... a beautiful, sparsly populated country with very few people and no need for "pushers".
Unlike Japan. The dudes in uniforms are apparently officially there to shove people on trains during the busiest part of the day.
Eeyikes.
I get claustrophobic just watching it!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
And THIS is why I live in Canada
Some Reno(vation) Pictures!
I changed the title for Victoria. ;)
Here is the first batch...
The skylights sure give great light - Kurt working on painting the cupboards.
The first "finished" cupboard door - installed by father and son. They both rolled their eyes when I made them "pose" but were otherwise good sports. :)
There were some cracks in a couple of rooms. Kurt cut out the floor where they were and replaced it. This was only part of the job - it turned out really nicely!
Kiley and Jessica - taking a break from their own renovations to play golf, visit us - and eat watermelon. :) They are sitting on our temporary bed in the living room while we were all painting cupboards and cupboard doors. (I was allowed to help with those.)
Oscar getting his consolation for being ignored. Lori got him a throw-toy which he loves to run all over our giant yard with. :)
If you ever, ever have to remove wallpaper - rent on of these babies. We got an entire house full of wallpaper done in one day. By "we" I mean my in-laws and Kurt. I wasn't allowed to stretch or anything like that - but I admired it happening. :)
Oscar doing what he does best. Notice the bright white cupboards. I've got some more really great before and after pictures for later... but this is a glimpse of what was.
Kurt after sanding down some patches. (I made him wear the dust-mask... no hubby of mine is gonna get drywall lung!) Notice the green on the hallway behind him and the white floor. Neither one is there anymore! :)
I just love this picture because of the tongue sticking out. :)
Gord - supervising Kurt. :) For any of his coworkers who have noticed him being tired during the week... this man has worked HARD for us - the yawn is justified. We wouldn't have been able to get as much as we have done unless he and Lori hadn't dropped everything to help us out. So thanks so much, guys. We love you! :)
Okay - that's it for now... I've got to run - but more to come.
Thanks for checking everyone! :)
Here is the first batch...
The skylights sure give great light - Kurt working on painting the cupboards.The first "finished" cupboard door - installed by father and son. They both rolled their eyes when I made them "pose" but were otherwise good sports. :)There were some cracks in a couple of rooms. Kurt cut out the floor where they were and replaced it. This was only part of the job - it turned out really nicely!Kiley and Jessica - taking a break from their own renovations to play golf, visit us - and eat watermelon. :) They are sitting on our temporary bed in the living room while we were all painting cupboards and cupboard doors. (I was allowed to help with those.)Oscar getting his consolation for being ignored. Lori got him a throw-toy which he loves to run all over our giant yard with. :)If you ever, ever have to remove wallpaper - rent on of these babies. We got an entire house full of wallpaper done in one day. By "we" I mean my in-laws and Kurt. I wasn't allowed to stretch or anything like that - but I admired it happening. :)Oscar doing what he does best. Notice the bright white cupboards. I've got some more really great before and after pictures for later... but this is a glimpse of what was.Kurt after sanding down some patches. (I made him wear the dust-mask... no hubby of mine is gonna get drywall lung!) Notice the green on the hallway behind him and the white floor. Neither one is there anymore! :)I just love this picture because of the tongue sticking out. :)Gord - supervising Kurt. :) For any of his coworkers who have noticed him being tired during the week... this man has worked HARD for us - the yawn is justified. We wouldn't have been able to get as much as we have done unless he and Lori hadn't dropped everything to help us out. So thanks so much, guys. We love you! :)Okay - that's it for now... I've got to run - but more to come.
Thanks for checking everyone! :)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hi!
Everything is okay - just working and renovating - living between two places.
So much fun. ;)
I'll put pictures of the new place up soon.
Our official moving day is May 31st. Stay tuned!
So much fun. ;)
I'll put pictures of the new place up soon.
Our official moving day is May 31st. Stay tuned!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Still True
I said it:
"So - as we were there, looking at our baby on the screen - we were amazed that God - who put her/him there in the first place - is building and maintaining "little Manz". Since worrying didn't put her/him there in the first place, we can rest and trust that worry won't keep the baby safe. But our God can! John Piper's love of "The God of molecules" rings a strong chord with me as I see our baby - who started as mere cells - growing and moving. There is a strange calm in knowing that this is one area we have absolutely no control of. God calls us to maintain that joy in Him, to know - again - that His timing and methods are best. I'm sure that I'll struggle with worry, or anxiety at some point (I am a hormonal woman working at a hospital!) - but I know - by God's grace - the joy of relaxing in the ONLY one who can control this issue."
