Writing and other life stuff

I've been feeling something weird these last few weeks. I'm not sure I know how to describe it...

I look at the state of our bank account and I no longer panic that I'm not doing enough.

I've written out my weekly goals and when I don't accomplish them, I'm not beating myself up anymore. I smile at what I accomplished and whisper a prayer that God will continue to provide for my needs.

The last two weeks I've had assignments spring up simply from editors calling editors and asking for names of freelance writers. (There's one lady at the SP I should buy flowers! And I never worked with her in my eight months on staff.)

When I examine my writing business, instead of seeing all the things I haven't accomplished, I see the amazing things God has done. He's brought editors to my doorstep without me even lifting a finger. All my useless fretting and He's used my time at the SP to cultivate relationships with people who've recommended me whenever they've been asked. Without me needing to fret over a thing.

Those recommendations have blossomed into lucrative ongoing (love that ongoing part!) assignments.

It's easy in a feast or famine career to always worry. You always fear there will be a day when editors will stop calling, stop emailing and stop asking. It's a fear that has haunted me and coloured everything I did.

It was like being weighed down with heavy chains. It made a work I love - pure drudgery at times.

For the first time in my life I feel like I'm experiencing ... what is this? Could it be... peace?

I've asked God to bless my writing. I pray each week He will act as my agent and take my name where it needs to go to provide for my family.

I make my list, pray over it and email it to a friend (hi Heather!) for accountability and then I ask God to do what I can not - to control what I can not. I'm just called upon to finish my assignments to the best of my ability and be the best wife and mom I can be. The rest I trust God to do.

And guess what? He does it.

How have I been so blind as to miss this before?

I know I feel so much lighter. I feel free. And I have to admit freedom is something I never been able to associate with Christianity. I must admit this feeling is ... well ... I like it!

And to think all my fussing and fretting kept me shackled, blind and never accomplished what I wanted it to.

Just had to share some of the lessons God has opened my eyes to. Our God is an amazing God.

Listening to: Barbie in Rapunzel

Assignments pending: 1

Faith journeys

This week Richard and I made a harrowing journey to the school to pick up our kids during the worst blizzard in over five decades.

On the way home, facing in the 90 km/h winds I was completely blinded. The wind gusts kept stripping off my hood taking my breathe with it and bringing that freezing cold air down my neck and back and into my ear.

I grabbed my hood and scrunched it around my face to block the gale. In doing so I rendered myself blind. I gave myself a small lookout hole and put my head down.

In order to keep myself from wandering into traffic or a light pole, I grabbed onto a strap on Richard's back pack. I clung to the strap to guide my way. I trusted him to lead me.

I must have been a comical sight. Stumbling blindly through snowdrifts, slipping on icy patches. But I never let go. I just kept going.

The second my breathe hit the air, it condensed to form an icy moustache above my lip. My leg muscles ached as we plowed through stiff drifts of snow, my hand gripping my hood began to throb and I could feel ice crystals forming my eyelashes and face.

Richard often stopped to ask if I was ok. I would always reply, "Keep going."

Whether I was ok, wasn't the point. Keep moving. Don't stop. We're not at our destination yet. Just go.

Then I ran across this enlightening interview with Peter Furler (lead singer with the Newsboys) and Christianity Today in October of '06. He talks about (among other things) how he left the church for almost 15 years and has only come back to it about five years ago.

Go on. Do the math.

I'll wait.

You got it?

That means that the stalwarts of Christian rock music who's been inviting us to live and share the gospel of Jesus Christ for over twenty years were not attending church for the majority of their careers and only came back in about 2001.

Like wow!

It's a stunning revelation. I'll let you read all of the whys and wherefors in the article.

I think in a way it highlighted for me, how much I appreciate open honesty from Christians. I don't need a bunch of people around me who have it all together.

No where in the bible does it say, "Blessed are those who have it all together and never struggle to make Jesus the Lord of their life."

I appreciate so much people who are broken. I don't wish difficult times in the lives of my loved ones, but if they haven't had those painful tribulations I don't know what they could say to me or for that matter anyone about their faith in Jesus Christ. It isn't a faith then. It's just a cerebral set of ideas. An intellectual matter. Nothing personal and certainly nothing life changing.

But in the midst of pain, disappointment and tragedy, then faith becomes faith. It becomes something precious. Something I want in my life.

I think of friends who nearly lost their dad to an often fatal illness and their steadfast prayers, but also their painful acceptance that whatever happened God had it all in hand.

I think of another couple who lost their unborn baby on the day she was to be induced. I'm in awe of the peace they exude even through the tears.

I think of another friend who took the brave step of leaving home for a far off land - where she knew neither the language or customs - knowing it would be difficult, knowing it would be a growing experience that would be (at times) uncomfortable.

Faith only becomes faith when you have nothing left to hang on to. It only becomes something of value when everything else you thought had value suddenly becomes meaningless.

Only then does it become real. Only then does it become truly alive - meaning it grows and changes.

To hear someone I respect for their energetic and profound Christian music speak so openly about their own faith journey - skipping past all the cliches... instead offering a true and real account of what they've gone through and wrestled with - it inspires me to be more vigilant about not wearing that Christian mask I so often slip on.

You know the one. The one that says to the world: I'm fine. Everything's fine. I have no problems and if I did have problems me and Jesus worked it out just fine without you. I don't need prayer and I sure don't need grace. I'm just fine and I fit perfectly in the cookie-cutter image we all have of what a Christian should be and do.

I guess in a nutshell: I want to see people in my life who's faith is not perfect. Who offer me more than mere platitudes when my life falls apart. Who know that this journey in Christ is often a messy sticky gooey chaotic trek. Furthermore I want to be someone like that.

Like me hanging on to my husband's back pack strap in this week's blizzard, we all stumble along through our journey - making mistakes and riding through bumps, often looking less than graceful.

Sometimes we don't walk in a straight line and we often can't see where we're going. And our progress is at times difficult and uncomfortable.

The goal (just like walking in a blizzard) is to keep moving. Don't stop. We haven't reached our destination yet. Just go!


Listening to: Newsboys: Go (limited edition)
Assignments pending: 1

Blizzard

I can now officially say that I have walked to school in knee-deep snow with windchills in the minus 30s into the wind both ways.

As some may be aware Toon Town is experience the clenched fist of old man winter. He wound up and walloped up us but good!

The city has become paralyzed with snow and white-out conditions. On my trek home from work (thanks be to heaven I left work before 11!), I noticed several abandoned cars on eighth street as I crawled home. I was so grateful to reach my driveway!

DH was sent home from work early, too. I told him he was on his own to get home, so a co-worker drove him around 2:00.

We then bundled up to walk and get the kids. We weren't able to get through on the phone to the school (the phone systems have been flaky all day), but we knew they were asking parents to pick up their kids. Because the bus hadn't arrived to pick them up this a.m. I figured they wouldn't be running this afternoon either.

So away we trudged through knee-deep and sometimes thigh- or waist-deep snow drifts. The second my breath hit the cold air it condensed - eventually I had mustache of ice above my lip.

We arrived at school only to discover our kids were riding their bus and the bus had just left minutes before. So we bundled up again and then made the ugly trek back home.

We phone our neighbour to tell her to watch for our kids and take them in when the bus dropped them off in case they arrived home before we did. This turned out to be the case. I was just glad my precious kiddos were spared the frost-bite-and-hypothermia-risking walk from school.

We were all glad to be safe and sound (and warm!) at home.

Our neighbour from across the street got called into work, so we had to watch their two kids. Their dad arrived about a half hour later. He told us of his harrowing journey coming home. It took him almost two hours to get from downtown to here. He said it took him about 30-45 minutes to get off Circle onto eighth street because of the uphill slope. Then he made the mistake of trying to get onto 14th - which the police had closed earlier.

But all that I know are safe and sound. God is good. He is our Shield and Protector.

A new year - no more worry

To revisit Christmas:
We were off to Dauphin for five days and I dare say I feel the tiniest bit guilty for doing absolutely nothing for those five days. It was fabulous, though! The massive amounts of stress I felt before the holidays seemed to be slowly peeled away.

Next we visited my mom and her family for two days in Wilkie. I got to see aunts and uncles and have lunch with my Grandma - a spry lady at the age of 93 with a will of iron. It brought back so many memories to sit at that table and eat sausage with potatoes and noodles. Yum!

We came back to Saskatoon and spent two days shopping. We were looking for shelves for Logan's room. I also bought several bins so we can sort out all his toys into these bins. Hopefully, it will be easier for him to keep his room clean and neat... she says with a rueful laugh...

I got spoiled by my family this year. Richard bought me a new crockpot with matching mini crockpot - both in stainless steel. Mikaela gave me a "spin spa" - a battery powered brush with various attachments to use in the shower to exfoliate and massage. You can even put your favourite shower gel inside the sponge. Logan bought me a foot spa and massager. I shall be very well massaged and relaxed it would seem!

One of my favourite gifts was wrapped in green paper and topped with a huge green bow. Inside were two shirts - a Roughrider sweatshirt and a Roughrider tank top. Woohoo! I'm set for football season.

Another favourite was my hubby's other gift of Alias season one. We spent the week enjoying every suspenseful, action-packed minute.

With the money my mom gave me I bought myself new work out clothes and a strength training book for women. The book is awesome. I started my new workout routine yesterday and my abs and arms feel it today! Oh boy!

Looking forward:
The gift I bought for myself were two books: The Power of a Praying Wife (actually part of a three-in-one book - so it includes the Power of a Praying Parent and the Power of a Praying Woman as well) and the journal to accompany Praying the Names of God. This gift may turn out to be the most important.

