I have thought about hosting an Epicure party for quite some time. I have never hosted a home party before and I went to an Epicure party last year and really enjoyed it. You go to the party and you get to eat food. Epicure does a variety of products, but I think they are most popular for their spices and dip mixes. So you go and get to try out different dips and sauces and whatnot before you buy them. And they aren't terribly expensive. When I think about having one, I feel guilty at the thought of inviting my friends to a party where they might have to spend money. I have gone to many parties (my sister has hosted TONS of them), and I never feel terribly obligated to spend an awful lot, and with this, you are getting food. And who doesn't like food?! Maybe I just need to get over it and book a party and if no one shows up, I guess I will have lots of munchies and dips to eat for myself! :)

Is it possible to find sunscreen that doesn't smell like sunscreen?

We managed to find some that isn't greasy (thanks to Trina), but it has that very distinctive sunscreen smell....

Sorry for the lack of intelligent posts, just haven't been too inspired lately.

Free entertainment

I have taken to reading ads on Kijiji lately. For anyone who might not know, they are a free online classified service. The fact that they are free, there is no editing done to them, and a lot of people have very poor grammar and spelling skills. That in itself has been the cause of some giggles from me. However, there are the occasional ads that make me bust a gut. One day I was reading the 'free' category under pets. I often like to look at the puppies for sale section because I like to see pictures of cute puppies (maybe someday we will get Kiwi her own puppy to play with). One day when I was reading the free ads there was one that went something like this.

"I have a two year old beagle to give away. I am not going to lie, this dog has problems. She has arthritis, and the medication that she needs for that makes it so she can't hold her bladder for any extended length of time. Also you can't leave her alone because she gets anxious and chews and whines." No wonder they are trying to give it away....not sure who might want her, unless you could train it to wear a diaper.

Another ad was offering a free miniature horse. I thought that seemed a little good to be true until I read the actual ad. "Free miniature horse. He is blind but does well if he can follow other animals around. No meat seekers please." I didn't realize that Canadians ate horse meat...

One final ad that I feel is worth a mention was a woman who was selling some off white pillar candles from Ikea. They were from her wedding, and had only been burned for a couple of hours. They might be good for someone else's wedding, she suggested. And the asking price, for 12 partially burned candles....$30! I realize that they might have cost you a few dollars, but give them to friends, use them around the house, donate them to a church. I just don't understand people's need to try and sell things that aren't worth anything. I have often seen items on there that people are selling for $2 or $5, and to me that just doesn't seem worth the effort. At least it provides some free entertainment to me :)

Nice Weekend

We spent some time in Regina this weekend and it was quite nice. I have a few observations to make about our weekend:

- The sign at Craik made us both laugh pretty hard. I know I have driven by there before, but we had quite the giggle. "Craik: The friendliest place by a dam site." Haha

- This is the first time I have been to Regina that I paid any sort of attention to it. I think it seems like a nice city. We were going to take a walk by the legislative buildings, but it was too hot Saturday. I think that Wascana Park looks quite nice.

- On many streets in Regina there are three lanes, or so it would appear. But occasionally in the right hand lane, there will be people parked. So unless you want to be dodging in and out of traffic drive in the centre lane, until you are ready to turn, then get in the right lane.

- The Imax theatre is really cool. We saw Grand Canyon Adventure and I thought it was great. I had no idea how deep it was at some points and how majestic it is. Very cool!

- The Science Centre is neat, but definitely aimed at younger children. If I have kids someday, I will take them there.

- Brewster's is a great restaurant and if I ever go to Regina again you better believe I will be eating there. We had shrimp sushi rolls there, and they were super good, and I am craving more of them. They were somewhat similar to the ones at Earl's, but better.

- I tasted the much disliked Regina water. I was expecting something absolutely horrible. In all honesty it wasn't too bad. Definitely not as good as Saskatoon water, but better than Moose Jaw and Carrot River (two of the worst tasting waters I have tasted).

- Best Western Seven Oaks is a fairly nice hotel. It was clean, and had what we needed.

