I just want to be warm...

The feelings written here were provoked by these pics and the fact that there is snow on the ground!!! I was on a 'I'm so sick of being cold' tirade last night and now I wake up to snow....I am livid! This first picture was taken on June 22-don't we look happy and warm? I remember that evening because it was warm till midnight. I would like to be warm. The second one is from July-which is unfair because it is always warm in July...but it makes me want warm...NOW. It also makes me want to sit on the patio at Earls. I love the patio and being warm outside! I know, I know...I have the same little angry rant at this time every year. It's just that, well, I so yearn for the warmth of the sun to beam down upon me and excite my every cell (I am fairly certain I just 'borrowed' that phrase from Maroon 5...Speaking of which, they have a CD coming out on May 22...YAY and FINALLY!) Anyway, back to the rant at hand...I hate being cold. I hate cold hands. I hate cold feet. I hate having to keep my shoulders up by my ears to feel half-way warm. Yes, we could move away, but we have gone and gotten all attached to you people here. Thanks...thanks for keeping me cold. I just want to wear a tank top or capris and NO jacket. It isn't a big request...

I like summer. I like driving around with the sun roof open, music pounding, the breeze blowing my hair in my face and then in my lip gloss and then when I move my hair away it takes a streak of lip gloss with it....never mind...I don't like that part. I like that I feel happier. I like feeling healthier and like I have more energy. I like that it is easier to stay skinny.

Please make an appearance soon, warm sun, please! Maybe we could form a prayer group on behalf of the weather. Hey, Shawn and Kev pray for hockey...why not the weather!?

Here we Go...

Me being weird is not the question, but rather which of the 100's of things do I share with you? I think everyone I know has been tagged...so just enjoy :)

1. I love ugly things (let me clarify-these things are all non-living-my friends and family are all of the utmost attractiveness) I usually am very drawn to clothing/home decor items that most people would make fun of-I love them and somehow I usually make them work.

2. I have created my very own style called 'Gothtorian'. It is NOT 'shabby chic'-that is different all together. My house is slowly transforming and I looove it! I like things that are emotionally impacting and leave one feeling uneasy.

3. I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge about pathology and the inner workings of disease. Give me a list of 5 signs and symptoms and I can probably give you a possible diagnosis in under 30 seconds.

4. I love filing, organizing, and making binders of info for people-it brings me joy....joy, joy, joy.

5. If you have known me for any length of time, you would know that I have over 35 Hillsong Worship CD's...BUT my absolute favorite genre of music is Hip-Hop and Hardcore Rap. I can't listen to it much cause the messages are always terrible, but it is my fav none-the-less.

6. I check the alarm clock beside the bed about 10-15 times (more if it is a Saturday night) before I tell myself to stop being a big ball of CRAZY and stop!

There you have it. 6 weird things about me-if you can think of anymore-let me know!

Update

I suppose it's been a while, eh? Well, I will do a super fast overview of life since January and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Ethan had his bday in Jan. Fun to meet all of his new friends from his new school. We had a Deal or No Deal social night with the choir. Tres fun and the choir models were, well, I am not sure what the word is!! There was all sorts of fun and great food. And of course Blaine did a very good job of being Howie. Thanks to Tim and Jonny who put together the screens and music so that we really felt like we were in a game show! My birthday was in Feb. I made my own cake and it was so yummy. Who knew that spending over 7 hours on a cake was worth it? Thanks Martha Stewart for giving me that recipe. Later in Feb, Tim and I went to Vegas. We had a fun time just walking and looking at everything. We went to Phantom which was wonderful-It is my fav and I had never even seen it! It was very grand as the place was built exclusively for Phantom in the Venetian Resort. The sets were perfect and vocals were amazing. So picture this...I have never seen Phantom live and it has been, as I said, my favorite since I was about 9. It begins and the auction is going on and then the destroyed chandelier goes up for sale....and that is when the phantom theme begins and the chandelier lifts and comes together....amazing, breathtaking...and what is Jenn doing, you may ask? SOBBING. Yes, I am sitting there crying. It took my breath away. Praise Jesus that there were not people sitting right next to me! Anyway, everything is just more grand in Vegas. They definitely go all out when it comes to the architecture. I am not sure that they have to worry much about how much something will cost. I just love being inside the Venetian and feeling like you are outside...The shopping is pretty great too. I scored 3 pairs of Nine West shoes for the same price as I paid for one pair in September! I do have to tell you about my yellow pumps. They are so happy and pretty and trendy. I just love them! I also purchased a Bebe dress that was not so cheap, but I love and that's why I bought it. Vegas is a fun and fairly cheap place to visit. We will definitely be back...maybe sooner than later...we'll see.