I've decided to make prayer and Bible reading more of a priority in 2007. So far I have learned so much. I feel like a new person already.

For starters I've learned I don't need to worry. While that may not seem like much of lesson, for this all-star fretter it's absolutely huge.

I've always felt - specifically in the last two years, especially since I left the SP - that I was supposed to be doing something else. I watched in envy as everyone else's life around me seemed to have such focus and purpose. I watched as those I knew pursued educational goals, family goals, career goals, etc and had them all come true. I was both envious and frustrated. And it fueled this deep-seated restlessness that I should be doing something else somewhere else.

But what?

I didn't know.

My prayers brought little relief, as well. I was so angry and disillusioned with God, I felt He had abandoned me completely. And the loneliness was unlike anything I had felt before.

In the meantime we tried to by a house - but that didn't work out. More pain. More disappointment. Where was God anyway?

Over the holidays I felt like God was saying in that still and quiet voice:

"JJ don't have to do anything else. You don't have to make more money or work at a different job. I have called you to do these two things - write and work at the CPC for now. It's only for a season. All you need to focus on is doing those to the best of your ability and focus on being the best wife and mom you can be. That's your job. I'll take care of the rest."

I feel like a hundred pound weight was lifted off my chest. It's such a relief it's almost hard to explain. It took a long time but I think God finally got through this thick skull of mine!

I've chosen some theme verses for this year:

Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories. Isaiah 41:10

Where you go, I will watch over you, then later I will bring you back to this land. I won't leave you - I will do all I have promised. Genesis 28:15

God bless you as you prepare for the new adventures of 2007. May God guide you, bless you and make His face to shine upon you and give you His precious peace.

Listening to: blessed silence
Assignments pending: 1

Apologies

With the Christmas rush I got a little behind on the 12 Days of Christmas recipes. Thankfully, I had planned out ahead some of them or probably none of them would have gotten posted!

Anyway, I apologize to everyone who was anxiously awaiting recipes. I'll post them all in a couple of days for those that want to save them for next year.

We just got back into the city from Dauphin. We're decompressing and regrouping for Christmas: Round Two. This time at my mom's house in Wilkie.

We have a few errands to run tomorrow and then we'll be off.

The kids will be staying with Grandma for about a week. The hubby and I will be back in Toon Town sometime Friday.

Merry Christmas and love to you all!

Scam artists

Police in Montreal busted a major international telemarketing fraud ring yesterday. They arrested around 30 people. Click here to read the story.

I mention this because at work we've been the target of this type of scam. They billed for services never rendered. And then phoned last week to threaten me if we didn't pay. We had no intention of paying which absolutely infuriated the caller. Because of the threatening nature of the language being used, I had to report it to Sasktel and the police.

As well, we filed a complaint with the RCMP's phone fraud hotline.

Our con artists were calling from St. Laurent (Montreal) so it's conceivable our lovely thugs were rounded up in this latest bust.

I hope they throw the book at these creeps. The fact that they bilked thousands of dollars out of senior citizens is despicable. The fact that I as a young person, internet savvy, and not afraid to ask questions felt threatened and uncertain at times (these people are really good at what they do!), I can't imagine what an older person might feel. They msut have felt like they had no choice but to pay. Perhaps they felt ashamed and didn't want anyone to know.

In addition, (I didn't know this) but telemarketing fraud has been taken over by organized crime - Hells Angels and the like. Yikes! These people don't deserve to ever touch a phone again.

I do hope the Canadian government comes up with stricter prison sentences (or any jail time at all would be a start!) for these bums. Right now I'm hoping the people busted yesterday will be extradicted to the states (most of their targets were seniors in the U.S.) where they will face 5 to 10 years in prison. Lock them up and throw away the key, I say!

Meanwhile, I hope they got the guys who were threatening us...

On the sixth day of Christmas

My true love gave to me yuletide slices!

Memories will come back when you see these little gems. I think the recipe was made popular in the late seventies and early 80’s. You’ll recognize them. I got this one from my mom. You still see them at the occasional church social.

Yuletide Slices
Pretty and oh so simple

4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp milk
1/2 icing sugar
1 pkg mini marshmallows (the colourful kind)
1 pkg flaked coconut

In a microwaveable bowl melt chocolate, butter and milk on medium. When everything is smooth add sugar and blend well. Gently fold in marshmallows.

Place about 1/3 of coconut on wax paper and spoon about 1/3 of chocolate mixture and roll into 8-inch log. Make sure to completely coat with coconut. Repeat with rest of chocolate.

Wrap logs tightly and place in fridge for at least 3 hours or until firm. These can be frozen as well.

To serve cut each log into slices (about 3/4-inch to 1-inch).

Get creative: add walnuts or pecans for extra crunch!

On the fifth day of Christmas

... my true love gave to me two kinds of fudge!

CAUTION: both recipes I'm posting today contain nuts. Though they can be made without!

The first one is absolutely delicious. It was a new recipe I tried this year and comes courtesy Kraft Canada (with some modifications). It's simple and if you like creamsicles you better make a double batch!

White Chocolate Fudge
Hard to resist!

2 pkg (6 squares each) Bakers white chocolate
3/4 cup sweetened condesnsed milk (this is less than a full can)
1 cup chopped toasted almonds (or cashews)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tbsp grated orange peel

Line 8-inch square pan with foil. In microwaveable bowl microwave chocolate and milk one medium until melted. Stir until smooth. Add almonds, cranberries and orange peel. Blend well. Spread into prepared pan and refrigerate until firm. Lift fudge out of pan using foil and cut into 24 pieces.

Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Do not freeze.

Get creative: Instead of almonds, use pecans and substitute red and green candied cherries for the dried cranberries for an extra festive touch!

A note about the second recipe I'm posting. While I've made this recipe numerous times I have apparently developed some sort of disability with it comes to making it. Both this year and last year I was unable to get the squares out of the pan without the fudge and shortbread coming apart. If I let the recipe come to room temperature before cutting it was easier, but I don't know how to solve this problem.

One tip: make sure to melt the chocolate well. You don't want to be trying to spread chocolate onto the shortbread while it's cooling. It makes a crumbly mess - believe me!

Fugde-topped shortbread
Combining two favourites for double the pleasure

1 cup butter (no substitutes)
½ cup icing sugar
¼ tsp salt
1-1/4 cup flour
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ tsp almond extract
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Beat butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in flour. Spread into greased 13-in X 9-in baking pan. Bake at 350 F for 16-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.

In a microwaveable bowl melt chocolate chips with milk. Stop frequently to stir (chocolate will keep its shape even when melted in the microwave). Stir until smooth. Stir in extract. Spread over shortbread. Sprinkle with almonds and press down. Refrigerate until firm and cut into squares. And of course, share with loved ones!

On the fourth day of Christmas... (catching up!)

My true love gave to me a handful bundle of ginger cookies!

When I was in college, one of my dorm-mates got regular carepackages from her mother. One of them was a ice cream bucket full of ginger cookies. They had crackly tops rolled in sugar and were soft and chewy. Whenever a carepackage arrived everyone crammed into her little room to get a taste of those spicy little cookies.

I looked for years for a recipe like this. Once I found it in my Pillsbury goldmine, it definitely sealed the deal on the cookbook. There was no way my mom was getting it back.

As I said, I’ve been known to make a batch of these in anticipation of company the next day – only to have none to share with company. Watch out they go fast!

Ginger Snaps
Soft and chewy or for a crunchier cookie bake for a few minutes longer

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2-1/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup sugar

Beat 1 cup of sugar, margarine, molasses and egg until light and fluffy. Stir in remaining ingredients except 1/4 cup sugar. Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in 1/4 cup sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 350 for 8 to 12 minutes. (The coolest part of these cookies is they puff up and then flatten while in the oven. It's fun to watch.) Cool for 1 minute before putting them on cooling racks.

Yield: roughly 5 dozen

On the third day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me... a new favourite recipe!

Lemon butter cookies. Yum! They are definitely my new favourite recipe from my Pillsbury book. As I noted in an earlier post I tried a lemon cookie recipe years ago. I hated it. And I really was upset having to explain to everyone what the lemon zest was. Ick.

Anyway, this version is wonderful. It won hubby’s seal of approval.

Lemon Butter cookies
Lemony and melt in your mouth – heavenly

½ cup sugar
½ cup powdered sugar
¾ cup butter or margarine, softened
¼ cup oil
1 tbsp grated lemon peel
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 egg
2 ½ cups flour
½ cup tsp cream of tartar
½ cup baking soda
¼ tsp salt
Yellow decorator sugar (I used regular sugar)

Beat sugar, powdered sugar, butter and oil unitl light and fluffy. Stir in lemon peel, lemon juice and egg. Then add flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Mix well.

Refrigerate for 1 hour. (Makes it easier to handle).

Heat over to 350 F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in sugar. Bake at 350 for 7 to 12 minutes.

Makes about 3-1/2 dozen.

Enjoy!

On the second day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me... butter tarts!

At our house they became a tradition when I decided to surprise my hubby with a batch of butter tarts as his Christmas present - one of his favourite treats and something I had never made before. I even hid them in the basement after I made them.

Unfortunately, one of my coworkers inadvertently ruined the surprise , but he did enjoy his butter tarts. Since then I try to make a batch for Christmas and sometimes just because!

Recipes for butter tarts are a dime a dozen, but I’m including my mom’s here. They are way easier than most people think. Especially when you buy the tart shells!