How could we have known where we could end up from that point?
And how could I have known that my own words would still ring true in a very different pregnancy one year later?
Resting in a lack of control? What a paradox.
From childhood we are cautioned against "blind faith". And from a worldly perspective that is really good advice! But a person's reliability is established by their character. There is no character as proven as Jesus Christ's. If He says He will hold me - I'm held.
Like a little kid jumping into her daddy's arms in the pool. There is absolutely no doubt that her father is not only capable - but couldn't possibly fail. We don't consider all the risks when we're little because we've never been let down. And God is even bigger than my dad. :)
He always does what He says He will do. He will not fail. He still controls molecules. I know it.
"So - as we were there, looking at our baby on the screen - we were amazed that God - who put her/him there in the first place - is building and maintaining "little Manz". Since worrying didn't put her/him there in the first place, we can rest and trust that worry won't keep the baby safe. But our God can! John Piper's love of "The God of molecules" rings a strong chord with me as I see our baby - who started as mere cells - growing and moving. There is a strange calm in knowing that this is one area we have absolutely no control of. God calls us to maintain that joy in Him, to know - again - that His timing and methods are best. I'm sure that I'll struggle with worry, or anxiety at some point (I am a hormonal woman working at a hospital!) - but I know - by God's grace - the joy of relaxing in the ONLY one who can control this issue."
After our 18-week ultrasound, May 16th, 2007
How could we have known where we could end up from that point?
And how could I have known that my own words would still ring true in a very different pregnancy one year later?
Resting in a lack of control? What a paradox.
From childhood we are cautioned against "blind faith". And from a worldly perspective that is really good advice! But a person's reliability is established by their character. There is no character as proven as Jesus Christ's. If He says He will hold me - I'm held.
Like a little kid jumping into her daddy's arms in the pool. There is absolutely no doubt that her father is not only capable - but couldn't possibly fail. We don't consider all the risks when we're little because we've never been let down. And God is even bigger than my dad. :)
He always does what He says He will do. He will not fail. He still controls molecules. I know it.
Tickle, Tickle
Don't you just hate those annoying little skin 'tickles' that feel like a spider is crawling on you?
Especially when it is a spider?
The worst part is realizing you've been trying to be 'mature' and not overreact to the tickling sensation on your leg - and when you finally look down some mini-tarantula making his way north. E-yuck.
After an experience like this, you never under-react to a suspicious tickle again. Each is valid . Each is investigated.
Why do I blog in this subject? There is something about this pregnancy that is making me feel like something is crawling on me. On the computer. On the couch. In the car. At church. Tickle, tickle, tickle...
Ankles. Arms. Neck. Funny little sensations that have me thinking, "What if..." And it just seems to be some kind of over-reactive nerve thing. So far, anyway.
Sigh.
My burden to bear, I guess...
Excuse me. I've got a tickle to check out.
Especially when it is a spider?
The worst part is realizing you've been trying to be 'mature' and not overreact to the tickling sensation on your leg - and when you finally look down some mini-tarantula making his way north. E-yuck.
After an experience like this, you never under-react to a suspicious tickle again. Each is valid . Each is investigated.
Why do I blog in this subject? There is something about this pregnancy that is making me feel like something is crawling on me. On the computer. On the couch. In the car. At church. Tickle, tickle, tickle...
Ankles. Arms. Neck. Funny little sensations that have me thinking, "What if..." And it just seems to be some kind of over-reactive nerve thing. So far, anyway.
Sigh.
My burden to bear, I guess...
Excuse me. I've got a tickle to check out.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
One of Those "Tag" Things
Four Jobs I've Had:
1. RN - Home Care
2. RN - RUH 5100
3. RN - RUH 6100 (do you sense a theme? Yeah... I slaved for 5 years for that theme! chuckle)
4. Staples Business Depot - "that wasn't easy!" I only lasted 3 months before the pressure of sales got to me. Oh... and I failed a major pharmacology exam, too. :-P
Four Movies I've Watched More than Once:
