Happy Birthday Lisa!

I held back on putting up the picture of you as a Sunshine Girl! :)

Quick News
My cousin Angela is getting married. I knew the announcement would be coming, they've been together a few years. The family really likes the guy (whose name I've forgotten), and I've met him once. Seems like a good guy, he's really tall. What more can I say? I only met him for 5 minutes 2 years ago. The date of the wedding is January 2, and as I understand it, it will be a location wedding. I'm thinking it will be in Costa Rica, since he and Angela have gone there several times in the last few years. What an exciting adventure for them.

Everything seems to be falling into place for Meghan and Mike's move to Calgary. So that's great news too. I'm sure it's a huge stress relief for them.

We had a very nice breakfast yesterday at Le Peep with Erik, Rachel and their 3 kids. I of course ordered the cinnamonster. I do enjoy a good cinnamon roll. We then all went to Peet's for hot beverages. Peet's just put out a new Anniversary Breakfast Blend for their 39th anniversary. Very tasty, but because it's a rare blend, we won't be getting a tin of it. (Rare blend=expensive) It was so awesome to see them, but it made me miss them even more once we parted. Sigh.

So I have to use my free movie passes by the end of April, and I wonder if that will happen. Even if we took advantage of Nana (Diane) babysitting during her visit, we'd have to agree on a movie. Which will be a challenge. I just don't think I could sway Geoff into seeing Miss Congeniality 2. :)

Well I shouldn't press my luck with the boy; i don't know how much longer he'll sit quietly. I'll close with a quote from Miss Congeniality.

Victor Melling: Why is New Jersey called "The Garden State"?
Gracie Hart: Because "Oil and Petrochemical Refinery State" wouldn't fit on a license plate?

Apple=Evil?
From Geoff.

Weekend Update
Geoff remarked yesterday that our weekends aren't the relaxing, recoup time they used to be. I guess it takes getting used to that our lives will never be the same. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. A few years ago we were feeling left out, when all our friends were buying their own homes. And I was feeling left out a few years ago when everyone I knew was having kids. But I kinda feel like we're on a moving sidewalk now, and that things are going to start happening fast. In a little over a year's time we'll be moving again, and Geoff will be starting at a university. So we'll be looking to settle into a house maybe. Or maybe it will still be another few years. But time is already moving so fast. I feel like Elijah has been with us so long, and it's been 3 weeks.

I was reflecting yesterday about my time at KUCI. How there are things I really miss; the people, the interaction, the elite-ness of being in that scene. How I don't know if I have the energy now to do that if I could. But what a great experience that was.

Church service was amazing yesterday. It was emotional and the music was kicking. I got all teary and choked up singing Grace Like Rain (which was preceded by clips from Passion Of The Christ). Following service, we drove out to Mark and Shannon's for an Easter brunch and egg hunt. The food was excellent, and Elijah was so well behaved. He participated in the egg hunt in a small capacity, because really, he's 3 weeks old. But it was great and the weather hit 73 degrees. Ah, that's more like it (it snowed Saturday morning).

This week I get to look forward to time with the Karns and Kroliks. So I should probably tackle tidying the house up, at least a little each day. I think Elijah and I will walk up to Target today since it's still kinda nice out. So I'll sign off now with a quote from The World Is Not Enough.

Q: I've always tried to teach you two things. First, never let them see you bleed.
James Bond: And the second?
Q: Always have an escape plan.

Thank You Canada

No Worries Mate
Just didn't want you all to be left wondering, but the DMV trip went smoothly today. We got there before it opened, stood in line, got inside, went through the drill, and left with a temporary license (they'll mail out the real one). Geoff got lucky and didn't get the interrogation I got( re: visa stuff), so his license is good for 10 years, while mine is still set to expire once my visa does (2006). And Elijah slept through the whole thing.

