Movies, Movie Stars, Summer camp and Parking

Well, Friday is finally here although my weekend doesn't officially begin until 9:15 this evening. Most of this will probably be fairly random, but at least then it has the potential to be funny/entertaining. I am really enjoying my job...you people that live here in the city really need to book a massage. There are male and female therapists for you goofy boys that don't want a boy touching them...I prefer girls too as boys typically aren't as deep massagers. It is only $16 for a 45 minute treatment and $28 for a 90 minute treatment! Very cheap and there are some fairly talented people that practice here. It is very private...you get your own room and stuff like that. So....whatcha waiting, watcha waiting, whatcha waiting, whatcha waiting, whatcha waiting, whatcha waiting fo-or?? (it's only fun if you hear Gwen Stefani singing it in your head!) And as an added bonus, if you come on Wed, Thurse or Friday...you get to see me....could there be a better end to your day?

Last Saturday I did something that I have never, ever done before. Usually I feel quite strongly about people who do it and think that they need a good beating. ....but under the influence of a pastor's wife...I did it. I think that I still feel guilty about it....eeeee, I can't believe that I gave in and did it....oh, well, here it is...I parked in handicap parking. Isn't that terrible? I didn't even like parking in the pregnancy parking when I was pregnant cause I thought that there were probably people that needed it more than me. The pastor's wife in question had a temporary card that allows handicap parking because here mother left it behind when she went on a trip...so this pastor's wife has been making good use of it! I swear I'll never do it again...

Anyway, this topic has been on my mind a lot and I am not sure of an effective segway, so I shall just tell you. I have been seeing a counselor...I highly recommend this practice as sometimes we just need a new perspective on things. Here is my thing...I like to call her my therapist-it makes me feel like a movie star whereas counsellor makes me feel like I am back at Kenosee Lake bible camp...so, I like to say, "when I saw my therapist", or "my therapist suggested"...yes, I can be a nut case....like we didn't know that already!

We don't have huge plans for the weekend. After work this evening I am meeting Tim over at Blaine and Anne's to watch a movie...movies are safe cause I tend not to take pics of people when we are watching movies...I know that Blaine is thankful for that. I already got the "what happens at your house, stays at your house" talk...referring to the picture that was posted after our Settlers game. Uh, yeah, I just smiled and nodded...seriously, if you are going to don a darth vader hat..a picture gets taken and has to be shared with the world...As for tomorrow, Tim is playing football with the church leaguers..I am sure that you will be able to spot who was playing on Sunday as they will all be moving fairly slowly with possible limps!

Girls of Saskatoon...you know that book that Alison was talking about (Captivating)? It is on sale for $9.99 at Scott's Parables...go and buy yourself a copy. I did!

Random Thoughts

Wow...I feel like I have no time now that I am at work...like I have to schedule time in to read and create blogs. HONESTLY!! I miss you all when I don't read your blogs...

I was thinking today about a lot of different things. First off...I am truly enjoying Pastor Marv's sermons on the beatitudes...good stuff. Speaking of church, Rylan...I was a little nervous to ask you, but was wondering...were you wearing slippers at church yesterday?? If you were, that is cool with me as I used to ask Blaine if I could wear my slippers in choir. (He never really did answer me..) There are a few things that are happening soon that I am fairly excited about. First-Steven Curtis Chapman has a new Christmas CD coming out tomorrow. I love Christmas...it is my favorite season...Honestly, just ask people that know me well when it is that I put up my Christmas tree! Tim makes me wait until after Nov 11, but if it were up to me, it would go up on Nov 1...I really like my tree...ohhh, I am so excited for Christmas just thinking about it. I like to bake and make chocolates and entertain...oooo, it's so much fun. Alright, a little off track there! Second-I am excited that Tim and I are going to go to the Winnipeg Ballet performance of Dracula...that should be tres cool. Tim finds the whole topic of vampires sexy...maybe cause they bite, I am not sure...YIKES!! Anyway, we also have a gift certificate for the Bessborough hotel ( jaccuzi suite!!!). We received it from some of our friends...what a wonderful gift, dontcha think?? I am also excited cause Tim and I are going to refinance our mortgage so that we can add on to our house...no, no little one on the way, I just would like a walk in closet and we would like an on-suit. A deck and hot tub are not far behind! Very exciting. Party times ahead!!

Love you all...
J

Here it is...

Before I begin my discussion on the color of bananas, a little know fact about bananas: they possess a unique scientific phenomenon called "negative geotropism". Basically what this means is that when they start to grow, they grow downwards as gravity would dictate, but as they take in sunlight and begin to grow larger...they actually turn and grow upward! Isn' t that veird??? (Yes, I was Dutch for a microsecond..hee hee) So, here is the thing...the yellow color indicates that a banana is ripe...but bananas can also be red...so, how can I really have a good reason for bananas to be yellow?? My whole theory has to be thrown out the window. It's done, kaput, garbage...

...But I would like to address the fact, along with Tina, that a banana is not nearly enough for supper, Kristy anne! At least add some cheese and crackers to that...

Why are Bananas Yellow???

Stay tuned for this intriguing commentary.....

Salvation is Here

I picked myself up the new Hillsongs CD last Tuesday when it came out (if you know me...you know that I have like 30 Hillsongs discs...ya, I'm nuts-notice how I have never disputed that fact and maybe, just maybe am kind of proud of it...) Anyway, yesterday when I was driving home after dropping Grace off at pre-school the words of the song, "Salvation is Here" hit me...needless to say, I have had it on repeat ever since...I am waiting for Ethan to say mommy, haven't we heard this song already???

