & dollar store to see if I can switch it up in a hurry!
Maybe, I'll put everything on but the owl, and send them out later. More postage, but better than holding up the swap!
We can't get a lot of the Fiskars stuff in Canada.
When we spent the day in Idaho, mom took me to Ben Franklins. It's like a mini Michaels, but they have stamps & stuff that aren't available in Canada!
Don't worry, I restrained myself. Well, that, and Vanessa standing there tapping her foot, makes me hurry!
I did manage to get some House Mouse stamps. They're sooo cute, and of course not available here. I got 2.
http://www.house-mouse.com/
You can check out their website.
Also a lot of stamps & stuff are only available for a short time, or they're seasonal! Like you care right?!
A lot of places don't ship to Canada either!
Anyway, I have a bunch of patterns I want to try.
I also am hosting the craft thingy with Activity co-ordinators next month, and have to find a wonderful craft.
I've got a pattern for card stock (of course) bookmarks. Thought I'd give those a whirl.
And my aunt wants a dozen cards. 6 Christmas, and 6 assorted. Guess I better get busy!
New rule for next year. NO SHOPPING FOR SCRAPBOOK STUFF unless it gets put away! I've got it all over the floor in my craft room, and all over the kitchen table.
That's where I've been making my O's!
Cause you know I clean the craft room up at the end of April when the snow goes! Yeah whatever!

Going back to work tomorrow! I Need a Rest!

Alrighty...it's been a whirlwind 3 weeks.
We're backing up to the beginning of my holidays!
August 1st saw the marriage of Vanessas' friend Ashley to Doug!

There's my beautiful daughter, oh and the beautiful Bride and April & Rosalyn! We're missing a bridesmaid. Heather, Ashley's sister!
We went to Hilliards Bay on August 2nd. Stayed until the 4th. We were there with The Streepers, the McKeemans and the DeBlois. Fun was had by all! It was like a mini city! We even camped at the neighbors!
Thanks Keith for letting us park there!

Then, on the 7th I left for my moms. Had to pick up Vanessa along the way.
I had a humming tire since February, and on Thursday ( the day before I leave), I take Ray for a ride so he can listen to it! He took both tires off, told me I had loose tie rod ends, and I reminded him that Jason said it might be a wheel bearing.
By the time Vanessa & I got to Rocky Mtn. House, the annoying hum had turned into a howl.
I made an appointment for the garage for 8:00 am Saturday morning.
They replaced the bearing, and told me I HAD 2 LOOSE TIE ROD ENDS. They could have the parts by Tuesday.
I told them I was going to a birthday, and was not waiting until Tuesday!
The nice young man Justin, told me that "they'd get me on the road."
They did, and we were on our way by noon!
Our last stop in Alberta usually for cheap gas, was not to be. NO GAS AT FRANK! You've got it! NO gas at Frank. Fortunately up the road in Blairmore, we got gas!
Then we hit the hail storm.
After the hail storm there was an accident on the highway,so I turned off.
Vanessa, "Where are you going?"
I said, "I'm following these people in front of me, surely they know where they're going."
We got the back road, redneck tour of Kitchener, which until then I thought was just a restaurant on the highway!
Almost missed curfew.....the rules are no traveling in the dark!
Julie & Shawn were at my moms.
Sunday, Sheila & I made a grocery (beer) run down to the Trading Post at Bonners Ferry.
Monday, I KNOW we were busy, and then mom & I went to Music in the Park.
Vanessa, Julie & I toured the brewery.
Vanessa, mom & I went to the States. We took Vanessa so we could bring back more beer!
She said, "You're just using me."
And I think her grandma said, "That's right!"
We had mom's birthday!
I brought home a trunk full of shrubs, and a backseat full of fruit & veggies!
I watched the hummingbirds every morning!

On our way home, Kalen & I did the corn maze. Had a sleepover at my aunts in Rocky.
Oh, and did I mention that I got a rock the size of Texas in my windsheild this side of Drayton Valley?! Off a really dirty vacum truck.
Kalen. "That was a BIG rock!"
Me, "Yeah, well I'm glad it's over there."
It's 4 or 5 inches round and it's kindof to the left & down from the mirror.
Could've been right where the driver sits, so I guess it's alllll good!
I had a few days at my other job, and 1 at home, then we were off to Hilliards Bay again!
Saturday it was too windy to go on the lake, so we went to Kinuso, Joussard, Spruce Point, and Grouard. Oh yeah, and we had lunch at Strawberry Creek.
We got to go fishing around supper time!
And so did these guys:

And these guys:

And these guys!

Nothing beats a sunset on the Lake either!

Canning Queen

This was the sunrise when I left on August 7th to go to Grande Prairie to pick up Vanessa!
Got back from mom's on Sunday!
Worked 7.5 hours at my other job yesterday, and made peach jam & pickles!
Today I made salsa & Apricot Jam!
Need to make more salsa! Kalen didn't want it runny, so it doesn't make as much!
I have apples on my kitchen floor yet, but they might have to wait. Making peach pie tomorrow, after I go to my other job, and then camping on Thursday!
I had to get my car fixed in Rocky Mountain House. Needed a wheel bearing, and the tie rod ends!
My car was dusty, so wanted a little rain to clean it off. Be careful what you wish for, Vanessa & I ran into this hail storm on the way to moms!

We went to B.C. for mom's birthday! It was the big 7 OH!

No, we couldn't have 70 candles on the cake! It was an Ice Cream Cake from Dairy Queen!
We had a great time!
Toured the brewery! This is Vanessa's brewery touring outfit!

She didn't have closed toe shoes, so had to borrow from grandma!
We had a busy time, too short of course. My brothers friend Julie and their son Shawn were at grandmas, so had a good visit!
On the way home it was Kalen & I.
We stopped at the Kernel Corn Maze south of Sundre. It was fun, but hail had wreaked havoc, so wasn't as tall or as thick as it should have been! But Kalen got to meet Donkey from Shrek!

Better go, it's late. Tell you more later, and I have some awesome pictures of Humming Birds!
Vanessa should be home shortly, she's going to a funeral tomorrow. The druggist from Value Drug Mart passed away last week while we were gone...he was 45.

So Much to Do, So Little Time

I'm on holidays!
From the Old Folks Home anyway, spent 7.5 hours at my other job yesterday!
Waiting for a phone call, or I'd be putting the laundry back in the camper and making the bed!
Talked to Vanessa last night and she informed me that tomorrow/today was Thursday, so had to get my butt in gear!
Picking her up and leaving for Sheila's tomorrow!
Soooo, I've had to do laundry, throw some stew in the slow cooker, make beds (washed the sheets), pack, make a list (so I don't forget anything), put mom's chokecherry bushes I'm taking her by the car......aaannnnddd, I have to get to town this afternoon to wash a load of laundry at Kalen's(how ironic is that!), wash and fuel up the car, get some cash, and I have a dinner date with 2 very good friends!
If today wasn't Thursday, I'd also get my garden weeded, mow , and whipper snip the grass, water everything in sight, vacum, wash the floors, clean the bathrooms.......oh well, need to get my priorities straight!

We had an awesome time (again) at Hilliard's Bay with Ray's sister Elaine and her husband Wayne!
Ray's sister Cathie and husband Erin were there along with, Ray's cousin Roxanne, and her husband Lawrence, and a whole passel of kids!
It was a great time, and again much too short!
We also had a visit with Dianne & Dave!
I just love eating, drinking & fishing, not necessarily in that order! I could really get used to that!
Now, if I could just win the lottery!
Better go and see what else I can get done......