Happy New Year

This year I am not making a New Year resolution. There are hundreds of things I could resolve to accomplish in 2010 but I am trying to focus on the things that are good in my life opposed to the things that I want to be changed. I have two healthy, happy, beautiful little girls that I have missed immensely these last few weeks. Christmas wasn't the same with them away at Daddy's and I am counting the minutes until they get home this week. I am lucky to have a partner in this crazy life who deals with the all daily bullshit and still tells me he loves me at night. And even though my parents are scattered across the country I know that day or night they're only a phone call away. I am also blessed with friends and an extended family here in Regina that make it feel like home.

So really, when you lay it all out, there is nothing I could get this year that I don't have all ready. I have to try and keep that in the back of mind as I embark on a year that I'm sure will have a few disappointments along the way but for the most part will be filled with many happy occasions. Happy New Year to you all. May 2010 remind you of the many blessing that fill your life.

Cheers,
~Jen~

Lessons Learned Revisited Again

As always it's a cryptic little glimpse into my life:

1. Children are perceptive and they understand more than you think

2. You can't pick your family. Learn to love them despite their faults, They love you the same way

3. You can pick your friends. They are your friends because they want to be not because they have to be, Don't forget that

4. Everything you need to learn in life you learned in Kindergarten. Be nice to others, clean up after your self, share.

5. Wear mittens

6. Rider Green can become bearable if you just accept it and move on

7. If you don't have anything nice to say keep your damn mouth shut

8. He is the "Daddy"

9. Social 30 isn't any better the second time around

10. You really are doing it all for them

11. It's OK to go to bed angry. A night sleeping next to each other is all it takes to make it better sometimes.

12. Take your own advice

13. Let the little things go. Think big picture.

14. You can't fix every situation. Roll with it.

15. He's the one missing out, he'll regret it in the end

16. Embrace the cold weather. There is not a damn thing you can do about it. (See #5)

17. Listen to your Mother

18. Life is all about give and take. Give more than you take.

19. Throw out your fat clothes

And as always.....

20. He is He. And He is still amazing.

Cheers,
~Jen~
xoxoxox

Not Me Monday

This post is inspired by MckMama who keeps me laughing with her "Not Me Monday" every week.

This week I did not wear a Riders t-shirt borrowed from Crabby Krysta just so I could be in the group photo that is being published in the work newsletter. I defiantly did not allow my children to wear the same clothes two days in a row right down to the socks demanding that they only change their underwear. I mean what kind of mother does that sort of thing? I didn't let my cat drink coke with his paw right out of my glass and I certainly didn't eat Cheezies for supper because no one else was home. Nope not me!

Cheers,
~Jen~

Never Mind The Fast Lane, I'm on The Auto-Bon!

I have been neglecting my blog lately. I have been neglecting my blog and my housework and the laundry and even my children I think. I'm trying to think big picture otherwise getting through a week is near impossible. I decided in my infinite wisdom (if that's what you wanna call it) that not only was I going to work full time and raise two little girls but I would start taking night school as well. So on Tuesday and Thursday nights I take my little binder and pen and race off to SIAST to enjoy three hours upgrading my Social 30. I also have to take math and probably a science all in hopes of getting into a part time collage program next fall. So I'm trying to think big picture because all this madness has to get me somewhere in the end right? God I hope so! Consequently I have had a few extra minutes alone on my car everyday and managed to come up a fun little list I thought I would share.

Signs you might be living and working in Saskatchewan:

1. It's +30 on Monday....it's +5 and pouring rain on Tuesday
2. You can wear Rider jerseys to work on game day and it's not even the playoffs
3. You heard one guy call another guy Moose just like he would call him John or Bob
4. A squirrel sneaks in the front door of your store and runs around scaring the crap out of everyone, flinging balls of yarn everywhere as he goes and then he lets himself out
5. A co-worker has a porcupine stuck under her van and pest control comes and takes it away with a big net and a hockey stick. Then they have to drive two hours to find a wooded area to let it loose in.
6. The president of the company didn't visit this summer and you a relieved because you know he won't come now until the warm weather is back. He is not a frozen dumb ass like the rest of us.

And finally:

7. It's so windy the Dr. office a few doors down calls your store to tell you foam pumpkins are whipping past her window and out onto the highway. Could we please bring them inside?

Cheers!
~Jen~

Questions

This is the conversation I had with Kennedy this morning:

K:"Mama what is a mammal?"
Me:"An animal that has live babies"
K: "So your a mammal but what am I?"
Me: "Well your a mammal too, all humans are mammals"
K:" Well I think it would be better to lay an egg, it hurts to have a baby"
Me: "But then you have to sit on it and keep it warm, humans can't lay eggs"
K: "We'll see if I get pregnant"

ROFL....watch out folks someday I may have a grandbaby hatched from an egg

K: "Mama how come some girls love girls?"
Me: "Cause that's who they love"
K:"And some boys love boys right?"
Me: "Yep"
K:'But some girls love boys right? Like you and Jayse?"
Me:"Yes"
K:" Oh good"

Sometimes it's hard to keep a straight face with that kid around. I don't know where she gets it from!