Butter Tarts
What is Christmas without butter tarts?

1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 to 2/3 cup raisins
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg

Melt all ingredients except raisins and egg. Stir in raisins. Beat egg in and add to melted mixture. Spoon into frozen tart shells. Bake on lowest rack for 15 - 20 minutes in a hot oven.

Get creative: instead of using raisins make butter tarts the way God intended – with coconut, almonds or pecans. I honestly didn’t know butter tarts typically had raisins in them until I left home, because our family always made three versions: coconut, almonds, and raisins. I just thought everyone did. Raisins = icky.

I will be posting several days worth of recipes tomorrow to catch. I realized today I am two days behind. (I wanted to end on Christmas eve, because who wants to bake on Christmas day?)

Have fun!

It's baaack...

Environment Canada just issued a snowfall warning.

http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?sk18

Again, I say... didn't we do this day already?

On the first day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me a chocolate chip cookie.

If I had to name one reason to keep my Pillsbury baking book, this recipe would be it. Soft gooey and chock full of chocolate chips, it’s a perfect after school snack and certainly satisfies the chocolate lover.

The best part (and also the worst part) about this recipe is it makes six dozen according to the recipe (the last time I made them I had eight dozen because I make them smaller). It’s great if you need to whip up a lot of cookies for a potluck or family function or something. But by the time you put the last batch in the oven it’ll get tedious. ; )

Chocolate Chip Cookies
A great cookie jar staple

1- ¼ cup sugar
1- ¼ cup brown sugar
1- ½ cup butter or margarine, softened
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
4-1/4 flour
2 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 – 2 packages chocolate chips

Cream together sugar and margarine until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Blend well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cooking sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

Get creative: Because this makes such a large batch you can split the dough and use different types of chocolate chips for each part of the dough, such as mint chocolate chips, white chocolate, or whatever.

Make ahead: Once you’re done stirring the dough together you can freeze it for up to one month. After the cookies are baked, I’ve been known to freeze a Ziploc bag or two when no is looking. It’s a great stash for when company arrives, or the kids need a treat, or PMS hits!

12 Days of Christmas!

Most of the recipes I’m including in the 12 Days of Christmas come from my infamous Pillsbury cook book, but not all. For instance, the Cream Cheese Candies recipe I posted a few days ago came from a magazine I subscribed to years ago. I will include a source wherever possible.

Jennifer’s tips:
I never, ever, ever bake anything at the temperature the recipe calls for. I drop the temperature by at least 25 degrees. In the recipes I’ll post here I am including the temperature the recipe calls for. But again I DO NOT bake them at that temperature.

A word about cookie sheets: I use a Pampered Chef baking stone and get amazing results. The baking stone cost an arm and a leg, but was worth every single penny when you see the wonderful golden brown results. I’ve used other imitation baking stones and didn’t like them quite as much. I will tend not to specify regarding whether it should be greased or ungreased cookie sheets, because it will depend on what type of cookie sheet you prefer. And I will assume you know best how to bake with them. ; )

I use only real vanilla. Right now the vanilla I have comes straight from Mexico (courtesy of my snowbird auntie Freda).

I hate overbaked baking, so I rarely use all the time required by a recipe to bake something.

I often make cookie dough and store it in the refrigerator until I’m ready to bake. This breaks up the time needed to bake something and in my hectic schedule it is often the only way I can do any baking at all.

I also feel compelled to mention that while I do love to bake, sweet treats are not all I make. I also have this huge fetish for appetizers. ; ) Maybe next year I'll do appetizers!

Bake on!

What if...

What if I woke up every day with this thought:

Every day that passes I am a day closer to being with Jesus which makes it the best day of my life.

How would things be different in my life? What would I accomplish? What things would be different?

How would things be different in your life?

Things I ponder as I transcribe an interview I did on Monday.

Listening to: Myself interview someone
Pending assignments: Still 1!

Twelve days of Christmas baking

Ok. You got it!

By popular demand I will be posting some of my favourite Christmas baking recipes right here at this very blog!

In order not to violate any copyright laws I will have to take some special precautions, though.

Copyright applies only to the instructions on a recipe - not the list of ingredients. So I will be posting the ingredients and creating my own version of how to do it.

In addition, I will happily allow anyone who wishes to gaze at the golden recipe book whenever they please... at my house. (wink, wink)

So stay tuned, some delicious additions to your cookie tray are just a few days away.

I am happy to share some of my favourite baking with you. I love baking. It's both ignites my creativity and reminds of the many, many afternoons I spent at my grandparents house on baking day. I loved the smell of bread baking as I walked in the door.

I often helped make cinnamon buns, apple coffee cake (or kuchen), and a family specialty bread stuffed with ground beef and sauerkraut.

My Grandmother is currently 93 years young. She doesn't bake as much as she used to. I am blessed to pass on her love of baking to my children and to share it with those I love and care about.

As a result some of you will get a taste of the recipes featured here when I hand out my Christmas cards.

Here's one to get you started:

Cream Cheese Candies
A wonderful, cool hit of mint after a big meal.

1-3 oz package cream cheese
3 cups icing sugar
1/4 tsp peppermint extract (or almond extract)
Decorator sugar (optional)

Beat cream cheese with 1-1/2 cups of icing sugar and peppermint extract until smooth. Stir/knead in 1-1/2 cups icing sugar. Roll into 1/2-inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Roll in decorator sugar. Flatten with finger or glass or fork or whatever. Let harden for at least one hour. Store in the refrigerator.

(This recipe can be quite messy. Yesterday my mom called in the middle of making them and I nearly had my hand cemented to the phone by the time I hung up. But they are worth it! I've also stored these little gems in the freezer to last a bit longer.)

Listening to: 100.3 FM!
Pending assignments: 1

Woohoo!

I'm doing the snoopy happy dance...!

Eric Tillman has made his choice for head coach of the Roughriders and guess who he chose.

Yup. Kent Austin is returning to the club. As a quarter back, Austin helped to bring the Grey Cup to Saskatchewan in 1989.

He's on a mission to do the same again.

Check it out.

Grey Cup 2007: Here we come! Go Green!

Listening to: 100.3 at work! (for the first time!)
Assignments pending: 1

Baked

For years my mother and I have playfully argued over the rightful ownership of a cookbook.

Not just any cookbook either - a Pillsbury cookbook - only the best collection of baking recipes on the planet.

Years ago, when I lived in the same town as my mom, we shared a recipe subscription. We had a handsome three ring binder and every month we would get new recipe cards to put in it.

Eventually, I began to realize that I didn't like cookbook very much. The recipes sometimes used things I'd never heard of and more often than not didn't live up to expectations.

In the meantime, my mom bought this wonderful Pillsbury cookbook from a salesman that visited her shop from time to time selling books.

When we moved to Saskatoon, I took the binder with me, but it wasn't long before I negotiated a trade. The huge binder full of slightly useful recipes for the Pillsbury collection.

I've never regretted that decision for a day. In fact, it didn't take long before I told my mom the only way she'd get the recipe book back was if she pried it from my cold dead fingers.

As an aside, I have since tried in vain to track down this book, but it is out of print. I found it on ebay once, but it was expensive.

This Pillsbury cookbook is amazing. Every recipe I've ever tried far exceeds expectations. The recipes range from the traditional to more sophisticated offerings. Perfect for someone like me who loves to experiment and try new things. My Herbed Oatmeal Panbread and Ginger Cake with Raspberry-Pear Sauce are both recipes from this collection.

This year I will be giving friends and family the gift of my baking. We don't have much extra cash this year, but I really wanted to give my friends something that captured how much we treasured their friendship and support over the years.

So far I've frozen:
Lemon Butter cookies: Years ago I tried a lemon cookie recipe and swore I'd never try another. I had to tell people they were lemon cookies. They kept asking what the lemon zest was. Oi! Anyway, this year's attempt was declared "delicious" at first bite by my hubby.
Ginger cookies: These might not last til I give out my goodie plates, as these are hands down my family's favourite cookies. Even though it makes a huge batch I can never keep these things around for long. I may have to wrestle each cookie out of someone's hand to get it on a plate to give away!
Yuletide slices: This is a favourite receipe from my childhood that I rediscovered this year. Colourful marshmallows mixed with melted chocolate and rolled in coconut. Yum!
Berry fudge bars: One of the prettiest squares to ever grace a Christmas tray - white chocolate, dried cranberriess and silver dragees, all atop a chocolate-fudge base.
Blondies: Speckled with chocolate chips and Skor candy bits.

To be made this week or next:
Butter tarts: I made these as Richard's Christmas present one year. I'll be making some with coconut this year (because I hate raisins.)
Cream cheese candies: Just for Dave.
Chocolate Chip cookies: My daughter's favourite - soft, gooey and chocolately.
Butterhorns or other roll: This one hasn't been determined yet!

To be baked just before giving time:
Chocolate pixies: A little bite of chocolate fudge cake. For the chocolate lovers, it's a little bite of heaven.
Reindeer Cookies: On December 23 of last year I suddenly remembered I had forgotten to bake these whimsical cookies and I was so disappointed. Gingerbread cookies decorated to look like Reindeer with pretzels, chocolate chips and red smarties. These are often the cookies we leave out for Santa.
Split second shortbread: With a delightful strip of jam down the middle and a unique shape, these are both simple and yummy to make.

There. I probably just gave everyone a cavity!

Happy Christmas preparations!

If tomorrow never comes...

I look outside and see blustering, swirling snow and a sidewalk that needs shoveling - again.

And all I think is...

Didn't we do this day already? It's like the same day over and over. I feel like Bill Murray in Ground Hog Day.