Elijah and I then dropped Dad off at work and since he was sleeping I headed to the museum to show him off to Jeff & Rich. Everyone fawned over how sweet he looked (yeah, come see him at 3am when he's screaming), and it was nice just to see familiar faces. Then Rich asks when I'm coming back to work, and will I be there tonight. Me: "Tonight? What's tonight?" Rich: "oh yeah, you haven't been here" Tonight Jeff is having a potluck and slide show of his Egypt trip. I remember at the baby shower Jeff mentioning he was going to do it sometime in March, but since I haven't been around, I didn't hear that a day had been set. They told me I should go, but Rich gets that I have mom stuff to do. I may have gone if I had more notice, as I'm sure the pictures are amazing. What I find really funny is how I was at the museum for maybe 20-30 minutes, and in that time Rich complained about Jeff to me. :) Ah, just like old times.

So I was up at 4am with a wide awake baby, and since I'd spent an hour trying to get him to sleep, I decided if I have to be awake, I'm going to watch tv. Now let me tell you about the quality programming you can choose from at 4am. Infomercials. I did find that Aqua Teen Hunger Force was on, which I would have watched, except that Comedy Central had Creature Comforts. That's right, an Aardman production. It was a little odd, as I wasn't expecting to find anything good on tv. And when I returned to bed around 4:20 and told Geoff it was on, he said cool. He told me this morning that in the future I should wake him when I find Aardman stuff on tv. I told him hey since you were awake anyways, you should have some out into the living room. Well, looking at the Comedy Central website, they seem to be showing it on a regular basis. So maybe I'll make a point of taping it and then when I have to be up at ungodly hours, I have something good to watch.

Well, I should wake Elijah and get him changed and fed. Since Geoff gave me the car today, I have to go pick him up. And I don't want to go too late as I hate driving in the dark and in the snow. Thankfully it's Denver snow, so it doesn't stick to the road.

I'll close with a quote from Creature Comforts.

The Amoeba: I think I have a very intimate relationship with water 'cause I'm primarily composed of it. But I do think water is one of the great mysteries.

A Free Moment
I don't know how much time I have, so I'll blog as long as I can. He's a little mommy's boy and likes be held all the time. I've got him napping now, though I may pay for it later tonight.

Sunday I turned on the tv and while surfing I stopped on BET. They were playing Wishing Well by Terrence Trent D'arby. I stayed tuned in, and was rewarded by them playing more tunes I liked. Then they made me feel ashamed by telling me the program is called Grown Folks Music. Geoff laughed at me. But the music was really good, and I miss being able to watch videos for songs I actually know.

I took the baby for a walk this morning, to calm him, and I grabbed my iPod to keep myself amused. I find I'm not able to listen to music as much I did say a month ago. But as Geoff pointed out I should be able to listen to my iPod and keep an eye on Elijah with the baby monitor (it has lights). So I'm back to rocking out in my own world, but I'm holding back on belting out along with my music. I save that for the car rides. :)

While I was out walking, I was trying to put together my Top 5 Debut Albums. It's really hard. I have to consider many factors, mostly is it still an album I listen to on heavy rotation. While I love some albums, I don't listen to them all that often. I guess I would have to pick...(not in any order)
Bread & Circus - Toad The Wet Sprocket
Pablo Honey - Radiohead
Bargainville - Moxy Fruvous
Yourself Or Someone Like You - Matchbox Twenty
August And Everything After - Counting Crows

(disclaimer- this list is prone to change at any given moment)

Now I wanted to put Gordon (BNL) on the list, but I don't really listen to it all that often. It's a great album, and it would likely go on the list if I limited myself to Debut Albums By Canadian Artists. That list would look like...(not in any order)
Elevator Music - Splendourbog
Gordon - Barenaked Ladies
Lik My Traktor - Waltons
Bargainville - Moxy Fruvous
Outskirts - Blue Rodeo
(1st Alternate would be Novice - Easily Amused)

Saw Punk'd the other day, haven't watched that in a while, and really only tuned in to see Zach Braff get punk'd. I had read online that he cusses a lot, and in fairness to him seeing your Porsche get vandalized would set nearly anyone off. It was pretty funny though, better than some of the other pranks they have pulled.

