I'm on my way...

...for a holiday!! One more sleep and we're off to the Cape. Wish I could fast forward through my day and be off!!!! I need a break, not so much from work, but with E. Lately it's been tough. She's really acting up, having tantrums. I lose my patience so easily. I try my best to stay calm. I use my mommy tone but when she keeps screaming, I just have to ignore her. Maybe a break from daycare and more time with family will help.

Well, I must get to work. I'm trying to wrap up a bunch of stuff before I go. FYI, I'll have no email/Internet while I'm away (AAAAHHH!!!). So, I'll have lots of catching up to do when I come back. Take care y'all and have a great week, weekend, other week and Canada Day wknd!
~B

The countdown is on! 2 more sleeps!!!!

This Thursday I start my vacation!! 12 Days!!! Whoo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

E & I are traveling down to CB with Mom & Dad. DH will join us Canada Day wknd and we'll head back Sunday night. Just a quicky trip for him but a nice long visit for E & I. I'll FINALLY get to meet my new nephew, William. Which reminds me, I better go shopping. :) And while we're down, we have a big birthday dinner for Grampy Hussey (my grandfather, dad's side). This year he's celebrating his 89th birthday. We're doing a big thing this year because the same time next year, my cousin Allison will be getting married in NB. So, that means Auntie Brenda, cousins Allison and Ashley will be visiting from Fredericton. Also, Aunt Goldie (mom's side) will be down too. Hopefully I can talk her into making some of her yummy perogies for us. :)

Aside from the big stuff, we'll likely do a lot of visiting. Most of the relatives are in Sydney so it's easy to get them all at once. I'm hoping to get in a card game or 2 while I'm down. If the weather cooperates, I'll get E swimming. A few of the neighbours have pools and may invite us, which would be ideal. Mira Gut is too cold this time of year, but Front Lake might not be too bad. Mom's b-day is on July 3rd so we'll probably do something special together. And of course, I gotta get in a few of my favourites...Tasty Treat ice cream cone dipped in chocolate and coated in nuts - a must! And if I'm lucky, we'll go to the drive in. Maybe DH & I can go Saturday night before we leave. I love the drive in, especially the yummy French fries...yes, it's all about the food. hehehe

Well, if I get a chance, I'll check in tomorrow. Hope y'all are doing well!
~B

Sad, sad day

Seven years ago, DH & I moved in with our 2 friends Jason & Hil. We decided to get cats together: Sara was ours and Tober was theirs (sisters). A year later, we went our separate ways and decided to get companions for our cats: Leia was ours, Shelby became Hil's and Jason took Tober to NB. A few years ago, DH & I realized having 2 cats, plus MIL's cat and a new baby coming was too much for a 3 bdrm house. Hil's dad graciously accepted Sara and Jason took Leia. Since then, we've spent time with Leia while visiting with Jason in NB. It's really nice to have that contact. Jason called this morning saying Leia passed away. We're all very sad, and I'm exceptionally feel bad for Jason. He took the day off and is going to Bathurst (where his family lives) to bury Leia. Poor Tober is upset too. Jason said the 2 cats got along very well. My day feels a little foggy and clouded because I feel so sad and sorry for little Leia. I know we'll all be fine but losing anyone, even a pet, is difficult. Rest in peace, Princess Leia.

~B

8 hours!

A full 8 hours sleep last night...thank you Jesus!! Okay, so it was like 8 till 10 p.m. then midnight till 6 a.m. with a few wake ups to pee and hear E crying. Fortunately we waited it out and didn't need to go in with milk, etc. It was so nice!! It was like having a nap and then a full night's sleep. :) This morning E was pretty pleasant. She was even better knowing she was staying home with Granny & Poppy. She misses them so much when they're not there. Wednesday night, they went to a concert and E cried her heart out seeing them go. Then yesterday they weren't home when we arrived from work/daycare. They went to Mom's cousin's for supper. Immediately after we got in, she went down the hall looking for them. So sweet!!

