Trick or Treat
Smell my feet.
Give me something
Good to eat!


Harry Potter, Anne Boelyn, Scarlet Macaw

Happy Halloween, everyone!

AND

Happy Birthday, Grandma B!

Work Trick or Treat!

We somehow created our own little pumpkin patch. Wasn't really planned but worked out great! The glasses and beads are courtesy of Emily.

"Um Jenn, you're touching me."
-Janna

Now available from K-Tel....

Madeleine's Bath Time Hits.

Insert loud, ballad singing style.

Maddie in the bath, a polly pocket in one hand, a barbie in the other.

"I just wish I could be older"
"she just wishes she was older"

And repeat. On volume 10.  Eleventy billion times.

big sigh.

(in my head the song is more like "don't you dare get any older...")

um, can anyone post a comment?  Steph can't.  Can you?

Best new song:

The french song by "Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie".  THIS is why I'm taking french classes.  Keel - this song has your name all over it.  Reminds me of the Lobster Song (and if anyone can find a link to that:  you, my friend, will get 73 pts)  Seriously people, go to the link.  Click on the grey bar, and ecouter!

And - you all should be relieved to hear: Madeleine has mastered the time honoured art of the dramatic wail followed by a wall shaking door slam.  Excellent.  So we'll just check that off the "Developmental Norms To Do List"  Super.

Hello Kids,
It's time for New Favorite Restaurant Monday!

Today's featured watering hole is.....

Weczeria.  Click here to be dazzled by their website.  (say it vah-cherry-ah, and sip some vodka b/c  I think it means dinner in Ukrainian...Polish?)

It was Chelsey's birthday last week so we went for supper tonight.  Fabulous service, excellent food and atmosphere.  Go there. Now.

Happy Birthday, Chels!

j

Stephanie is one of my oldest friends, in fact, now that I think about it she IS my oldest friend. As in, the friend I've had for the longest time. NOT as in WHOA that girl is ancient. When we were little I lived one street away, at the bottom of the "hill" and she lived at the top of said hill. (Time has significantly eroded this hill, it's basically a bump now). Grandma Pollock (who back then was Mrs. Pollock) sewed little bags for us to put our dolls and doll clothes in. Our moms would put these bags around our necks - don't forget this was in the days when seatbelts were for sissies - and send us down the hill or up the hill to play. We were three.

So anyway, Steph and I have been friends for a bit. The last time I saw her she was pregnant and Maddie was throwing up all over every piece of clothing Grandma Pollock put on her. This was about 3 years ago. A couple of months ago Colleen (Steph's sister and the very woman who taught me how to parallel park) emailed to say Steph would be visiting and did I want to come. Steph lives in Renton (near Seattle) so I don't see her much.

Well, after much hemming and hawing (as only I can do) Madge and I hopped in the car and headed west. It was a journey and most of it happened at night. As you know, I turn into a pumpkin after 9:30 so arriving at 10:30 was a miracle all on its own -but we made it. And I'm so glad we went. What a great weekend. I felt right at home and loved every minute of it. Thank you guys for making me feel like part of the family and thank you for all the knitted goodies and lavendar sachets! Love it all (haven't taken the gloves off yet...)




Paddy and Cracker
(Maddie and Tracker, but Matthew gave them both "nicknames") I'm pretty sure this is the first cat Maddie has ever actually been able to catch/maul/haul. And she loved it. Poor Cracker....

"Are you serious?"
The wonderful Matthew. This kid has language! He amazed me. I wish I had written down all the fantastic things he said. He's brilliant.

Claire was so great with Maddie. She took her swimming in the hot tub and spent so much time with her. Thank you, Claire! It was Daniel's 14th birthday and it was fun to see him get the hang of his new cell phone (and prank call his mom)

Colleen has quite the shoe collection. Let's just say Maddie was in her glory.... I'm pretty sure once she saw those shoes she decided to get herself adopted into the Pollock family asap.

It was my dad's birthday a few weeks ago and my mom's birthday is coming up, so thought I'd thrill them both with a few golden oldies....




South Dakota, 1981. Dad and Smokey the Bear.
(Dad is on the left)
What does it mean that I can see those sandals in my minds eye clear as a bell.