"What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't today!"

Snow, cold, wind. Then the next day... more snow, more cold, more wind.

It's like the energizer bunny - just keeps going and going.

At this rate the city might get to some of the side streets sometime... oh... about April.

As a result of the icky weather, dressing up in 15 layers just to take the kids to the bus and driving on streets that are so deeply groved with ice ruts it's like driving on train tracks... as a result of all this I'm feeling down today. That coupled with the pre-holiday slow down in writing jobs and the fact that several writing gigs have fallen through have me questioning why in the world I put myself through this.

I'm getting very discouraged with my writing. I've been at this six years and I still can't make a decent living with it. Frustration! Why does it seem like my dreams will never come true, while I watch everyone else in my life have their dreams accomplished? Is there something wrong with me?

Gloomy is a good word. I've even considered chucking it all and going to law school. Where's my personal butt-kicker when I need one?

All I wanted to shout to the world was: Wake me when it's spring!

So to cheer myself up I made myself a cup of apple cider and put in one of my new CDs - Sandy Foster's Marooned. (and seriously if you are a fan of jazz at all and haven't bought all of her CDs - what are you waiting for!? They are awesome - including her new Christmas album called Spruce It Up!)

Her beautiful voice and thoughtful lyrics are just what I needed today. Her Norah Jones-like jazz has transformed my gloomy day.

So here is a list of some of the things I wanted to thank God for today:
1. A loving husband who never ceases to amaze me.
2. Two beautiful sweet-natured kids who are such a joy to watch as they grow and change.
3. A job where I get to watch Jesus' love touch lives.
4. The beautiful, glittering snow outside. Despite shoveling it, it is very pretty you have to admit!
5. We get to put up the Christmas tree tomorrow.
6. 24 sleeps til Santa comes!
7. A car that runs. Yippee!
8. Friends who care about me.
9. I have half of my Christmas baking done.
10. I managed to get MOST of my laundry done yesterday without being interrupted by other people needing the laundry facilities. Praise God!
11. I plowed through the snow to the store to get groceries so we can eat for at least another week. ; )
12. The exercise I'm about to get as I shovel the sidewalk...

Assignments pending: 1
Listening to: Marooned by Sandy Foster

Roughriders

This arrived in my mailbox this morning…

Q. How many SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS does it take to win a GREY CUP?
A. Nobody knows and we may never find out!

Q. What do you call 47 people sitting around a TV watching the GREY CUP?
A. The SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Given my limited access to blogger right now, I’ve been missing out on commenting on my dear boys in green.

Yes, they lost to B.C. in the western final. Again.

Aside: B.C. fans appear to need a tutorial on the game of football. Your team wears orange and black. When they have the ball, cheer like mad. The rest of the time sit down and shut up until something exciting happens, k?

The loss pretty much sealed the fate of head coach Danny Barrett. I love the guy. I really do. He’s done incredible things for the ball club and for so many players. So my hat is off to you Mr. Barrett. It was a tough season - on and off the field. And you handled it with grace, dignity and more guts than most people know.

In the final analysis it was time for a fresh start. As sad as I am to see Barrett go, I agree with Tilman on this one.

Then… what is this I hear?

Tilman is in talks with others he has worked with in the past – including but not limited to – Kent Austin!

Holy crap, Batman! Kent Austin!?

For those of you who have no idea who Kent Austin is, never fear. I shall enlighten you.

But we must back up to the beginning. To the very beginning of how I became a Roughrider fan.

Had this incident not occurred, I probably would still be a fan – I mean it’s in the water here in the province – you can’t help but become a fan. But I wouldn’t be as “rabid” as they say. This incident quite possibly also helped me pass grade eight P.E.

Back in seventh grade (at least I think it was seventh grade), I found myself at a youth retreat at a Christian college in northern Saskatchewan. I admit I wasn’t exactly an eager participant.

But my ears perked up when they announced the name of the guest speaker that day – Kent Austin. Not being into Canadian football (yet!) I had no idea who he was. Of course, all the guys in the auditorium started drooling instantly.

Kent Austin, at that time, was quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He told his testimony about how Christ had come to be the centre of his life. And he served Christ by playing football.

I might not remember all he said, but I definitely decided I needed to keep up with who he was and find out more about these Roughrider characters. Somewhere at my mom's house, I'm sure I still have Austin's autograph.

The following year I was blessed (or punished) with a very football-crazy phys. ed. teacher. He had this belief that all God’s children should play football.

And that apparently included those of us under five feet (who at this point could literally walk UNDER the volleyball net without making it move – I kid you not!). Not only was I short, I wasn’t exactly linebacker material. I was pretty petite. Further, skills in playing sports of any kind seemed to be something missing on a DNA level.

Catching an underhand toss of a baseball was a major achievement for me.

I knew the games we played to the point that I made an excellent linesman or scorekeeper. A role I relished. But playing them...? Nope.

I was able to impress this wonderful (or demented) football teacher by my meagre knowledge of the game and the fact that I had personally met Kent Austin.

Now I don’t have too many fond memories of the zillions of scrimmages we played every gym period that fall, but I do remember one amazing moment of football.

Everyone else had their patterns – post, hook, whatever. Then my teacher (who always played quarterback) turned to me and said, “you’re going to get the ball”. I was stunned. I knew how to run all the patterns, but I’d never actually been selected to actually get the ball.

Apparently, this may have been what the teacher was counting on. While all my classmates were covered, I was wide open.

He made eye contact and then fired the ball right at me.

I caught it.

I actually caught it!

It didn’t bounce out of my arms. I didn’t fumble it or let it drop.

I caught it cleanly and beautifully.

Everyone on the field that morning was stunned. No one more than I.

I don’t remember if I was over the first down marker, to be honest. But that was one glorious moment of grade eight gym class. And believe me, golden moments in PE weren’t too plentiful when you’re five foot nuttin’!

Aside: During the volleyball season, the same PE teacher expected me to spike the ball OVER the volleyball net. This would be the same net I could WALK under. Yeah… that was happening. Maybe if I stood on a chair…

Anywho, that’s who Kent Austin is. One of the major reasons Roughrider games are marked out on my calendar every spring. They are appointment TV.

I’ve lost track of Austin once in a while over the years, but he always pops back up on the radar. Last I heard he was offensive coordinator for the Argos I believe. They fired him in August, right?

While I’m sad to see an era end at Mosaic field (Taylor field for the die-hards), I trust Danny can leave knowing the legacy he left will not be forgotten. And if we’re really lucky Kent Austin can continue the work.

Grey Cup 2007: Here we come! Go Green!

The final word on house hunting... for now

Several of you have commented on my tirade the other day about finding a house. I appreciate all of your concern and encouragement. I really do.

This time it’s official. It’s over. Completely, totally and officially over. Like notified-our-real-estate-agent-over. Over. Done. Ka-put.

The house hunt is over. The money we had saved to use as a deposit when we make an offer on a house will be used to buy our car a new gasket. Kind of an important deal. Choosing between the ability to drive and having a house is a tough call, I'll admit. But I think I'd rather not be walking everywhere. Especially in this weather.

I’m not as upset about it as I thought I would be. The mechanic's we visit had alerted us to the crack in the head gasket last winter. But because it was rather small, we were able to postpone it. As well, because during the summer the seals would expand from being warm, there was less leaking. Therefore we were able to put off this important work even longer.

But our car can no longer afford to have us ignore it. The problem needs to be addressed. The shocking dollar amount of the repairs, aside, I am grateful we will be able to do this. And while it might affect our Christmas spending a little, we are able to do this without any drastic effects on our finances.

It does mean buying a house right now is positively out of the question.

Thank you to everyone who prayed, who listened, and offered encouragement and advice. We really do appreciate it. And to all those who offered to help fix up any house we did get… you’ll have to wait a bit longer I'm afraid.

Light blogging

Sorry for the lack of posts.

Unfortunately, hubby has been tinkering with the router settings - blocking websites that have bad stuff on them. It's all well and good. With our kids on the computer from time to time, we need to have sites with X-rated content blocked.

However, it does mean once in a while my router thinks it should block a site that has nothing but benign content. An example? Google. Yes, my router thinks Google is a bad site. I have no idea what search term I may have put into it recently, but if my search brings up a website with bad content Google gets banned.

Then I have to go to hubby and get Google unbanned.

As I say, this is a useful feature. But once in a while useful features become a pain in the butt!

Anyway, right now my router thinks blogger beta is bad. Horrible. Rotten to the core. It must think this because I've been unable to log in for days.

And since you are reading this, I know it's not a blogger problem - because I'm posting this from work.

Anyway, there will be several posts in the next little bit.

Enjoy!

Househunting part 687

I came to the end today.

I no longer want to look at houses. I'm throwing in the towel, raising the white flag, and giving up.

The house Richard and I had talked about buying and fixing up - it needed lots of work, but had a nice lay out - officially sold today. Sigh.

So I hereby take my hat out of the ring.

Perhaps in a few years we'll be able to try again, but for now I'm done. The competition is way to fierce in our price range and we just don't have what it takes to compete.

I give up.

Website

Ok. I've been keeping it hush-hush for a while now, but I think it's time I let everyone have a peek at my new website.

I've been working on it for about a month now. I even managed to learn to speak a little HTML so I could code parts of it myself. Yay me!

It's not all there yet. But most of it is functional.

So...

... drumroll please ...

Here is my newly designed and improved website:

www.jacobysmith.ca

Pending assignments: 1
Houses looked at this week: 0

Rest - day two

This week is my week of rest. I had to turn down work to get it, too. Almost cried over that.