This wknd will be fun!! Tonight, nothing planned except me shopping with my gift certificates. Yeah mat clothes!!! Tomorrow a.m. I'm taking mom to the Farmer's Market downtown. In the afternoon the bunch of us are going to the Multicultural Festival. And Sunday we'll do church and are planning on a Father's Day picnic. We'll see if the weather cooperates. Well, I best get at it. Hope y'all have a great wknd. And Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!!!

~B

Oh those terrible twos!

E is full into it. Every day. The morning she pitched a fit when I tried to change her diaper, kicking and screaching. Finally I thought, 'the hell with it,' picked her up and put her in her crib saying I would come back when she was ready to behave. For about 5 minutes she kept screaching, this schrill quick tone, one after another. I figure she's wear herself out or make her throat sore. When she quieted down I went back in and asked if she was ready to behave. She sweetly said, "Yes mama." Up she went and went on with her morning without incident. I know practicing patience is always the best. I talk to her calmly, trying to settle her but she doesn't seem to respond to it. When I'm firm and have that "won't take any shit" kind of tone, she listens. I don't like being the boss-mom but it's effective. And I rather have a well behaved child.

My mom was much the same when I grew up. For the majority, I listened but when I got out of line, mom stepped up to the plate. Even dad was a great back up. The most crippling words he ever said to me were, "I'm so disappointed in you." I'll never forget the day and what caused his words, or how I felt when he said them. I was spanked only once ever, never hit otherwise, and the worst punishment ever...being sent to my room. I didn't have a TV in my room. I was 16 before I got a phone and a little stereo. I plan to do the same with my kids, or be inventive like my MIL was. DH had video game systems in his room...she just took the controllers. :) Still, he could've watched the TV I suppose. I'm sure we'll get creative as time goes by.

Well, I better be off. Take care and have a great, hopefull tantrum free, day. :)
~B

Thump-thump, thump-thump

After a SUPER long wait, Daddy and I heard our little baby's heartbeat!!! The first visit is always long...go here and get your IWK card, go there and register, get called in to weigh and pee test, get in your room, wait, nurse asks a zillion questions, takes blood pressure...and then...over to the bed for the heart beat. I'm sure the anticipating makes it longer too. :) It took her a bit to get the beat...baby is quite low in my pelvis. My next appt. is in 4 weeks, as will be my ultrasound. :) I'm REALLY excited to see the baby. It was very thrilling to hear the heartbeat. It confirms that all these changes in your body is for a purpose. There actually is a human being inside there. SO COOL!!

Last night DH & I got to go out on a date...so nice! We went right from work to Mexico Lindos for dinner, then went to Zellers for a quick shop (new sheets/comforter for E, when we do her new room), and to see Pirates of the Carribean 3. It was awesome!!! It's the kind of movie you want to see again right away because you know you'll see more ever time you watch. A word of advice: if you're going, DON'T LEAVE during the credits. After they roll through, there's 5 minutes of footage at the end. I heard from someone else and despite DH's protest, I made him stay till the absolute end...wrapped the store up nicely.

Tonight we're crashing at home. I got tickets through work for Mom & Dad to see Dennis DeYoung (from the Styx). I'm just as glad so I can relax and do nothing! Well, I guess I better run. TTFN!
~B

Not in the mood...

...to blog, be at work or be cheerful today. A lot has been going on around me right now. Changes that I'm uncomfortable with. And I know it's only magnified because I'm tired, pregnant, emotional and had a tired, whiny, cranky kid to deal with this morning, and another on the way. I'm sure all this sounds very dramatic. All this change certainly isn't going to stop. I just need a minute to take a deep breath and catch up.

~B

Finally done...sort of...

...95% done anyway. Poor DH measured twice, cut once, but the wrong cut. He took off too much. But instead of scrapping and spending another $70+, we compromized. We now have about a 5 inch gap between the ceiling and the faux tile. So, we're going to paint it the same as the wall colour. I think it will be fine especially if we use bathroom paint to prevent mold/mildew. I LOVE the new spout! You can set the temp to your comfort level and it stays that way!!! The handle is just for water pressure. Love, love, love that!! I gave DH lots of praise for that. He really did a great job. Next we're onto paint!!!

