I have decided to quit blogging. I know, I know I go forever without writing anyways . I never write because other people will see it. I don’t write what I really want to or how I really feel because I don’t want other people to know those feelings. So if I am not writing for myself and not really sharing the truth then what is the point of having a blog.I have debated this for awhile and figure it’s time to make a decision . I either needed to start blogging or quit it all together. I am still going to keep reading all of your blogs though . Thanks for stopping by during the last couple of years.
My Fair lady
We had a good weekend around here. On friday night we went for a picnic down by the lake. It was pretty chilly out though so we didn’t last long. This was John’s weekend to work so it was mostly me and the kids for the weekend. Saturday we got up fairly early and went to S.P to the farmers market for some vegs. I miss having a garden . I just don’t have any room for one. I tried for a few years to have it out at our friends farm but it just doesn’t work. You know how hard it is to get out and weed it when it is 20 feet from your door let alone about 10 KM. After our running around in town we went out to Darwell for their Fair . I think it is actually called AGDays but whatever. We went because they were having the Strathcona Mounted Troops there performing their Musical Ride. It was quite fun to watch.Afterwards they had tent pegging competition which is where the riders try to pick up blocks with the end of their sword or javelin . When they were done you could go down and meet the Soldiers and their horses. Turns out the very first Soldier I talked to is from my home town and went to school with some of my aunts and uncles. When they were all done there was also Mini Chuckwagon races. It was quite a hoot to watch and took me back to my younger days of traveling with the circuit . We ended the day with a weiner roast with friends. I burnt my nose and cheeks but other wise it was a fun filled day.Today was a quieter day.The kids and I went to church this morning and it had a nice visit afterwards during lunch. Our Pastor and Miss T just got home yesterday from their vacation to B.C. It was nice to see them again and they brought us back a awesome gift. Seafarers of Catan .We look forward to playing it very soon.Tomorrow we are going camping. John has a CT scan at 4:30 then we are off to Slave Lake until Sat. Hopefully this will not be out last camping trip of the year. I am still hopeful for a few more trips.My friend Miss T and I are hoping for a girls camping trip too and maybe a float down the river.Anyways thats the excitement around here.
Getting ready to make their entrance
Part of their show
the tent pegging competition
They go so fast it was hard to get any good pictures. That and the fact that my camera was dying.
Makenna on the pony rides " NO you can not have a horse"
More Pictures
We had a great day yesterday. The kids waited patiently until daddy got home and then ambushed him with confetti . We then gave him all his presents and played our games. We had Pin the Tail on the Donkey , which really should be re names stick the tail on the donkey since the tails are just stickers. There are no PINS involved. The kids also blew up balloons and put packs of rocket candies inside and then pinned them to the bulletin board and had John pop them. They couldn’t find the darts (I a would go get them) so they had him use a pocket knife instead and just stab the balloons . Each to their own I guess. John was a great sport about it all.
JOHN sticking the tail on the donkey
JAIME sticking the tail on the donkey
John smacking the big green tractor
My friend A trying to hit the tractor
Happy Birthday Honey and other ramblings
Today is John’s 39th Birthday . I took the kids to town yesterday so they could pick out his presents. After many suggestions we (I) decided on some new dress shirts . John is TALL and it is mostly in his torso (not long legged) so needs his shirts from a store that serves men that are either BIG or TALL.They had a good sale on and so we ended up getting 2 button down shirts and a dress sweater for $60. He really could care less what we buy him so I am sure he will be happy. Makenna thought we should buy a bigger swimming pool and give that to him.The boys wanted either more fish hooks , new shoes or a new hat. WE also picked up a pinata and filled it with candy that he likes. We brought it with us to church last night and A(who’s 52nd b’day is tomorrow) and John got blindfolded and hit it open.The kids all enjoyed scrambling for the candy afterwards. It was quite funny to watch.Hopefully tomorrow I will post a couple pics from that. Then we had angel food cake with ice cream , strawberries , chocolate and butterscotch sauces. It was enjoyable for all.The kids have blown up balloons for tonight and have a pin the tail on the donkey game for him too. I am going to make his favorite appetizers for supper.
I am not sure why there is the wrong date on that picture but it was from our camping trip July 09
We have done a little bit of traveling this summer . Not to any place too far or exciting but still traveling none the less.I had a family reunion in SK in july. It was for my paternal grandma’s side. Not everyone was there , and I was the only one from my siblings that went , but it was sure nice to see those that did make it. My Grandma is 84(I think) and she crocheted and afghan for each of her 17 grandchildren. Not a small thing after having carpel tunnel surgery and having arthritis so bad she can’t even open a jar. Her one brother was there also and it was so very nice to see him. He now suffers from dementia but still knew so much of what was going on.The last time John and I saw him , he told John all of my fishing stories from my childhood. John has no grandparents still living and I only have my one grandma so it is special for the kids when they get to see great grandma Rose.
My grandma and my great uncle Marcel
Not the best picture but the only one I have with them both in it. After that weekend we also went for a drive from Nordegg down the forestry trunk road. It was nice , it was long , it was tiring. We stopped off at Ram Falls and walked the 140 stairs down to the lookout point. Then we had to come back UP those 140 stairs when we were done. I am happy to saw I MADE IT!!!!The view was worth it.
