I love

I love living in a city where I can randomly bring my niece and nephew home for supper. 

Photos Only.

You've been warned about the lack of funny bits in this post. 

Merry Christmas!

I didn't take many pictures this year.  I have a few on my phone that I'll post on here for posterity.  

Ken, Marion, and Bruce arrived Christmas Eve - Bruce stayed with us this year.  We had three days of eating and Christmas-ing.  I even managed (with Ken's help) to drag everyone to Value Village on Boxing Day!  

My parents came for a mini Christmas last night on their way down south.  So there was more eating and Christmas-ing.  They left early this morning, which means there are only three of us here left to eat all the leftovers! 

Keely and her crew are stopping through this afternoon so maybe I can get their help.  Except we don't need help with my Dad's butter tarts.  Nope.  

My mom let me use her camera yesterday so Maddie and I went outside to get a couple of pictures.  It was crazy cold so neither of us lasted long. 

This is Isabelle - Girl of the Year from American Girl.  If you don't know what I'm talking about then this is a time for you to be grateful.  

We also took some inside before we realized how freaking cold it was outside. 

(yes, those are matching pjs)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Question:

Is it a sign you are a perfectionist if you (feel you) are the only person who knows how to load a dishwasher?  

Or is it (as I suspect) merely a sign of your higher intelligence?

Hmmmm.  

High Rollers

We We stayed on the 38th floor so we had a terrific view of the mountains and the north  end. 

I thought staying at that end would be a pain but it wasn't. We took the monorail one time and walked and cabbed. 

(I swear Jason was on this trip!!) 

Las Vegas

We are having a great time. Tonight I think we will go to Freemont St. We survived our three (3) hour time share "presentation" (read boring and painful sales pitch)

I'm too tired to write anything witty. 

The hallway to our room - #theshining? 

Big Money!!

A secret selfie.  

#15Years

In September Jason and I had been married 15 years. We went to San Francisco for our 10th so this seemed like a good excuse for a trip. 

Four main elements went into choosing our destination: 

1. I'm compulsively thrifty. 

2. I'm always convinced we are broke. 

3. I refuse to go on a holiday that I can't pay for ahead of time. 

4. We already went to SF. 

So.  We are off to Las Vegas for three nights.  We are going the way the two of us do: no plans. Now don't be shocked. I can be spontaneous. 

As long as it is planned. 

Jason says selfies are #lame. So I'm just gonna sneak em in. Don't tell. 

The Reveal

KI guess I forgot to post the final result of my headboard make over. 

I found this king size metal headboard for $20 on kjijiji. The previous owners attempted to paint but didn't prep it enough. 

Should be a quick project. Or so I thought....

Hours of sanding, pressure washing, and finally chemicals (and of course glamour, let's not forget the glamour). 

Finally. Ready to paint. 

And paint. 

This is such a great little add on. Go buy one. You won't regret it. 

It took so many coats. I sanded and primed and painted. I have never had such a struggle. Jason said I just needed to be more patient. Patient? If I was patient I sure as hell wouldn't be SPRAY PAINTING! 

Sammy did keep me company in the back yard the whole time. 

And here is the big reveal! 

 

Dog Shaming

PHi. 

I'm Sammy. I rolled in composted leaves. Then I dug a hole and rolled some more. I stink like dead fish. 

*intended publish date November 6.  I wrote the bedframe post and noticed there was an upload error/fail on this post and the one before. No wonder Someone has been pestering me- it looked like I hadn't really posted!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

*intended publish date October 31

Pros and Cons of Jenn

More like:

Cans and Can'ts.  But that's sort of awkward.

Things Jenn Can't Do

1. Make Chili

2. Go out more than twice in one week

3. text and parent.  it's really one or the other no matter how hard I try. 

4. make a stir fry that isn't gross

5. play any type of team sport.  i just can't.  Makes me want to cry.  

6. do math under pressure (but I am practicing so that I can do it someday)

7. figure out how to make a playlist on my iphone

8. wear an outfit that doesn't involve some form of cardigan

Let's end this on a positive note, shall we?  

Things Jenn can TOTALLY NAIL.

1. Felting a sweater and literally making something out of nothing

2. hanging pictures on the wall.  And if you think I can't, well - you're likely just too tall

3. spray painting pretty much anything (evidence - I painted my friend's 30 year old wedding tiara)

4. getting my hair done by Maddie

5. chocolate chip cookies

6. pie from scratch

7. making a bed with hospital corners

8. squeegee-ing a windshield and not leaving those stupid lines

9. writing lists

10. crying at any (ANY) movie.  You name it, I'll find the sad part.