1. While You Were Sleeping
2. Life is Beautiful
3. Emma (the Gwyenth Paltrow version)
4. Pride and Prejudice - the BBC miniseries version.
Four Places I Have Lived:
1. Leask, SK
2. Saskatoon, SK
3. Marcelin, SK
4. Laird, SK (infancy!)
Four TV Shows I Watch:
1. Lost
2. Cold Case
3. House
4. American Idol (although I was bummed when Carly got voted off...)
Four Places I Have Been:
1. Phoenix, Arizona
2. Los Angeles, California
3. Seaside Heights, New Jersey
4. Victoria, British Columbia (lest anyone think I do not travel within my own country)
Four People Who Email Me Regularly:
1. Laurie
2. my mom
3. Murray McLellan - via the church posting list! :)
4. My cousin, Tasha
Four of My Favorite Foods:
1. currently? Chicken McNuggets with BBQ sauce! MMMMM....
2. milk... perhaps not a "food" - but a craving!
3. pasta
4. steak
Four Places I Would Love to Visit:
1. Green Gables! (ARE YOU READING THIS, KURT????)
2. the Yukon territory - during summer!
3. Scotland - I love misty/rainy places!
4. A cruise ship... and wherever that may take me. Preferably Europe or Alaska... I'm not a tropics kind of girl.
Four Friends I'm Tagging:
Hmmm... just let me know if you do this on your blog, too. :)
1. RN - Home Care
2. RN - RUH 5100
3. RN - RUH 6100 (do you sense a theme? Yeah... I slaved for 5 years for that theme! chuckle)
4. Staples Business Depot - "that wasn't easy!" I only lasted 3 months before the pressure of sales got to me. Oh... and I failed a major pharmacology exam, too. :-P
Four Movies I've Watched More than Once:
1. While You Were Sleeping
2. Life is Beautiful
3. Emma (the Gwyenth Paltrow version)
4. Pride and Prejudice - the BBC miniseries version.
Four Places I Have Lived:
1. Leask, SK
2. Saskatoon, SK
3. Marcelin, SK
4. Laird, SK (infancy!)
Four TV Shows I Watch:
1. Lost
2. Cold Case
3. House
4. American Idol (although I was bummed when Carly got voted off...)
Four Places I Have Been:
1. Phoenix, Arizona
2. Los Angeles, California
3. Seaside Heights, New Jersey
4. Victoria, British Columbia (lest anyone think I do not travel within my own country)
Four People Who Email Me Regularly:
1. Laurie
2. my mom
3. Murray McLellan - via the church posting list! :)
4. My cousin, Tasha
Four of My Favorite Foods:
1. currently? Chicken McNuggets with BBQ sauce! MMMMM....
2. milk... perhaps not a "food" - but a craving!
3. pasta
4. steak
Four Places I Would Love to Visit:
1. Green Gables! (ARE YOU READING THIS, KURT????)
2. the Yukon territory - during summer!
3. Scotland - I love misty/rainy places!
4. A cruise ship... and wherever that may take me. Preferably Europe or Alaska... I'm not a tropics kind of girl.
Four Friends I'm Tagging:
Hmmm... just let me know if you do this on your blog, too. :)
Scenes from Manzville - May 8th, 2008
After scrounging around in my parent's fridge Thursday night, I pulled out a container of pasta that my dad hadn't finished (imagine that) from our outing to Poverinos.
Mmmm... chicken, and jalapeños.... just what the growing belly (newly released from most forms of nausea) ordered!
Just to be safe, I asked Kurt, "Did we go there on Sunday?"
I meant "last Sunday"- meaning "May 4th, only 4 short days ago".
Kurt replied, "Um... yeah. It was Sunday."
I ate the pasta. It was so good, I even contemplated having another serving. However, I got distracted by Lost and realized I didn't need anymore. Saved by the show...
My parents came home and asked what we had eaten for supper.
"Your leftover pasta." I told my dad.
He looked at me, widened his eyes and did a gag face.
"Yuck." He said. "That pasta was almost 2 weeks old - and it sat in a hot car all afternoon. I wouldn't have eaten it!"
Then he laughed. So did Kurt.
Great support, these 2 wonderful men in my life.
Yeah, the sarcasm is dripping from that statement. (chuckle)
But seriously - Eee-ewww.
I can't drink milk one day after the expiry date. Talk about trauma.
For the record - if my dad (mister "Don't be silly, Kendall. It's fine.") won't eat it, it's really risky.
When I looked accusingly at Kurt, he said (between chuckles), "I agreed to Sunday, but I thought you'd remember it was almost 2 weeks ago!"
