Garden Tour and More

My impatients will greet you at the front door. Finally I find a flower that seems to thrive on my north facing front step!

I just love my hydragenas! My mom gave me two of her bushes last year and they love their new home. They started pink and have turned blue. I'm glad because blue is much prettier!

I don't know what these are but they are growing like crazy in one of my planters.

The popular petunia....doing very well in the south facing sunny location.

The clematis. I never touch it, prune it or baby it and it shows off for me each year. Isn't it gorgeous?

The beautiful lily

Who doesn't love a cheery daisy?

After all those years raspberry picking and packing I still love eating them. They are really doing well this summer.

The osteomum. The plant that keeps on blooming and needs a TON of water!

On to food. Andrew was over tonight for his 'payment for painting' meal. He requested seafood so I bought some seafood stuffed chicken from Clancy's. He declared it delicious!

My brilliant friend Aretha told me how to make DQ Blizzards at home. Oh my goodness! Just like the real thing! This could be dangerous. I made Smartie blizzards for the boys and Skor blizzards for the rest of us. Oh so good!

Baby Progress Report

No more once a month doctor visits for me. Sigh. Now the appointments are spaced two weeks apart until 36 weeks and then once a week. Add on top of that visiting the OBGYN a few times and I'm going to be a busy girl.

Today's appointment went well. Better than I had hoped! I got to see Dr Drieger who was my maternity doctor for Chad. I really like his calm demeanor. As much as I like his co-hort (Dr Shaw who is wonderful) she is really high energy and I need to be brought down off the ceiling when I am there...not sent back up!

Anyhow....Dr D now has an ultra-sound machine in his office! How cool is that? So I got a little glimpse of our baby boy this morning. He was busy drinking up big gulps of amniotic fluid. Gross. The baby is measuring exactly 29 weeks which is really good because I AM 29 weeks pregnant :)

Dr D told me that there is a new female OBGYN starting up a practice in Abby in August and that is who he will send me to do my c-section. He has met her and says she's very nice so I am looking forward to seeing her to get my actual delivery date.

But one of my favorite things about the office is that they have one of those old fashioned medical scales. My regular GP only had a digital and when I got weighed I'd have to call out the weight to the nurse to write down. With the regular scale I can look away and be in denial!

Just Stuff

This blog is for me as much as it is for you. I write my daily comings and goings even though they aren't fascinating because it's my journal. I don't expect deep and insightful comments all the time (even though they are nice). I just write when I feel like it.

This weekend wasn't truly a weekend. I always feel that way when I work on Saturday. I feel robbed! Anyhow, after work on Saturday Keith kindly washed my car for me as it was full of sap. The trees on the lot at work are making their annual mess of all our cars. Luckily it washes off very easily. I made a decent supper for a change and then we all went for a walk. Afterwards I had the brilliant idea of waxing my car. Keith had to be sweet talked into doing it but he knows which side his bread is buttered on and got to work. He applied, I buffed it off. My car looks fabulous now!

Today was a nice day. After church we met up with Keith's family for brunch at ABC Restaurant. Keith's sister and her boyfriend were here from the Island for holidays so we got a lovely visit with them. We really like her boyfriend and hope there are wedding bells in the very near future! In the afternoon I put up my massive feet and read. Keith decided why not wax his Jeep too, so he did that as a project. After a very simple supper (we were all still kind of full from our buffet brunch) we went on a bike ride. I am not doing doing so well with bike rides anymore. I can't bring my legs up to pedal because of the big belly and I am getting awfully winded very quickly. It makes for s-l-o-w rides. Ugh. We were out for a couple of hours and I have a feeling I won't be doing anymore of them. Just too much effort for this mama.

Tomorrow is another work day for me. The day will start off with a visit to my maternity doctor. I have been handed over from my regular GP now to her and this is my first visit. She was my doctor for both Nate and Chad but it's been a long time since I've seen her and I'm a bit nervous. Me and doctors.....not a good mix. I have issues. Too deep to analyze here.

Oh and I forgot....super exciting purchase! We are getting new tires tomorrow for our car. I know....you are all insanely jealous and I LOVE spending money on rubber circles. Yeehaw!

Kids Away...Moms Play

Kori and I shared this raspberry shortcake at the farm. It was extremely yummy!

This week both my kids and Kori's son are at our church daycamp. Luckily we did have one day off together this week to galivant to where ever we wanted. While the kids were off having a fabulous time doing whatever they were doing we drove around town having a great time.

Our first stop was to Krause's Berry Farm. We both bought a corn pizza and a pie. Kori also got some raspberries to make jam. I don't make jam even though I've been assured it's a cinch. Maybe one day. After that we decided to check out GMann Ornamental Grass Farm in Aldergrove. I had often driven the farm by but was always to chicken to stop in there alone. Kori was the perfect accomplice and we both ended up getting some beautiful grass. I got a Pampass Grass and Kori bought three different varieties of pretty grass for her garden. Great prices (even thought I tried unsuccessfully to barter him down $5) and over 200 types to chose from!

