I Miss my Mind the Most

Yesterday my hubby made some delish buffalo Tbones on the BarbQ.  He gave the actual T bones (sans meat) to the dog and she nearly had a heart attack and died.  She sat outside in the back yard and chewed on each bone slowly and longingly and then lovingly buried each one when she was finished.  Merry Christmas to the dog, she was easy to shop for!  
The problem is this, she wants to go and visit the bones every 10 minutes and is perpetually crying to go outside.  You just can't win with Dogs or children. 

~jen

Only one more sleep until my family arrives!! Yahoo!

Why do kids always puke- projectile type vomit in the CAR??

(it's just a question, Paige didn't puke in the car... at least not yet)

What a day i had yesterday!  I hit the mall like a tornado.  A pregnant, christmas shopping, tornado- it was a sight to behold. I finished all the major shopping and left only a couple stocking stuffers still to get.  Paige is defintiely spoiled, I realized how many gifts i bought her after I got home and started wrapping.  It's shamefull, and I was going to take something back but Mr. Island said, "No way, she's my girl!!", He is the 'spoiler of small children' in this family.  She's lucky that I don't have the energy to fight the mad rush or something would be going back!!  I can't talk to much about the fabulous gifts I bought since nearly all the recipients read my blog.  But I think most of the items will be enjoyed.  I suffered a bout of paranoia last night that everyone was going to hate their gifts and in the same thought I said to myself, "Who Cares." (actually Mr. Island said it- but I thought it) I've got receipts and they can return the items if they wish.  Or they can just give them back, right??  LOL  I wrapped up all of the gifts that may be discovered by Paige and envied- and even managed a few more.  I'll try and get a few more wrapped up today and whittle away at the pile until Christmas.  Someone may get their gift in a brown paper bag with a ribbon on it... but I'll try my best.

Anyway... Today is a day of rest in the island Household, and most likely tomorrow will be too. I've been so tired lately.  Tired and extra hungry.  I don't know what's up with the hunger- I can't tell if it's actual phy sical hunger or just a mental hunger.  My blood sugars have been high just about every night this week.  Not good.  And this morning I ate cereal and again, my blood sugars are high and I have a splitting headache.  I'm getting really tired of this diabetic thing.  Really tired.  I'm sick of cooking (haven't cooked a thing for over a week) and pretty much sick of most food in general.  I've got 10 more weeks of this to do.  It's going to suck HARD.  And on that happy note, I leave you...

Hugs and gift wrap,
Jen 

How is it that I can return from the grocery store and STILL have nothing to make for dinner??  I definitely should have planned this trip out before I went.  I am really tired today and didn't feel like being in the store at all.  Paige was well behaved and plied with cookies and other sweet crap.  I will have to sit down tonight and replan a shopping trip to get a few more things that I missed today (like everything). 
One thing I can say, if you want Yogurt, crackers, soup or veggies to snack on- THIS IS YOUR PLACE. 

Something tells me Mr. Island won't be wanting any of those items for supper tonight... ugh.  I think we'll be ordering pizza.  That cheers me up a little.

Paige said the funniest thing today... Big shocker.  She walked up to me with her pants pulled up to her chest and said, "Mom Look at me!!"
I replied, "Wow, your pants are pulled up really high"
without missing a beat she says, "Ya, Now I can be like a Grandpa."
What the...?  Where did she get that from??  I can assure you that Neither one of her Grandpa's wear their pants like that!!   Between her funny remarks and hearing her sing along to "Cold hard Bitch" (or 'Bits') by Jet on the radio- I'm starting to think God gave toddlers a built in comedian chip.  Which really helps ME deal on days like today when I'm soo bloody tired.  Tomorrow is daycare day for Paige AND christmas shopping day for me... I'm going to try and get it ALL done in time to come home for a long winters nap.  Wish me luck.

