Looking at supper last night I thought, "Man, are we blessed, or what?! I mean, we eat like freakin' kings!". Fantastic whole wheat spaghetti, meat sauce, mushrooms fried in butter with a tonne of garlic, and garlic bread. Amazing!
Our prosaic weekend proved to be "just what the doctor ordered". I spent Friday evening at Robin's together with Amber, Rebekah, and Terrilee. We just sat around and talked, and it was great! I gave Rebekah a ride home, and we ended up in a great heart-to-heart on her driveway for another half an hour before I finally went home to bed.
On Saturday Ryan and I literally vegged out! We did absolutely nothing productive all day, except take turns making tea and passing the Kleenex box. We were both ill. I did end up watching a number of movies that I really enjoyed. I saw "Something's Gotta Give", "Finding Neverland" and "Hide and Seek". Ryan watched a lot of Olympics, and a few movies of his own. I did find enough ambition to put beef stew in my slow cooker - so by 6:30 we had a nice beef stew supper with Bisquick dumplings. Apparently my dumplings need work - but it was my first try at them.
Sunday morning was equally uneventful, as we both slept in until about 11:00 a.m. The rest of the day was similar to Saturday, lots of T.V., nose blowing, sneezing, tea drinking, coughing and cuddling. I was able to eventually get motivated enough to shower, and Ryan eventually followed suit. I called my sister-in-law Ang, and had a long and wonderful talk with her in the late afternoon. I sound like Krystle when I say she is so nice to talk to on the phone. I just love Ang, and I'm so thankful to have her as my one and only "sister". We chatted about all kinds of things, from our hubbies, to colds, to babies to friends. I miss them so much. We watched more movies, "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "Bourne Identity". Ryan and I then ended up going for Chinese with his parents for supper, and then home to bed.
Tonight our plan is much the same, make a simple supper (looks like it will be spaghetti with meat sauce, caesar salad from a bag, and garlic toast), and cuddle up on the couch until bed time.
On Saturday Ryan and I literally vegged out! We did absolutely nothing productive all day, except take turns making tea and passing the Kleenex box. We were both ill. I did end up watching a number of movies that I really enjoyed. I saw "Something's Gotta Give", "Finding Neverland" and "Hide and Seek". Ryan watched a lot of Olympics, and a few movies of his own. I did find enough ambition to put beef stew in my slow cooker - so by 6:30 we had a nice beef stew supper with Bisquick dumplings. Apparently my dumplings need work - but it was my first try at them.
Sunday morning was equally uneventful, as we both slept in until about 11:00 a.m. The rest of the day was similar to Saturday, lots of T.V., nose blowing, sneezing, tea drinking, coughing and cuddling. I was able to eventually get motivated enough to shower, and Ryan eventually followed suit. I called my sister-in-law Ang, and had a long and wonderful talk with her in the late afternoon. I sound like Krystle when I say she is so nice to talk to on the phone. I just love Ang, and I'm so thankful to have her as my one and only "sister". We chatted about all kinds of things, from our hubbies, to colds, to babies to friends. I miss them so much. We watched more movies, "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "Bourne Identity". Ryan and I then ended up going for Chinese with his parents for supper, and then home to bed.
Tonight our plan is much the same, make a simple supper (looks like it will be spaghetti with meat sauce, caesar salad from a bag, and garlic toast), and cuddle up on the couch until bed time.
Well, the weekend is again approaching, and boy am I glad! I woke up in the middle of the night with my head plugged and pounding with about 18 pounds of mucus, and a sore throat worthy of a shot of morphine. I hate colds. A cold is the worst because you feel too gross to work, but you aren't really sick enough to not go to work. So, I'm really glad it's Friday, and tomorrow I can try to sleep off this cold.
Tonight I'm excited to go to a girl's night out party at my best friend Robin's place. It's just going to be a small group of girls, but I'm totally looking forward to all the great chat and laughter. Ryan and I also have the option of going to a Social on Saturday night, but otherwise our weekend is wide open. I love it when we have a no-plans weekend. We can just be spontaneous, and if we feel like spending the entire weekend on the couch, we can. Plus, I bought Ryan an XBox for Valentine's Day (yup, finally let him have a video game system), so maybe I'll even make some time to play some games on that thing. I'm terrible at video games. I have decent coordination, but if I don't win right away I get bored and give up.