And to top it all off Alexis thinks we live in Regina, Sascachumon. LOL.

My funny little girlies :)
Lovin' every minute of it
~Jen~

The One Year Mark

The one year mark of our move to Regina is fast approaching. I, of course, find it hard to believe that it has been a whole year since we embarked on this journey to a new life. Jason an I both find ourselves facing new challenges and experiences everyday as we move from being two grown-ups in love to a family with three little girls. Everyone is testing the waters; figuring out what shape of the puzzle they are going to be. We are like the foundation of a new structure. Settling, solidifying, anticipating what will be built on top of us one board at a time. The walls will be strong and the inside well insulated. Holding strong against whatever storm life may send our way.

It's been a hard road for me. I took the left hand turn when everyone was so clearly pointing to the the right. Everyday I feel guilt and regret for the people I hurt along the way, for those that will have their own explaining to do and the "what ifs" that will never be answered. I didn't think I would ever get to a place where I would feel any of those things. I think the light switch in my brain was finally turned on because I see things a lot more clearly now. It was a long time coming but here I am.

I not sure if it was fate or pure luck that brought Jayse and I together but I am thankful for whatever it was. As cheesy as it is to say I knew right away that we were meant to be. Love at first sight? Maybe not. Love at first kiss? Most definitely. It's a moment I will never forget. Even now 18 months in, despite the everyday bullshit, the occasional argument and everything else that changes a relationship I still get the butterflies. He never falters. He is always there right when I need him to be. He never fails to surprise me with the little things. I have learned how to stand on my own two feet but It's nice to know that I don't always have too. We are partners and together we are making it work.

With love,
~Jen~

The "Fauxgagement" Ring

Wednesday was an all around crappy day. I was in the emergency room at the Regina General. Not the best of places to be on a Wednesday morning but the abundance of cute doctors made the experience bearable :) Well after being there for a few hours with no answers I decided it would be nice to have some company so I called "Doctor Not My Husband"(Jayse) and he came from work to hang out while above mentioned doctors figured out what to do with me. Of course none of them were as handsome and manly as "Doctor Not My Husband". After visiting for a while I sent Jayse down to the gift shop for a bottle of water and something to read. He gladly obliged, sneaking out the side door for a little puff before coming back to my room and depositing the bottle of water and copy of People Magazine on the foot of my bed. So for a few minutes I flipped pages while he intensely studied the Archie comic he had bought when he says to me "What's that?". Flipping the magazine over to look at the ad on the back I look at him puzzled. "Right there" he points toward my left hand. Thinking he was talking about my IV I looked at it closely and again looked at him puzzled. Then he grabs my hand and says "there on your finger..... oh, it's a ring" and he slips on a little silver number with three fantastic faux diamonds that he found on his travels to the gift shop. To which I responded "Awww Hunny....you shouldn't have" (big smile in my face) At this point I think we were interrupted by a nurse for a few minutes and then once we were alone again Jayse says "So, Will you marry me?" Of course my response was "Yes" and then "But I still want a real ring." both of us were laughing at this point. It really was a romantic moment. Not in the" flowers and candy, throw your coat down on a puddle so my shoes don't wet" kinda way but in a "you always know how to make me smile and feel better kinda way". When the real thing does come I know my little silver and diamond number will mean as much as my "Official Bling" does but I bet it won't turn my finger green!

~Jen~

Snow? Seriously?

It's not enough that I work 8 hours a day. That I get up in the morning and get myself ready for work, make three lunches, get two kids off to school and even get a roast in the crock pot. Once in a while I deserve a little break. I mean, don't we all? This morning Mother Nature just had to get her two cents in and give us a pile of the lovely white stuff. Snow. She doesn't care that it's April 28th, that we have all our spring clothes unpacked and neatly folded. No. The bitch just has to get her last dig in before the warm weather comes. As if our winter, with days well into the -47's, wasn't enough. We have to endure yet another chilly winter day. On the plus side I expected this and still had the toques, mitts and warm coats stashed in the closet. So screw you Mother Nature! Better luck next year.

Cheers,
~Jen~

It's Why I Love Him

He makes me laugh...and he looks hot in a kilt towel.
xoxoxox
~Jen~

"Breath (2AM)"

I love this song. I could have written it about 18 months ago. Thank you Anna Nalick.

"Breathe (2 AM)"

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?,
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season"
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites. You're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

May he turned 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
"Just a day" he said down to the flask in his fist,
"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him. Maybe I'll just sing about it.

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
and breathe, just breathe
woah breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe,

Oh breathe, just breathe.

Cheers,
~Jen~
xoxoxox

Two More To go.....

