I've had good intentions to come back and update....but sometimes life just gets in the way.  And then after I found out that my "mother" who left when I was a baby had found my place I didn't really want to come back.

But...although most of my friends on here have travelled over to Facebook...there are still quite a few that haven't....and I miss them dearly!  So for them I will TRY and keep this updated.

Where to start on the past 2 years..LOL!

-that great job I started the last time I posted....laid me off after 9 months....but that made me eligible to return to school and have the government pay for it

-we moved to a new city where all I know is Zak's family....that was hard since I had lived in the other city all my life

-I started back to school in September....taking Community and Justice Services (Correctional Worker) though I don't want to work in a correctional facility it will help me to work with high-risk youth

-I finished my first semester at school with a 94% average! Yay me!

-Chelsea has been in contact with her father and his family for the first time in almost 15 years.  I was a little upset/nervous/scared at first but I can't be selfish I guess

Ummm...I guess that's it for now! LOL! Not too much happens in my life! Now...just starting the countdown to the big 4-0...ugg...I'm still in denial! I got asked for ID at the liquor store about a month ago so I can still pretend that I'm young!

Homework is calling....will get back when I can!

Ok....tomorrow's the big day.  I start my new job.  Not giddy or excited....just plain nervous.  I'm sure everything will be fine....I guess it's just after being at the same company for almost 11 years....this is a big change.  Definitely a good one though.

So....Chelsea is planning something to help celebrate.  Not sure exactly has she has practically banned me from most of the house.  Last night she tried to make cookies that spelled out "GOOD LUCK MOM!"  But they were so big that when they spread....it was just one big cookie sheet-sized cookie.  Aww....poor thing.  She was pretty upset about that.  She got up early this morning to make me breakfast....however I didn't know...and I was up and had breakfast about an hour before she was up.  I know she baked something else today and she's cooking up dinner right now.  She's carrying the excitement for everyone right now! LOL!!

I've brought out my clay again.  Figured it was time.  Was planning on making a fairy....but sometimes the clay has a mind of it's own...and it ended up being an elf.  I've made some head before....this is the first one that's actually got a body!!  Will try to make a dragon next...but not sure what it will end up actually being!

Yes....again I admit that I've been slacking on my posts....was even told that this place is boring (whatever!).  But today I'm expecting a visitor so I better update so I don't get grief like I give him!! LOL!!

Christmas was nice and quiet this year.  Made Zak get up really early!!  LOL!!  Pixie was pretty excited about her first Christmas with us and both her and the cat were spoiled.  I got a lot of great gifts but I was just happy to have Chelsea here with me!!  New Year's Eve was another quiet night.  Chelsea's boyfriend came over and we just had Chinese food and watched the countdown on TV.  I was so ready for bed at midnight.  I can't stay up late the way I used to! LOL!!

I hadn't mentioned yet but I found out a few weeks ago that I got hired for the job I spoke about earlier.  I start next Monday as a customer service supervisor at one of the utility companies around here!!  Pretty excited about that!!!

So...this year (for the first time in a long time) I've decided to make some resolutions.  Here they are..in no particular order:

~Get to the gym on a more regular basis
~Not be bothered by "little things" anymore-especially annoying exes who keep nosing around my journal (though it is called STALKING)
~Finish the projects that I start
~Try not to swear so much
~Continually try to better myself and learn new things
~Update my journal more often
~Take more time to relax and enjoy life instead of stressing about things
~Appreciate the beauty around me
~Appreciate the people around me....and let them know
~Give my best effort at my new job and not get frustrated at small setbacks

That's a pretty substantial list....so I think that's it for now.  Still need to post pictures....I have tons of Alice (Amy's baby)  She's growing so fast!!!

See everyone later!!!

Stay Safe & Have a Happy and Healthy 2008!!

May you be closer to the dreams you fill your lives with..may you treasure the memories of the past..and may even the hard ones bring you meaning towards a better year.

May the new year keep you healthy, wealthy, warm and filled with love, hope and prosperity.

Happy Happy New Year!!!

--it's cold and snowing

--I lost my job--good and bad I supposed, been wanting out of there for a while--have had a few interviews (one place I'm going for a third interview, it's down to 2 candidates)

--I haven't started my Christmas shopping

--I still haven't posted pictures of Amy's baby, Alice

--I'm taking a weekend long Reiki course so I won't be posting pictures this weekend

--other than that...things are still the same around here...Chelsea is busy with school, rehearsals for the musical and of course...her boyfriend!

Will try to get pictures and a better update next week!!!

On November 11, Canadians wear poppies and gather at war memorials across Canada to pay tribute to those who died in war.  When World War One ended, (or the Great War, as it was known at that time), an armistice agreement was signed between the Allies and Germany which took place in Paris, France, at 5:00 AM (Paris time), on Monday, November 11th, 1918. Upon signing this agreement, hostilities ceased at 11:00 AM.  At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, the time the Armistice of World War I was signed,  we observe two minutes of silence to remember. In the USA, Remembrance Day is known as Veteran's Day.  The dead of World War II and Korea, and of all other wars are also remembered on this day.  In Britain, much of the Commonwealth, France, Belgium and other parts of Europe, observe the two minutes silence at 11:00 AM.