But here I am enjoying some well-desrved time off. A week to spend in reflection, relaxation and re-evaluation.

I have to admit it took until 11:30 of day two for me to get bored.

Maybe this is a good thing. I'm not sure. Truthfully, I don't know what to do. I rarely ever get bored.

...

So...

...

What does a person do when they're bored?

Well, I'm going to start with a bubble bath... or paint my toes... you know... girly things!

Winter blues

Here we are just a scrape into November and I'm already talking winter blues... That doesn't bode well, does it?

Winter hit hard here yesterday. One foot of snow all at once is not my idea of winter... more like Hades. Especially when it was preceded by a full day of the world being shellacked in ice.

In case anyone is wondering shovelling heavy wet sticky snow while dancing on an ice rink formed by the sidewalks definitely makes life more interesting or treacherous. At any rate, it's quite a workout!

I am happy to report, that aside from a few twinges, my badly sprained ankle from last year has performed very well despite all the ice. Of course, my entire front step is white... with salt. So maybe that helps, no?

Although the unprecedented precipitation (in both forms) has made driving in the city a take-life-in-your-hands kind of deal, it has drastically altered the shape of my weekend as well... leading to disappointment of mammoth proportions.

The kids will no longer be going to Wilkie. Today anyway.

I'm still holding out hope that some sanding crews and snowplow drivers will take pity on the stretch of highway between Biggar and Wilkie (which right now is one of the few roads labelled travel not recommended in the entire province - what's up with that?).

As sad as I am for myself who desperately needed a break from things - from everythings -there will be huge heartbreak when the kids come home. They were so looking forward to going to Grandma's.

Meanwhile, I'm checking out the price of flights to all places warm.

Sooner...

It was a short night for me. Dear son of mine was up at 3:30 sick. He's still sick and looking pale as a sheet. I've only dozed since that first early wake up call.

I do have a major article to finish this morning and my brain is fuzzy. God grant me the strength. I think I'm going to need a nap later just to make it through the day. I also work tonight at the centre from 5:30 to 9. Suddenly my mini-vacation seems so far away...

I could be all set for a pity party, if I really tried. I've got the streamers and everything.

Meanwhile, I purchased a Greg Sczebel CD last week and my two CDs from my friend Sandy Foster arrived on Thursday. So lots of great jazz music playing through my house these last few days.

Anyway, the words to one song by Greg Sczebel really hit me this morning for so many reasons. Possibly exhaustion being the main one.

So again, these are not my words, though I've prayed ones very similar a time or two...

Perhaps (not the entire song)

Have You ever hurt so bad before
You could not feel the floor beneath Your feet?
And have You ever cried so long
The tide swept You away like a song that was bittersweet?
Do You understand, do You think You can relate?
Maybe this reminds You of another time or place
Perhaps Gethsemane

I could have sworn, as I lay warm in my bed
I could hear Your heart break for me
And You did not hesitate to take this pain away
You throw Your arms around me like a robe
Hold me close to let me know I'm not alone anymore
And You tell it like it is, like it was yesterday
And I just can't believe my ears as I hear You say...

Do you think that I'd forget
The kiss of death that was left on My face?
Do you think I did not hear the people mock
The soldiers sneer on that day?
Do you think that I don't cry
When the very world for which I died
Just tries to wipe My name from history?
Child, it reminds Me of Gethsemane

Do you think that I'm immune
To the pain you put Me through
When you close your heart and walk away
And disregard the price I paid?
Do you think that I didn't cry all day?

You see you're not the only one
Who understands where you're coming from
I've been there all along.

Sleeps until vacation starts: 4!!
Pending assignments: 2
Houses looked at: 1
Listening to: Sandy Foster - Spruce It Up!

Soon

I need rest.

Soon.

I've been working far too hard. After a discussion with my counselor I was urged (she didn't quite give me marching orders! LOL!) to take some time off.

Soon.

I can't remember the last day off I had when I didn't have writing commitments to work on or responsibilities at the centre. My brain is suffering from fatigue.

I'm not exactly burned out yet, but I can see it from here.

So as a result I have booked myself a little holiday. I will be taking off the week of November 13 - 17.

Technically, due a very long weekend for my kiddos my week off starts next Friday. My kids go to Grandmas on Thursday night.

I've already made plans to go get my hair done on Friday and go shopping while Richard is at work. Then we have booked a hotel for a romantic escape - including dinner out at the Freehouse.

Our hotel is a package we won at a silent auction earlier this year and it included a Sunday brunch for two as well. Yippee!

I'm looking forward to this. The idea is to have nothing to do and to allow myself to get bored - oh the joys...!

My recent reading has included Robin McGraw's book Inside My Heart. One of her essential messages in the book spoke volumes to me. A mother that neglects herself is really neglecting her family. We moms need to take care of our needs or we won't be able to take care of the needs of our family.

So I'm taking care of myself. And I need a repreive.

In other news... we're looking at a couple of houses this weekend. Aren't you excited?

Pending assignments: 2 (only 2!)
Houses looked at this week: 0
Listening to: Sandy Foster's Marooned

Progress in Iraq

Here's a video you won't see on the National or CTV New tonight regarding the U.S. presence in Iraq.

Maybe we should ask them why...?

I heart my iPAQ

Have I mentioned recently (like oh say in the last five minutes) just how much I love my iPAQ?

Now I'm not too bright sometimes, so until Richard sinc-ed my Pocket PC with my computer the other night I didn't realize the machines learned from each other!

So if I enter in some appointment on my Pocket PC and then sinc it with my desktop, my desktop will then know about the appointment and remind me about it as well.

How cool is that?

What smart little machines. I love it!

So now my desktop computer is giving me the same reminders as my Pocket PC. Which could get tedious after a time, but on days when I'm at home (like today) it certainly keeps me on track.

Pending assignments: 4
Grooving to: Greg Sczebel (Here to Stay, You Got it, Satisfy)
Working on: Board meeting shtuff for tomorrow's board retreat

Techno-babble translator:
sinc: means putting the little Pocket PC into it's cradle that is plugged into my computer and then the computer and Pocket PC have a little conference about things. They swap notes and dates and pat each other on the bum!

Surrender

Lord I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out.
Lead me to peace that past understanding
Peace beyond all doubt.

--Newsboys, Lord I don't know, from the album Thrive

Surrender has such a negative meaning in our society. We associate it with capitulation or giving up. Sometimes we even think of cowardice.

I'm not sure surrender as a military strategy would make one very successful as a military commander, but I do think there is a need for surrender in our faith walks.

We don't know what lies ahead. Often we are faced with situations that never work. The answers, the solution, the remedy are left just out of our reach.

Sometimes, maybe even a lot of times, I don't know where I'm going. I stumble through my days, mindful of the questions buzzing around my brain. Sometimes my days are a haze of pain as I wander through my tasks, burdened by situations or conflicts I can not fix.

Surrender.

To me surrender means being able to walk the path anyway. Not demanding God do everything exactly as we want it. Not looking to him like some Cosmis Santa or Universal Waiter. God is not a lapdop to do our bidding as we see fit. That would put us on the throne. Not Him.

If He is on the throne then that means accepting those painful, unfun times. Submitting our will to His and allowing His plan to play out.

Wow. It's hard sometimes.

Happy week!

After a particularly trying and difficult time with my writing over the last year, I'm enjoying a very busy time right now. Busy and fulfilling, I would say.

In fact, I've had two editors contact me with assignments out of the blue this week. Editors I'd never worked with before. Top that off with other editors who have expressed a desire to work with me on a regular basis. This to a writer is the definition success - however fleeting it may turn out to be.

To make my week extra fabulous I had a client actually say to me today ...

and I quote...

"You are the writer I've been looking for for a very long time."

...

Wow.

...

Let's just file that away in big bold letters, shall we?

Pending assignments: 4 (possibly 5)
Pending queries: 3 (one is a tentative go if certain conditions are met)
Listening to: pre-release copy of Patricia Conroy's latest

Sick

I've been sick this week.

Bladder infection.

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

To complicate matters, treating infections with me is quite an ordeal. There's so much that so many take for granted. You have a bladder infection. You go see your doctor. He gives you a prescription for some pills. You take the pills. In short order you feel better.

Not so in my little world.

No way. I have to be lots more complicated.

I am allergic to a couple of antibiotics. Correction: I was allergic to two. That was before a very kind, sympathetic doctor prescribed me cipro. Unfortunately, the drug made me break out in a rash.

Soooo... I called the doctor and he told to me quit taking the drugs. Which it wasn't like I was real eager to continue taking the stupid things.

As a result I have fought out the infection with lots of cranberry juice and water. I did spend one whole days resting, as well.

While I don't feel fabulous I do feel a smidge closer to normal.

Ha! Whatever normal is...

Techno-gizmos!

Zowee!

I've been bitten by the pocket PC bug. You know those annoying people who have to put everything into an electronic device they carry with them everywhere. And then if you get too boring at conversation, they play solitaire while you visit?

Yeah.

That's me! Well, maybe not the solitaire part.

It's a very long story... DH and I bought a cheap Cassio version back in the summer. I was just looking for a good basic unit. I didn't want anything fancy. I wasn't sure I would like it or even use it. Heaven only knows how many daytimers I went through in my life - trying to find something that worked. Or that I used.

Well, I was hooked. It kept everything I needed all in one spot. I can even put grocery lists in there!

The little chime that reminds me to do things or about upcoming events is priceless! It's a Godsend for those like me who get distracted easily. (I'm not forgetful, honest. I just have a lot to keep track of and once in a while my brain loses track of something!)