Tonight I'm excited to go to a girl's night out party at my best friend Robin's place. It's just going to be a small group of girls, but I'm totally looking forward to all the great chat and laughter. Ryan and I also have the option of going to a Social on Saturday night, but otherwise our weekend is wide open. I love it when we have a no-plans weekend. We can just be spontaneous, and if we feel like spending the entire weekend on the couch, we can. Plus, I bought Ryan an XBox for Valentine's Day (yup, finally let him have a video game system), so maybe I'll even make some time to play some games on that thing. I'm terrible at video games. I have decent coordination, but if I don't win right away I get bored and give up.
Here's a little video clip (1.75 mb) I recorded this afternoon. It's especially recorded for those of you who would like to see what I look like moving and talking! I also have my own blooper reel.
If the above link doesn't work for you, please try this one instead. In Windows Media Player, make sure to click "All Video" using the drop-down button next to the "Now Playing" tab.
If the above link doesn't work for you, please try this one instead. In Windows Media Player, make sure to click "All Video" using the drop-down button next to the "Now Playing" tab.
DID YA KNOW?
Janelle inspired me to do this little "Did Ya Know" post. Enjoy!
My middle name is Ilene, but I wish it was spelled Eileen - My mom originally wanted to name me Aiesha - If I had been a boy, my name would have been Charles (phew) - I don't really like eggs, but I eat them anyway - I was in the "cool group" in high school - My favourite subject was English - My average grade was 80% - I almost failed high school Biology - I kissed a boy (on the cheek) in grade 3 - In Grade 4 I was teacher's pet - My favourite colour is Indigo Blue - My feet are always freezing - I like hot weather - I hate going to the hairdresser - I used to want to be a veterinarian, but it was too much school - My dream car would be an Audi A4 - My favourite ice cream flavours are chocolate, and black cherry - I don't like DQ Blizzards - My favourite kind of Orange Julius is Strawberry Banana - I love to bake - I don't eat enough vegetables - I do love peas - I hate flossing - I wish I would have had braces as a kid - I used to make "braces" out of a paper clip and wear them in my mouth - I eat paper - I don't eat restaurant mints - A fork scratching the bottom of a pot drives me insane - I can scratch a chalkboard with my nails and it doesn't bother me - If my brother had been a girl, his name would have been Amy - My grad dress was ivory - I had 6 boyfriends in high school - My hair has never been shorter than my shoulders - I'd love to travel in Europe - I love camping - I never knew my dad's parents - My mom's parents are divorced - I have four godchildren - I got married when I was 22 - Ryan is 9 years older than me - I've never been without a pet for more than a month of my life - I love living in the country - I like small towns - I am afraid of big dogs that jump and bark - I've never hit any animals with my car - I've never caused a car accident - I failed my driver's test once for speeding - I love riding with Ryan on his motorcycle.
Janelle inspired me to do this little "Did Ya Know" post. Enjoy!
My middle name is Ilene, but I wish it was spelled Eileen - My mom originally wanted to name me Aiesha - If I had been a boy, my name would have been Charles (phew) - I don't really like eggs, but I eat them anyway - I was in the "cool group" in high school - My favourite subject was English - My average grade was 80% - I almost failed high school Biology - I kissed a boy (on the cheek) in grade 3 - In Grade 4 I was teacher's pet - My favourite colour is Indigo Blue - My feet are always freezing - I like hot weather - I hate going to the hairdresser - I used to want to be a veterinarian, but it was too much school - My dream car would be an Audi A4 - My favourite ice cream flavours are chocolate, and black cherry - I don't like DQ Blizzards - My favourite kind of Orange Julius is Strawberry Banana - I love to bake - I don't eat enough vegetables - I do love peas - I hate flossing - I wish I would have had braces as a kid - I used to make "braces" out of a paper clip and wear them in my mouth - I eat paper - I don't eat restaurant mints - A fork scratching the bottom of a pot drives me insane - I can scratch a chalkboard with my nails and it doesn't bother me - If my brother had been a girl, his name would have been Amy - My grad dress was ivory - I had 6 boyfriends in high school - My hair has never been shorter than my shoulders - I'd love to travel in Europe - I love camping - I never knew my dad's parents - My mom's parents are divorced - I have four godchildren - I got married when I was 22 - Ryan is 9 years older than me - I've never been without a pet for more than a month of my life - I love living in the country - I like small towns - I am afraid of big dogs that jump and bark - I've never hit any animals with my car - I've never caused a car accident - I failed my driver's test once for speeding - I love riding with Ryan on his motorcycle.