11. finding beauty in other people's junk

12. trying to please so many people that i actually get sick (not such a positive, but damn I'm good at it)

13. judging people with bad grammar.  your welcome. 

14. staying in touch (however infrequent) with people who really matter to me.  If you are truly my friend you will be my friend forever.  There's no escaping it. 

15. getting really mad, really fast.  (again, not so positive, but so true)

16. there are some days when I think that maybe I am actually really good at my job.  So, in honour of those days, I will add that to the list.  

17. loving my best friend - Jason

18. getting the giggles with Maddie

19. thinking of 18 things that I can do really well

20. making excel sheets for EVERY occasion

ok.  time to go wash Maddie's hair. 

later kids. 

It's time

Someone pointed out that I need to post on here. 

Just haven't felt like giving it an effort lately. Poor excuse I know.  

So to get in the mood I'm going to do an old favorite: Random List

1. My two dogs are sleeping and i love them and worry about what we will do when they are gone. 

2. I just painted my nails. I tried to pick a dark colour bc I thunk it will make me look like a movie star. But now I'm not so sure. 

3. I freaking love the new podcast "Serial". So addicting and awesome. Just finished episode 10. I think I want to be Sarah Koenig when I grow up. 

4. Jason and I leave for Vegas in five sleeps. We have hardly talked about it and have no plans. We have talked about a million other more urgent matters. Obviously a sign we need a holiday. 

5. I finally went for a massage and Chiro. Haven't done that since we left Calgary.

6. I need one more private client. Referrals? 

7. Maddie is so amazing. But you knew that already. 

8. I love things that tell a story. I hate unnecessary multiples. I will never buy a second one if I already have one that "works just fine" 

9. I hate when people are mean and judgey. But damn I'm the Mayor of Judgey Town. 

10. I love quiet time by myself. It's the fastest way for me to recharge. 

You won't believe this:

3:30 we get in the house, and there is a knock on the door. It's my neighbor Loretta from across the street. 

" I'm making you supper, what time should I bring it over "

(Stunned) I say "um, 5:30?"

Then I race to prep for a client, see said client, run and pick Maddie up from a friend who is watching her. 

5:31 Loretta shows up with this:

Which unpacks to this:

Unbelievable. We are so blessed. 

Who's got a cool kid?

This girl!

Somebody got their Auntie's eyelashes!

I wish

I wish I could shut my work brain off.  

I used to.  In my 20s I hardly ever worried about work, once I became an SLP.  I loved my job and was happy to work the day and then go home.  

What's different now?  I love my job just as much.  Its a dream job for me.  I get to work with people I like, kids I like.  I like the type of clients I see.  

I don't know what it is, but jeepers, it needs to simmer down.  I feel like I could happily work all weekend long. But...

Ain't nobody got time for that!

Maybe it's living here in a smaller community?  Where i am guaranteed to run into a client or two everytime I leave my house.  And I'm always happy to see them.  Probably too happy.  But then they stick in my brain and I worry about them.  I worry I'm not doing enough for them.  

Deep Breath.  

Reframe.

A list of fabulous things in my private life:

1. Jolleen discovered FELTING - what could be better?

2. I found a new, delicious and easy, chocolate icing recipe

3. Uncle Bruce loaned us season three of Game of Thrones. 

4. Maddie is wearing the CUTEST halloween costume ever. 

5. Maddie is READING in English - so well.  I'm so proud (and so relieved)

6. Jason has the Mustang done and it looks amazing

7. Bosco and Sammy are healthy and full of energy.  

8. I straightened my hair today.  And I looked awesome.  Pat pat on the ol' back. 

9. Sometimes I run.  And each time I get a little better at it. 

10. Jason can still make me laugh after 24 years.  

Work in progress.

A few of you (i won't name names) have commented on the height of the stuff on my deck. 

I pride myself on my ability to hang things at a good height and so to you doubting Thomas' I say:

I'm not DONE YET. 

Sheesh. It takes time to collect old stuff. I can't just toddle on down to Ikea or the Brick and get my matchy matchy on.  Especially when my decorating budget is "I can have that for free? Ok, I'll take it!"  

So here is an updated picture. My plan is to (slowly) fill that wall. 

And I also have to work on this guy before painting season is over: 

At no time will I ever EVER be wearing these: 

#hellno

Thanks Dad!

