shut up and drive!

I'm proud to say...Just like her mother at a concert!

For Jenny's birthday, we went to a concert on Sunday.

How appropriate that one of the songs is the story of my life...shut up and drive!

Rihanna and Akon were actually pretty good in concert...I only sound a little surprised because they aren't the 'old-school' concert 'bands' that you know are going to be good (like Van Halen...hint, hint Henry)

S.O.S and Umbrella were also awesome.

Michael and Jenny seemed to enjoy Akon better, but I didn't know as many of his songs as Rihanna's.

Jenny was very happy to take her friend, Katie...

as Henry opted out of this excursion...

(and I quote...)

Henry: who is she? (we listen to her songs in the van...)
Henry: that's not music (gee, sounds like MY father)
Henry: I'm not going to go.
Michael: Are you nuts???? She's HOT!!!!

THAT SHE IS...



And Akon isn't bad either!

you know it's time to go to bed when...

I was sorting papers tonight as Henry was annoyingly channel surfing from Futurama to Blue Jays along with a myriad of other flashes of night-time TV nothingness. My annoyance and my sorting came to an abrupt halt as I heard the opening notes of one of my favorite cartoons; Pinky and the Brain. After so many years, Henry knew to leave it right there and put down the remote! Needless to say, we spent a wonderful half-hour chuckling.
For those of you not familiar with this procrastinative past-time of watching cartoons, let me tell you that no average schmuck produced this baby. Spielberg himself is the executive producer on this one. Pinky and the Brain is a Spin-off of Animaniacs, produced by Warner Brothers. Pinky and The Brain are lab mice. One is brilliant the other is a drooling idiot (the tall skinny one: his laugh cracks me up every single time). The plot isn't too complicated (otherwise, why would Henry and I watch it at 9:30 at night?): they do the same thing they do every night: try to take over the world. Unfortunately, they always sabotage their own wacky plans and have to try again the next night.

Works for me...

It shouldn't amaze me, but it does...

I sometimes forget how friends have the ability to surprise me.

You all know that if you have kids...you endure fundraising.

There are two choices to fundraising...

1. hit up everyone you know over and over again
*however, you must be prepared to open that door when those who bought, come fundraising back

2. buy enough to not look cheap, fill your freezer/eat the junk/gain weight and quietly lament this fundraising era.

Our family 9 times out of 10 opted for choice number 2.

Henry couldn't exactly take all of this paperwork to the construction site, I was at home for the majority of this era (pets aren't very good paying customers), and Henry and I are the youngest on both sides of the family so nobody was interested in buying what we were selling. (I also HATED asking for anyone to buy something from us)

So it happens that Michael's hockey team is selling Elmira Poultry products for fundraising this year. Now, I know from past experience those around us that actually buy and like this product.
So I happened to mention it to a few people...

What amazes me (and it shouldn't), is that my friend Julie (see below) 'kidnapped' the sheet and took it with her to coffee last Sunday after mass, while I went to Sarnia to watch Michael play hockey. The generosity of our friends overwhelmed me when we got home to find the envelope filled with all kinds of orders! (Maybe going to church wasn't such a bad idea after all? God does reward in mysterious ways!)

Of course, having friends like this is worth more than anything (yes, they are quite funny, even when they're not drinking). A heartfelt thank you to all of you that covets Elmira Poultry and is willing to shell out the money for it.

I couldn't find pictures of everyone right away (y'all KNOW how many pictures I have stored by date in my computer????)

Thanks again, guys!

Finalists

Michael's team made it all the way to the Championship game at the Golden Blade this weekend in Sarnia. They played a strong team in the final and lost 3-1 with the third goal being an empty netter after Michael headed to the bench in order to put out the extra player.

We hooked up the trailer after consoling our sorrows drinking beer around Ferguson's campfire this afternoon. Stacey and Jesse...hosts with the mosts!

Henry - Aw come on...won't somebody play football with me? Henry, Chris and the boys played football until Chris felt something "pop". (Always a good time for the Dads to quit) Hopefully Chris had enough alcohol in him to loosen up whatever 'popped' and he will be okay tomorrow.

Jenny went with friends to watch the OHL game (London Knights vs. Saginaw) and had a great time. Personally, I think they spent the majority of their afternoon 'scoping' things out! Ah, I remember that age so well. Good thing Henry is already grey, because the next few years is going to stress him out I think.

All in all....an awesome weekend.

An Ideal Husband

Henry is great and all...but no, I'm not talking about him in this instance. I went to Stratford last night for my annual indulgence in partaking of the arts. Henry bids me "adieu" with great fanfare which included hopping in his truck and getting out of Dodge faster than I could say well, "ideal husband".