But...

About a year ago, DH had a brand new unit given to him by someone at his work. The person was not a techie and had dropped the unit - destroying the screen. The unit worked perfectly fine, just with a rather large black space on the screen. This person didn't care if it could be fixed, he just went out and bought a new one.

DH has looked for a way to replace the screen. Finally, he told his brother to just look on ebay for the same model. Price limit was $50 though.

Well, fast-forward to this weekend - when zowee! I have my new iPaq. It's not new new. It's just new to me. It's barely been used and would only be about a year or two old.

I love it. It's quite a bit bigger than my Cassio, but that's ok. It has tons more features. I've played with it a bit and I'm hooked. I don't know how I would ever manage without it. I've got dates, meetings, article deadlines, interviews, schedules, birthdays, task lists, contact lists, and Blue Tooth compatibility.

I'm not sure what that means precisely, but I'm sure it's techno-speak for really cool!

Pending assignments: 3
Houses looked at: one possibly later today, we hope! Say a prayer or two or ten...
Coolest lyrics heard this week: My best laid plans are in my other pants - Newsboys, Live in Stereo

Woohoo!

Rider's defeated the Al's in the dying seconds of the game last night in Regina! Woohoo!

A play off spot is so close I can smell it. We need one more win or an Edmonton loss in the final two games of regular season play.

Go Green!

Horrible week and joys!

I have a bad habit - I say yes too often, when I should say no.

It's partly due to the feast-famine ebb and flow that is the nature of freelance writing. One week you're running at mach-2 with your hair on fire. Then for two weeks (or heaven forbid months!) you write nothing.

So in a way, I say yes as a rule, just so I can pay the bills. I bite off more than I can chew and then I chew it.

This week I said yes to two deadlines. That was fine, I've juggled such things before.

Then I said yes to an interview/meeting with an interview subject and one of my editors.

That pushed things up a notch, but it was still do-able. I am, after all, super woman right?

Ha!

Then my ISP (internet service provider) went completely wonky yesterday. THEIR email server went down in the morning. But when I came home after work in the afternoon, I couldn't access the internet at all!

An hour later... the ISP help-desk boy has concluded in under 30 seconds that the problem lies in MY router. I disagree, but go through the motions of testing out the theory.

As an aside: behind my desk is extremely dusty! Someone should vacuum back there!

Anyway, turns out ISP help desk boy is right. Router got messed up. I'm still completely convinced it has to do with their work on THEIR server. But I'm sure the help desk boys at said ISP will remain unconvinced.

Computer problems put my work behind in a week when nothing could afford to go wrong.

As a result, I had to email one editor and ask for an extension and miss the interview/meeting. I handed in one project that I felt was crap.

I somehow managed to get the second article done today before supper.

At church I got to pray with two amazing ladies - Heather and Barb. It was such an amazing time and it made me feel as though all the crap that had happened was just a blip. It was the highlight of my day. I came out of it thankful for the faith and compassion from these two ladies. I felt uplifted in a week that had seemed to weigh me down with each passing second.

I came home to a voicemail that I had waited for all day - feedback on "crappy" article that I had submited.

Well, apparently, my boss didn't think it was crappy. In fact, he liked it so much he's wondering if I could do some more writing for him! Yay! Woohoo!

In addition, today I found out that my application for professional membership in The Word Guild was approved! Yay! You can read more about this group of Canadian Christian writers and editors here.

It's been a rough week, but today has ended well. I'm so thankful to God for all He has done.

Assignments pending: 2
Rejections (aka queries) pending: 3
Houses looked at this week: 0

Turkey and football

Thanksgiving Monday and that means football and turkey at my house.

But who knew there would be so many turkey's on the football field in Montreal? What was that about? Did they forget the team in Regina? Wow. Riders got creamed 35 to 8.

My house smells divine right now as I just finished baking my world famous ginger cake with raspberry-pear sauce! In about 45 minutes or so we head to a friend's house for a big ole turkey dinner - our second in two days! I'm bringing said cake and sauce. I was requested to bring it, actually. I suspect, my family and I are just incidental to the cake and sauce.

We just got back from my mom's in time for me to make my cake and now I'm sitting here with my feet up relaxing and vegging to some a wonderful Steve Bell CD.

All of my mom's extended family gathered for a big meal last night. Roughly 50 people or so. My mom made two turkeys with stuffing. Someone brought two trays of cabbage rolls. We thought we had too much food and then my cousin, who's a chef by trade, showed up with two hams and a stuffed salmon! Yum.

It was so nice to see so many of my cousins and their children. Hard to believe, but several of my cousins have children old enough to be married and have children of their own soon! Gasp! I'm the second youngest grandchild, so everyone is much older than I am! Tee hee...

Several of my cousins have been keeping tabs on the articles I write for The StarPhoenix. They are so proud of me.

As a writer everything is produced at my little computer screen here and I send it off into the Netherworld of the internet to my editors. And then it gets magically printed. For some reason it's always a shock to realize that people out there actually read it! Oh well, it's a happy shock.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thank God Almighty

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was going to say Happy Turkey Day, but then I read this.

If the good leaders of our country saw fit in 1957 to create a national holiday to "thank God Almighty" I'm not going to secularize it.

Yessiree folks, you read that right! With all the bang and clatter about the separation of church and state nowadays, just a generation ago our country enshrined a national holiday that acknowledged God Almighty! Makes me wanna smile and all that. Almost think the country was run by a bunch of redknecks back then, wouldn't ya? Huh. Maybe they were on to something...

So in tribute and acknowledgement of God Almighty, and the NON-secular holiday Monday here in Canada, here's what I'm thankful for:

• God - That He is who He is. No matter what happens on this glob of space dust.
• Canada - While my country may have lost her way in recent years and become a den of liberalism and secularism, I have hope that she may once again take her place on the world stage as a leader. Further, I am grateful for the generous freedoms I enjoy here in North America. The more I get to know about the rest of the world, the more I thank God that I live right here. I am so incredibly grateful for the Judeo-Christian traditions that founded this great nation and have ensured our security and success until present day.
• My Family - Yesterday was a trying day in my little world, but I'm grateful for my husband and two kids. They truly are precious. Today we are off to my mom's to see my aunts, uncles, cousins and the like, and my 93-year old Grandma. Who could teach us all a thing or two about living life to the fullest. God bless Grandma Jacoby.
• My Church - I am grateful for our church home and the love we have found there. I am so grateful for the blessing of our pastor who is always a source of inspiration and encouragement.
• New Life - Not only am I thankful for the safe arrival of Linaya Grace (see previous post), but also for the freedom to embrace a new life every single day - God's grace is new each day. We just have to walk in it.
• New writing opportunities - They keep popping up from everywhere. And it's not because I'm all that special.
• So thank you to God Almighty - the Creator, the Founder, the Author, the Lover, the Lamb, the Truth. May His name be praised today and always from sea to shining sea.

Listening to: Building 429

Pending rejections: 3

Pending assignments: 4

Babywatch

On Sunday our baby-expecting friends phoned to ask us, "Do you have a house yet?"

After rolling his eyes, Richard replied, "Do you have a baby yet?"

He went on to explain that we are just as sick of people asking us if we have a house, as they are of people asking them about the baby (she was due to deliver last Friday).

Our friend then asked, "So if we have our baby, then you'll get a house?"

"Yup," answered Richard. Of course, we all laughed about it.

Last night our friend went into labour about supper time.

Babywatch began in earnest.

As of 1:30 p.m. this afternoon - no baby.

And no house either, for those wanting to ask! Although, I'm going through a house this afternoon with our agent... so you never know...

Pending rejections: 2
Pending assignments: 3
Interviews so far this week: 1
Interviews yet to do: 3

UPDATE: The place was a complete dump. It needed so much work, I don’t know where a person would begin. The whole upstairs would have to be gutted just to get a dining room and decent kitchen out of the whole thing. Although, it was 1222 square feet, it was just set up stupid. It was dirty, too. I mean a good wall-scrubbing and a coat of paint would be considered an upgrade. What a mess!

Still no baby...

UPPERDATE: The second place was actually quite nice on the upper level. The basement, though, was like a cave with tunnels. I had a hard time not becoming claustrophobic while there. The ceilings were quite low. The downstairs would have to be completely gutted. Richard's feedback: Not quite. Jennifer's feedback: Absolutely not!

Still no baby...

UPPESTDATE: Baby is here! A baby girl! Six pounds and some odd ounces. (Am I the ONLY petite gal in the world to have eight pound babies?)

Rosie's at it again

I'm not sure how long it's going to take ABC to shut down the View, but if they don't do it quick Rosie stands a good chance of alienating their entire audience.

First, it was equating radical Christianity to radical Islam (such as the attacks of 9/11).

Then she went on air to tell Oprah she might be a "little bit gay". Like who cares? Who cares if Oprah is gay, why does she need a big mouthed lesbian on another program to "out" her? Further, Oprah has denied this repeatedly. And she's getting ticked. Because those that keep asking her about it are insinuating that she's lying. I'd be ticked too!

Today, she smeared the Pope. Catholic League news release is here.

Basically, Rosie (citing as a source an upcoming movie of all things) said that the current Pope was in charge of investigating claims of sexual abuse by priests in the Catholic church "from the eighties until just recently".

This is only half-true. The current Pope was put in charge of investigating the scandal by Pope John Paul II in 2002. The reason was because Cardinal Ratzinger was known as a no-nonsense sort of dude. Perfect guy to put in charge of clean up if you ask me.