- The reason we went to Regina was for our friend's son's baptism. He was baptized at a Lutheran church and were asked to be Godparents. It was definitely different to go to a different church. I didn't mind trying something new. I found that the sermon was good, but the service felt a little too rigid and structured for my tastes. I didn't mind singing some hymns though! I have never been a big fan of responsive readings, and they did a lot this morning. They did lots at the Christmas service at Ebenezer (where we regularly go). I find that they sound like chanting and make me think of something 'cult'ish. I always sort of wonder what someone, who had never been to church before in their life would think of those readings. Overall it was a positive experience!

- I had to have a chuckle to myself this morning when the pastor handed us a pamphlet before the service called "So you have a Godchild". It reminded me of an episode of the Simpsons when Homer thinks he is terminally ill and the doctor gives him a pamphlet called "So you're going to die" or when Marge finds out she's pregnant and the doctor gives her a pamphlet saying "So you've ruined your life". I know, I know....I am a Simpsons geek.

All in all a nice weekend, and I am looking forward to hitting the lake next weekend :) Here's hoping the good weather sticks around!

This makes me giggle

New Addition

We got a tree today! After weeks of playing phone tag, and dealing with grumpy, negative employees at the only tree moving company in Saskatoon, we got them out to move a tree for us. Friends of ours offered it to us because they figured they had enough trees in their yard without this one, and we were only glad to take it, because if it survives, it will be the biggest tree in our neighbourhood for some time! Amazing what a difference it makes in the look of our yard. And now when I look out the dining room window, I don't look into the dining room window of our neighbour a couple houses down. Here's hoping the tree survives!

In preparation of getting this tree moved we had the power, gas and cable lines marked in the backyard. We decided where we wanted to put the tree, and when the tree mover got to our friend's house this morning and dumped out the dirt from the hole he had dug here, there was a big chunk of cable tv cable :P Obviously, someone missed marking a line. THANKFULLY it was just a cable line, and not a gas or power line!! So now we have no cable, and our tv doesn't have an antenna, so we don't even get peasant vision. We get three channels of sound, and fuzzy picture. However, with the impending shift away from analog channels in 2009 (they keep scrolling a notice across the bottom of the screen on some channels) we have decided that we are probably going to go with Sasktel Max, instead of getting our cable fixed. I think for less than we are paying now, we can get more good channels and less channels we don't want.

This evening, after staking the tree, I was hot and thirsty for a slurpee. I haven't had one since last summer, I think. I used to be an avid slurpee drinker. And it had to be a slurpee brand slurpee. I was quite picky. Well I am not sure where our nearest 7-11 is so I settled for Mac's. I have to say I was very impressed. They probably had about 10-12 flavors and they were good thick flavorful frosty's. I had grape flavor, that was always my favorite. However, my teeth hurt now from the sugary goodness...

I must have cabin fever

We are going to Regina next weekend for our friend's son's baptism and I am a little excited to get out of Saskatoon, even if it just for one night, and even if it is to Regina. I don't really have anything against Regina. I have probably spent less than a total of three full days there in my life. Went to the science centre in grade 10 for a few hours, went to my cousin's wedding there and spent the night about 8 years ago, and I went to a Rider's game once. I would really like to get back to the science centre. I recall that it was quite interesting, and I always enjoy Imax movies. Also, Jay has never been, so I would like to take him (hopefully it's all wheelchair accessible). We would also like to take a walk around Wascana Lake and the Legislative buildings. I have never been there. We are looking for any suggestions of any good stores or restaurants to check out in Regina that we don't have in Saskatoon. I have heard that they have a Sears Outlet store there, but not sure if it's worth our time to check it out. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Someone has a new summer do

Welcome to the world

I would like to announce the birth of my friends Karen and Levi's daughter Aurelia Sophia. (If you click on each name, it will take you to a link where it pronounces them.) She was born around 10:30pm on Wednesday June 11th via c-section. She was 8lbs 12oz. Mom and baby are doing well, and I get to go up and visit them this evening :D:D:D I will post a picture if it's okay with the parents, but I have heard she has a lot of reddish hair.