Guess what time of year it is?! Mini Egg season! (Amber, are you with me on this one?)
My Blogger buddy Erin had this up on her site, and I thought it was kinda cool. Check out my Johari window - and let me know what kind of person I am.
How to kill an Acrtic winter's evening - goof around with the camera!
Never ceasing to keep us entertained, this cat loves to watch T.V. - but really seems to love Olympic Curling! She particularly loves the overhead shots, and actually attacks the screen trying to bite the rocks and curlers.
Cozy Kitty.
Jumping up to grab my camera strap.
Play with the cats and be lazy.
City of Winnipeg - 10:06 AM CST
Thursday 16 February 2006
Wind chill warning for City of Winnipeg
Wind chill values near minus 40 have been reported over numerous locations across southern Manitoba this morning. Wind chill values will moderate this afternoon however extreme wind chills will redevelop overnight and persist into Friday morning.
An Arctic airmass has produced temperatures near minus 30 across most of southern Manitoba this morning. The cold air combined with moderate winds of 15 to 20 km/h are producing wind chills in excess of minus 40 this morning. As temperatures moderate wind chills will fall below the warning criteria of minus 40 this afternoon. Colder temperatures are expected overnight and Friday morning consequently extreme wind chills of minus 40 to minus 45 will redevelop late tonight and persist into Friday morning.
High risk: exposed skin can freeze in 5 to 10 minutes (so don't stall your car).
Manitoba sucks.
Thursday 16 February 2006
Wind chill warning for City of Winnipeg
Wind chill values near minus 40 have been reported over numerous locations across southern Manitoba this morning. Wind chill values will moderate this afternoon however extreme wind chills will redevelop overnight and persist into Friday morning.
An Arctic airmass has produced temperatures near minus 30 across most of southern Manitoba this morning. The cold air combined with moderate winds of 15 to 20 km/h are producing wind chills in excess of minus 40 this morning. As temperatures moderate wind chills will fall below the warning criteria of minus 40 this afternoon. Colder temperatures are expected overnight and Friday morning consequently extreme wind chills of minus 40 to minus 45 will redevelop late tonight and persist into Friday morning.
High risk: exposed skin can freeze in 5 to 10 minutes (so don't stall your car).
Manitoba sucks.
Okay, so all of a sudden we have winter! We're trying to remember what we used to do to keep warm with a -38�C windchill. (For my American friends, that would be -36.4�F).
I just loved how the sun was hitting this plant this morning.
I got these gorgeous roses from Ryan, and they were not even Valentine's Day related.
Happy Valentine's Day babe! I love you!
Matt's U2 story...