So I made it through the last few days with relatively little drama even though Monday I could have cried at the drop of a hat. Or in my case the drop of a box cutter. I'm surprised it's still in one piece after the abuse it endured Monday morning. I was dropping everything including a frame right on Krysta's head. It could have been the fact that I was running on maybe and hours sleep after staying up all night Sunday wondering if the building would be standing Monday morning. It was. Damn it.

This morning I went to unplug my car and stood there with the extension cord in my hand shaking my head cause the plug to the block heater was still attached to it. I think that was my cars way of saying " I've had enough of this shit. I want summer". Of course it's - 38 with the wind chill right now so I'll be dragging my sorry self down two flights of stairs to start my car shortly and then pray it starts in the morning. But that's just how shit rolls for me. Whatever.

Two more days to go till me and that bottle of tequila from Mexico get to know one another.

Que te vaya bien.
~Jen~

Steps To Your First Day As Department Manager

1. Work 5 days straight. Start you new position on day 6
2. Get served breakfast in bed by handsome boyfriend
3. Haul your tired ass out of your nice warm bed and get ready for work
4. Put on freshly laundered work clothes
5. Scrape 2 inches of frost of your windshield. Drive to work
6. Arrive 10 mins. early. Take deep breath
7. Talk to store manager about plan for the day. Get to work
8. Get excited that things are going well. Feel confident when store manager leaves you all alone to go for lunch
9. Panic when all hell breaks loose in the hour he's gone
10. Cry
11. When he returns go get a BIG Timmie's
12. Spill said Timmie's on your freshly laundered work pants
13. See step 10
14. Remain in car for the rest of your lunch break. Finally understand why the assistant manager has lunch in his car everyday
15. Thank god you have a good crew to help you close the store
16. Check everything on your to-do list three times
17. Decide it's all done right. Take two tries to set the store alarm
18. Get in car and drive home
19. See steps 10 and 13
20. Stay up all night wondering if you should have checked the list 4 times.......

Cheers,
~Jen~

Brrrrr......

My parents are on a cruise right now, well at least half of them are. The other half is enjoying a balmy eastern spring day. Me, I'm freezing my ass off here in Regina. -32 with the wind chill today. More than anything I want to get out and run and burn off the 10 pounds I've put on over winter but I don't see that happening any time soon. The runners are ready and waiting for the next nice day though. Things here are good. Last week was a great week for Jason and I. He got a raise and I got promoted to Department Manager. It's not easy to start over from scratch but a little at a time things are getting better. The two of us still have as much fun now as we did when we lived in Ottawa/Montreal. If you know Jayse you know that your gonna laugh everyday if you want to or not. And of course I still melt when I see his dimples and that fantastic smile, even if he's getting himself in trouble. Which is most of the time lol.

The kids are doing well. Next month they both have birthdays. We are on the down slope to the end of the school year too which is nice. We are all looking forward to taking vacation this summer. I think it will be a trip to the lake with Grandpa and Grandma Sweety (my dad and step-mom).

Not to much interesting to share with you all. Things are pretty quiet here.
Cheers,
~Jen~
xoxoxox

My Dad Can Take His Thumb Off

The conversation I listened to in the car at 6:00 this morning:

McKynley: I know a magic trick, it's in my backpack
Alexis: Cool
M: Yeah, I should have brought it to show you (she goes on to explain it to Lexie)
A: My Dad knows magic, he can take his thumb off
M: My Dad can do that too!!
A: I know. He showed me
M: My dad does it really for real
A: So does my Dad and he can wiggle it when it's off too
M: I don't know how they do that
A: Where did they learn it?
M (with all confidence): Magic School
A: Mom, do we have a magic school here? I wanna learn how to take my thumb off
Me: Sorry that's a trick only Daddy's know how to do
M: We'll get him to do it after work
A: Yeah

ROFLMAO.
xoxoxox
~Jen~

Todays Main Event: Chundering

I got out the door this morning wearing matching socks and that was fairly impressive all things considered. Imagine taking your morning shower while your 6 year old is chundering in the toilet right next to you. Nothing between me and the chunder but a few mere inches and a very thin shower curtain. Yech. I'm fairly certain that my sitter is some kind of saint though, she was willing to take Lexie for the day anyway so I could work. By the time she got home she seemed to be on the mend. So here's hoping tomorrow is a better day cause I can't guarantee I will make it out the door with my sanity intact if tomorrow brings a repeat episode of today's main event. Fun stuff.
Cheers,
~Jen~

One Whole Year

There is a man in my kitchen and guess what? He's cooking! Perfection lol. So here we are celebrating another new year. Hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since I embarked my journey to a new life. Yes folks one whole year ago today I left for basic training in St.Jean, Quebec. Little did I know then that my life would be changed for ever. It wasn't long after that I met Jayse and the rest is history. Actually the rest is a long drawn out story with tonnes of drama that I'll save for my novel one day lol. But 4 and a half months in the middle of flat ass prairie land and it's all good. Finally somewhere I feel I can lay down some roots and lucky for me there is lots of soil around to do it in :P
Cheers,
~Jen~