Take it easy Peeps,
~jen 

Let me introduce you guys to me new Bodum Santos Vacuum Coffee pot.  I'm in love, love, love with it.  Here is a picture of it that I took this morning as it finished brewing.  I wish I could pour you each a mug, it's just the best coffee you could ever have (brewed at home). 
Isn't it a funky site to behold?  Yes it is cool.  And did I mention that it was FREE?!?!  Many, Many Thanks to Colin at Coffeecrew.com for sending the unit out to me last week.  It was my birthday present and Christmas present all rolled into one.  I sent him a 50$ 'thank you' Christmas card because I am still stealing this pot for that measely sum and it makes me feel better about putting him through the trouble of sending it.

Here is another picture of the pot as I transferred the coffee to my thermos- to keep it from going bitter on the burner.  I love coffee but even I can't drink a litre and a half in 20 minutes.  Well maybe I could- but not right now.

There is my favorite blue glass mug- well one of my three favorite mugs, the others were all in the dishwasher...

I also wanted to share more pictures today.  The next couple pics are of the paintings Mr. Island did this week.  I wam just so impressed, I can't wait to hang them in the bedroom above the bed on my new plaster wall.  There were going to be pictures of the new plaster wall as well BUT I didn't get any pictures that turned out... I'll feature that another day.

Well that is all I have got for now, I must go for lunch before I pass out...
Enjoy...

~jen

How is everyone out there in blog land??  I've been so busy with christmas functions and being sick that I just haven't had time to blog- if you can beleive that.  So many things to update, I'll give it my best shot.
I'm now officially 7 months prego!!  Check out the pregnancy ticker HERE.  I'm in the home stretch, and christmas will help speed along the next month so the time is going to fly and before you know it we'll have a new addition to keep us awake at night.  How exciting.
My brand new and totally free coffee pot arrived in the mail on friday!  It looks so cool and make delicious coffee- REALLY, it does.  I can't believe I own this little gem.  I thought the whole process would be so complicated but its easier than pie and the pot itself is a conversation piece and fun to watch as it brews.  Great stuff.
Today i finished the venetian plaster on our bedroom wall.  The plaster color was tinted to match the paint color on the other walls, but of course it doesn't match.  I may be able to live with it, we'll see.  I was going to do the whole thing with drywall compound (because I'm a cheapo at heart) but since I won a 25$ gift certificate at Mr. Island's christmas party (more free stuff!!) I decided to splurge on the actual venetian plaster stuff.  It worked nicely except for the whole color thing. I'll keep you updated and take pictures tomorrow when I've got better light.
Mr. Island completed an absolute Beaut of a painting today and I want him to complete another one for above the bed- to hang on the new plaster wall... I don't know exactly where he planned to hang them but he's got some funky framing ideas.  Pictures to follow really soon.
I've got NO christmas shopping done so I'm hoping to be able to beg some childcare from my friend Suz this week and run out to pick up some things. I've got a list, I just need to run in and run out- no hangin' about.  My kinda christmas shopping.

Anyway- I've got to run,  More to blog tomorrow!

Hugs and Mistletoe,
~jen

I'm imagining a Griswald Family christmas this year.  You'll know what I'm talking about if you have ever seen National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. If you have not seen that movie, it really is a must for the season. GO AND RENT IT!! I keep finding my dog drinking all the water out of the Christmas tree stand.  I hope the silly tree makes it to christmas time without bursting into flames... Dang dog!!

Not to mention the fact that nearly my entire family will be visiting my humble abode for christmas this year.  That is always a recipe for hilarity and you KNOW i'll be blogging about every second of it...

That is, if my dang dog doesn't drink the tree dry and cause the house to burn down.

Tomorrow is a big day in the island household... Paige is going to Daycare!!  We thought we would put her in the daycare down the street so she could play with other kids and have something fun to look forward to every week.  Tomorrow is her first day.  She will only go once a week on Fridays and the one day off has my mind reeling with the possibilities!! I will be able to do anything i want- CHILD FREE. 
What do I have on my list to do tomorrow??  Well, after I drop her off, I am going to go christmas shopping and run a few other errands.  I should get everything done in record time because I won't be fighting with a two and a half year old every second!!  Oh gosh, I'm getting giddy and light-headed just thinking about it and I'm sure its NOT just because of my head cold.  I'm going to try and finish the laundry and if I'm feeling up to it, I will sort through the toybox and get the extra toys ready for donation before christmas.  I will probably even fit in a nap, sometime before i pick her up.  It will be a happy day for me and I'm sure Paige will be having a ball too.

