The Nocturnal Beast!!

This week we have had mom's dog, Sofie for a sleepover while mom was visiting Tracey in BC. I get up early in the morning to take her for a walk/pee/pooh before I get ready for work...it's the only time that works for me and I kind of enjoy it. It's still quite dark at 6:15...this week has been especially frightening as people decorate for Halloween and all of a sudden you notice the ghosts and skeletons hanging in the trees. It's also been windy so you don't hear anything until it's right on you...like the lady running with her dog the other morning, I didn't hear her footsteps, I only heard an animals footsteps running towards me...I jumped! This morning though was the topper...let me back up a little though...yesterday morning I thought I saw something scurry into the culvert when we left the house, I flashed the flashlight but didn't see anything. So it's been in the back of my mind. This morning we went out the door, Sofie and I. I lock the door and start to turn around just as Sofie barks (she's never barked outside unless there's been another dog). Low and behold...a freaking skunk, in my front yard, not 15 ft from where I am standing and the door is locked. I grabbed the dog, not sure if I actually picked her up or hauled her up by the leash (sorry, Sofie). Grabbed my key from it's "hiding" spot and went back in the house. Then I tried to get the skunk to go away..."go away little skunk" "shoo little skunk" and then "GET OUT OF MY YARD SKUNK!" It kind of gave me that look like "you do not scare me, I only have to lift my tail and you'll be gone" (oh yeah, in my head as I am typing, I am doing by best fake French Pepe le Peu voice)...so Sofie and I went out the side door and I carried the first few houses away. Pepe was still there when we got back...Sofie sat on the back of my couch watching it for quite a while. It was gone when I had to go to work and it didn't leave any scents behind!

October 27th

On October 27th, my baby girl, Elysia turns 14...boohoo!! My baby is growing up! Way too fast for my liking...here's some pictures of my little baby...I love the picture of her on the beach, it's one of my favorites. You can also see how curly her hair is, you don't often get to see that because she feels the need to straighten her hair all the time or put it up. She had her first game of the indoor soccer season, she had a good game, and they won their opening game against a team that is known for being quite good. I tried to be quiet but it's soccer so you can imagine. I drive her nuts but that's my job as her mother.

We went to Patti and Tim's house last night for their annual Halloween extravaganza...they are a little nuts when it comes to Halloween. I told her she's the only person who can tell me there's a casket in her dining room and I don't think it's odd.

Right a Wrong!!

While mom's little dog, Sofie was at Josée's house, they scarred her soooo deep, I don't know if she will ever recover! They put her in a Toronto Maple leaf shirt and sent the picture to my mother...my poor mother has not recovered...so here you go mom...your favorite daughter has made right the wrong that Josée made!

We finally got the dog last night, I think Josée will miss her. I know the kids will. I took her for a walk last night and this morning and it would have been much faster had she not wanted to chase every single leaf that blew in the wind. I cannot believe I pick up dog poop! I know it's not big but it's still sh*&!

Moncton

This year myself and my friends from high school turned the big 4-0!! We decided to mark the occassion with a little gettogether. We all boarded a van and headed to Moncton...Kathleen (Katie) Naylor, Shawna Lynk, the crazy Proctor girls, Debbie and Darlene and myself (Annie Roy) jumped into Shawna's van and drove to Betty Belliveau's house. We chatted all the way there, eating Shawna's fresh made fudge (which apparently was missing the vanilla...yeah, like we would have known). Made a few wrong turns causing Shawna's GPS system to "recalulate" but we made it there.

We bombarded Betty's poor husband, Tony and her daughter Hannah...sat around the table eating too much junk and drinking a few drinks. I still do not know how Tony and Hannah managed to fall asleep with the racket we were kicking out...cathing up with our lives, with other people's lives...who is where...what they are doing...etc. It was great. It's soo funny, you can not see some people for soooo long and when you do, it's like it was yesterday. We are all at such different places in our lives, whether it's in school, home with kids...kids off at school...so different but still so much the same. I always find when I finally see someone I haven't seen in a long time, that I forget how much I miss them and want to have them in my life more. We talked about making this an annual gig and I sure hope we stick to it.