I'm bursting with excitment and anticipation...

I heard from a reliable source that my friend, who was due to have her baby on Sunday is at the hospital right now...

I read this letter on a couple of blogs and it made me laugh. I am not sure if it was actually sent to the marketing guy from Always maxi pads, but none the less made me laugh. (I edited the language in it just a little bit to make it a little more 'family-friendly'.)

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your Always maxi pads for over 20 years, and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core™ or Dri-Weave™ absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from "the curse"? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my "time of the month" is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call "an inbred hillbilly with knife skills." Isn't the human body amazing?

As brand manager in the feminine-hygiene division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers' monthly visits from Aunt Flo. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in capri pants. Which brings me to the reason for my letter.

Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: "Have a Happy Period."

Are you freaking kidding me?

What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness—actual smiling, laughing happiness—is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything "happy" about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlúa and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreens armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory. For the love of God, pull your head out, man. If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like "Put Down the Hammer" or "Vehicular Manslaughter Is Wrong"? Or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your accounting department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flexi-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending BS. And that's a promise I will keep. Always.

Best,

Wendi Aarons
Austin, TX

Weekend Activities

We were planning to get up early on Saturday morning to go to the Farmer's Market hopefully before everything was thoroughly picked over. However with sleeping in until 9am, then trying to entertain the dog for a while we only made it out there at about noon. We managed to get some garden carrots (yum!), some asparagus (for supper tonight) and some roll kuchen. The roll kuchen disappeared very quickly even though there was no watermelon in sight! Good stuff!

Saturday evening our Bible study group had our year end windup BBQ. It was really good! Our friends were generous enough to feed us all steak and baked potatoes. We all brought along something to share. I brought Mexican bean salad and everyone seemed quite impressed. I know we love the recipe, but it makes such a big batch that we can't (and shouldn't) eat all those beans on our own, so we love to have the opportunity to share it with friends. After supper we played a game of Balderdash. I think that is one of my favorite group games. We had some very creative answers and some pretty funny ones.

Yesterday was sort of a lazy day. Went to church, came home, had a lazy afternoon and a lazy evening. I can't believe how quickly the weekends disappear! Only five more weeks of work until holidays!

One last thing. I am getting very anxious for my friend Karen to have her baby. She was due yesterday....but I saw her on MSN for a while yesterday so I am thinking she probably didn't have it. But then she isn't signed onto MSN yet this morning, so maybe they are at the hospital now....or not. Maybe she's busy with other stuff and isn't on the computer. *sigh* I am so excited to meet this little baby. I told her at one point that I don't want to know when they are on the way to the hospital, or when she is labour. I just want to hear about it when it's all over.....well I am starting to think I want to know. I don't.....just getting very excited for this baby to come.

We bought Reese's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream last night. YUM! It is peanut butter ice cream, with chocolate and peanut butter swirl AND pieces of peanut butter cup in it. I don't think it will last long in this household.....no wonder I had a dream last night that I suddenly gained 20lbs....

Her new favorite place to hang out

The Queen

I finally watched that movie yesterday. I quite enjoyed it. I have always appreciated her, and it was interesting to see a look into her life on the inside. I will admit that I had quite a chuckle to myself at the thought of her off-roading in a jeep by herself. I was saying to Jay that I would not want to be part of that family though. All the publicity and the lack of privacy would drive me mad I think. Seeing on the news how the paparazzi had treated Prince William's girlfriend, if I were him I think I might opt for a life of singleness. Or maybe marry another royal so they are already used to the attention. Interesting movie though, and she still reminds me of my grandma. Oh and I can't believe how much they made the actress who played Queen Elizabeth look like her!

The Velvet Heart

I took this picture about 2 1/2 years ago over by our old condo. I thought it was neat and I have had it on my desktop for the last couple of weeks. I wanted to share it with all my legions of loyal blog readers ;)

Oh yeah, and this is my 601st blog post. Been at it since January of 2004, wow! Look at me go!