I am excited because next week I get to be a seat filler at the Juno's. You just never know where you may sit. It could be way far away with obstructed viewing...or very close to the action and maybe end up on tv...Either way, it will be fun with some stories I am sure.

My massage business is doing well. It is nice having some extra money to play with. I am also enjoying getting to know some new people while helping them with pain and other issues. Not much else going on, so I guess I'll keep you posted!

Oh yeah...I almost forgot. If you like the Peas and other hip hop/vocal music, you should check out Group One Crew. They kind of have a strange name, but honestly, they are the best Christian hip hop group I have ever heard. Great rhythms and vocals-very catchy. I love them-they have made my summer so much better-cause now I don't have to listen to 'My Humps' and other such things when I want fun summer, bass pumping tunes...YAY!

Scrubs Music Video -- Guy Love

This was seriously the best episode! Even if you don't watch the show, you need to see this one. The whole thing was a musical and this was one of the songs. In case you aren't familiar with the show, these two are not a gay couple-just bestest friends :)

This one put a smile on my face...

Insert obligatory bit about how beautiful Heidi Klum is, how much we enjoy Project Runway, and how much we want her and Seal to make it here. But:

Last time we saw this outfit, Princess Leia was informing Obi Wan Kenobi that he was her only hope. To be totally honest, it really doesn't work without the ear-buns.

Perspective

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday
Morning Commentary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here with a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife. Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.


Next confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?


I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.


But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came
from and where the America we knew went to.


In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is
a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's
intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.

She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" (She said the same thing when interviewed after 9-11)


In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW ."


Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?


Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.


Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.


Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no
one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit
back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.


My Best Regards. honestly and respectfully,



Ben Stein

Happy Birthday

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Janelle a very happy birthday! You are an amazing woman, wife, soon to be mom and, most important to me, friend. Wish we could take you out to Calories and spoil you! Love you and miss you. Have a wonderful day!

Promised Pictures

This is my niece, Nevaeh...Isn't she a sweetie?!

This is Gracie's new winter hat...I think that it is sooo cute. It's from the Gap, so we couldn't afford the matching mittens ;)

Here are the famous gingerbread houses. Ethan's is on your left (with the blue licorice) and Gracie's is the other one. I honestly didn't really help them! Ethan has so much of Tim and I in him...everything had to be very symmetrical...all is right in the world when you have symmetry!

Grace was a princess for Halloween...I think that she is gorgeous! Ethan was a.....

Black Night.

This was my table setting at an October dinner party. It was tres beautiful, if I do say so myself!

Grace and I have that all important mother-daughter moment...I am selling my dress and I wanted her to see it.

A New Look

I am quite happy with my blog's make-over. For someone that gets bored of a single hair color in 3 months, my blog appearance lasted a fairly long time. Well, the lights are on my tree and it would be decorated, but I have to find some beady-like garland stuff. I have beads, but I want to update them a little. Therefore, I must find some so that my tree can be completed. Ethan and Gracie had no school today, so I purchased 2 gingerbread house kits and they decorated...for about 2 hours, I might add. And, those of you who know me well know that this is a ginormous feat; I did not 'take over' while they decorated. The houses turned out very well and I shall post pictures soon.

Tim is at hockey and I just finished watching Videos on Trial on Much. I find them funny because the jurors (often comedians) make sarcastic comments through entire videos...I wish that I could make sarcastic comments at dumb people throughout the course of life and it be socially acceptable. I mean, I do in my head, but not out loud. And for those of you that think that I am mean, most of them are aimed at myself!

I have been so busy over the past 3 months that I have not had a lot of time to write...even my email life has suffered. My mind is constantly racing. I actually joined a yoga class in October and I have to say that I am really enjoying it! Dawn, don't tell mom...Tim and I refer to it as my 'strength and stretch' class. My mother has an issue with yoga and I am sure that she has her reasons, however, I have not participated in anything that seems weirdly spiritual thus far. Although, I do have a funny story. Last night, for the 1st time since I have started, they ended the class with humming 3 ommmmm's. The first thing that went through my mind was ommming the alto line to go with it. So, I am sitting quietly trying not to laugh and at the end of the class I tell Teesha what I was thinking and she says that she was thinking the same thing. That is what choir is doing to us! We can't get it out of our brains....but I think that it would be funny if there was 3 part ommmmming one day....maybe that would bring another level of enlightenment, or something. Hee, hee, I am sure I am breaking some sacred rule or insulting some yogi this or that, but eh, what can you jolly well do? (There R & J, I used it...)