I've been suffering from ANOTHER bloomin' head cold, this one has been so miserable because it won't let me sleep.  I'm so tired all day long- I'm sure it's part pregnancy fatigue coupled with cold fatigue.  I'm managing pretty well so far.  Many hugs and kisses to my hubby for going to get groceries for me the other day- what would I do without that man??? 
I also want to send out a big THANK you to my Mother in law for hemming my new pants- I was in NO shape to drag out my sewing machine and deal with scissors and measuring etc.  Now I have something to wear to Mr. Island's staff christmas party!  She was sick too and she still did it for me- very special lady.

Well, I should go and try to convince Paige that a NAP would be good right now.... wish me luck.

Hugs and Cherries,
~jen

So, wouldn't you know it, I was feeling resourceful the other night and thought I would get going on my home made christmas cards.  I notice there is a blinking red light on the front of the printer so I started investigating.  It tells me the paper is jammed... I check, nope, no paper jam.  Then It tells me to check to see if the printer is hooked up- BAD SIGN.  It is an especially bad sign when you KNOW that the printer IS hooked up and was working fine yesterday.  Just to be sure I check all of the cords and make sure they are all connected.  More fiddle-farting, cussing and throwing of papers follow and still NADA from the devil printer.  I thought to myself "Perhaps my black ink was too low and that is causing this whole problem"... so i open the brand new ink cartridge that I bought a few weeks ago and install it next to the nearly NEW color cartridge that I installed a few weeks ago.  Still Nothing.  The ink shuttle inside is limp like a wet noodle, it won't even let me complete the ink install.
This is when i realize that my four year old Epson 777 has officially given up the ghost.  I've seen it happen to many printers before (always Canons) but I thought my trusty Epson would last forever!!!   I knew I was running on borrowed time- but why didn't it just let me get through my christmas cards???  I feel so ripped off.  Not because I have to purchase a new printer, but now I am staring at a broken printer with TWO juicey, brand new, expensive cartridges in it that will never be used.  For the price of that ink I could have bought an entirely new printer. 
Oh poo.  If anyone out there has an Epson 777 just let me know, i'll seal the cartridges back up and send them to you.  I don't know if i can deal with throwing them in the garbage.  ::Wiping away a tear::

Oh well- Looks like I may be talking to Santa about a new printer this year.  Any suggestions on which one I should ask for??

Hugs and Many prints,
~jen

Today was my birthday.  Not just any birthday, it was the big THREE ZERO.  I'm thirty years old.  I don't feel old actually i still feel like I did when I was 18 only with a hell of a lot more life experiences and a lot wiser because of them.  I've had friends who have had 'meltdowns' when they turned thirty, start going out to the clubs and acting like fools.  I don't feel like that at all.  I'm flabbergasted that I'm 30 years old but not in a bad way.  I'm pretty proud of myself and my acheivments over the last ten years.  I've met and married a wonderful man- that was definitely a proud moment.  We moved far away from both of our homes and families which was a great adventure and the experience made us a stronger and more interesting couple (if that is even possible).  I had a beautiful baby girl which was a truly life changing experience.   Now, I'm turning thirty and I'm working on our next addition to the family. 
Wow. 
I feel like I'm at such a wonderful place in my life right now, I'm actually excited to get going with the next thirty years.  I've got plans, places to go and people to see- so I better go and get to it.

Hugs and Birthdays,
~jen

Okay, I'm out of the loop as far as internet knowledge goes.  I have NO clue why I'm suddenly unable to leave comments on anyones' blogs.  When I run my cursor over the 'add/view' link I get a 'javascript:void(0)'  ;error in my status bar (or something like that).  I've tried tweaking everything I can think of on my system and so far NOTHING works. 

Has anyone else experienced this problemo?  I've been trying to comment on the few blogs I've had time to read and it seems like only the select few will let me.  Please HELP! 