Saturday we did a little shopping...cause what group of women does not do that?! We also went to the Old Triangle Pub for some supper and entertainment...I had a wakeup call when Debbie was looking for something in her bottomless purse and doused me in ice water...brrr... We listened to the singer for a little while and then our age showed a little. We were out of there by ten, I remember a time when our night didn't start until ten! How the times have changed!

I almost forgot, yesterday morning, Betty's husband, Tony made us breakfast. He's from Nfld and he made us toutons (sp?)...basically, it's fried bread dough with butter and molasses...holy yumminess!! Nothing like a lot of sugar and fat to start the day off.

This morning we got up and did some pictures and then headed out...it's okay, Betty we saw you crying...that made me misty eyed! We stopped at the Masstown Market and had lunch and looked around...you know, because there was so much room (not!) left in the van for more stuff. I think we all need a little nap! I know I will be heading there soon.

My house survived while I was gone...the bluejays attacked my Indian Corn on the front door and scared the kids so Mike biffed the corn into the yard. Mike ran the dishwasher but we were out of dishwasher soap so he decided to use the liquid detergent...yeah...you know where I am going with this. Soap out the door of the dishwasher out past the fridge....wish he had taken a picture of it!

Life

Life...that's what we've been doing...

Sunday night, Elysia and I headed off to Halifax to see Carrie Underwood...she's quite the singer. We met up with Elysia's friend, Kaylie and her mother. Had a quick bite to eat at Swiss Chalet and then off to the Metro Centre..."little big town" was the opening act...they were good. Elysia and Kaylie took their seats first and then half way through thought ours were better so they switched. I enjoyed both spots but it was more about them. Kaylie's mom, Kathy is crazy. I think she would run right up on stage given the opportunity (I don't think it would take much of an opportunity).

While we were at the concert, Mike and Graham enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with the Ross family. Apparently Janet makes the best potatoes for a non-chef, according to my son. They had a great meal and lots of fun. Graham even said he was thankful for his family and friends...but he was also thankful for ketchup so take that for what it's worth.

Monday I had to work...I don't have one of those nice jobs that gives more than the days required by law. Not much a girl can do though. We went to mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner. Josee and the family were also there. We only have to make sure we bring Mike's gravy and we are allowed in.

Yesterday Graham had his first basketball practice, he really enjoyed it and seemed to have no problem keeping up with the other kids, you can really tell the kids who have played for a while.

Today we took Graham for his cardiology checkup. We had his holter monitor put on two weeks ago and they still don't have the results for that...pitiful! Anyway...went well...heart function numbers are the same as last time...valve narrow but he's still tolerating that well. Dr Finlay indicated that the valve is fine for a few more years...we'll take that!! Have to go back in six months. Dr Finlay asks Graham questions about his abilities in sports. Anyone who knows my son can imagine those answers. Graham has alot of pride in his abilitities and has no problem sharing it.

Colours of Fall

If anyone ever asks me how we deal with the humidity of the summer and the cold and snow of the winter, I think the answer has to be fall...there is nothing quite like it! The colors of red, orange and gold...the pumpkin fields...these pictures are all around our house...we have a little guest who had moved in under our basketball net...

Tonight we (Elysia and I) are headed to the Carrie Underwood concert...this was part of Elysia's (upcoming) birthday present. She is quite excited about it...she has made a CD to listen to on the way there so I will know the songs (I do know a few) and she said her camera is fully charged.

It was funny, mom stayed with the kids while we were away and the bag she had for Sofie, her little dog was bigger than the one she had for herself!

Ottawa

Our visit to Ottawa was great! My dad met us at our gate when we got off the plane...guess there are some advantages to working at the airport. I cried of course, sometimes you forget how much you miss a person until you see them. Mike headed to the hotel because he had a tour to go on with some of the other chefs who were there. Dad and I headed to his house and had a nice breakfast with Evanice. Dad needed a little nap as he had worked all night. Evanice and I went for a walk, in behind their house (within a ten minute walk) are all the box stores...agh...I would be broke! Evanice wanted to make little gift bags for me to take back to the kids. It was nice, gave us a little chance to chat.