What in the world the panel was doing discussing this topic at all is beyond me, but whatever.

Who's next? She hasn't opened her big mouth about the Jews yet. Or is that scheduled for next week?

Rosie hasn't a shred of journalistic integrity and if ABC doesn't pull the plug soon the only people watching will be their studio hands.

Off to write another angry email...

Don't panic

I switched blog templates. The pink was getting to me.

Hope you like the new look.

Wild ending

As hard as it was to visualize while listening to streaming audio online, the Roughrider game came to a wild ending tonight. A game of rugby broke out on the field after Rocky Butler fumbled the ball.

Unfortunately, Team Green didn't come off the field with a win, but at least it was a well-played game. And as far as I'm concerned, that last play definitely gave the fan's their money's worth.

We're set to meet Montreal on Thanksgiving Monday next. Hopefully by then Kerry Joseph (who was sidelined with a knee injury in the third quarter, I believe) will be back on his feet. Then again, Rocky can serve up a good dish of the mean-green machine too. The season isn't over yet!

So thanks, boys, for a fantastic game. Get 'em next time!

Disappointment

Again.

The job I applied for has gone to someone else.

Again.

Disappointment is a bitter pill.

The good news is, they really wanted to hire me. Hmm... sounds familiar. Didn't a local daily newspaper really want to hire me? But really wanting to hire me isn't the same as actually hiring me. At least they said they would keep me in mind for future positions.

So once again, I turn to my writing to help make ends meet. Unfortunately, this one thing I just can not seem to get off the ground. I know that I write more than some, but I'm no where near as busy as I would like to be. And my income targets have never been met. Other writers that have been writing as long as I have make four times as much as I do a month from writing.

I am prompted to ask: What am I doing wrong?

In a way, I guess this is disappointment on so many levels - in so many areas. Perhaps that is what makes it so keen.

My prayer is that God will make it clear what he'd like my prayer to be. Because none of the ones I've been praying have been working, I've noticed.

Pending assignments: 1
Queries pending: 1
Houses looked at: None!

Currently reading: Boundaries with Kids, You Can't Make Me, (but I can be persuaded) AND The Frazzled Factor.

We won!

Riders won a nail-biter in Regina tonight. In the second overtime, Kerry Joseph connected with Fantuz. Talk about pulling it out of a hat!

Several pricelss moments from the game...

Joseph's fumble on the three yard line as he went in for a touchdown... the ball trickled into the end zone to be recovered by Saskatchewan - TOUCHDOWN GREEN!

Wally Buono decides to kick it through the end zone on B.C.'s first possession in overtime, but the kick doesn't make it, setting up the second over time. Nice gamble, Wally.

The Lions ran into a wall of green on a 3rd and inches and turned it over on downs. A few plays later Saskatchewan netted three yards with a quarterback sneak. That's how it's done, boys!

Way to go, Riders! GO GREEN!

Proud to be Canadian

I truly am a patriot.

I think Canada is the best place on the planet to call home. I'm actually one of those crazy saps who gets choked up at the national athem given the right circumstances. I'm so patriotic, there are days when I think I should have been American. (Actually, I'm half-Amercian, but that's a story for another day...)

And seeing our boys in military fatigues gets me teary every time. I'm so darn proud that there are men and women who love their country so much they would be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in her defense. Not only in defense of this country, but to defend democracy and freedom around the world, as well.

That's why this video of a rally on Parliament Hill today has got me all choked up.

Some military wives from Ontario decided to start a wear red campaign to support our troops in Afghanistan. They are encouraging people across the country to wear red on Fridays to show support for our troops and their current mission. To encourage them, that we are not going to abandon them.

To say thank you.
To say we're proud of you.
To say we're proud of the job you're doing in Afghanistan (and a damn fine job they're doing, too!)
To say God bless you and may he bring you home safe.

As a result, I've changed into a red shirt.

House hunting part 97

4:25 p.m. Realtor sent email with a brand new listing in River Heights.

4:30 p.m. I phoned Richard to tell him about it.

4:45 p.m. I have called the realtor to say yes we're interested, heard back from her that we are to meet her there at 8 p.m. and called Richard back to tell him the time.

5:50 p.m. I called one babysitter, but she's busy.

6:00 p.m. I called different babysitter. She's available. ; )

6:02 p.m. I leave for work because we have a volunteer open house tonight.

6:35 p.m. I arrive at work and pick up seven voice mails from just this afternoon.

7:40 p.m. The phone rang at the centre and I spent 10 minutes on the phone with potential client.

7:50 p.m. Richard and I raced up Warman Road to get to the house.

8:05 p.m. Really like the house.

8:25 p.m. Look around some more. Love the yard.

8:50 p.m. Raced to realtor's office to put together offer.

9:02 p.m. Faxed offer.

9:02 and 45 seconds p.m. Selling agent called. There is another offer on the table. Do we want to sweeten our deal.

9:12 p.m. New offer is faxed with about six extra pounds of sugar. ; )

9:20 p.m. Leave realtor's office feeling positive about this potential transaction. It's a beautiful location, on a crescent, gorgeous yard, beautiful open lay out inside.

We waited and waited...

I had a bath and shaved my legs...

Still we waited...

11:51 p.m. Realtor called to tell us they have gone with a different offer. (The particulars were pretty much the same. There wasn't much more we could offer them.)

11:52 p.m. Too tired for words...

As disappointing as it is, we're hopeful something CAN be found out there.

Sigh...

Rainy day musings

It is with bleary eyes and drooping chin that I drag my sorry butt to the keyboard... (good thing I said drooping and not drooling!)

Okay, it's not quite that bad, but I am getting a little too old for the 1 a.m. writing sessions, followed by 6 a.m. writing sessions.

It's a good thing my coworker is so organized at work, or I could have made a real mess of things while there this morning. She was kind enough to bring me hot apple cider, too! What a sweetie!

Still no response from ABC to my rant last week, but I am encouraged to learn there has been a significant public outcry in the States to Rosie's comments. Good on them! Though I doubt it will do much good.

I am disheartened, though, because I doubt there would be a similar outcry here in Canada over this CBC program. This is from the same broadcasting corporation who's chairman resigned yesterday after making some controversial statements about the Lebanese and beastiality and also for waxing poetic on the pleasures of bowel movements. Story here.

Kind of throws a proverbial wet-blanket over the organization's intellectual credibility, but then that's just me.

I had thought of writing the ombudsman to complain, but I doubt it would do any good. And where does a person begin? It would be like picking a single grain of sand in a desert to complain it is mishapen. Besides I would have to admit to watch the CBC on occasion.

To any who wish to voice their opinions feel free. Here is the email addy:
COMPLAIN
The Ombudsman, CBC English Services
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
P.O. Box 500, Station “A”
Toronto, Ontario M5W 1E6
e-mail: ombudsman@cbc.ca

I'd also be curious if anyone actually watches it. Let me know what you think of it. Just don't go out of your way to do so. After all, I think watching the CBC may actually make you dumber. The former chairman could to be a case in point.

The whole mess reminds me of something one of my theology professors once said:

The only constant in the world is man's unfailing ability fo find new levels of depravity.

Houses looked at so far this week: 1 It was icky and way overpriced!
Pending assignments: 1
Listening to: absolutely nothing, don't want to confuse my weary brain with sounds

UPDATE: My apologies. I should have been more clear. I'll blame it on sleep-deprivation. The CBC program last night was an in-depth look at the dangers of faith - and it targeted all faiths. It basically said that all faith (in Allah, Buddha, God, whatever) is the enemy of free-thinking and modern civilization. It equated radical Christians in North America with the suicide bombers of extremist Islam.

Am I crazy?

I had two interviews today. One a Ukrainian Catholic priest (article in Saturday's religion section of The SP). And the other for a new job.

No, I don't intend to quit my work at the centre.

And, no, I don't intend to quit writing. That's like trying to quit breathing. Tried that and it makes me dizzy...

So, I ask you... Am I crazy?

The position is mainly administrative and entails work I could do from home around my (increasingly nutty) schedule.

I don't want to cut in on my writing time, but I felt I needed to supplement my income from writing. In a way, it'll probably help me get more accomplished as the busier I am the more I tend to be able to handle and accomplish.

So, as I ponder my schedule for the fall, I again ask... Am I crazy for wanting to make myself this busy?

Then again, we are looking at adding buying a house...

Ok. I'm alright. I may be crazy, but I know I'm in good company! ; )
--
Listening to: Newsboys - Thrive
Queries submitted: 1
Assignments pending: 1
Houses looked at this week: not a blessed one! Whew!

Anniversaries

September is a big month for me personally. First, the kids go back to school and that's always a blessing.

This year the beginning of September marked eight years since Richard and I moved to Saskatoon. We came with barely any earthly possessions. Richard spent the first two years going to school to become a computer tech.

There were times that we didn't think we'd make it - living on a small student loan with a toddler on the go. I remember rolling our spare change so we could put gas in our car or buy diapers.

We've come a long way since then. God blessed Richard with an amazing job (twice - because he left it for nine months to take a different position which he ended up hating). Richard has accomplished so much at this job and I'm so proud of him.

God blessed us with another little one, as well. Mikaela is such a joy to our hearts.

God blessed me with another September anniversary. This month I can celebrate six years as a freelance writer. I'll never forget dancing around our little apartment when I received that first contract to publish a parenting essay I wrote.

I may not have accomplished all that I have wanted to in my writing career, but God has blessed me. I've had some amazing experiences, interviewed some amazing people and established myself as a regular contributor for several publications. Not bad for the girl with no formal training in journalism or writing.

