Maybe it's just me

Well, here are our crappy/awesome costumes. I say crappy/awesome because my costume was crappy, and Warren's was awesome (coincidentally, I made his costume!) (Except for the body, he did that himself, but I made the helmet.)

I was supposed to be Lady GaGa. I borrowed those pants from Brynae, one of my amazing Mia Maids. My wig doesn't even resemble Lady GaGa- but this is what you get when you decide after you buy the wig, what you want to do with it. I made those sunglasses, and I am quite proud. Here is a close up- compare to the real ones she wore.

 Ha, I'm not good at being a model. My face is ugly.

Hold on, back up a minute. Friday night we babysat our good friend's adorable kids. Usually people who know us don't want us to babysit- yet complete strangers ask all the time. Not that we are bad babysitters (I hope)- just a funny fact. I took some pictures of the kids we babysat.
Marybell is pretending to sit in a high chair, which is just a regular chair with the cushion on her lap.. she's eating fake eggs (but we pretended she had green cheese, lettuce, juice, marshmallows, a banana, and peas).

 And Clayton- was just himself. He crawled around and giggled. He was interested in Warren's DS a lot.

We had a lot of fun babysitting- Warren mostly just sat and watched the movie and played his DS while I chased the baby around and tried to get him to walk... he came close a couple times, but still not quite there yet. He cried a lot when we put him to bed... it broke my heart! And Marybell crashed on the bean bag chair. After the movie we told her it was time for bed, but as we were talking to her, she conked out. We kept trying to nudge her and tell to get up... she was out, in 20 seconds! I hope they ask us to watch them again!

Back to Halloween- we didn't do much for the holiday. We went to the trunk or treat at the church- our trunk was 100% not decorated. And we're okay with it. Everyone liked Warren's costume, and only a handful of people knew what I was supposed to be. I'm pathetic. I don't even remember what we did last year- if that's not sad. One thing I noticed, was there were a lot of infants... and when I say 'infants' I mean under a year, dressed up and asking for candy. Now, I get that it's fun and cute and everyone oodles over seeing a baby dressed up like a carrot... I'll admit that it's cute... but it seems a little unnecessary. Maybe it's just me, and because I don't have kids, but I don't know if I'll dress my kids up when they are that young. They don't understand, and probably are not very comfortable in their costumes- not to mention, when most of the festivities are going on, they are tired and ready for bed. Like I said, maybe it's just me. But I was a little annoyed giving candy to a baby who can't even eat it yet... while their parents held open the bag and the baby is screaming and wiggling around. It can't be fun or anyone.
Anywho, that was our Halloween, and it wouldn't be complete without Kelsey piping in her opinion... haha!

The "sit-e-ation" and some giveaways

Well, I know lots of you are wondering what happened with the lady in my ward with the zoo of children she tried to pawn off to me. Well, she called me early in the morning (not today, obviously since it's Thursday) and she again tried to see if this weekend would work better. I was already frazzled when she called (I was running around my house and doing endless amount of laundry [that is a another blog post in and of itself]) and let it be known that I wasn't in the best of moods. I told her that we had somethings we needed to do this weekend as well, since we are both very busy Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Thursdays and Fridays are the only days we have to go to the grocery store and get other things done. She interrupted me and began talking up her kids. Saying things such as, 'oh, well the 15 year old can babysit while you are out'... and 'you can just put in a DVD and they will be glued to the TV'. I got a little frustrated because I could tell that she wasn't going to let it go. I explained that I hadn't consulted Warren before telling her I could do it, and he was upset with me- which was true, and telling her that we have absolutely not idea what to do with kids, especially ones in diapers- also true, AND that I was feeling really overwhelmed and a little pressured- mega true. She said she understood, but then concluded with how bias she was because she wanted to go away with her husband for a day or two. I understand why, but I think if you make the choice to pop out 8 kids you should be able to conclude that whisking each other off on a romantic getaway is impossible while your kids are still young. Anyways, we bickered back and forth for a little bit until she finally got frustrated with me and cocked a 'tone' with me. I offered my services to her if she needed someone to sit for her for a few hours sometime, but a whole weekend is too much. She finally just said, 'fine'... and we said our goodbyes. YIKES! Anyways, that's how that went down.

I found some AMAZING giveaways today... so I thought I'd share them on this blog since I have a bigger audience. I'm trying to change that, but what can ya do. ;)

Our Best Bites is giving away some cookware sets... click the link.
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/10/final-better-homes-and-gardens-cookware.html

and Confections of a Foodie Bride is giving away a KitchenAid Mixer, also click the link.
http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/?p=2166

Please keep in mind, that I am in the running for these... so, try not to hurt my chances of winning. ;)

Me upset, and a big fat question- so read it all!