I am really thrilled now that I can chose my own wall colours...and not paint it for someone else. And DH is smart enough (or cares less) to leave all the colour choices to MOI!! Aqua's going in the main bath, and maybe MIL's room (whatever she chooses). Green in the living room, laundry and en suite. A mustardy yellow (takend from my comforter) for the bedroom. It's more bright than dark though...hard to explain. I'm bringing the comforter in to match. :) I'm taking that same colour into the kitchen, I think. And peachy for the hallway...something neutral. I'm still undecided on E's room. I'm not sure she'd have any input. I'll ask when it gets closer. :)

Well, I gotta run and do some actual work. Hope you're enjoying the rain!
~B

It's coming along!

DH & I worked on the insert last night...it was like 90% him, 10% me...but I helped. :) We have 3 of the 5 pieces up but ran out of adhesive. I stopped by Kent during lunch and picked up 2 more tubes and a faux tile sheet. I got it cut to size to fit around the shower (to fill in the space between the top of the bathfitter thingy and the ceiling). It's sorta like the floor tile but a bit different. Hopefully it will look alright. What I really wanted was an aqua colour but you had to special order it...forget that. We're getting this damn thing done tonight! :) Anyway, the tile on the floor is a mix of aqua/peachy and the tile I bought had aqua/peachy/pinky. Hopefully it won't throw it off. It's really hard to match especially since we have a purple window. However, the shower curtain has purple/aqua/peachy-orangy and a few other colours. I'm praying it's enough to tie it all together.

Mom & Dad are on their way up...yahoo!! I wanted to reach them before they left but missed them. I hoped they could pick up E from daycare since I'm staying late to pick up DH at 5. Hopefully they'll come to work or call but they may head out to the house. Either way, I'm sure we'll be fine. This wknd will be fun. DH & I will work ont the bathroom tonight. Tomorrow a.m. I HAVE TO get the groceries. In the afternoon I'm taking mom for a mani/pedi for Mother's Day. Then M&D are going to the Sobey's party/overnighter. DH has E while I go visit Hil & Hayley and hear about their trip to Italy. Sunday a.m. we'll pick up M&D and all of us go to church. The afternoon is open. Maybe the Greekfest or a playground/park if the weather's fine.

Whatever you do, have an awesome wknd. Chat with ya next week!
~B

We're gonna be okay.

So we're both okay with the news. Just a bit tough to digest, especially when you make plans in your head. Now we're making new plans. We're going to move things around and give E a new room and put the baby in her current room. Hopefully she'll be okay with that. :) She seems interested/excited about the baby. She knows it's in my belly and keeps looking in my belly button (to see it I think). I asked her if she thought it was a baby boy or girl...she said boy. Either will be great to me. I wanted a boy for so long but I'd also love for E to have a sister. But it's not in our hands now. :)

Last night I helped DH will the renos. He finally got the lawn done...it was desperate! Anyway, we put mud on the seams and taped them. Not a bad job. Tonight we're gonna install the bath fitter thingy. It's not as tall as the last one...hopefully it'll look okay. Oh, one great thing about staying put is I'm not painting everything beige!!!! I'm picking out the colours I want! We're going with aqua in the main bath and maybe MIL's room (if she'd like). Green in the living room, laundry and the en suite. I'm thinking peach in the hallway. Cream for the master bedroom and maybe the kitchen...need advise on that one. I have brick red countertops, off white cupboards and back splash. Right now the colour is a dark terra cotta. Any thoughts?

Well, guess I better get going. Hope y'all have a great day!!
~B

Bloom where you're planted

It's a nice phrase my friend Myrn said. She realized moving out of the home she disliked wasn't feisible. Now I'm in the same situation. Our finances won't allow for us to buy another home. So instead of wallowing, I'm gonna bloom. We'll have some figuring to do...and it'll be a bit more cramped come December, but we'll make due.

I keep thinking about my years growing up at home. My brother's shared a room till the oldest was 16. Then he was handy enough and had the money to build his own room downstairs. Surely to God we can work things out at home. Turn the computer room into Emma's new bedroom. Paint and decorate it with what she likes and make it special for her. And all our hard work on the nursery will live for another year or two until we move into a new home.