So I do have a question that I have been wrestling with for a while (remember I said that my mind has been racing) and I am not sure how to reconcile it. You don't have to give me an answer and for the love of everything good and pure in the world, do not write down a 'pat Christian answer'. Cause if you do, I will insert a sarcastic comment aimed at dumb people here. So, here it is: People have free will, which means that man can sin against man, woman, child in whatever grotesque way his mind can muster, however, God is sovereign which means that he knows all that goes on. Does he personally approve and allow all that happens, good and bad, in this world? And if so, how does one feel truly valued and loved by God? How do you not feel like He created you, but then sometime between your birth and 8 or 9, you feel out of his line of sight? If you feel like you have some light to shed on this or want to know where the bloody 'ell (another one, R & J) I am coming from, feel free to email me and we can chat about this more. But frankly, I am not looking for the well, He died for you Jenn cause that is not answering it for me right now. Heck, maybe you'll all just form a prayer group for crazy Jenn.

Catch you later.

I realize that this is probably not what you meant, Leah :) I promise I'll blog soon...I have to get inspired first (then you won't be able to shut me up!) You should all come if you live here...and if your names are Jason and Teresa, you should just jump in the ridiculously nice ride that you own and drive here so that you can see it! You won't be disappointed, I promise. Make sure you are there early, everyone...the great seats fill up fast.

On another note, my tree is half up....I take a long time putting it up...I have to set the tree up and look at it for a day before I decorate it to make sure that it looks perfect. Then I put the lights and decorations on and continue to re-adjust it for about, oh I'd say, 4-5 days. It is the most beautiful tree you have ever seen. I shall post pics when I get it all done....YAY!

Point form Update

Alright, alright. Due to the overwhelming questions as to why I have not blogged in ages...here it is. It will be fast, so try your best to keep up. I have found this new website that you should visit called 43things.com. You get to make a list of things that you would like to accomplish in life and join in forums with other people that are doing the same things. Lots of encouragement, I must say. I am doing the Master Cleanse right now. Day 5 for me out of 7-10. We'll see. I have black hair and I love it. My sister had a baby on Tuesday...a little girl, Nevaeh Dawn is her name (Heaven backwards). Very beautiful name, I think. I'll post pics when I go and pick them up from Walmart today-I haven't seen her yet. Going to order our kitchen today from Pristine-very exciting. I am getting baptized on Sunday, also very exciting. Love my life, friends, oh, and my new car. In the summer Tim and I purchased a 2003 Ford Focus. I really like it...no more mini van for me! It's funny, some of our friends are just getting a van and so it seems as though we are going the wrong way in vehicle upgrades. Again, pics later. I went shopping in Edmonton and I bought not one, but 2 pairs of leggings and I love them. They are tres hot with big-arse heeled boots! Oh, and I am totally into dark vamp, nearly black nailpolish. Tim loves this phase as he seems to have a thing for vampires...so we'll go with this for a while. He has nick-named me Raven. I cannot wait for Lisa's baby to come. You should see the color that she has painted the baby's room-it is stunning. Also, can't wait to actually get together as couples again (Shawn and Lisa/Jonny and Leah...that was a jab at you ) Seriously, to see them, you have to become a youth leader. My favorite 2 shows on tv? Ghost Whisperer and Medium. They aren't as bad as you may think. I find them intriguing even if I don't believe half of the stuff that is on them. That is all...pictures to come of my hair, the car and my sister's baby.

Question of the day: DO any of you that have songs as ringtones on your cell ever contemplate not picking up because you are enjoying the song too much......ie/dancing?

Quickie

I promise that I will do a complete 'summer of '06' blog once September hits and I feel like sitting downstairs in front of my computer! Seriously, I only stay inside if I have to clean or do laundry. We have spent most of the summer at the paddling pool or the spray park....lots of quality time with my kids...before Ethan...sniff, sniff...goes to school FULL TIME!

Last weekend, we all went to a benefit/fundraiser for Colleen and Graeme Swinnerton because they are going to Mexico to drill wells. Honestly, they are an amazing family! They are biking from here to Calgary and then flying out to Mexico...the biking part was so that they could canvas different neighborhoods to raise funds...Again I say...Amazing!