I'm SOOOO mad right now...

This measuring spoon was expensive, and a gift. I'm going to keep it, but obviously it wont be much use. Stupid dishwasher!

It's that time again

For Kelsey to post her Christmas Wish List... ;)

7. Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator.

6.Barefoot Contessa Cook Book

5. Deluxe Decorating Tips

4. Cupcake Travel Cover

3. Where's Waldo Collection

2. Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint Lotion (a repeat from last year, if you remember)

1. Martha Stewart Cupcakes Cookbook

The end!

Carvin' some pumpkins

Being away from your routine makes it hard to get back into said routine, hence the lack of bloggage. Not that anyone even cares or cared to notice. ;) Have no fear, I'm back!
So the night after I got back, we went on a double date with Graham and his newly established on Facebook but not exactly newly established girlfriend Hayley to Tony Roma's. So good. Only this time we had the WORST service ever. We were there for over 2 hours, not to mention, the hostess had to take our drink orders. Which, not like it's hard, we all got Pepsi. Anyways, after wards we carved pumpkins. Carving pumpkin's is fun, but it's so much more fun when there's other people doing it too. This is what they looked like:

Warren got me a Nintendo DS. Normally I would have freaked out about him buying yet another video game playing devise, but I have to be honest that I like this one. I especially like the Brain Age games.

Note my lime green nail polish. I'm a fan.
And... I got some new Scentsy stuff. Oh I'm so happy and excited! My house smells wonderful! I know you're jealous. I also got so many now, that I needed to upgrade from a shoebox to a storage bin.

And, that's it. We are planning on trying sushi sometime soon... that should be fun. Thanks for reading if you are still reading by this point... hehe! Oh, and just between you and me... I'm voting for Graham to marry Hayley! I've always wanted to be a bridesmaid!

UGH, Batman!

I'm sitting in the MSTI Center with my mom while she is receiving her 2nd dose of chemo- enjoying the free WIFI. I had no idea I depended so much on the internet, what would I do without it?! The nurses yesterday were super nice, but today they seem a little distracted from their patients, just my point of view of course. My mom is doing well, in case you were wondering. She saw her doctor yesterday (probably the youngest doctor ever, I'm guessing he's in his 30's) and he said everything was looking amazing and he was so excited to see everything working the way it is supposed to. She was feeling pretty good yesterday after her 6 hour session of chemo, today is much shorter however and she says it sometimes makes her kind of sick. Joy. I can handle blood, and I can handle sick people, but not when there is any sort of anything coming out the top end, if you catch my drift. So I'm nervous for the ride home- it takes about 30 minutes since we are at the downtown hospital. This is actually the hospital I was born in! Woot! Little shout out to my... homeland? Birthland? I'm just rambling now. Yesterday my niece and nephew were out of school, so I got to babysit them. We went and bought stuff to make pretzels, and then we made them. I have pictures but since I didn't bring my camera with me, you can't see them. It was adorable. They are the most well behaved kids I've ever met. I hope my kids are like that. Only in a perfect world, right?

Things have been a little awkward at home. One reason being, we aren't staying at home. Since my mom and stepdad are having issues, we have been staying at my grandma's. It's just me, my mom, and my younger sister. Yesterday I cleaned up a bit and my sister had a cow because I 'touched her stuff'... my how the tables have turned. It wasn't too long ago that I remember freaking out at her because she had gone into my room and taken my shoes or a shirt out of my closet and didn't ask to borrow them. Granted that's a little different than just touching stuff and cleaning it up, but it brings back memories. I kinda don't feel bad, I picked up nasty, crusty dirty socks from under the couch--- 'nuff said. She can be a slob at her own house, but this isn't her house, so I felt I was entitled to an opinion and my opinion was for it to be clean. My grandma would die where she stood if she saw her house like that. Speaking of, we are going to see my dear grandma today! I'm pretty excited, I miss her lots! She has healed 100%! Her hip is completely healed and her arm is just a little weak at times, but also healed. It's a miracle really... everyone was preparing me that sometimes something such as a dramatic fall like she had, can cause everything to go downhill and to not expect her to make a full recovery.

I had some issues at the border. Boy oh boy that was a nightmare and a half. I promise, I thought I was going to be detained and they were going to take my car. My life flashed before my eyes. This a lot of reading so if you don't really care about my problems at the border, then just skip it.

