Riders romp: 49 to 8!

I think the Stampeders are still looking for the liscense plate of that green-and-white truck that just pasted them to the turf. Maybe it was a tractor.

I don't think they ever did get a good look at what hit them, as they spent an inordinate amount of time picking Taylor Field's new turf out of their helmets.

Or like Burris - lying on his back gazing up at the prairie sky.

Did you see how the Riders dug for the ball?

It was a Rider ball all game, they just loaned it to the Stamps on occasion so they could practice their defensive plays.

I noticed something on Roughrider faces that I haven't seen in a good long while... joy! My goodness, it looked this team suddenly discovered football is fun!

For a loyal group of fans crowded into the house of the only friend with TSN, we discovered another joy: cheering for a winning team! I, personally, can not get enough of DJ Flick's spectacular catch in the end zone - one handed, around blanket coverage, while falling down! How in the world...?

I predicted Austin would not let down fans and I'm not ready to gloat yet, but... honestly even I didn't see this coming.

B.C. Lions will be Saskatchewan's next victims... er... I mean... team to beat on Friday.

Pondering a mad trip to Regina just to see the green and white truck in person.

Blessed

This morning as I sip lemon tea at work, I'm looking out at a perfect blue sky.

I'm suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our lives in the past year.

My kids have each had a wonderfully successful year at school. Hubby has seen his job responsibilities grow. My work has increased both with writing and with my part time job.

Of course, we've gotten a house, too. What a major blessing and joy that is!

But then there are blessings of a more subtle nature...

We were each spared tragic accidents and injury.

We were also spared any major illnesses.

No major emotional trauma tore apart our world.

Our kids have never known the pain and agony of watching their parents divorce.

We are lucky enough to live in a country that affords us - not only a life if impractical luxury at times - but also freedoms our ancestors probably couldn't dare to dream - freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom from social classes, etc.

Our lives are so... blessed. Undeservedly, richly blessed.

Listening to: FREE 100.3 FM

Moving details

I know several of you have been asking for details on the move - I think so you can help us. Or maybe so you can stand on our porch and mock us.

Either way here are the specs:

Thursday, July 26:
Richard and JJ take possession (also our 11th anniversary!)

Friday, July 27:
All day - appliances and furniture delivered to new house
5 p.m. Richard gets moving truck
Evening - loading up moving truck at old address (3214 McGill Street)

Saturday, July28:
Morning (exact time TBD - probably about 9ish) - empty moving truck at new address (131 Blakeney Cres)
Second load will be organized after first load
5 p.m. - Richard takes moving truck back
6 p.m. - Supper at new address (131 Blakeney Cres)
Roast beef, buns and salad, courtesy of my mom, Jackie

Driving instructions for new house: Drive west on 33rd past Wedge Road. Keep going until you think you're about to leave the city. Turn left onto Steeves Avenue. Take the first or second right. Both are Blakeney Crescent. Parking could be an issue, so you may have to park on Steeves and then walk. We're closest to Steeves on the second right hand turn. Our house is on the south side of the street.

Driving instructions for old address: McGill is one block north of 14th Street, just off Acadia Drive. We're really close to the Circle drive on-ramp.

Please email me or call before the move to get our cell phone numbers if you want them. I won't publish them here.

Countdown to move: 22 days!

Listening to: fish tank making weird noises
Pending assignments: none! Woohoo!

Countdown

We signed our last rent cheque today.

The moving truck is booked.

There are just 29 days until we move.

It's so exciting and so nerve-wracking all at the same time!

Listening to: neighbours next door hammering, sawing, and using some sort loud power tool...
Pending assignments: zero!

Woohoo!

There probably isn't a worse place on the planet for the new and improved Riders to start their 2007 season than Montreal.

However, Austin's lean mean green machine played flawlessly and started the season on a winning note.

They didn't hang on to win.

No.

They played an error-free game under a new coach, with a new playbook, with new teammates. And they didn't win by a field goal either.

They won by nine points.

Nine stinkin' hot points!

Not to mention the defensive line netting seven sacks against Calvillo.

And my hubby will be happy to hear KJ actually threw the ball for a 34-yard touchdown.