Fishing Rod
Ok folks , I know you have all been anxiously waiting for a glimpse of my new sparkly fishing rod. Wait no longer . It is now available.Isn’t she pretty. Now I know my nails will not always be this color . They won’t be this color a month from now . It doesn’t matter , I like pink. I bought a new pink hat too. A pink hat from a well known outdoor supplies manufacturer . I realize if I mention certain names I am supposed to link to them . I didn’t last post oops. This company is different but I won’t name them. Anyways it is a real nice hat also. PInk (did I mention that) with some MOSSY type plant and a big OAK tree one the front.I actually do have some pink hooks too. I think it helps me catch them big female fish LOL.
Home again
I am not actually sure yet if that is a good thing or not. I enjoy being gone . I like camping where I have so much less STUFF around me. UGH Clutter is over running me. One could make the assumption that if I stayed home more there would be less clutter but I prefer to think that if I go away all the time I am actually helping the clutter situation at home by not being there to add to it. We had a great camping trip ALL BY OURSELVES!!! Now I love you all , I enjoy being around my friends and family and have so much fun camping with them BUT we were in need of a few days by our selves.I must say that I caught the most fish , I also lost the most hooks . Bought a new rod , it matches my nails. I am going to take a picture so you can all see my nice sparkling pink Ugly Stick.Thats all John caught BTW , an ugly stick upside the head.My line broke as I was bringing in THE big one and my rod flew back and hit him in the head. Braden also managed to catch his first fish. Poor John never gets any good fishing in when we are with him , 3 kids wanting help changing hooks , twisting their line etc. etc. I just get comfy in my seat and ignore them (that’s why I caught the most fish).
No Boys Allowed
That should be the theme around here this week. It’s just me and Makenna. Well John is here too but I mean he is gone for 12 hrs a day . Colton and Braden are gone to visit my mom for 9 days. They are having fun , we are having fun , I still miss them. Things may be quieter , there are no fights between siblings here but I still miss them. Makenna misses them too. She is lost being by herself.Her and I have plans to do a few fun things.We drove to SK thursday , stayed for the weekend ,and then left the boys and came home on sunday.On the way there John asked if I wanted to practice driving the truck and 5th wheel. Reluctantly I decided it seemed like a good time and I would try. I was so happy I did. I drove for 2 1/2 hrs with no problem at all. I still don’t want to have to back it in someplace but going forward is not so bad.We left our 5th wheel at my moms. John is on his 7 day stretch at work and then off for 8 days so we will go back there on monday(the 29th). Actually we will leave at 6 pm when JOhn gets home from work and will hopefully arrive there around 2 am on the 30th. Then we are we going camping for a week over there. One of these days we might have to actually stay home.
BRRRRR
Ok today was actually hot out and boy was it a nice change. We had a fantastic time on our fishing trip except for the cold weather.It was really windy lots too.Not that I can complain too much because it’s not like I am really roughing it in my 5th wheel
But still , I actually like to be outside most of the time when we camp and not hibernating inside. I was going to put a few pics on from holidays but that one took way too long to upload so I will have to leave the others for a different post when I am not wanting to go lay in my bed and read. After our little holiday I could so easily just park at a lake all summer and relax. I wish there were some nicer lakes around me.Our campground here is actually very nice but 1) it is not even 5 mins from my house and 2) the beach is kinda gross. I love the river , it had a nice campground too and we love to float down it but you can’t take the boat on it and once again , no nice beach. I am afraid that I have not found too many nice beaches in AB. This saskatchewan gal likes her nice sand and clear water.
Going away
This week is a super busy week. The regular busy is not enough anymore so instead I need SUPER busy. Not only it there the regular speech , swimming ,house kind of stuff but there is also a dentist appt. , picking up our new boat (so exciting) and packing the trailer .The first packing of the year is always the worst.Usually our first trip is right here at good ol’ Wabamun provincial park. So close that my kids can actually ride bikes there quicker than we can drive.If I forget things or decide I would like something else I could always go home and grab it quickly. Not this time. This year our first trip is going to SK for a 9 day fishing trip.WE are leaving on friday morning .This means I need to remember everything we might need. I have washed it all down and done the bedding too. Now it is getting things put in there.I have been filling laundry baskets with things and getting the kids to haul it all out there for me.Of course the problem with this is that when I go out there I have a ton of things to out away. Yes I could get the kids to do it when they bring it out but I really prefer to do it my self and know EXACTLY where everything is.I don’t want to come home to a huge disaster either so I am trying to make sure the house gets clean too.Tomorrow I have a dentist appt. and I am hoping it will not leave me is severe pain for weeks like last time. John even suggested that I cancel it until after holidays incase it gets bad again. He had a dentist appt. today and told Dr. G that he better take it easy on me. At least fish falls into a “soft ” diet.
Hired help
We went out for a nice country drive tonight . Not unusual for us , we do it a few times a week lately.Tonight we were driving around a lake looking at new cabins. Here was mine and Braden’s conversation:
“Mom when I am older I am going to have a big house like that”
“It’s pretty nice Braden “
“Thats what we need mom”
” You would have alot of cleaning to do if you had a house that big”
“Thats ok I will have workers to do stuff like that”
Oh to be eight and think everything can be yours when you grow up.