I still want to move to Dartmouth, but it'll have to wait. Maybe before Emma starts school. That would be ideal, and probably more likely by then. She'll be 3 1/2 when I go back to work. That gives me another year and a half to get our debt load down further. And if Jeff's work stays steady, he'll likely get raises over the years. It'll all come together. It's just going to take some time. Now, I wonder if I can convince DH, and MIL to think of it in the same semi-positive light.

~B

Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na

Today is my birthday!
Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na
Happy Birthday to me!
Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na

Excuse my silly interlude. Thom, my lovely creative writer in crime, played the Beatles version this morning for me...what a dear! I'm actually happy about turning 31. I had mixed feelings yesterday, then I remembered turning 30 and how that felt. I was disappointed that at 30 I wasn't where I wanted to be in life. I also remember saying, "I don't want to be like this at 31." And I'm happy to report that I'm not. I've lost 40 pounds over the passed year, lowered my blood pressure to a very normal 120/80. I'm exercising 5x a week. I'm feeling better than I have my whole adult life. And I'm pregnant with another little miracle to boot! Life is pretty sweet right now.

Last night I helped (briefly) DH with the main bath. The waterboard is up. Just need to mud/tape it which we'll leave for tomorrow night. Tonight we're out for dinner to celebrate, of course. Then Thursday I'll help DH put up the new shower insert, just in time for Mom & Dad's arrival on Friday. (I hope everything comes together!!!) Well, guess I better shove off. Hope y'all have a great day!

~B

Rainy day...

...and I wish I was home. Not cause I'm feeling sick...just lazy. :) Honestly, I'd like to watch movies all day on me new TV!!! We got a 51 incher. It's 7 years old but in great shape with a great picture. E watched Nemo last night on it...her eyes were just glued! I really wanted it from the get go but when DH saw the picture quality, he said he couldn't wait to watch Star Wars on it. :) So, that was one adventure in our wknd.

Friday night DH & I had a really fun time at Steve & Rhonda's. We snacked like crazy and played Pictionary. The guys one the first game and in the second, we played couples and DH & I won. Then we chatted/watched TV and headed home.

Saturday a.m. we saw the TV and decided to get it. Then we went to Shay & Mark's to help with their bathroom reno. I pretty much stayed out of the way and kept E entertained. In the evening, Sara & Doug came over. The guys rented a Play Station 3 and played games on the big screen while we attempted to teach Sara tarabish. Poor dear, I think we confused her more than anything.

Sunday a.m., DH, E, S&D and I went to Smitty's for breakie. Then we dropped them off and decided to take E to the playground. Our trip was cut short b/c we had to head back to Dart to get the TV. DH drove it over in Mark's truck and between the 2 of us, we managed to get it in the house. Then DH & MIL went in town to drop the truck back to Mark. E missed her nap so I got her help watering the flowers. Then I paired down her toys in the living room to make room for the TV. I was really tired so I had a quick nap with DH. Did some tiding up and cleaned the bathrooms. And before bed did some work on my writing course through work.

Another busy/fun wknd. Can't wait for the next one!! Mom & Dad are coming Friday!! Should be fun!!!

~B

The busy-ness continues...

I got to read your blogs minutes before I left yesterday. Meant to blog myself from home but had company.

Today's just as bad although it's calming down now. I have to take my 1/2 hour soon to pick up some viddles for tonight at Rhonda & Steve's. SHAY: We're not doing BBQ, just hor d'eourves tonight.

Not much going on. The plumber is coming today after work, while I'm getting my hair done. DH will have to handle it...which is better since he's done all the work. My head cold has moved to my chest and my voice sounds terrible. It doesn't hurt thankfully but my sinus feels sore and tender. E's cough is calming down too, and she wasn't awake through the night. I'm going to Shay & Mark's naked tomorrow...well not really. To access the tub plumbing, we had to take the dryer out of the laundry room (there's access through the wall). So, I don't have a stitch of clean close left. Guess I'll have to wear dirty duds Sat/Sun. Maybe I'll get a load done and bring it to Shay's to dry.

Well, gotta run. Have a great wknd!
~B