Maybe I'm wearing the wrong perfume today...  Who the hell knows.

~jen

I was feeling like my life needed a little more cowbell,
There is more than enough to go around so help yourself.
Is this avatar funny OR WHAT????

Yesterday we spent the first part of the day decking the halls.  Mr. Island put up the christmas lights outside and bought us a REAL christmas tree.  It looks magnificent- it's possibly the largest tree I've ever had in my life. Not so much the tallest tree but definitely the WIDEST!
  Last year I purchased a ton of christmas decorations from Micheal's after christmas at a huge discount (the only way to shop) but I had totally forgotten about them until I had opened the box!  We have never had much in the way of decorations, we're still building our stash.  But this year our tree looks special, at least it does to me.  I discovered several strands of garland in my decoration box that I don't recognize and I have NO idea where they came from!  They have a really old smell to them, like they have been stored away for several years, and they are covered in golden tinsel.  I've never been a tinsel person and if I was it wouldn't be GOLD tinsel- so I know they can't possibly be mine.  A little christmas mystery

Our exterior lights are beautiful too, we have the dangly white icicle lights that seem to light up the night.  They are a nice contrast to my neighbor's colored lights, I think.  I would love to put up many more, but I'm not going to get picky.  I'll save the extra lights for next year when I'm mobile enough to do some of it myself.
Tomorrow is the day I meet the guy from coffeecrew.com and pick up my free Bodum Santos coffee pot!!  I'm so excited!  Also, tomorrow is my friend (and neighbor) Suz's daughter's birthday- we are going bowling, so fun is sure to be had by ALL.  If I can keep Paige from trying to open & play with the present- we'll be golden.
Well I'm off to get ready for the day...

Hugs and tinsel,
~jen

a month ago I recieved a flyer in the mail from a long distance provider.  London Telecom to be exact.  They offer some good deals on flat rate Long distance calling between provinces. 

I called them today and was immediately informed that they don't provide service to my area. 
Why then, please tell me,  do the dumb bastards provide FLYERS to my area???

Could someone please inform the child that I'm carrying that 5 AM is NOT an appropriate time for a wake up call???  Especially a wake up call of the kicking and jiggling variety.

::Sigh::  back to bed for me, and little jiggles,

~jen

The trip to Vancouver was nice.  The ferry ride was FREE because i had a medical travel pass.  I like free stuff.  We had absolutely no problem drifting into the BC Women's Hospital and even though I realized (too late) that I didn't know the doctors NAME, the receptionist still managed to figure out where I was supposed to go.  The doctors appointment with the specialist went well.  All of my internal organs are working like God intended and I'm the picture of health.  Thank goodness. 
We drove through Vancouver, saw alot of gross condo architecture, some beautiful stylish architecture, the lead singer of Wide Mouth Mason, and a crack whore.  Ya I know, can you believe it, only one crack whore. 
Mr. Island used his incredible navigational skills and took us to the Ikea in Port Coquitlam which AMAZINGLY enough was right next door to Thyme MATERNITY, THE CLOTHING STORE.  I was in heaven.
I bought 4 tops and a pair of pants for 55 dollars.  Did you catch that??  I said FIFTY FIVE dollars!!  And that is CANADIAN dollars!!  part of the reason it was so cheap is because the woman didn't ring in the 30 dollar pants, I realized later.  Her bad, if she had shut up for 5 minutes and stopped trying to sell me every last item in the store she wouldn't have messed up.  After my windfall at the Mat Store we headed to Ikea and bought ourselves a new bed frame.  I'll take a picture in the morning, after I've made the bed... it looks wonderful.  I was getting used to having the bed at a nice floor height, especially since I'm getting more prego by the day- but I'll get used to this too after I fall out of bed a few times.

After a quick and easy trip through Ikea we managed to pack up our booty and Make the 5 o'clock ferry home!!  I could NOT have planned it out more perfectly, and it's a good thing I didn't try because that would have screwed everything up for sure.

I'm off to catch another bite to eat-
Tomorrow I'm going to blog more and read more of your blogs, I've fallen so far behind!!!

Hugs,
~jen