God has also blessed us with an amazing circle of friends and coworkers, not to mention the joy of being a part of a vibrant church family. We've grown so much - spiritually and emotionally - since coming to Saskatoon.

It was definitely the best move we made. We have been truly blessed.

Pending assignments: 0
Houses looked at this week: 7

The View

I don't watch ABC's The View very often. I used to enjoy the banter on current issues when they first started. But eventually, my schedule and the lack of a charismatic host meant I don't watch it much.

However, it came to my attention that on a recent episode Rosie O'Donnell made some outrageous statements. I understand her position. As a member of the gay and lesian community, O'Donnell feels the church in general would condemn her. Ok. I get it. She's not impressed with us.

As she discussed the recent anniversary of 9/11 and the subsequent war on terror, she made this comment as she duked it out with co-host Elisabeth Hasselback.

"Radical Christianity is just as dangerous as radical Islam."

Wow.

I don't even know if I can find words. (You know I can... I wouldn't have written a blog post about it if I could, but it's for the effect...)

Wow. Wow. Wow. WOW!

The truly amazing thing was the audience APPLAUDED.

Wow.

I sat down and wrote the producer of The View the following email:

It came to my attention today that The View Host Rosie O'Donnell made some outrageous comments on your show. While I missed the actual program I have seen a clip of the offending remarks. "Radical Christianity is just as dangerous as radical Islam," she said.

I am horrified by this statement. Worse than horrified I am outraged. This statement is absolutely completely and totally irresponsible and insane. Not to mention completely inaccurate.

On the heels of 9/11 - the greatest single purposeful act of evil committed by man against his fellow man - she dares to compare conservative Christians with the type of insanity that would see passenger jets flown into buildings to maim, kill and terrify thousands (not to mention millions) of people?

If this is the type of commentary that The View is now planning to offer, you can be assured I will never watch your program again. I am offended that Rosie would speak such absolute nonsense without qualification, proof or any shred of evidence to support her outrageous opinion.

Reasonable debate in a society that enshrines free-speech is expected on The View. This is hatred disguised as liberal rhetoric. It's completely irresponsible for you to allow her statements like this to go unchallenged.

As a Christian I can assure Ms. O'Donnell that I know of no conservative Christian who vows to kill as many non-Christians as possible, as much of the rhetoric coming from Islamic clerics often does.

Her statements are ludicrious. I'm not saying she isn't entitled to her opinion, but I am saying that if you want your program to be taken seriously, such ridiculous statements should never make it to air. Are you a news/commentary program or a pulpit for O'Donnell's misguided beliefs?

If she had said the same about "radical buddhism" would the statements have been aired without apology?

Christianity is afforded the same protections as other religions, whether or not Ms. O'Donnell agrees with their belief system.

Please tell me an apology is forthcoming.

I'll let you know if this gets a reply.

Five years on...

The blogworld is abuzz with 9/11 memorials. Thought I would add mine to the mix...

September 11, 2001, started earlier than usual for me. Logan had awakened shortly after 7 a.m. I had little desire to be awake at that time, so I bundled him in a blanket and planted him in front of CBC Kids. I thought an hour or so of their morning programming would keep him occupied as he was still kind of sleepy. Mikaela (just over a year old) slept in the living room in her playpen and she woke up a few minutes later.

As I snoozed fitfully in the bedroom, something slowly started to seep through the fog. The deep voice of a middle-aged man was droning on the T.V. It wasn't Dragon Tales or Sesame Street.

I wasn't concerned. I thought the kids must have inadvertantly changed the channel to CNN or something. I stumbled into the livingroom... into what I can only describe as full-blown chaos.

A building was falling on the T.V. and a sombre Peter Mansbridge was explaining this was only one traumatic event in a morning of traumatic events.

I couldn't figure it out. Was it movie footage? A disaster movie in NYC? But those ridiculous ideas were quickly disgarded. Whatever had happened it was huge. And it was bad. Very bad.

I screamed for Richard, who was home sick from work (another tale for another time), who managed to drag himself to the livingroom long enough for us to gather that some sort of terrorist attack had taken place in New York.

I still couldn't fathom what would make the BOTH World Trade Centre Towers fall, but something else was niggling at the back of my head... both of my kids had been watching the news coverage alone for who knows how long.

(A week later a picture of the Twin Towers in church caused Logan to lean over with a look of concern and ask, "Are the buildings going to fall down again, Mommy?")

I quickly popped Blue's Clues into the VCR and Richard hobbled back to bed.

I logged onto my computer and phoned my mom. All she said was, "I know." Just the day before she and I had discussed when she was getting their satellite channels turned back on. Needless to say she had already phoned the satellite TV company. Stuff was happening in the world and she couldn't see it!

CNN.com and every other news site in the Western World was down or severely disfunctional for most of the day. I eventually started getting my news updates from the BBC News website.

When I logged onto a writing group's bulletin board the first message I saw said: Holy Freaking Crap!!!! That pretty much summed it up.

I remember going into the bedroom and telling Richard that they still thought there was a hijacked plane in the air, but they didn't know where it was or where it was headed. I remember being struck by how odd that statement was. Who could have dreamed of ever uttering such words? I added, "The worst part is that's not the worst thing that's happened today."

Images of the thousands of posters of the missing are still etched in my mind. And you know for every one poster that was hung, there was one mother, father, brother, sister, or child waiting anxiously (and often in vain) for the return of their beloved.

The massive crowd of people walking out of Manhattan in absolute silence isn't something I'll ever forget.

Or the image of thousands of office workers covered in building dust with trails of tears through the coating on their faces.

There was the picture of a fire station in Belgium that shined their trucks until they glowed for the memorial service a week later. They spiffed up their uniforms and then drove their trucks just outside the station and stood in front of them at attention. It was their show of solidarity for their fellow firemen who gave their lives in the attacks.

That image stills brings a lump to my throat. They didn't know these people they were honouring. They might not have spoken the same language. I'm betting not many had even stepped foot on American soil. But they didn't care. They still wanted to honour the sacrifice these brave men made in an effort to rescue people like you and me.

It was a sign of solidarity, that connection of being bonded with your fellow earth travellers, that made me smile - even through the tears.

Another image I'm sure everyone remembers... the quiet skies. For days there were no vapor trails in our prairie sky. There were no planes rumbling over the city on take off or coming in for a landing. I never noticed how often they do that, but I do remember noting how odd it sounded when they weren't doing it anymore. To this day, I don't look at passenger jets the same way as it slices a graceful arc over the city.

I wonder if the people of NYC still cringe when they hear one.

I also remember the shame. International shame. I watched with horror as my fellow Canadians dared to utter the most absurd and insulting words: they had it coming. How could my copatriots be so unfeeling, so insensitive? And when Jean Chretien refused to allow a Christian minister to pray at the Parliament Hill memorial service for the WTC, I remember thinking Canada was walking around with toilet paper stuck to its shoe on the international stage. We just didn't know it.

Maybe we still don't know it. In my mind, my national pride slipped a bit after the 9/11 tragedy. Perhaps mostly because Canada never had to examine itself as a nation. Instead, we pompously took ourselves out of the equation. We never asked ourselves those hard questions. It was too easy to point fingers and place blame. It was happening to the other guy. So instead of doing some healthy self-examination, we got to wash our hands of the incident - perfectly smug in our belief that it couldn't happen to us.

I don't believe that. Canada has too much in common with our neighbour to the south for the terrorists to tell the difference. Well, except when it comes to getting a passport (something of a joke internationally).

Anyway, those are my thoughts from that day. The taste of shock in my mouth is still there. The numb confusion as I try to make sense of the incomprehensible. It's all still there. Just a little quieter. A little less vivid.

So probably Monday night, I will sit and raise a glass in memory of those who lost their lives five years ago tomorrow. Those who started their work day on a typical Tuesday morning, but never got to finish it.

Dental Adventures Part Three

Well, we did it. The final installment of our dental adventures was completed this morning. Logan decided to take the sedative again, but I'm not convinced he needed it. He was pretty calm about the whole thing to begin with.

And I have to say, the staff at Lawson Dental were so great with Logan. Thank you to them for being so professional and caring with him. I know their quick, efficient work made the whole experience a lot easier on my little buddy.

So yay! Dentist visits are finished for another six months - except for Richard, who has to go back later this month for a single filling.

But I doubt he'll need me to hold his hand or anything!

Pending queries: 2 (aka rejections-in-waiting)
Pending assignments/deadlines: 1

They did it again

Holy repeat batman! It's three in a row!

The Saskatchewan Roughriders wholloped the Bombers but good in the annual Labour Day classic.

Woohoo! Go Green!

Dental Adventures or Wonder of Wonders

Today, Logan chugged down two medications with little complaint. We herded him into the car (him weaving and staggering) and drove off to the dentist for the fillings that were to have occurred on Tuesday.

Logan, steadied by his dad bravely went forward to meet with his fate at the hands of Dr. Taylor (also a close friend).

I sat nervously in the waiting room... waiting. (Probably why they call it a waiting room!)

After an agonizing 30 minutes I ventured into back to see how things were going. I was pleasantly surprised to discover they were almost completed BOTH fillings, with nary an incident.

I was (and still am) in shock. My little buddy was so brave through the whole thing. Not to mention relaxed. I think I like this medicine... Could he be on it all the time? He was so agreeable!

Logan said he was such a pro at this now, he could probably do the next two fillings without the sedative.

We all chuckled.

We'll see how he feels when the freezing wears off. ; )