Speaking of Mr. Braff, NBC ordered 3 more episodes of Scrubs for this season (whoo-hoo), which is supposed to coincide with the release of Scrubs on DVD in May. (A great Christmas gift for Melissa if anyone's interested)

I wanted to say I'm looking forward to Easter. It's a great time for Christians, celebrating the Resurrection. Good Friday is the anniversary of Geoff and I getting baptized in the Pacific Ocean (2000). It was quite a day, chilly but a lot of fun.

I had a strange dream the other night, that an old boyfriend showed up at my house wanting my advice on his relationship. So we went to Niagara Falls to talk about it. Geoff came too, but left to walk around. I got yelled at by some lady because I was distracting her from watching the light show on the falls. All I was doing was trying not to fall off a cliff. I really do have odd dreams.

Cindy is set to arrive here April 1 (no foolin'), and she says Abbie is so excited to see her birthday present (she and Elijah share a birthday). I can hardly wait to see them, it's been nearly a year.

Before I go, I wanted to brag that Kelly is having a short story published in Doublethink magazine. She's the fiction editor, and she submitted a work to them and they liked it. She said she missed writing fiction, having not done any since her time at UofA. I'm so proud! I'll have to pick that up once it comes out.

I'm going to try to nap so I'll sign off with a quote from Men In Black.

Zed: May I ask why you felt little Tiffany deserved to die?
James Edwards: Well, she was the only one that actually seemed dangerous at the time, sir.
Zed: How'd you come to that conclusion?
James Edwards: Well, first I was gonna pop this guy hanging from the street light, and I realized, y'know, he's just working out. I mean, how would I feel if somebody come runnin' in the gym and bust me in my ass while I'm on the treadmill? Then I saw this snarling beast guy, and I noticed he had a tissue in his hand, and I'm realizing, y'know, he's not snarling, he's sneezing. Y'know, ain't no real threat there. Then I saw little Tiffany. I'm thinking, y'know, eight-year-old white girl, middle of the ghetto, bunch of monsters, this time of night with quantum physics books? She about to start some s**t, Zed. She's about eight years old, those books are WAY too advanced for her. If you ask me, I'd say she's up to something. And to be honest, I'd appreciate it if you eased up off my back about it.
[pause]
James Edwards: Or do I owe her an apology?

Day To Day
Golly gee, wish I had something to post about. Things are good. Weather isn't as bad as it was supposed to be. The baby has been great this week, and my mom has been here since Tuesday (well practically Wednesday). Just been taking life day to day, not doing too much of anything. Making myself get out for a walk everyday for the exercise and fresh air.

Geoff mentioned that once I feel like I want to go back to the museum, he'll stay home Monday mornings to watch Elijah. That's good to know. And I'll think it over. I may be ready to do that soon, as I kinda miss that gang.

We went out on a date last night, left Grandma to have some bonding time. We went out to Macaroni Grill for dinner. And amazingly we didn't spend the whole time talking about the baby. It felt weird, like old times, but slightly different. The food was excellent, and the place was packed. I was surprised, it being a Thursday. Even with it being St. Pat's Day, I didn't expect an italian restaurant to be busy.

The month is more than over, and our driver's licenses are going to expire on the 31st (Which is Lisa's birthday). So Geoff put into process getting a letter to take to the DMV to avoid an incident like the last one. Once that gets settled, Geoff needs to renew his passport, and then we can start thinking about setting dates for our Alberta trip. I need to tackle getting Elijah's birth certificate and then getting him a passport.