Colleen had asked me to put together the band entertainment. It was a tonne of fun seeing as we got to perform non church music...it is a rare opportunity...The band was super talented as were our singers...Gord on bass, Johny on acoustic, Davey M on electric, Al H on drums and me on keys...Tim and Torry sang...watch out for this guy...we have been bragging him up since we came to Elim. He is joining choir this year and I think that everyone...including Blaine, will be absolutely blown away. He is as good as any black male artist out there...honestly. Better plan to come to Christmas 2006...he will floor you.

We performed, You're Beautiful, Good People, I Belong to You, Waiting on the World to Change, Big Yellow Taxi, What a Difference a Day Made, and Moondance. Seriously people, you missed out! It was a wonderful evening with great food and a fun silent auction. There was even a doorprize...a diamond cluster ring valued at just under $1000 donated by Ben Moss Jewllers! A 18 year old boy won it...it was funny...he was soooo embarrassed.

At the end of the evening, to thank me for helping, Colleen gave me an auction item that I had been eyeing up, but did not have the funds for....the picture really doesn't do it justice...thanks Colleen...you always know how to make me all out cry! There are 5 stems of bamboo and 2 stems of lime orchids...I just love it!!

So, with that I am off to clean so that I can go to the spray park this afternoon...You'll hear more in September...I promise :)

1950

I honestly wish that I could say that this dress is vintage, but alas it is new. If it was yellowed a little, I could have said that I bought it on ebay. I have been looking, but the girls seemed to have very little waists and much larger you-know-whats back then! So, here it is. Janelle-you also get to see my blond locks. I always love being so blond...even though I know that I am going to wreck it in 5 weeks when Jilla and I get my hair ready for winter. Chocolate covered cherry is the current color of choice.

This weekend was full of lots of work. I can't wait to post before and after pictures of the exterior of our house. Fences, painting, dirt...oh my! That is pretty much what takes up our time these days. I am not that great at yard work. Sometimes I stand around because I am not sure what to do first and I am sure that Tim gets annoyed with me. Inside work-no problem. I can give you an outline and list for what you have to do first and how to be most efficient. Of well, right? The nice part about last weekend was that we had plans every night. So it was work, work, work..then play, play, play! Friday evening, we were joined be the Hundeby's and played Starfarer's. A knock-off game from Settlers of Cattan. Here is a little inside joke for you...you will only get it IF and only if you have played. We call it Sexfarer's. Funny, eh??!! Saturday night, we spent a lovely evening in the Swinnerton backyard. Fun times. Finally, Sunday night was spent in the Chapman's backyard around the firepit. It was a wonderful weekend and we look forward to a great long weekend. We are going to Estevan with some friends from Edmonton. Estevan means free babysitting which is always a treat. I'll tell you all about it next week. Have a great one everyone!

Amber Alert

This post is one of a serious nature. If you don't feel like reading it-don't. If you think that I am reacting too strongly-don't finish!

We have had our first amber alert here is Saskatchewan. A boy from Whitewood just east of Regina has been abducted by a many time convicted pedophile. This news makes me extremely sad for the family and even more so, right now, angry as hell. This man has around 8 or 9 convictions. 8 or 9...that is not a one time 'mistake'. He has had 3 years here, one year there in prison. For goodness sakes, he was arrested in BC for carrying around a home made 'rape kit' that included pictures of kids, plastic ties for handcuffs, petroleum jelly, and latex gloves. What he needs is 20 to life in a real prison...and first the other criminals need to be told what he is in for. Maybe he'd think twice before even looking at another child after that stint. I do not understand why raping or molesting a child carries such a light sentence. Psychiatric reasons???well, duh! What also makes me want to use inappropriate language is that it is very difficult to find out what predators are walking around my neighborhood. I tried today to find a searchable database and came up empty-handed. If anyone knows of one-let me know! I should be able to know if the person that lives 3 doors down has kidnapped and molested children! I know there are some of you out there saying-what about forgivness. There is forgivness under Christ. BUT it doesn't mean that I am going to let my kids go to his house! You know, if these kids ever make it home-they aren't the same. Life doesn't go back to normal. I just don't understand why it seems that the rights of criminals are more respected then the rights of the innocent. Please check out CKOM.com to see pictures of the little boy-Zachary and the abductor. There is also a description of his minivan and license plate number there. Just keep your eyes open.