'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know God made a way for me
Salvation is here
salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here

I guess what struck me is the truth that salvation IS here..not was here not is to come, but present tense "is here" as in right now...and as an added bonus...He lives in me! Let's look at how salvation is defined...(I have officially joined the 'cool' kid's group that use dictionary.com) Salvation is preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil; deliverance from the power or penalty of sin; redemption. So it hit me like and 18 wheeler truck...Jesus' death and resurrection delivered (resuce from bondage or danger) me from the penalty of sin. What does that mean to me? Well, I was thinking God hates sin...I have sinned...there are definitely consequences...BUT the wrath and judgment I deserve was already taken by Jesus on the cross....I have known so much of this stuff my whole life, but it has never touched my heart. The word of God has never been alive to me...so, I am on a journey...God is very, very, very slowly revealing himself to me. He knows that if he made alive in my heart everything I know with my head, I may explode and shatter into a million pieces...and no one wants to clean that up!!

I was reading my bible. Haven't been sure where to begin (cause I haven't read it in so long), so I have started with the Psalms and then I randomly picked Ephesians. When I hit Eph 1:17-19, I really felt a tug on my heart to pray it out loud for myself...

Eph 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know Him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which he has called me, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

I have embarked on this journey...I still feel like I am walking around the base of the mountain...not sure where to begin. So, I climb a little...find out that that isn't the best way, start over...but then I realize...I am not at all back where I started, but I have gained some ground. It is slow going, sometimes I have to stop and set up camp for a few days to deal with certain things and have them heal before I can move on...no one ever said that it would be easy...unfortunately, I cant take a helicopter to the top. I can only believe that when I reach the top I will be a new person...most likely I will be bruised and sore, but never the less victorious...

I'm so sorry...

O.K....I am not...really. Seriously, if you are going to put on the costume and allow me to take a picture...you can't possibly believe that I won't include it in my blog! Now, Let me bring you all up to speed...we had a wonderful relaxing weekend which included eating out a lot with my in-laws...seriously today began back to healthy eating and regular exercise or I may be double the person by Christmas (Alright, it isn't quite that bad...but I like dramatics!) Usually I don't start 'new' plans on Tuesdays....only on Mondays (quirky, I know...but it just doesn't feel right not starting at the beginning of the week) but seeing as Monday was a holiday, Tuesday becomes the "new Monday". Anyway, on Sunday night we had the privilege of having Blaine and Anne over for a game of Settlers and some dessert. Blaine won our little game of Settlers and so we named him Lord of Catan. The title came with an outfit that he all too willingly put on...and as you can see, he had no qualms about posing for the camera! Funny stuff...oh, I so had the desire to e-mail this one in time for staff meeting at the church this morning! Last night John and Charmaine invited us over for a lovely dinner. It was so yummy! Played more games, of course, but had to come home a little early as Ethan started kindergarten today and Gracie had her first morning of pre-school so they had to be in bed by 9. I feel so grown up and old...my kids being in school and all.

And the New Working Girl is...

...ME...I, Jenn Barnstable, am a soon-to-be working woman. I have acquired a job at the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy. I will work 3 evenings a week (Wed, Thurse, Fri) 3-9. It is a fabulous job that I absolutely love...you may be wondering how I know this...well, I worked there back in 2002. I have front desk admin duties (which we all know I am fairly capable at...I mean really, is there a reason to ask the multi-tasking organizational skills of a stay-at-home mom who has a fetish for cleanliness and organization all the while taking care of (herding may be a better word choice) my nutso kids?...they really get it from Tim...no seriously!! Just ask him about the game "Bum Darts"....also ask Regan Klammer (his cousin) of his psychotic control freak habits as a child. My only hope is that Ethan is so much like Ronnie was as a child and he turned out kindof good, right?? Anyway, back to the job...I also help the students with questions and ask them questions while they are with patients. So, I need to brush up on my testing skills and anatomy skills...students like teachers with skills. Basically I get to do all the things I love without ever taxing my own body by giving a massage. Yay! PLUS, they pay super well...seriously, it is more than I had hoped for. God likes to bless me...strange creator of the universe He is. Anyway, you all (the ones that live here) should come in sometime...it is only 16 bucks for a 45 minute treatment. You do have to book ahead as they book up fairly quickly. The rooms are all separate...it is very professional. I am very excited to have my own wage. First things first...I kindof have to pay off my Visa as I have been using it a little too often these days...that may take until the end of October...YIKES!! Bad Jenn...then, I have found an Asian Buffet (boys, a buffet is a long dresser like piece of furniture that goes in your dining room to store nice dishes and the like...impress you wives with that info one day!!) at Urban Barn that I have liked for 2 years...I WANT IT!! There is also a very attractive bamboo mirror that would look positively wonderful above it. Yes, I will finally finish my kitchen. It has been my nemesis for 2 years now....I will rise above and conquer it!! Then...I am going to save so that Tim and I can go to Las Vegas is February. It will be fun feeling like I am treating us. I look forward to that trip, babe! Also, I am going to see Alison after Christmas...it is time...we have talked about it for 3 years now. I am going to put my $$ where my mouth is (literally) and go see her and Leon, of course. Get ready guys....it will be a fun weekend (we will go shopping, right?) Which brings me to my last point...with a little extra money, I may have the sporadic inclination to purchase a little extra clothing. Hey, if I can't have my 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse in Sunset pearlessant, 6-speed, with 18" wheels, a Rockford Stereo (with a sub in the trunk), white leather seats with Orange suede accents and orange stitching throughout....then I can buy a few shirts from the G-A-P....and maybe 1 from Ultimo on 3rd, right??!!

Sidenote: This morning after Tim left I saw on the stove that he had layed out the words "I love you" in Alphabits...Firstly, I am appalled that we have Alphabits in the house. Secondly...isn't that sweet? Sometimes I am not sure why that man loves me so much...I am one lucky lady....

Till next time...