Our friends Erik & Rachel are coming to Colorado to visit some other friends and we've set a date to meet for coffee/lunch. They moved from California to Idaho last year, but we saw them during our last visit to Irvine. It'll be fun to see them again. I'm in charge of arranging a meeting spot. Since they have 3 kids, I want to try to find a place that would be suitable to meet at. We'll hang out on March 29, and some time shortly after that, we'll be seeing Cindy, Abbie, Alec, and Alyssa. They'll be in town sometime that week, or early the following week.

Before too long, Geoff will be off to Providence, and Diane will be here to help out with Elijah. So many visitors! I don't mind, but when we get visitors, they seem to come in bunches. We can have huge dry spells, then a rash of visits. :)

Well since I got nothing else to say, I'll close with a quote from Wild Wild West.

President Grant: Mr. West, not every situation requires your patented approach of shoot first, shoot later, shoot some more and then when everybody's dead try to ask a question or two.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Carl: You know, I was hexed by a troll once and a leprechaun cured that right up.
Lenny: Hey, you know what's even better is Jesus. He's like six leprechauns!
Carl: Yeah, but a lot harder to catch. Go with the leprechaun.

Who Needs Sleep?
Things are good. Weather is snowy, I sure wish it was warm. But I'll brave a little cold just to get out of the house, because I need the exercise.

Mark your calendars, I got my first taste of an authentic kung-fu movie. Much to Geoff's delight, Spike TV has started to show kung-fu movies on Saturday afternoons. This weekend we caught a bit of Twin Warriors. The only kung-fu type movie I've ever seen was Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. So this movie was wacky. Geoff wants to plan his Saturdays so he can catch these movies. Everytime we catch Office Space on tv, and Peter and Joanna talk about their love of kung-fu movie, Geoff bemoans that they don't show enough kung-fu on tv. Well now he's got this. We'll see how long Spike TV shows them.

Sunday's service was amazing this week. Despite the big snow storm that hit Saturday night, and trying to get out the door with a baby, we made it to church pretty close to on time. The music was bang on, and they played a song that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Jesus, All For Jesus. During the song, they played some scenes from The Passion Of The Christ, and I started to get a little teary. But when Jesus said to Mary, "See mother, I make all things new", I lost it, and began to cry. Powerful stuff. The band then kicked it up a notch with their rockin' rendition of Nothin' But The Blood, sung by growly guy (it's what we call the bass player, because he sings with a growl, and really gets into the music.) The message was awesome, talking about purgatory. It was just a good service all around. Elijah slept through it all.

Colin & Dawn bought a house, and moved this weekend. Lisa's boys team she coaches won Provincials, so she's going to Nationals in May in Vancouver. Oh yeah, and Alberta won the Brier. Curling Rocks!

Well, someone is stirring, so I better go. I'll sign off with a quote from Meet The Parents.

Greg Focker: Just take a minute, take those little sticks out of your head, clean out your ears, and you'll see that I'm a person with feelings, and all I wanna do is do what *I* wanna do and not listen to you! And the only way I'd ever let you have my bag is if you pried it from my dead, lifeless fingers, okay? If you can get it from my kung-fu grip then you can have it, okay?

Bunnicula Adaptation?
Geoff is super excited about the fact that Wallace & Gromit are getting their first feature length film. It's The Wallace & Gromit Movie: Curse Of The Wererabbit. The plot sounds an awful lot like the children's story Bunnicula. In any case, we'll make an effort to see it, since you can't go wrong with Aardman films.

It's been an odd week. Haven't done much other than try to blog on the other blog, respond to the plethora of emails I've received, watch Blackadder, and catch up on sleep. We're hoping to take a trip up to Peet's today, we won't walk, I need to take it easy still.