After dad's nap, we picked up the twins, Patricia (Patchy) and Vanessa (Nessa) and then we headed to the high school to get Maria (Ma-e-a)...they have grown!! We went out for lunch and Evanice's sister, Rosie came along...she is quite the hoot! Her and dad like to tease each other alot. It's that Evanice has her here as the rest of her siblings are in Brazil. After lunch we headed back to the house and looked at some photo albums. Dad showed me the master bathroom he redid...OMG!! I soooo want that bathroom, it looks like something from a magazine. Dad drove me back to the hotel where I had to say goodbye to the girls...only had a few hours with them...short but nice. I think I waited until I was inside before my eyes gave me away...

That night Mike and I went to the big gala...they outdid themselves. It was their yearly meeting and awards dinner. They had it at the Museum of Civilzation in Hull...if you ever have the chance, go and see it. The First Nations Hall makes it worth while. The room is hundreds of feet high and filled with the largest indoor collection of totem poles...part of me thinks they should still be outside but part of me sees why they are there, they were spectacular....most of my pictures are quite dark but you may still see them.

The whole gala had a Mardi Gras theme, complete with a band and people dancing on stilts...okay, there were also beads but you didn't have to "earn them"...there was alot of great food and wine.

After dinner was served the awards started and Mike's was first...he got the coveted green jacket and a nice picture of his original presentation. My first thought was "where's the cash"...haha...he even gave a little thankyou speech, which I will honestly say was very good and heart felt...although he forgot to mention his wife. It was funny though, we were seated with the CEO of Pepsi Canada (beside Mike), the CEO of Compass Group Canada, the CEO of Compass Group North America (beside me)...when the rest of the awards were announced, they said there was a 3 grand prize with them. The CEO of North America looked at Mike and said "all you got was a picture??", said he would have a chat with Jack (CEO Canada)...come on baby, momma needs new winter tires!!

Long day but lots of fun. The next day we got up and rented a car and headed to my dream place...IKEA...we were limited in what we could get though as we now had this picture to take back. We met dad and Evanice for a nice lunch and then headed back to the airport. We were both pretty pooped when we got home. It's nice to go away but there is nothing like the feeling of crawling into your own bed (which by the way is very high...just ask my mother who stayed there with the kiddies while we were gone).

Ottawa

Ottawa was great!!

We had alot of fun, the ceremony was excellent...got to see Dad and the family...got to Ikea...more later. Here's a picture of my honey and the big wig chefs from his company.

Bad Blogger

Okay...so call me Josée, I haven't been the best blogger...

Had a busy weekend, the weather was fabulous...even managed to get a little more reading done on my swing. Read a good book, not my usual Nora Roberts smut...called the Kite Runner. Little difficult of a read, but all in all a very good book, who knows, maybe I am getting into the "Oprah" reading as I get older and wiser, okay, maybe just older.

The leaves are so pretty right now, I must take a picture. Graham is hoping for lots of leaves in the front yard. Poor Mike, he tried and tried to get the lawn mower started the other day with no luck, the yard really needed that one last mow. Anyway, I came along, kicked it in the spark plug and pulled the cord and it roared to life...I am woman, hear me roar!! So the yard got done and was looking soooo nice. Graham decided to rake some leaves out back and dump them in the front yard to get ready for his leaf fort~AGH! They are back where they belong.

We went to "cousin" Connor's hockey game yesterday, he is playing AAA this year, quite a big difference from last year, lots more checking and much faster. They pulled off a win so of course, that part was good. Elysia loved me lots, cause she only wore a sweatshirt and brought a small blanket, so mommy kept her warm.

On Saturday, we went to "friend" Connor's football game...as much as Graham is baseball, Connor is football. It was a suprisingly good game, did not expect it to be that organized (you know...men in charge and all). They pulled off a victory as well.

Mike and I are heading to Ottawa on Wednesday to get the Green Jacket!! I will be visiting with Dad on Wednesday...Wednesday is the big do...Thurs we want to Christmas shop and then back to the valley Thurs evening. Two days off!!!!!