It's too early to say whether winning thing will stick, but Austin has given Riderville something they haven't had in decades... a win in Montreal.

All I can say about the new Riders is this: me likey.

Listening to: TV
Pending assignments: yahoo! none!

Summer holidays

It's here! Summer holidays are here!

[doing the Snoopy Happy Dance]

Okay... so it's one job out of three that are one holidays as of today, but still...

[back to Snoopy Happy Dance]

Besides tomorrow morning when I finish my papers at roughly 6:30 a.m. I will be done another job and it too shall be on permanent summer vacation.

[again with the dancing]

And then on Monday my kids go to Grandma's for a two weeks of holidays and swimming lessons.

[Snoopy Dance goes on and on...]

I have never looked forward to, nor needed, a holiday so badly in all my life. I'm not sure I will know what to do with myself... well, except for the packing and moving thing.

I never thought working part time and packing up our house to move would be considered a holiday. But in my life. Right now? YES!

Can't. Wait.

Listening to: nothing again...
Pending assignments: 0... that's zero... nil... sweet nothing!

Flowers

Thought my blog could use some colour, so I'm posting a pic of my favourite flower.

I love fuschias, but I haven't planted any for years. This little one I planted this year is blooming all over the place. Can't wait to hang it on our veranda at the new house.

I should also post a picture of my african violet. I have managed to own the thing for almost two months and I have yet to kill it! (My grandma will be so proud!)

I hope it survives until we get to the new house. I think it will appreciate the tremendous amounts of sunlight it will get there. Hopefully, I can manage not to kill it there too!

The last days...

Today was the last day of school!

Friday is my last assignment before I take off the entire month of July!

Saturday is my last day of papers!

Sunday could be the kids' last day here before they visit grandma for two weeks!

Meanwhile, we're down to our last days in the duplex.

28 days and counting...

Woohoo!

--
Listening to: Michael Buble: Call Me Irresponsible
Pending assignments: 3 assignments (BEFORE Friday)

Joys of cooking

Many people who know me, know that I love to cook and bake.

I have been making a real effort to plan meals and try new things even though the past couple of months have been kind of hectic. Mostly, because doing so brings me such joy.

One of the many things I love about cooking is the fragrant spices and herbs I try from time to time.

Today, for instance, I discovered the joy of ground coriander. It smells amazing. Something sweet and oriental.

I have chicken marinating in it right now. I can tell already that this new tandoori recipe is going to be a favourite.

The second thing I discovered today is fresh minced ginger from a jar. So simple and easy. And no mess. And nothing can quite duplicate the smell of fresh ginger.

Another thing I love to try out, along with new ingredients, are new cooking gadgets. Yesterday I spoiled myself and bought an indoor grill I'd been eyeing for a couple of years.

Since we don't have a barbeque, I figured this was a great substitute and I never have to crawl over a snowbank to get to it!

I shall report back on my grilled tandoori chicken and let you know if the new recipe lives up to the fragrant discoveries of ground coriander and ginger from a jar (who knew?!).

Listening to: nothing... odd...
Pending assignments: 3 all due this week! eeeek!

Writing, writing and then writing...

Last year I had a work slow down period that lasted from April through the beginning of August. In that time I wrote one article.

This year, I decided to bank some money and pick up a paper route to help offset the lack of income in those months. Then I added extra hours and duties at work, also to offset the dip in income that I expected.

About that work slow down? It hasn't happened. I'm still writing one to two articles a week.

This is such a blessing. I'm so grateful. Don't get me wrong.

Yet...

Well... I'd really like some sleep! Some down time even... time to just breathe, you know?

As a result blogging has been furthest from my mind at this point.

We're also starting to pack up our stuff for our big move at the end of July.

Some days I feel if I stop moving I'll just sleep for a week.

My paper route ends at the end of June, so hopefully things will start tapering off.

BUT... I have made a few decisions regarding my life.

First, my goals are:
a. To become a self-supporting freelancing writer OR have a writing-related job that allows for some fun freelancing assignments
b. To become a published author of non-fiction books
c. To become a published novelist

To accomplish the first thing, I've begun contacting businesses and organizations that I think might use freelancers for the production of newsletters, press releases, reports, website copy, etc.