The play, by Oscar Wilde, is called "An Ideal Husband". It is a comedy that I found absolutely entertaining. The costumes were gorgeous, the actors brilliant, and the dialogue witty and 'laugh-out-loud' funny. For more info on the play, along with photos and review, go to A n E Vibe

Michael is in the Golden Blade hockey tournament in Sarnia this weekend, so the boys were more than happy to call Jenny and I with long distance updates (they are winning their games by blowouts 12-1, 27-0). The last time Henry phoned me, they were having a beer by the campfire (they are camping at Ferguson's - thank you for your hospitality guys!) They spent the afternoon between games at Gilmore's cottage...life is very rough for my boys. Jenny had her own hockey Friday and today. She played in Stratford this afternoon at the new arena. What a beautiful facililty! The chairs were nice and comfy! Jenny played awesome and the team skated strong to pull away with the win 6 - 3. Still just exhibition games...but I think they will have a good year.

Oh yeah, she DID look really good in all her new goalie gear.

And that fridge and stove is going to look REALLY good in my kitchen. (gotta laugh-hard- with the new Home Depot commercial The husband opens the door to a deliveryman with a delivery for "Furniture". The husband looks over at his wife, and she casually whips out a portable tape recorder and plays (something like) "Honey, if I get these golf clubs, you can have anything you want!"

The look on his face right before he signs the delivery order is PRICELESS.)

Up for debate...

Up for debate…

We all know of the massive campaign to stop people from smoking. A person who wants to smoke nowadays is quite restricted to where and when to light up. Not only are they harming themselves, but impose the health-risks to those unfortunate enough to be caught in the same zone as the smoker.

As you can tell, I can’t stand smoke. Don’t confuse this with not liking those who do smoke. If I can smell the smoke on you, you are WAY too close to me. If you smoke around me…I’ll move away. I have friends who smoke. They just respect my views on smoking. The same can be said for other ‘vices’. I am aware that Henry can’t stand the smell of coffee on my breath, as I abhor the smell of beer on his. Most times, we are aware of this, and respectfully try to avoid making the other person gag. It’s always a ‘give and take’ kind of thing.

Or so I thought until I read ‘this month’s debate’ in the Oct 2007 issue of Shape magazine. The question put to readers was,

“Should all restaurants be forced to use trans fat-free oils?”

(can you see where I’m going with this? Reminds me of the beginning of the campaign to stop smoking in public places)

At first I was surprised at the polling results…56% Yes, 44% No.

With obesity at an all time high and health care costs seemingly reflecting this, are we at the stage where public opinion will sway and elevate as the smoking issue did to force restaurants to the ‘healthy choice’?

There are good arguments for both sides.

Those that said yes obviously mentioned the health benefits, and the supposed ease to switch from non-healthy to healthier oils to improve people’s diets.

Those that said no, pointed out that the measure was too extreme, and as an alternative, restaurants should be forced to provide nutritional information for all their meals so that diners could make informed decisions. I really liked one readers response, “When it comes to helping people manage their weight, banning trans-fat oils won’t make as much of a difference as taking more drastic measures, like serving smaller portions.” Another reader said that a person should just stay home and cook if they are that concerned.

Like everything in today’s world, I think that society will dictate changes, with the media fueling the debate.

I am still on the fence with this one. I do think the idea has merit, but is society ready for all these ‘good for you’ decisions made for them? Restaurants and bars always seem to be the industries suffering the brunt of these ‘changes’. Will targeting just these industries be enough to change the obesity and health care costs concerns?

How much will THIS ONE cost the average taxpayer?

What is your opinion?

image problems

I have been having image problems (not with myself...although there are days!) with Blogger lately.

I tried posting a video the other day, as well as photos and now I can't see any images on my blog.

This may have something to do with my using Mozilla Firefox. I checked with another reader of my blog who uses Internet Explorer, and he is able to still see my pictures. Apparently blogger is working on this issue, but it makes it frustrating for me to see what I'm doing!

So hang in there folks...I'll be testing it over the next few days, so it may look odd (or not)

Keep me posted in the comments section so that I know what you're seeing.

I'm just curious...I tried to post a picture above of my niece and myself, but although it says it posted...I can't see it! Anybody????

Thanks!

no self control

Henry has absolutely no self control when put in a retail store that sells goalie equipment.

He debated for all of two minutes to buy Michael new goalie pads last April (he even remembers the date, April 21...how sick is that????)

It took less than two minutes to approve HIS daughters' purchase yesterday of new goalie pads (that are even MORE expensive than Michael's), a new blocker, a new helmet, and a new catcher.

Nobody plan on seeing Henry for another month, as he will be working and working any overtime I can convince his boss to give him in order to pay for this ... what are the words I'm looking for??? We might just as well take out another mortgage to finance this three goalie family!

Insanity...

Usually I don't complain about this stuff, but at the moment, I am royally pissed that Jenny just got a few thousand dollar shopping spree out of Henry, when I haven't figured out after seventeen years how to do this.

(So much for MY new fridge and stove/AGAIN...damn)

p.s. Jenny apparently doesn't GET how I feel about this, as she just told me that they got a FREE goalie stick along with this wonderful purchase!

This little tidbit of info doesn't take the edge off whatsoever...