After that we had an unsuccessful trip to the fabric store. I might have to go out to Coquitlam after all. After being at Fabricana, no other store really compares to their selection.

Next was a quick lunch at Wendy's, a short jaunt at Costco and a run into Wal-Mart! After that Kori treat me to a lovely green tea ice tea from StarBucks with just enough time to sip it on my deck before picking up the kids.
It was a really nice day....thanks Kori!

The boys after another fun day at camp. Tomorrow they head to the waterslides!

Critter Problem

Help! We have raccoons. In the CITY! They are having a party in our backyard every night...complete with food and beverages.

They are drinking and washing their food in our pond, swinging from the neighbor's cherry tree like monkeys and tipping over my cement bird bath! &^%$(

We are looking for an effective way to be rid of these cute but very annoying pests.

Again...advice needed!

As I type this Keith is pelting them with marbles with his slingshot. They just hiss and saunter off...only to return in a little while. They are VERY bold creatures!

Thank Goodness for Mom!

Her email address isn't busylizzy for nothing. My mom arrived first thing this morning with sewing machine in hand to start on my curtains. She measured, cut, ironed and sewed and by early afternoon I had some new window treatments. The photo just doesn't do it justice. They are very nice...and I love them. Chad told me he didn't like them at all....his exact words were: Mom, they look oldish. Keith said they were 'interesting'. But as long as I was happy he was happy. Men!

Unfortunately the lady at the fabric store didn't cut enough for all of my throw pillows to be covered like we asked her to. I will not drive back to Coquitlam to get more fabric so will take a peak around town here tomorrow for a contrasting fabric to go with the two we will cover.

Another project she took on was hemming my Ikea sheers for our bedroom. Don't they look nice and airy? What a steal at $20 for two panels!

The above photo shows one of our new wall sconces for our livingroom. We didn't really care for the gaping holes left in our wall after the new paint job was finished. It's all really coming together.

If that wasn't enough, after she was done sewing she asked for my gardening gloves and weeded my flower beds for two hours! I feel positively spoiled today.

This One

Due to the overwhelming response to my request for stroller advice, we have chosen this one!
Ha!
Anyhow, I found this little beauty online at Costco.ca and it's been Keith approved. It's on it's way and if we don't like, Costco has a fantastic return policy.

Babies Need Stuff

First of all...thank you to all those who have offered to lend me their baby equipment. I have more offers than I need which is very generous. We really have to buy very little. One thing we definitely want to buy for ourselves is a stroller. We walk a lot and know we will wear out a stroller so we ought to have our own.

What I need is some advice. You bloggers give good advice and now I need some more!

Tell me what is a good stroller? I want a very sturdy, quality stroller that will fit into my trunk. If possible I would like it to be able to have an infant car seat snap onto the top of it.

Where to buy? What is a good price?

Spill it people!

Thanks :)

Apart and Together

This was the long awaited day in Chad's little world. His brother came home today!Chad ran up to Nate as soon as he spotted him in a very touching moment and what does Nathan do? He runs away! I told him...Nate let your brother hug you! He is DESPERATE!!!! Nathan kindly co-operated.

That child was beside himself all week with longing for Nathan. I'm afraid the feeling was not mutual as Nathan had WAY too much fun to really miss any of us. He had a wonderful time at camp and I think he laughed and yelled and screamed for the entire time. His voice is pretty much gone. The dirt layer was thick....and I think that is a good time indicator. We had a good old fashioned scrub when we got home tonight. He told me that they had to shower once...but he didn't use soap. Gee...why bother? Actually he didn't use sunscreen either so I am grateful he isn't burnt, just very brown.

The whole gang...tired, happy and filthy!

It wasn't total boredom for Chad during the week. I signed him up for soccer camp through a local church. He went every morning for three hours and had a great time!

When he wasn't amusing himself with his lego he was my little shadow. He decided reading on the deck just like mum could be fun. For about five minutes! I'm glad I quickly grabbed my camera.

Old Fashioned at Heart

I can't sew but my mom can! This is the material we chose today for my new dining room window treatments. I've always been drawn to toile. I LOVE it! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product. You can know that I'll blog it!

Do Home Improvements EVER End?

No....I have decided, no. There is always something to do around here. Always. Home ownership is one eternal project!

After cutting in all day he finally got rolling the paint in the evening

Our latest endeavor has been to repaint our entire upstairs living area. Dining room, livingroom, hall and entry. My brother had a few days off and called me up Thursday to see if he could come over and paint. Heck yeah! I had chosen a color months ago and decided that if I liked it then, I should still like it now. We went with the new 'Aura' paint from Benjamin Moore. More expensive than their regular paint but covers in one coat! Bye bye Danville Tan and hello Weimeraner. It's a lovely gray-ish taupe. The original color reminded me of the contents of a diaper. Blech.

Mid-way done...I hate the chaos!

All done and looking mighty nice!

Also, Keith spray painted our entry light fixture. Replacing it was not in the budget but it's definitely improved now!