Day 1: The Night Before.
The night before I was to leave at 6am for the States, I was gathering up all the things I needed and was finishing packing my bags. Everything was set to go and I had everything together, except all my immigration garbage that I need in order to travel and get back in to Canada. I found my passport, it was in it's usual spot, and my old expired visitors document. Okay, that's nice... so where is my current non-expired one? Dun dun dun.... I couldn't find it! We had it a month ago when we traveled, so where could it be?! It's always with my passport! We tore apart the house looking for it... then tore apart the car... nothing. My heart fell out my butt. Mind you, by this time, it was 11pm. We called the border, or the number we thought was the border--- turns out it wasn't. You have to go on a wild goose chase looking for that darned thing. You'd think it would be an easy find, but no. So Warren finally got a hold of someone and they said that I should be fine to get back in, just go to the Canadian immigration office and speak with them, because after all, I am legally allowed to be there!
 Day 2: Driving Day.
Well, I get there... to the border, I cried the whole way there because I was really unsure whether or not coming down was a good idea. I was tempted many times to turn around, but I needed to get the document thing figured out anyways, so I decided that whatever happened at the border would be the outcome. I called my mom before I left and she said not to risk anything. In case you are confused as to why this document even matters or why any sort of complications are a big deal- if they deny my access back into Canada, it will let immigration Canada know... and will resent my permanent residency application and thus, it will end up taking 4 times as long to get that perm. status... if at all. That's the whole threat right there. So I drive up and there is no access to the immigration office on the Canadian side since I'm going through on the US side (confusing, I know)... so I go up to the drive up window and they check my truck and question me like usual, and I told him my problem, and if he knew how I would be able to rectify it. He told me I had to speak to the Canadians, and to pull off to the left and go in and someone will be able to escort me down there. It's all in the same building, you'd think this would be fine. I go in there, wait for 20 minutes while they decide to actually DO THEIR JOB and help people... the lady just looked at me like I was crazy. She told me they can't do that... the guy at the window is 20 feet away, why can't they communicate with each other? It's beyond me how some people still have jobs. She told me to go down the hall, down the stairs, and out past the rock wall... so I do that, and it turns out to be the line up of cars waiting to be checked to go across the Canadian border. She wanted me to WALK across like some sort of poor immigrant. I was now furious, so I walked back in, rudely glared at that stupid fat ugly lady and got in my car and immediately started bawling, again. I called my mother in law because I was completely hysterical and couldn't think straight... I didn't really know what I should do. She calmed me down and said I should just try to across the Canadian border but declare my problem right away and let them know that I need to speak with someone at immigration, and since I was right there next to it, I might as well do it now instead of when I come back in a few weeks. I go up there, and tell the guy my issue... and he checks my passport and does the usual stuff- then asks, "so you don't have that document?"... No, I don't, I can't find it, but I had it a month ago and crossed the border with it just fine. I also proceeded to tell him what I was told when I called both a month ago and the night before... and the guy said "well, it doesn't matter if you can prove you live there legally, it's whether or not you are legally allowed to be in the country." Well that made no sense because if I wasn't legally allowed to be there, I wouldn't have an Alberta drivers license or be on Alberta Health Care... so obviously I'm legal. The guy argued with me, and told me he couldn't let me into the country. Just when I thought my heart couldn't fall any further down, it did. He sent me into the immigration office, and I got it all worked out. They asked me lots of questions and were able to look me up and see that I WAS legal and that my perm. residency was submitted and is in processing, which is why I didn't have to leave the country when my visitors document expired over the summer. She printed me another copy and stapled into my passport. And breathe... everything is worked out and I'm good to go. Until December anyways, but that's another post for another day. ;)

Anyways, that's the scoop. Pictures of kids making pretzels to come!

This and that, rat-at-tat-tat

I hope everyone is enjoying my babbling. Today I just wanted to apologize for being such a big fat whiner a few weeks ago when I was upset about the seasons changing. Why? Well, because this past week has been B-E-A-U-tiful weather. I'm talkin' in the 70's, low 80's. Today I got in the car and it said 25C. Basically anything over 18 is shorts weather! So, I totally wore shorts today! And it's October 3rd... this time last year... 5 inches of snow and Wal-Mart decked out for Christmas. Ah, but not this year! Boo ya! I went out a few days ago and took some pretty pictures of Calgary with all the pretty trees... so, here ya go, some pictures!

Can you see the Rockies?!

Anyways, this is what Calgary looks like right now. I'm gonna go back to enjoying shorts and sandals. OH! And, I heard coyotes howling and yelping the other night. BAH!!! You know how I feel about wild animals. Not to mention all the deer I've spotted by my house... rude.