My mom is coming here on Tuesday, and staying until Sunday. She's playing a bit of UPS, one of her suitcases is totally devoted to gifts people have been giving her to bring down here. I'm trying to figure out where I want her to sleep. With all of Elijah's stuff in the spare bedroom, I may ask her if she'll take the hide-a-bed. Much easier than trying to move his changing needs into our room. It should be a good visit, though we just saw each other 2 months ago, I miss talking to her face to face. Having family far away at this time has been both a blessing and a bummer. A blessing because we don't feel overwhelmed with people while we're trying to adjust to our life change. A bummer, because there are times when having someone around to help out would be great. It'll be such a stress relief to have Diane here in April while Geoff is off in Rhode Island. I don't think I could by that week without someone else here.

I started a new book last week, and I don't know that I'll get around to reading it. I seem to spend my free moments writing emails, or tidying the house. But I'm going to try. It's called Happiness by Will Ferguson (yep him again). It's a fiction book, which is a change of pace for me as I seemed to have gotten on to a non-fiction kick. I'm only 3 chapters into it, so I can't really say what I think of it. But I haven't returned the book, so that's a good sign. I can be a little impatient with books if they don't grab me within a few chapters. I have 2 other fiction books by my bedside, one I've started, and one I mean to. The one I started, Perelandra by C.S. Lewis, I've been pecking away at for well over 6 months. I'm having a hard time getting into it. It's the second in a trilogy, and Geoff says the third book is amazing, so I want to make my way there.

Well, I had better get on. I want to send a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who posted about the baby on their blogs. It was very sweet, and meant a lot to me. Also for all the comments. (Mike- you need to learn to spell your nephew's name! :) )

I'm going to close with a quote from Chicken Run.
Babs: Morning, Ginger. Back from holiday?
Ginger: I wasn't on holiday, Babs. I was in solitary confinement.
Babs: Oh, it's nice to get a bit of time to yourself, isn't it?

Hurts To Laugh
I will to try to post something relevant soon, but in the meantime...
When I read this comic, I was laughing so hard it hurt. Maybe it's my frame of mind, maybe it's the funny expression on Bucky's face.

Yep, It's True!
Thought I'd get the chance to announce it from the hospital, but was way too tired!
Elijah is here, please visit the baby blog for more details. The story will have to wait, but you can get your first peek at him, and get his stats.

Sunny Days
The weather has been so great, sunny and warm. I knew that groundhog didn't know anything!

Last night I slept great (in relation to how I have been sleeping). It's nice to be able to get in a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. Gotta enjoy it while I can. I also managed to pull off a 2 hour nap today. I'm feeling good.

We're looking forward to going to the Squealing Pig tonight. We're watching the neighbors' cats today as Paula and Simon had to drive home to see Simon's mom in the hospital. They'll be back tomorrow.

Just thought I should post so you didn't think anything had happened. I am trying not to get too anxious, and to realize that I still have 8 days left. I am preparing myself for my appointment on Tuesday, that there may not be any changes. We just have to take it one day at a time.

For Lisa & Her New Computer Fred

Trend Setter
I know that posting this quiz is going to start a rash of it on the blogs of people who are almost family, but hey, I'm a trend setter. What would that family do without me? :) (I'm teasing you guys)

Not the answer I thought I'd get... but

You're Nova Scotia. People have spread rumours
about you and you have suffered from
stereotyping. Few people take the time out to
get to know the real you. You hate labels. You
are patriotic and loyal.


What Canadian Province Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Being Denied
I wasn't able to get on Blogger all day today (until now), and was getting annoyed. What if I had something to post about? Who would know? Funny thing is I don't have anything to post about,it's the principle.

It's gorgeous outside, 50 degrees (that's 10 Celsius). Just woke up from my nap in a sunbeam. I'm not sleeping well, so naps are my chance to refreshen. Even if it's only for an hour, I feel great afterwards.

The same day I posted about the decision to skip our high school reunion, got an email with more details about it. I may send them info on Geoff and I, but I doubt we'll schedule our Edmonton visit just to go. I still think it's too much money, and the odds of people being there that we want to see are small. I may try to arrange for us to get together for dinner or coffee with some of our old friends. It's been an eternity since we've seen James. Besides he, Jason and Kelly, we don't keep in touch with anyone from our graduating class. If they are on gradfinder.com or classmates.com, I'll look up where people in our class have moved on to.