Sigh.
I blame this lapse of food judgment on preggo-brain.
Fortunately, a few days have passed with no signs of food poisoning.
For this I am very grateful. :)
Mmmm... chicken, and jalapeños.... just what the growing belly (newly released from most forms of nausea) ordered!
Just to be safe, I asked Kurt, "Did we go there on Sunday?"
I meant "last Sunday"- meaning "May 4th, only 4 short days ago".
Kurt replied, "Um... yeah. It was Sunday."
I ate the pasta. It was so good, I even contemplated having another serving. However, I got distracted by Lost and realized I didn't need anymore. Saved by the show...
My parents came home and asked what we had eaten for supper.
"Your leftover pasta." I told my dad.
He looked at me, widened his eyes and did a gag face.
"Yuck." He said. "That pasta was almost 2 weeks old - and it sat in a hot car all afternoon. I wouldn't have eaten it!"
Then he laughed. So did Kurt.
Great support, these 2 wonderful men in my life.
Yeah, the sarcasm is dripping from that statement. (chuckle)
But seriously - Eee-ewww.
I can't drink milk one day after the expiry date. Talk about trauma.
For the record - if my dad (mister "Don't be silly, Kendall. It's fine.") won't eat it, it's really risky.
When I looked accusingly at Kurt, he said (between chuckles), "I agreed to Sunday, but I thought you'd remember it was almost 2 weeks ago!"
Sigh.
I blame this lapse of food judgment on preggo-brain.
Fortunately, a few days have passed with no signs of food poisoning.
For this I am very grateful. :)
May 11th
A very special blessed Mother's Day to all those who are - along with me - missing chubby hands and cheeks, tummy time, snuggles, giggles and tickles.
I won't put all your names down... but if you've contacted me with a similar story, I'm thinking of all of you, and keeping you in my prayers.
Today was harder than I thought... a day I've dreaded since we buried her. Strange as it seems - I can picture what it could have been like on this - my first Mother's Day - and I'm missing her all over again.
But with a new life inside me, I'm not hopeless. When I'm honest, I can truthfully say I never was. Today at church, Murray said something along the lines of "When the Lord brings you through difficult circumstances, it's never to hurt you..." and although this has hurt - I know He is a good God. That's kind of an understatement, actually. I'm clinging to the fact that He is a good God. :)
And for the rest of you - Happy Mother's day! :) I hope your families are treating you with excessive kindness. :)
I won't put all your names down... but if you've contacted me with a similar story, I'm thinking of all of you, and keeping you in my prayers.
Today was harder than I thought... a day I've dreaded since we buried her. Strange as it seems - I can picture what it could have been like on this - my first Mother's Day - and I'm missing her all over again.
But with a new life inside me, I'm not hopeless. When I'm honest, I can truthfully say I never was. Today at church, Murray said something along the lines of "When the Lord brings you through difficult circumstances, it's never to hurt you..." and although this has hurt - I know He is a good God. That's kind of an understatement, actually. I'm clinging to the fact that He is a good God. :)
And for the rest of you - Happy Mother's day! :) I hope your families are treating you with excessive kindness. :)
Monday, May 5, 2008
At Long Last...
We had our first major prenatal appointment today.
The baby's heart was clocked at 160 b.p.m. strong and steady... when I heard it, could have wept with joy. I didn't... but I'm not ruling it out as more awareness of what this means comes to me over the next few days.
We're praising God with calmed hearts... thanks for your prayers, everyone. :)
This next week will be busy - as were the last few! My new job starts full-swing this week... I'm pretty excited about that - even as I'm a little bit nervous. We also got all the wallpaper off the new house last week and all the holes patched - next weekend will be painting. I'll post as I can with before and after pictures. :)
Thanks for reading, everyone! :)
The baby's heart was clocked at 160 b.p.m. strong and steady... when I heard it, could have wept with joy. I didn't... but I'm not ruling it out as more awareness of what this means comes to me over the next few days.
We're praising God with calmed hearts... thanks for your prayers, everyone. :)
This next week will be busy - as were the last few! My new job starts full-swing this week... I'm pretty excited about that - even as I'm a little bit nervous. We also got all the wallpaper off the new house last week and all the holes patched - next weekend will be painting. I'll post as I can with before and after pictures. :)
Thanks for reading, everyone! :)
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