"Ok I'll try to make this long story short. Ok so I almost got a ticket from Cesar that was leftover but as it turned out that one was sold. The cheapest tickets were going for $180 US. So Mercedes (very sweet) decided, against my will, to sell her ticket to one of Pam's friends so she could be with me. We decided to go to the concert and see if we could get lucky somehow and get in. And that we did!!!!! I had very little hope of getting in, but Mercedes still had faith. We were standing for a while outside the building and Mercedes miraculously said "let's walk a little". So we walked around the Stadium looking at some t-shirts and U2 merchandise, when a non-Mexican guy (probably an American), with an official outfit approaches us (US!! there were 100s of people and he came to us), he asked if we spoke english and if we would like to get into the concert, Mercedes belts out "YES!!". So he said "ok, we are looking for people to help out with the gates for a little while and after that you'll get a free t-shirt and a wristband for the concert. Naturally we said ok. As it turned out this guy worked for U2 and probably liked that I looked "Gringo". So Mercedes, myself, a guy from Scotland, and 2 other girls got these jobs. The job was to hold a plastic bag, and the ticket guys would put the tickets in them, THAT was IT!!! So after standing for 2 hours holding a bag and practicing my spanish with the locals, our U2 "boss" came and gave us free official U2 Tour t-shirts (worth $40 in Canada) as well as free wrist bands. Mercedes and I missed the first song (but they played the same song at the end of the show anyway), we got the BEST, I repeat THE BEST seats in the stadium!! Right beside the stage. These seats were selling on ebay for upwards of $400 US!!! So we got to see the show and it was amazing and free!!!! So that was our adventure yesterday. The funny part is Mercedes made money on that concert as well as getting a free shirt, and I got a free shirt. So that could not have gone any better! Maybe Mercedes and I deserved it? That's what her parents thought. For the record U2 concerts in Canada are generally above $85 cheapest, so I'm really happy. "
Matt, I'm still totally jealous. You'd better bring me a cool souvenir from Monterrey.
"Ok I'll try to make this long story short. Ok so I almost got a ticket from Cesar that was leftover but as it turned out that one was sold. The cheapest tickets were going for $180 US. So Mercedes (very sweet) decided, against my will, to sell her ticket to one of Pam's friends so she could be with me. We decided to go to the concert and see if we could get lucky somehow and get in. And that we did!!!!! I had very little hope of getting in, but Mercedes still had faith. We were standing for a while outside the building and Mercedes miraculously said "let's walk a little". So we walked around the Stadium looking at some t-shirts and U2 merchandise, when a non-Mexican guy (probably an American), with an official outfit approaches us (US!! there were 100s of people and he came to us), he asked if we spoke english and if we would like to get into the concert, Mercedes belts out "YES!!". So he said "ok, we are looking for people to help out with the gates for a little while and after that you'll get a free t-shirt and a wristband for the concert. Naturally we said ok. As it turned out this guy worked for U2 and probably liked that I looked "Gringo". So Mercedes, myself, a guy from Scotland, and 2 other girls got these jobs. The job was to hold a plastic bag, and the ticket guys would put the tickets in them, THAT was IT!!! So after standing for 2 hours holding a bag and practicing my spanish with the locals, our U2 "boss" came and gave us free official U2 Tour t-shirts (worth $40 in Canada) as well as free wrist bands. Mercedes and I missed the first song (but they played the same song at the end of the show anyway), we got the BEST, I repeat THE BEST seats in the stadium!! Right beside the stage. These seats were selling on ebay for upwards of $400 US!!! So we got to see the show and it was amazing and free!!!! So that was our adventure yesterday. The funny part is Mercedes made money on that concert as well as getting a free shirt, and I got a free shirt. So that could not have gone any better! Maybe Mercedes and I deserved it? That's what her parents thought. For the record U2 concerts in Canada are generally above $85 cheapest, so I'm really happy. "
Matt, I'm still totally jealous. You'd better bring me a cool souvenir from Monterrey.
My brother Matt left on Friday to surprise his girlfriend Mercedes by showing up at her door just in time to celebrate her birthday, their one year anniversary, and Valentine's Day. (Too cute!) Mercedes is from Monterrey, Mexico. Matt met her one year ago when she was staying at my aunt's home as an exchange student. They met at my grandma's birthday party - and there was an immediate connection. They've been dating ever since - even despite the long distance. So, Matthew had her convinced that he was going to Vegas with some friends for Reading Week, but instead went to visit her.
He was very excited to see her, but he was slightly bummed because Mercedes and all her friends had tickets to see the U2 in concert in Monterrey on Sunday night. However, Mercedes couldn't bear to go to the show without Matt, so she sold her ticket, and together they decided to try and scalp some tickets so that they could be together at the concert. A risky move, but kind of romantic I think! So, they headed off to find some tickets. As they were walking down the street, they were approached by a guy who asked them if they wanted to see U2. They said they did, and the guy (who I believe worked for U2) gave them two FREE tickets for some great seats at the concert, plus gave them FREE concert t-shirts! Can you believe that?! I am just so jealous of Matt right now. I found some pics of the concert online - it looks like it was incredible (see bel0w)! I can't believe he was there - I can only imagine how stoked he was!