Yes folks, we traveled EVERYWHERE in a tent trailer. All the way down to Florida. We didn't take it to California. No sir. For that trip we set sail in a VW camper van. The kind where the "camp" part cranks up the top. And the horn goes "AHHHWOOOOOGAHHHH"
I see my haircut is still the same. That's reassuring. And remember those one piece short outfits....what an amazing fashion leap....until you had to go to the freakin' bathroom.

Barney, it's swell meeting you, but I really need to pull my knee highs up just a little bit higher.

Wow Mom, those blue blocker shades are sweet. Those clip right on to your glasses, eh? Amazing.

And why is Britt cute as a button in each and everyone one of these? sheesh.

Almost Famous

Our very own Em Dawg Millionaire is featured in the latest Mendle Art Gallery ad campaign. Despite hitting The Big Time, Emily remains the same down to earth yarn bomber we know and love. 

Um, somebody stole my fish. 

I don't know where they went.  This is worrisome b/c I know that Pam depends on these little fish for her own personal mind spa.  I'm not even sure how long they've been missing.  And what about my the Lucky Fan Club?  Where did y'all go?  I'm sure you're out there....just hiding in the long grass on my blog. 

Speaking of grass...this layout is very similar (except the grass is brown) to my very own yard.  Dande-freakin-lions everywhere.  ARGH.  My dad says "it is the home owners responsibility to maintain their yard".    Sigh.

Now, if you've taken my fish - just return them. No questions asked.

Uncle Britt and Maddie spent Sunday morning (before Britt headed home) cuddled up "watching" Knight Rider.

I said "watching".....

Made this with Blurb.com.  My fave book making site.  It's where I turn my blogs into books too.  Easy to use, simple format, quick delivery.  I ordered this already, but didn't get one for each of you....

Madeleine Jane by Jenn Markosky, photos by elle markosky photography | Make Your Own Book

Today is Thanksgiving Day, so I thought I would treat you all to one of my favorite things:  A list.

Here are 10 things (in random order) that I am thankful for.  Except for the first three, they are in order.

1. Jason, my best friend, and partner in crime for life

2. Madeleine Jane, for her sense of humor, her love of language, and her amazing cuddles.  It felt like she took forever to arrive, but it turns out she came at exactly the right time.  Funny how that happens.

3. The Beags for their unending devotion, snuggles and BTUs (Beagle Thermal Units)

4. our finished basement

5. the colour turquoise, my new favorite shade

6. peace and quiet

7. my family (and all my adopted families, yes this likely means you)

8. amazing friends (if you weren't in 7, you sure as hell are here in 8)

9. garage sales and second hand stores and the challenges that follow

10. my sister-in-law's photography.

 So, in honour of today, I would like to help out my friend Cara and her family.  Below is a cut and paste from an email she sent me.  She didn't ask me to put this on my blog, but I do have her permission now.  I'm going to be really honest here, in case some of you are like me (and again, chances are if you read this blog you just might be).  When I first heard about Cara adopting a baby from overseas I'm not going to lie, I was pretty judgy wudgy.  I thought, why would you do that when there are so many babies right here who need help.  It gave me the perfect excuse to ignore her fundraising attempts and not part with my money.  But then I talked to Erika, and as usual, she was able to give me some perspective.  She pointed out, what is really quite obvious - Cara is adopting a child.  Does it really matter where this kid comes from, as long as it is a child and it's life will be better?  This is a little person.  I'm embarrassed to admit that that was a bit of a revelation for me - I could give a little bit of money and help completely change the life of another human being.  And even better for a cheap-o like me: that money will go directly to that person.  It's not like when you give to some big charities and they need to use some of your money for admin costs.  The baby IS the admin cost.  (Cara, please correct me if I'm totally wrong on this part).  

So anyway, I double dog dare you to donate $5 to this cause.  Instead of a latte, help a baby.  Or maybe instead of another pair of shoes...help a baby.  Or in my case, instead of some junk from the second hand store that I don't really need, I could help a baby.  