I'm spending a fair amount of time trying to decide what to buy Geoff for his birthday. Even though it's in April, I want to have it bought and done with in advance. I have some ideas, and I have shipped out some ideas to family, but I always stress about his gift. I just want to get him something he'll like, and something practical. I already have his Father's Day gift picked out. See? I like to work in advance.

Pending that the baby doesn't arrive before then, we have dinner plans on Saturday with the Bendiaks. We're going to the Squealing Pig. Whoo-hoo! I love pub food.

Hard to believe it's been a year since we last visited Edmonton. And that I thought at that time we'd be back this time this year. :) I emailed Colin & Dawn about taping some of the Brier for me, and sending that tape down with my mom. I've been reading online about curling fans trying to get Canadian television to get their crap together and give the people what they want- good curling coverage, and lots of it! Way to go! You can sometimes catch curling on tv down here, but it's rare, it's limited, and the commentators aren't always great.

Speaking of sports, Denver has a lacrosse team, and we talked all season about catching a game since it's super affordable, but the timing didn't work out. I mean their next game is against Calgary, but it's on the due date. Who knows? Maybe we should go and see if that's what it takes to get this kid to come out. :) Seriously, I think we'll definitely go to a game next season. They have a few special nights where you can get 4 tickets, 4 beers, and 4 hot dogs for $40. And I know Paula & Simon would totally go with us.

Celebrity Poker Showdown was awesome last night! Did not see Brad Garrett winning it all, I had picked Malcolm Jamal-Warner. I knew he was doomed when he was Phil's pick too. :) Actually, he played amazingly to make it to the final, just didn't have it for the big game. Now I guess we wait a few months to see if there will be a 6th tournament. They were promoting celebrity pool, but I can't get into that. Sorry. What I am into right now is a show on Discovery called It Takes A Thief. Two ex-thieves show people how easy it is to be robbed, help them secure their homes, and then test them later by trying to break in again. It's pretty informative.

Well, I suppose I should sign off. I'll close with a quote from 3rd Rock From The Sun.

Officer Don: Hamlet? The story is as old as time: Pretty boy son has a rich daddy, and a good-looking mommy. The uncle knocks off daddy, marries mommy, and he cuts pretty boy out of the action. So junior goes crazy and he kills them all. Not a pretty story... but there it is.
Tommy Solomon: Isn't that the plot to 'The Lion King?'

Last 15 Songs Played On Pearl (My iPod)
Think - Aretha Franklin
What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) - Information Society
Leave It Alone - Moist
Nanci - Toad The Wet Sprocket
S.O.S. - Erasure
Black - Pearl Jam
American Pie - Don McLean
Humpin' Around - Bobby Brown
My Own Prison - Creed
Rasputin - Boney M
Grazing In The Grass - Friends Of Distinction
Roadside Attraction - Spirit Of The West
Soul To Squeeze - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Talk - Captain Tractor
Dirty World - Traveling Wilburys

Last 15 Songs Played On Plankton (The Computer)
So Long Marianne - Leonard Cohen
Enough - Chris Tomlin
Good Grief - Urban Dance Squad
Beautiful One - Jeremy Camp
Whatever I Fear - Toad The Wet Sprocket
We Can Funk - Prince & George Clinton
Everything's Alright - Jesus Christ Superstar Soundtrack
Liquid - Jars Of Clay
Sara - Starship
7th Avenue Revisited - Big Rude Jake
Here Comes The Hotstepper - Ini Kamoze
Beautiful Day - U2
Brian Wilson - Barenaked Ladies
Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing - Chris Isaak
Plush - Stone Temple Pilots

Just a taste of what's been in my ears the last two days.