He was very excited to see her, but he was slightly bummed because Mercedes and all her friends had tickets to see the U2 in concert in Monterrey on Sunday night. However, Mercedes couldn't bear to go to the show without Matt, so she sold her ticket, and together they decided to try and scalp some tickets so that they could be together at the concert. A risky move, but kind of romantic I think! So, they headed off to find some tickets. As they were walking down the street, they were approached by a guy who asked them if they wanted to see U2. They said they did, and the guy (who I believe worked for U2) gave them two FREE tickets for some great seats at the concert, plus gave them FREE concert t-shirts! Can you believe that?! I am just so jealous of Matt right now. I found some pics of the concert online - it looks like it was incredible (see bel0w)! I can't believe he was there - I can only imagine how stoked he was!
U2 in Monterrey, Mexico - night shot
U2 in Monterrey, Mexico - day time (and hey, is that the top of Dave Heinrich's head in the bottom center?)
I can say with honesty that I have never really had any desire to idolize any particular celebrity. Sure, sure - some are good in certain movies, or have moments where one might think "Wow, she is beautiful" or "He's got great arms". None of these moments, however, have lead me to believe that I am destined to be with one of these people, or that I need to follow them everywhere they might go, collect pictures of them, and hope for the grand prize of their autograph. Never mind meeting them in person, where I might fall at their knees and weep with joy at having met this god of a fellow human being. No, I just have never felt like that.
The closest to celebrity worship that I've ever come to dates back to my years as a full time "Full House" watcher. I thought Candace Cameron was so beautiful. I was even in her fan club
.
After that, my interest turned to a normal teenage hormnal-imbalanced liking to Teemu Selanne, then of the Winnipeg Jets. I had a little bit of a scrap book going on with newspaper clippings. He was sort of cute, foreign with an accent, and successful. What was not to like?
But, after watching Oprah last night, I think I've become an official fan of someone else. It's funny, because this actor tends to remind me of Ryan in some ways. I couldn't help to think that he was a little dreamy, and he was also intelligent and at times profound. I don't know that I would have voted him to be the "Sexiest Man Alive 2005" - Ryan wins that one hands-down, but he isn't too shabby looking. He also bears the name of one of my favourite people. Meet Matthew McConaughey...
The closest to celebrity worship that I've ever come to dates back to my years as a full time "Full House" watcher. I thought Candace Cameron was so beautiful. I was even in her fan club
.After that, my interest turned to a normal teenage hormnal-imbalanced liking to Teemu Selanne, then of the Winnipeg Jets. I had a little bit of a scrap book going on with newspaper clippings. He was sort of cute, foreign with an accent, and successful. What was not to like?
But, after watching Oprah last night, I think I've become an official fan of someone else. It's funny, because this actor tends to remind me of Ryan in some ways. I couldn't help to think that he was a little dreamy, and he was also intelligent and at times profound. I don't know that I would have voted him to be the "Sexiest Man Alive 2005" - Ryan wins that one hands-down, but he isn't too shabby looking. He also bears the name of one of my favourite people. Meet Matthew McConaughey...
Well, it was another busy, but relaxing weekend for us. On Friday evening we enjoyed another buffet supper at our favourite Chinese restaurant. The rest of the evening was spent in front of the tube, as we practiced our couch potato routine - which is simply an act of taking turns making a new pot of tea.
On Saturday I spent the morning doing my usual house cleaning duties. It was a beautiful day, and the lovely sunshine soon had the house toasty warm. In the afternoon, my cousins Patrick and Ang, and their 3 month old son Jonathon came to visit. Ryan and I much enjoyed their company, and we had a great time. I made a gourmet supper of spaghetti with sesame peanut sauce, teriyaki chicken and red bell peppers. A nice way to end a Saturday night.