Finally our deck looks closer to how I want it. I have a few more nick snacks for the wall. Dad built a screen to give us a bit more privacy. I need to paint the trim and posts and stain the deck still. 

All this is from my Dad's farm. Except the window. I found that in our garage. 

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Please VOTE

Please vote (you must register) at the link below.

 

https://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf19765

Selfie

Vote!

Casting my net as wide as I can here.

I even re-activated my facebook account.  That's a big deal for this kid.  You know how much I hate appreciate facebook. 

Anyhoo.  I need a favour.  And I'm going to need it about 15 times in a row.  Then a short break, then if all goes well I'll ask you to do it all again two more rounds. 

Background:
In my vow to "make life slower and take on less" this year I have managed to become Treasurer of the Playground Committee at Maddie's school.  #slowlearner

Our goal is to replace the splintery/falling apart/generally unappealing/ancient playground with something safe, fun and inclusive.  And apparently safe, fun, inclusive playgrounds run about $200,000.

Another committee member found a contest and we could win up to $100,000.  That would be VERY helpful.

Here's the deal:  I need you to register and then starting on September 29th (don't worry, I'll remind you). I need you to vote once per day.  I also would love you forever if you would ask as many people as you can to also vote.  That would be swell.

I know, you're all saying: "But Jenn, what do WE get out of this?"

I'll tell you what.  I'll make you a deal.  You vote, you vote for 15 days and you tell your friends and I, the amazing and athletically advantaged, Jenn will post a video of me doing a cartwheel in the park. 

For real.  It will be amaaaahhh-zing.  Likely go viral. 

But you don't get to see it unless you vote.  So vote.  Pretty please with swing sets and monkey bars on top.

j

Have you seen the Bee Movie?

Circa 2007? (that's PBP for Emily, but not you, Keel)

Well, if you're considering it, as you scroll through netflix, don't say I didn't warn you. 

But you'll say "Jenn, it has a star studded cast".  And it does.  I mean who doesn't love Jerry Seinfeld? And Chris Rock?  All great. 

But don't do it.  The inaccuracies are MADDENING. 

And yes, I can cope that the bees talk.  And wear clothes.  And use their cute little antennas like blue tooth head sets.  Sure.  No prob.

But do NOT, dear DreamWorks, try to convince me the bees who go out into the world, the bees who collect pollen, the bees who do all the work are MALES.  

Oh no you dih'nt.  

And Super Testosterone Hero Manly Bees at that.  With giggly swoony lowercase girlie bees batting eye lashes.  

I mean, puh-leeeze.  I basically threw up in my mouth a little bit.  And I may or may not have ranted to Maddie about sexism in movies and tv.  

But the worst part:  I don't know if I can trust Hollywood now.  I mean WHAT is real?  Is anything real?  Can I believe anything from 22 Jump Street?  Does this mean Ice Cube does not run an undercover police sting operation in universities? 

oh Jenko....is it all fake? 

The scene:

I'm early. 

Yep. That alone is enough for a post. 

But wait, there's more:  today is the SECOND time I've been ten (or more) minutes early.  And it ain't so bad. I might try it more often. 

I never plan to be late. I just have an overpowering desire to be exactly on time. Which, of course, means that 87% of the time I am late. 

At this moment the person I'm waiting for is 9 min late. Which wouldn't be so bad except

1. I have no idea what this person looks like

2. I'm standing outside a bakery by the mall

3. I basically look like a panhandler

4. Somebody put a loonie in my coffee cup. 

Here is what I've learned in the last 31 minutes:

1. A lot of people like fresh bread on a Friday night. 

2. Most bread purchasers are couples. 

3. Average length of time to buy fresh bread: 7 minutes. 

Open Letter

Dear Bad Guy who Stole my neighbor's bike,

Thanks a bunch. Now my 7 year old is scared of bad guys in our yard. She can imagine them climbing our fence. 

I have had to convince her bad guys are all lazy and can't be bothered to climb fences. 

Jeepers, we live in a Seniors neighborhood. Screw you, Bad Guy. 

Jenn

Grade 3

First day of school was Tuesday. Jason has taken to her to school and taken the picture every year. 

Our tradition continues. 

(Fashion entirely by Madeleine and I love it)

And some beagle cuddles to make your Friday complete:

From Treena

I don't know who to give credit for this cartoon.  So, I will say it's from Treena. 

Your welcome.