Out of 15 emails, so far I've gotten six responses. This is very encouraging. (And a very good return rate, I must say!)

In the process I've had someone chat with me about a fulltime copywriting gig and I've applied for a fulltime writing job with a publication in the city.

The bottom-line is this... in the next two months my life is going to change dramatically. Not only will we be relocating within the city (and dealing with all the adjustments that come with a new neighbourhood, new school, etc), but I will most likely have a very different work world. I'm not sure what that will look like in the end, and that's a bit scary to say the least!

Listening to: silence
Pending assignments: 3, I think...

Mikaela's dance

After a week-long blur of yellow sequins, blue eye shadow, bobby pins, hair nets and dippity do, Mikaela's first year of ballet is over.

Last night the Saskatoon School of Dance presented their year end recital at TCU Place. The three-hour long program was a delightful mix of traditional ballet, tap, and jazz with contemporary lyrical and hip-hop. Not to mention the fantastic energy of the Ukrainian dancers and Irish dancers.

We had a wonderful time watching all of the dances. The hip-hop crew were outstanding. We all loved the Ukrainian dancers with their colourful costumes and energetic routines.

However, the little sunflower number towards the beginning absolutely stole the show. For us anyway!

That's where our little girl shone beautifully. We were so proud of her. She handled the big stage at Centennial with poise and a big smile. I couldn't take pictures during the recital, but managed to grab some in the previous two dress rehearsals.

Enjoy!

This is her looking absolutely petrified just before the final dress rehearsal on Thursday. Once she was out there, though, she looked so calm you would have thought she'd done it a million times!

This is the group on stage:

To commemorate her first time on the stage Grandma and Grandpa sent her a pink gerber daisy. Thank you, Grandma! ; )

Disappointed

I think the title of this post would make a good title or subtitle for my life.

Disappointed.

Yet again, dreams and hopes have been dashed to bits. The writing project went to another writer.

So I give up trying to figure out what God wants. I will take the communications assistant job or else stay at the centre.

Either way I'll look like an idiot.

Either I have to tell the centre I'm leaving after I told them I wouldn't (twice).

Or...

I tell this company I don't want the position after I turned down an interview the first round and then insist I really want the job on the second round.

Like seriously... am I schizophrenic?

Why does it seem like I don't know what I want?

I do! I want a job that allows me to write AND provide for my family. Why do those things seem so mutually exclusive all the time? And why, no matter how much experience I gain or how well I do at things, do both of those things seem so elusive?

How do I choose between my dreams of freelancing, which offers flexibility and freedom to be there for my kids, with the stability of a fulltime job, which would mean little freedom to pursue freelancing and other activities, but a higher more stable income?

Is there a right or a wrong answer here?

Why does God seem to open doors in prayer and then slam them shut again?

Is he trying to tell me something or am I just supposed to figure this out on my own? Is he yelling the answer or whispering it? Can I hear it or am I ignoring it?

Why on the same day that I get glowing reviews on my work from several editors, do I also get turned down for a major bit of work that I would have thoroughly enjoyed doing?

Where do I go from here?

Thanks for listening...

Listening to: nothing
Pending assignments: 3

Saturday's paper

The following announcement is entirely shameless self-promotion. Please be advised the author feels no need to apologize.

This Saturday's StarPhoenix will include the eight-page supplement that I recently wrote on the Saskatoon Police Services.

Just heard back from the editors that it came off the press this morning and everything looks great!

For those who don't live in Toon Town, you can check out the insert online. Every SP supplement is posted online in its entirety - ads included.

Simply visit Canada.com and click on The StarPhoenix from the pull down menu. There is a link on the left side called special features. Click on it and you'll see all the special features from the last year. I also have two articles in the Your Backyard feature... in case you were wondering...

I do believe there is some lag time though. So you might have to wait until early next week to see it online.

For those who live in Saskatoon, please check out the supplement on Saturday. There is some very important information regarding the reorganization of the police service.

Listening to: a heater hum in my ear (I'm at work)
Pending assignments: 2

Brain-fried

I'm going to preface everything I'm about to say with the caveat that it's been 11 days since my last day off. So I'm a little brain-fried.

