NEWS WORTHY ITEMS

Yesterday ended up being a very interesting day. The old, abandoned house (aka walmart from when we were working on our house) beside us came down yesterday. They have been working on it for a while, but yesterday was the big day. There was a big cat there with the scoop bucket thingy on the front just pulling up to the house when we came home from work at about 3:30. They started pulling it apart at about 4:00 and were done by about 8:30. It was amazing to watch. It looked like a big t-rex devouring it's prey. They had a huge fire to burn everything. Actually the fire is still going strong this morning. It looks a little strange with a big empty space there. But on the bright side (my kids hate this one), I can keep an eye on them when they are at the big toy or the swings with their friends.

Hannah is going to Whitehorse with a group from school. Tim, the local pastor, is taking 6 kids to a workshop on drugs and alcohol. It is put on by the Whitehorse PARTY program (prevent alcohol and risk related trauma in youth). It is basically a way to educate students about the consequences of drinking and driving, and other risky behaviour. I am really excited that Hannah gets to go. I think that the best weapon anyone can have is knowledge. I want my kids to be fully aware of the consequences of certain behaviour. They are at the age where they are making their own decisions more and more. So far we haven't had any problems at all with our kids. They are not interested in smoking, drinking or drugs. They all have great friends that are not interested in that stuff either. Anyways, Hannah will be leaving on Sunday and returning Tuesday night.

I have started going to the gym. They have a workout room in the youth centre that I can use for free. I talked to the guy who runs it and he said I could go anytime and that he would keep the door locked so the kids couldn't come in. So, I've started taking Naomi and Josh with me. Both of them have been getting sick a lot, so I want to get them more active. It is a great thing to do together too. They have a t.v. and satellite dish there too, so we put that on while we are on the bikes or the treadmill. The government has just donated money through the diabetes awareness program for them to buy new equipment. So far there are 2 new treadmills, a gazelle machine and they have ordered a new universal gym. After Easter they are going to start a ladies workout time, so I will probably go to that. The really good news is that my inches are still going down. I lost another 2 1/2", for a total of 17 1/4".

A LITTLE ADVICE

I came across this on Sparkpeople and thought it might be something useful to print, enlarge (a lot), and post on the fridge or other prominent place. LOL.

It is entitled:

"A MAN'S GUIDE TO WORDS WOMEN USE"

1. FINE - This is the word women use to end an arguement when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. FIVE MINUTES - If she is getting dressed this means 1/2 an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given 5 more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. NOTHING - The calm before the storm...This means something and you should be on your toes. Arguements that begin with "nothing" usually end in "fine".

4. GO AHEAD - This is a dare NOT permission. Don't do it.

5. LOUD SIGH - This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means "she things you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing" (**Refer back to #3 for the meaning of "nothing" **)

6. THAT'S OK - This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. "That's ok" means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. THANKS - A woman is thanking you. Do not question...OR faint. Just say, "you're welcome".

8. WHATEVER - Is a woman's way of saying, "Screw You!" [EDIT]

9. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT - Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking, "what's wrong". (For the woman's response refer to #3)

TOO TRUE

Considering the family I have married into, I really shouldn't laugh too hard at this. It may be one of those things that is just too true. (LOL)

Honey... Pumpkin... Sweetie...

A guy was invited to an old friends' home for dinner. His buddy preceded every request to his wife by endearing terms, calling her Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc. The guy was impressed since he knew the couple had been married almost 70 years, and while the wife was off in the kitchen he said to his buddy, "I think it's wonderful that after all the years you've been married, you still call your wife those pet names." His buddy hung his head. "To tell you the truth, I forgot her name about ten years ago."

JOSH'S PRESENT

Josh's birthday present finally arrived today. He was so excited. We got him Lego Mindstorms. It is a lego kit for making a robot that you can program on your computer.

He was home sick from school, so he spent the afternoon building it. Now they just have to program it.

MY BABY'S GROWING UP

One of the sure signs of growing up is choosing a grown-up hair style all by yourself. Hannah has gone from this, scraggly one long layer cut:

to this cute layered bob:

This look really suits her. The blond streaks left over from her purple streak phase really show up. She just looks so grown up.

That is one of the results of our trip to Whitehorse. Naomi and I also got our hair done, but no drastic results to share. While we were in town Brian and I went out on a date. We went to a great restaurant for supper, Giorgio's. Even the name sounds so classy. I had even brought a nice skirt to wear, but it was just too cold for that much class. Then we went to a movie. It is a very rare occasion that I get to see a film on opening night. But it actually happened. We went to see Premonition. I have been dying to see this movie since I first saw it advertised months ago. I enjoyed it, but I think they could have done a much better job of it. Sandra Bullock was great. But the storyline left a lot to be desired. It was a great idea, but could have been developed better. (That sounds so much like Brian it's scary.) Brian wanted to know why there were so many nipple shots of her. Trust him to notice that! Anyways, I liked it but once was enough. I guess after all the hype and promotion it just didn't quite measure up.

Hannah went to the orthodontist and is happy to have a purple chain on her teeth. I think it just breaks the monotony of the braces. She just has a few more months left.

Naomi went to the chiropractor, who was happy with the progress she is making. She gave her some exercises to do until she sees her again. Hopefully the headaches will start to diminish soon.

Josh just hung out and shopped with us. He bought himself a new xbox game with his birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa.

So, another successful trip down. Oh yeah, we saw 2 moose on the way home. I think it was a mother with a yearling. The smaller one stayed at the side and we didn't get a good view, but the other one was huge. I drove by really slowly and she stopped just in the ditch so we got a great look. Hannah said we should have shot it. Too bad it wasn't hunting season. Speaking of which, the Native Studies class went hunting last week and brought back a caribou. All the classes helped to cut it up on Thursday. Anyways, we will basically be staying her now until the end of April which will be good for the diet. Oh, I almost forgot - I managed to get up the courage to go clothes shopping for myself. I was actually pretty scared to go - I hate trying on clothes. But I was so excited to discover that I have gone down 4 sizes. WooHoo!!! Watch out California, here I come!