So, what can I do Jenn?  Well, Cara and Alistair haven't ever just asked for donations, they've always given something in return.  So now they are having a sort of unofficial "raffle".  See below for the details.  Or check out their blog for updates:  http://loveisnotacolour.blogspot.com/

Cara writes:
"As you all know, we are waiting (im)patiently to bring our gorgeous son Weston home.  Although we don't have our travel dates yet, we are pretty sure we will be flying to pick him up sometime this winter...hopefully sooner rather than later!  In order to help us out with some of the overwhelming travel costs involved, we are holding one last adoption fundraiser, and it is an awesome one!  As you have been our biggest supporters and most enthusiastic cheerleaders throughout this journey, we are asking for your help to make this last fundraiser a big success. 

  Some very generous angels in our lives have donated an iPad2 (valued at $520) and an HP laptop (valued at $750) to us to 'raffle' off, in hopes of paying for a portion of our flight costs to the Democratic Republic of Congo.  We are accepting $5 donations for our giveaway (we can't call it a "raffle", but are able to ask for donations and hold a 'giveaway') from TODAY, September 28, 2011, until November 28, 2011.  The prize draws will be made on Weston's first birthday, November 29, 2011.  The first name drawn will have their choice between the iPad and the HP laptop, and the second name drawn will get the prize that was not chosen by person #1.  Each entry into the giveaway is a $5 donation that can be made via Paypal or credit card, or mailed to an address, all info available on our fundraiser website at:  http://loveisnotacolour.blogspot.com/ 

  Here's where you come in.  We would be so grateful if you would help us in collecting $5 donations (again, we can not say, "selling raffle tickets"), using the giveaway tickets attached to this email.  Please ask your family members, friends, co-workers, and anyone you think might want an iPad or laptop for a Christmas gift!  You can print off the giveaway tickets, sell as many or as few as you wish, and mail the completed tickets and donation money to us at our home address, or have us pick them up from you.  Feel free to also email our fundraiser website to anyone you think might be interested.   We have set aside smaller prizes that have been donated to us to give away to those of you that help us collect donations.  Everyone who participates will be entered into the smaller prize draws, and the person who collects the most donations for our giveaway, will win a very special prize including a gift card!

  If you have any questions at all, please email me. We can't thank you enough for your help in bringing Weston home to us.

 147 Million Orphans....MINUS ONE!"

 

 BIG Love, 

Alistair, Cara, Deklan, Zabrina and Weston Lokenyo! 

http://loveisnotacolour.blogspot.com/

And some more finishing touches....

Maddie and Uncle Britt watching Night Rider.

And now, time to sign the cast! Maddie was the first to sign Uncle Britt's cast, and judging by the amount of space left behind she may be the only one to sign his cast. It's now full of flowers, happy faces, and of course, Madge's very own signature.

Waiting

Here we are, checked in and waiting for surgery. Forgive my typimg bcits I'm doing this with my galaxy tab and it is trivky.  See?

Britt gave me permission to put some pictures up.

Uncle Britt is here for a few days....

On Wednesday he was rolling an oxyaceteline tank up a short ramp (this is a welding fuel tank, weighs maybe 100lbs?) He lost his footing and then KA-BLAM he was on the ground with a fractured lateral malleous (ankle).  Yesterday I drove to Caribou Creek (halfway to Flin Flon) and met Mom and Britt (Mom's friend Rosemarie drove them).  In Flin Flon they wanted to send BritT Winkler (apparently it is the hotbed of medical care in MB) - but....where the HECK is Winkler?  Mom was all "um, actually we'll just go to Saskatoon, thanks".  And they were all "nope, you have to go to Winkler" and mom was all "yep, yep we sure are", and the doc, recognizing who was actually in charge, said "oh.  ok.  sure."


So we arrived back in S'toon by 730 or so?  Then we stopped home for a bit and headed into RUH emerg to get started.  After two sets of x rays and lots of time with the ortho resident we were finally home again by 2a.m.  Then 7 a.m. the phone rang and we headed back to the hospital for a CT scan.  Britt got a call this afternoon and his surgery is tomorrow morning.  We don't know what his rehab will look like just yet, or how long until he can go home.  He's already hoping to go home asap. 





In the meantime...  Britt was scrolling through Netflix looking for a show

Maddie: Uncle Britt, did you know we have kid movies?

Britt:  Oh. (still scrolling.)

Maddie:  Yeah, they are right there.

Britt: oh really.

pause

Maddie:  Yeah.  Sure you don't want to watch one of these ones? (pointing to kid movies)

pause pause pause

They finally settled on Night Rider.  Crica 1982