I've been meaning to post something this week, but I struggled with having little of interest to post and having so much I didn't know where to start.

I had just two weeks to complete an eight-page supplement for a client. In five days I produced 5600 words of copy. I have no idea if any of it made any sense towards the end. Some of the articles I wrote, I can't remember writing.

(To check out what I did with my long weekend see the supplement in June 2's StarPhoenix.)

Despite the major assignment, I felt a low ebb in my writing confidence. I just didn't see where God was going with this. How could I make a living at this? After all I've tried before and failed.

With a huge mortgage payment looming, I felt more pressure to find an increased and more stable income.

So in the midst of my writing blur I squeezed in a job interview.

Halfway through the interview, the interviewer gave a me a look, something akin to... what in the world are you doing here?

Which was fairly appropriate since I'd been wondering the same thing since I had walked in the door.

I put on a happy face and finished the interview.

As I left, I felt panicked at the thought of returning to a job with... well... with other people.

I've been self-employed too long!

So just when I thought God had brought this job opportunity my way, I felt like I was so far away from what God wanted.

Just when I think I have it all figured out... things change, right?

So last night I contemplated my situation until far too late. I prayed God would give me a sign that I freelancing was where he wanted me.

I'm a little dense at times (and a little exhausted at the moment!) so I asked him to make the sign fairly big. Neon lights and the whole bit.

Today I got an email from a writer in the city. She'd been approached for a major writing project and had to turn it down. She was going to pass along my name, if that was ok.

The opportunity she passed on was fabulous. Big organization. Juicy assignment. Good money. With a possibility of a one-year contract later.

Woohoo!

Anyone got sunglasses? The neon lights on that sign are seriously hurting my eyes!

Ok.

I get it.

Stay at the centre. Keep freelancing. Trust Him. Walk with Him. Place it all in His hands.

I have no idea if this opportunity will work out. It sounds really positive, though. So I will praise God for this chance and pray He will keep guiding me to the right places at the right time.

And that He will take my name to where it needs to be, so that I can provide for my family. He knew all about the huge mortgage we would have when He gift wrapped the house for my birthday/our anniversary. He's not going to forget a little thing like helping us pay for it!

Now I'm going to go stuff my kids into bed so I can get an early start on this fabulous day off that's coming my way tomorrow! Woohoo!

Listening to: not much
Pending assignments: just 2 for now...

RIP

The Snowbirds lost another one yesterday. I just wanted to pause and remember Captain Shawn McCaughey. The agility, grace and unmatched skill of McCaughey and his fellow pilots at 15-Wing never ceases to inspire awe in the millions of people that watch them perform each year.

May we always remember their dedication and spirit. And may we never forget to honour their sacrifice. Godspeed Captain McCaughey.

They also serve who only stand and wait. -- Winston Churchill

Listening to: Building 429: Iris to Iris

Pending assignments: three less than yesterday. ; )

The lost art of knocking

This is a post that has been brewing for a while. I get very grumpy at my children's friends for what I call a serious gap in their social skills...

They refuse to knock.

One day (about a year ago) I walked into my kitchen to see a neighbourhood girl, roughly four years old going through my cupboard.

I recognized her, but just barely. I asked what her name was and why she was in my house.

Oh, she replied, I just wanted to come in.

I informed her that we had a couple of rules in my house:

a. You have to knock before coming into my house. This was later amended to: You have to knock AND wait for me to let you into my house before you can enter.

b. Guests are not allowed to root through my cupboards to find food unless I invite them to. This was later amended to include the fridge.

Now, since her brother also exhibited similar behavior in his firsts visit to our house, I simply chalked it up to a single family. Perhaps they just didn't have friends who reinforced simple rules like this.

This year... my children have new friends. Their new friends have demonstrated the exact same lack of courtesy. I walked into the kitchen one to find one of them making juice. I asked what she was doing.

Oh, said she, I got thirsty and wanted some juice.

Now in my childhood, in order for me to help myself to juice from the freezer and a pitcher from the cupboard to make my own juice at a friend's house, I would have to have been near delirium from dehydration. I kid you not.