Next items are new wall sconces, window treatments for my dining room, casing around the windows and recovering my throw pillows!

I'm really happy with my new look....thanks Andrew. You name the dinner and I'll cook it for ya!

Before hanging the blinds back up I got Keith to clean the window...probably the only time they'll ever be done!

Bye for a Week

As you may recall, sending Nate to camp last year was a bit stressful for me. Now that we are seasoned pros we were able to send him off without a backward glance! Nathan was so excited all day about getting to camp this evening. He is in a cabin (if you can call the luxurious accomdations that) with all his best buddies so I know it's going to be one fabulous week. The weather forecast is perfect too which really helps.

Chad was stuck like glue to Nate until we left. He really REALLY loves his big brother.

Nate and two of his very good buddies

Nathan and Blake.....great buds!

Saying good-bye. Chad did shed tears on the drive home but that was cured with a big ice cream cone!

Alive and Eccentric!

My grandpa turned 86 this week. Amazing! He's in quite good shape for his age but getting a bit wobbly on his feet. He does all kinds of things that entertain us and equally frustrate us!

All in all a good Grandpa to have. He's got the Friesen genes going for him so we expect he'll be around until he's 100 years old! (despite a daily Filet O' Fish and large bowl of Tin Roof Sundae ice cream)

Work Now....Enjoy Later

Good thing we decided to pick strawberries yesterday! It's cool and rainy today. I am NOT complaining in any way, shape or form. I needed a break from the heat to preserve my sanity. Picking berries in the rain would have been no fun at all. My mom and I headed to Krause Farms to pick berries for our freezers. We love to eat strawberries with our pancakes all winter long! I gave the boys a taste of 'back breaking labour'. As I suspected Chad gave up about 2 minutes into the experience. He decided it was very hard work and talked about it the entire time we were there. He didn't accomplish much beyond about 25 berries at the bottom of a pail. I wasn't surprised. Nathan who is my worker bee took to berry picking like a duck to water. He was very enthusiastic and was truly a great help in getting all nine of our pails filled to the brim. The berries were wonderful and we finished in about 45 minutes. It was hot though and I sure felt like moaning about my back but let Chad take over the complaining department completely.

All done! Time to head home and get these babies processed. With the heat I could smell them from the trunk of my car as I was driving. I knew they wouldn't last long. As soon as we got home we started washing, hulling and packing.
All done! I now have a supply for winter. It's a great sense of satisfaction to see the task completed. I know now that as Nate enjoys his strawberries and pancakes over the winter he will remember the hard work that went into it!
Later that afternoon after I took Chad to a birthday party, Nathan and I headed to Birchwood Dairy to get some vanilla ice cream to go with our fresh strawberries for dessert that night. Of course we had to get a cone. It was really nice to spend some time with just Nathan. We had a great chat over our ice cream cones. Chocolate chip mint for him and Bordeaux Cherry for me!

Day's End

We walked to the fairgrounds from our house around 8:00 pm to catch a bit of the concert, but most importantly to catch the fireworks. They are no 'Symphony of Fire' but for our city it's quite good enough. I do wish they would update the sound track though. Same one for a few years and I have had quite enough of the Expo '86 theme song!

Here we are waiting for it all to start....

July 1st Tradition

Ever since the wee babes came on the scene we've been attending the parade here in town. A few years ago we added a BBQ afterwards to the festivities. Also, now that Abby has a decent fireworks display we add that to the end of a great day too. July 1st was no exception. The weather was perfect....sunny with a cooling breeze. The parade was much better this year that previous. Lots of 'real' floats and not as much advertising. We broke tradition in one way though. We sat in a new location this year. Instead of being at the back end of the route we were now in the front and I think it paid off. The kids got tons of candy! And it's all about them of course!

There's always a soft spot for the alma mater.

Afterwards we had a feast of a BBQ at Kori's place. We were all so ravenous that we didn't take one single picture of the food. Very tragic :( I can assure you it was delicious. After stuffing ourselves, we totally lazed around just chatting and doing nothing. It was wonderful! The kids always have energy and Roger decided to try and make the kids a slip n slide. It was very amusing to watch the kids get very red rashes on their legs and bums!

Alaska!

My mom just got back from an Alaskan cruise. She had worked up until very recently, at the Silk Tree Warehouse. After 14 years, the owner decided to sell the business. As a thank-you to his employees for their hard work he took them all on a cruise!!!

I do believe my mom had a wonderful time. She did things she never does at home.....spa treatments, DANCING, eating fancy meals etc. I'm really glad she had this opportunity. She did forgo the helicoptor tour of the glacier which I thought was a shame. Apparently it was really cold the whole time, so she's delighted with our current heatwave.

We went there for supper tonight and she handed out some really fun souveniers.

The boys got some pretty good bear hats, bear poop and salmon eggs. Keith received some bear claws and chocolate. I got some yummy looking salmonberry jelly and chocolate as well.

Thanks Mom!!!