Sunday we went to church at the arena - as it was RFC's Family Picnic Sunday. We enjoyed listening to Tyler Pelke (husband to Jennifer Friesen) speak, as he relayed the story of a tragedy that occured about 15 years ago in small town Manitoba (Altona, for those of you Manitoba / former Manitoban readers). He and his best friend Curt (ages 14 & 15 at the time) were home alone, when a kid from their school showed up - dressed all in black. A very long, and interesting story made short - the kid had a gun, separated Tyler and Curt into two rooms, abused them, and eventually slit their throats and lit them on fire. Curt unfortunately did not make it, but Tyler was able to escape, and survived the attack. Just two years ago Tyler was able to confront his attacker in prison, and talk to him. He has since forgiven the guy, and is now using his story as a means for motivational speaking, and sharing his faith. He really was inspirational, and if you ever have a chance to hear him speak - do it! We had lunch at the arena, and then headed out to Winnipeg to a "Super Bowl Party" at Jeremy and Bonnie's. We had a fabulous time there. I got to spend a good portion of my time there reading to Gina, and playing with her many thousands of toys.
And thus, the weekend concluded and we are now back into another week at work. Ryan has been pretty bummed about work lately, so I am hoping and praying that this week will offer him some hope. My parents and my brother are all leaving for Mexico this week - so it will probably be a little quieter around our place for the next couple of weeks.
On Saturday I spent the morning doing my usual house cleaning duties. It was a beautiful day, and the lovely sunshine soon had the house toasty warm. In the afternoon, my cousins Patrick and Ang, and their 3 month old son Jonathon came to visit. Ryan and I much enjoyed their company, and we had a great time. I made a gourmet supper of spaghetti with sesame peanut sauce, teriyaki chicken and red bell peppers. A nice way to end a Saturday night.
Sunday we went to church at the arena - as it was RFC's Family Picnic Sunday. We enjoyed listening to Tyler Pelke (husband to Jennifer Friesen) speak, as he relayed the story of a tragedy that occured about 15 years ago in small town Manitoba (Altona, for those of you Manitoba / former Manitoban readers). He and his best friend Curt (ages 14 & 15 at the time) were home alone, when a kid from their school showed up - dressed all in black. A very long, and interesting story made short - the kid had a gun, separated Tyler and Curt into two rooms, abused them, and eventually slit their throats and lit them on fire. Curt unfortunately did not make it, but Tyler was able to escape, and survived the attack. Just two years ago Tyler was able to confront his attacker in prison, and talk to him. He has since forgiven the guy, and is now using his story as a means for motivational speaking, and sharing his faith. He really was inspirational, and if you ever have a chance to hear him speak - do it! We had lunch at the arena, and then headed out to Winnipeg to a "Super Bowl Party" at Jeremy and Bonnie's. We had a fabulous time there. I got to spend a good portion of my time there reading to Gina, and playing with her many thousands of toys.
And thus, the weekend concluded and we are now back into another week at work. Ryan has been pretty bummed about work lately, so I am hoping and praying that this week will offer him some hope. My parents and my brother are all leaving for Mexico this week - so it will probably be a little quieter around our place for the next couple of weeks.
This is my Aunt's new little puppy. A sweet little bichon princess.
Puppy-sitting while at work.
Got Links?
I finally figured out enough about HTML to get my links back in on my sidebar. Hallelujah!
I finally figured out enough about HTML to get my links back in on my sidebar. Hallelujah!
You know you're in 2006 when:
1. You accidently enter your password into the microwave
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries
7. You communicate with your kids through text messages and answering machine messages
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20-30 years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go get it
9. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee
10. You start tilting your head to smile :)
1. You accidently enter your password into the microwave
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries
7. You communicate with your kids through text messages and answering machine messages
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20-30 years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go get it
9. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee
10. You start tilting your head to smile :)
Today may be the last day that my Neon is in the family. My poor little Neon... she was so good to me, my first car.
Possibly as early as today, this could be our new set of wheels. Our first car bought "together".
Jer posted about this cool face recognition site. Check it out, and let me know who your celebrity look-alike is. Here are mine...
Wow, how very nice, a 70% likeness rating to Halle Barry! They obviously don't factor in skin tone.
Ang will be pysched that at just one percentage point down I was a match to Katie Holmes!
This pic got a decent 62% likeness rating to Kate Winslet.