Maybe I was just raised in a different environment. Perhaps it was just a different time. But I would never have dreamed of entering into a friend's house without permission. Let alone help myself to their food without them knowing.

Now this is not a hunger issue. I know these people. They might not live in a fancy home in Briarwood, but they do have money. And their children are not suffering.

Believe me, if I felt they were in anyway malnourished my good German upbringing would be sending them carepackages home every day. But this is just not the case.

So again... I'm back to trying to figure out what is the big deal about knocking. Today both sets of friends were over and both came in after I explicitly told them to stay outside while the kids packed their suitcases for Grandma's house.

I came out of Logan's room and found them standing there.

What are you doing? I asked (not amused at all).

Oh we just wanted to come in, they said after looking perplexed.

Anway, after explaining to them (yet one more time), that they need to knock before entering and stay outside if I ask them to, I shoed them outside. Both staring at me like I was speaking martian.

Maybe it's just me.

Maybe I'm just a mean old bat.

Oh the shame...! ... the shame! /sarc off

Listening to: same children running through the sprinkler
Pending assignments: I have no idea...

A watched phone...

.... never rings. Same as the pot. Just different.

I hate waiting for the phone to ring.

Nothing shuts up a phone better than willing it to ring.

I stare at it. I pace back and forth in the kitchen. I double check my recording equipment and my notebooks. I get out two pens (in case one stops working while I'm taking notes - it's happened!)

I swear it has a greater likelihood of ringing somedays if you unplug it from the wall, than it does while you are staring at it... yearning to hear it trill.

Then I start the debate...

Should I pick up the phone and call a friend just to make sure it's working?

Of course, if I do and the person calls and gets a busy signal... I look like a rude cow.

But if I don't and there's a problem in my set up... then I'll be sitting here forever watching a phone not ring. Waiting in vain for it's shrill call of victory.

It's even worse when I'm waiting for an interview subject to phone.

I start to wonder if I misunderstood the date or time. Or the instructions. Maybe I was supposed to call them and they are sitting at their end of the phone having this exact conversation with themselves.

ARG!

Listening to: my phone NOT ringing
Pending assignments: I have no idea...

Reality Monday

I love Mondays.

For starters, the paper on Mondays qualifies as more of a pamphlet so I can do my whole route in one trip in 30 minutes.

As well, I don't work much on Mondays. I try not to book myself clients at the centre (though it does happen on occasion). And I try not to book myself interviews or writing assignments for Mondays if I can avoid it.

Monday is my chance to catch up on house stuff and just basically... chill.

So I'm sitting here listening to my new Michael Buble CD with a hot cup of tea.

...

Ah...

...

Yup. This is why I love Mondays. Relaxing with Michael's velvety voice and old school jazz.

Beautiful. It is so important to carve out these moments. Savour them. Because these moments provide the fuel for the rest of our lives when we can barely catch our breath.

Listening to: Michael Buble: Call Me Irresponsible
Pending assignments: 12-15

Possession date

We take possession on our 11th wedding anniversary - July 26.

The date was picked by the sellers. Initially, they had chosen Friday, July 27. In fact, the four of us chatted about how Fridays were a good day to take possession. As we went to write it down, he changed his mind at the last second and said to write down Thursday, July 26 instead.

He didn't really give a reason. Just wanted to give us an extra day, I guess. We shrugged and nodded.

When we got home and told my mom the possession date she said, "What a lovely anniversary present!"

I said, "Oh? Who's anniversary?"

Ha! Because we basically eloped the date isn't exactly burned on brains like it is for most couples.

God is so cool. He worked it out so the house was purchased on my birthday and we take possession on our anniversary. He definitely paid attention to the details on this one!

Listening to: Richard play nintendo and Logan and his friend brush their teeth (they're using a timer so that they do it long enough, too!)
Pending assignments: about a billion!

Woohoo!

Word came down from official-dom this morning... our financing was approved. So all conditions on the sale of the house have been removed.

All we have to do is sign the papers about a week before possession.

So... wow!

Excitement has set in. That house is ours! OURS!

Anyway, just had to share in the joy with everyone.

Listening to: Iris to Iris (Building 429's latest)
Pending assignments: about a billion...