Six Books of Remembrance are kept in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill to honour those Canadians who died serving Canada in war. There is one for each of the wars: the South African War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. There is a separate Book of Remembrance for the Merchant Navy, and another one for Newfoundlanders, since Newfoundland did not join Confederation until 1949.   The Library and Archives of Canada does have the WWI solider lists online that are searchable.

The poppy is the symbol that individuals use to show that they remember those who were killed in the wars and peace keeping operations that Canada has been involved in.  Replica poppies are sold by the Royal Canadian Legion to raise money for needy veterans.

The tradition of wearing poppies in honor of Canada's war dead takes its origin from the poem "In Flanders Fields," written in 1915 by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.  John McCrae was a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War.  His poem reflects his first hand account of what he witnessed while working from a dressing station on the bank of the Yser Canal.

In Flanders Fields

and my grandfather; Robert Thomas Cheevers- Dec 24,1923-Aug 19, 1997, who served in WWII and in my opinion, was the greatest man that ever walked this earth....I'll never forget you.

Just when I think that lofe slows down enough that I can start posting again...a whirlwind comes along and changes all that!!! At least it's never boring! LOL!!

We went on 2 ghost walks this month.  The first one was at Fort George in Niagara on the Lake.  If your looking for some good ghost stories and learn about the history of the fort...then this is a good walk.  Otherwise....I wouldn't waste my time.  The next one was at the Custom's House in Hamilton.  This one was amazing!!  Didn't get any creepy feelings in there...didn't see anything....but the camera tells a different story!!  Will try to get them from Zak's camera tomorrow and post them!

I found out that the OHIP (Ontario's health coverage) is going to pay for the surgery on my nose!!  I had surgery a few years ago to correct some damage from a car accident years ago.  The doctor made a mess of things and now the cartilage in my nose is collapsing.  A plastic surgeon now has to reconstruct my nose!  And I'll be off work for 2 weeks!!!  Woohoo....lots of time to listen to Wil on CKA!!

Zak's brother has moved in with us temporarily.  Long story there!!  It'll take some time to get used to having someone else living with us...but hopefully it won't take long for him to get a job and save to get his own place.

I got a phone call from my mother the other night.  For most people this might seem normal, but not much is normal in my life! LOL!!  My parents split up when I was little and I never met my mother.  I'm still in shock over this, not really knowing what to say to her or anyone about it.  She lives in BC so it's not like I'll run into anytime soon.  I sent her an e-mail the same night with pictures of me and Chelsea (instant grandmother) but I haven't heard back from her.  Oh well....I guess I'll just have to see what happens!

I think that's about it for now!  And remember......51 days until Christmas!!  Get shopping!!

And Dee.....I'm so happy that your Halloween turned out ok for you!!

Hi everyone!!  Sorry for my absence!   My real life seemed to have got in the way of my online life!!! LOL!!  And despite the fact that I haven't posted in months....people have still been stopping by...that's so sweet!!

We had a great summer!!  Our trip to New Brunswick was awesome....I still need to post my pictures up here! We went horse back riding and canoeing, went to Canada's Wonderland, the CNE and Ontario Place.  It seemed like every weekend we were doing something different.

And then....it was busy getting Chelsea for high school!!  Buying her uniform and getting supplies.  She got a part in the shool's musical Evita....so now I have to drive her to practices 2 nights a week!  Amy came home to visit for a few days....with her beautiful baby girl Alice!  And we all went to Canada's Wonderland again for the Halloween Haunt!  This month we're going on a couple of ghost walks again.  The first one is next Friday at Fort George and the second is on Oct 30 at the Custom's house in Hamilton...which has been shown on Creepy Canada!!

So...I think that's all the update for now.  I'll try to get back posting regularly again and get around to saying hi to everyone!!

Well....we're finally home.....a little tired...a little dirty...and a little hungry!! LOL!!  But we had fun! 

Will post pictures later (yes...I remembered my camera....and yes we took lots)  but first I need to rest from my vacation! LOL!!

In less than 8 hours....I will be on vacation!!! woohoo!!!  I'm really excited!!

I'm coming home after work to sleep.....picking up Zak from work at 7 tonight.....gathering all our stuff and heading out.  It's a 15 hours drive...so we should get to New Brunswick around noon tomorrow!!!  I'll be tired....but I'll be able to sleep when we get on the ferry.

We're staying on Grand Manan Islnd for a few days....our campsite is right on a whale path...which apparently will wake you during the night!!  We're doing a whale watching trip....going to a beach with magnetic sand....and then heading back to the mainland.  Then we're heading to Lower Cape for a couple days where we'll be sea kayaking and going to see the flower pot rocks at Hopewell Rocks.  Then heading back to St Andrews for our last night and checking out a marine museum!!  Don't worry...I will take lots of pictures!!!  And thanks Wil....for your help on the forum and getting me those repsponses!!

See you all in a week!!