CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY

As I mentioned in my previous post, the first time we tried to put Owen to bed, he was not a happy camper. In the first picture he has been informed that it is nightie-night time. The reaction was priceless. When we saw the picture, the first caption we thought of was"That sentence is too long. I'll be good" He went to bed anyway and screamed for about 40 minutes. I guess he was just too hyped up to sleep. We did allow him back down to the party.

When we were in the basement getting gifts, Erin was given very nice pillows. Mark said that Owen had done the wrapping job. Not too bad for 15 months.Mark apparently held the paper in place and Owen went around and around the package with the scotch tape. He has so much on the wrap that Erin had trouble getting the gift opened. It was a great laugh watching her try to get the pillows out.

Once she had it open, Owen thought it would be great fun to lie on the pillows. But because there is a plastic wrap over them he kept sliding off onto the floor. Great!! New game!! He spent the next 15 minutes minutes getting on the pillows and then sliding off,
usually head first. We were in hysterics watching him. It was like he was on a mechanical bull.

Christmas day, while Mark, Kristin and Owen were at Mark's parents, we went into Erin's for dinner, She had a really nice turkey with all the trimmings. She too was just getting over the flu but did a great job of hosting anyway.

Erin is also left-handed. Because of this she has always had a tough time carving meat, or writing, or peeling potatoes, This is a world made for right handed people. She has found the solution. There is a place in England that caters to "lefties". She has been able to buy a left-handed pen, a left handed potato peeler, a left-handed carving knife and even a left handed clock. When she told us about the clock we thought "oh sure". But as you can see in the pictures it really is a left handed clock. All the hands move counter clockwise. Pay special attention to the numbers. See!

Even the writing is for left handed people. Figure out what it says.

Great time was had by all.

As of yesterday, Erin, Mrs. Moose, Moose's mother, son Craig, Mark-all had a recurrence of the flu.Guess who the nurse is ? Now I just need the uniform.

Happy New Year everyone.

CHRISTMAS EVE

This year we spent Christmas Eve and opened gifts at Kristin, Mark and Owen's house. Usually we do this at our house on Christmas Day but they were going to Mark's parent's place for Christmas dinner so we did ours early.

We arrived about 4;30 in the afternoon and just sat enjoying the good family atmosphere. Owen was excited to see everybody even though he was suffering from the flu. He had it on Friday, Kristin had it Saturday, Mark on Sunday and Owen again Monday. He had started to perk up by Monday evening and was in great form to entertain us.

In the top picture, the little pink hippo on the table plays music and he dances to it. He really gets his hips and arms moving. He looks like he is doing a disco dance. Of course the laughing and clapping just encourage him to do more.

His Auntie Erin bought him a tool kit for Christmas. He got excited as soon as he saw it, but got very VERY excited when he saw there was a drill in the kit. It makes sound like a real one, has a reverse and will actually screw in

the plastic screws that hold the gears down. Everywhere he went, he carried this drill with him. I think he got excited because when he comes to our house, he wants to go out in the garage and makes me run the drill for him. It must be the sound he likes. Now he has his very own.

The picture with the striped pyjamas had to be taken. When Erin was in SanFrancisco this past summer, she visited Alcatraz and one of the gifts she bought was an Alcatraz pair of pyjamas for Owen. Up until now, they were always too big for him so this was our first opportunity to see him in them. He thought he was escaping but really he was on his way to bed. When he realized what was going on he was not happy at all. He wanted to party and he knew we were all in the basement. After about 40 minutes of not going to sleep and not calming down, we let him come back downstairs. What the heck. It's Christmas.

In the bottom picture, you can see the sheepish look of " Well, can I come back". When he knew it was okay he started to entertain once again. When we left he was still up but getting extremely tired. I think he probably went back to bed no problem and more than likely was asleep in minutes.

End of Part One

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

a cute one to share for those who have little ones in their lives.....

 

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.
_____________________________________________________
Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.
______________________________________________________
The Layette:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and disc ard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
______________________________________________________
Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
______________________________________________________
Pacifier:
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
___________________________________________________ ___
Diapering:
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it  sagging to their knees.
_______________________________________________________
Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, Baby Zoo, Baby Movies and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaners.
_____________________________________________ _________
Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
______________________________________________________
At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children
______________________________________________________
Swallowing Coins (a favorite):
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!
______________________________________________________

 

Pass this on to everyone you know who has children . . . or everyone who KNOWS someone who has had children . . (The older the mother, the funnier this is!)

 

GRANDCHILDREN: God's reward for allowing your children to live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

an eCard from BlueMountain.com

To view your eCard, choose from the options below.

Click on the following link:
http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=179881087&m=6434&rr=y&source=bma999

Fwd: I got elfed

I have always maintained that if you cannot laugh at yourself you should not make fun of other people. Practical jokes (as long as no one is hurt ) can be great fun. I have written before about my competitive friend (Brian) from work. He has a great sense of humour also. Now that I am back to work he seems to think that I am fair game for his wacky sense of humour. A I wrote back to him after receiving this: "THIS MEANS WAR".
I hope all my blog friends enjoy this little vignette as much as I did.
And a message to Brian--- watch out, I'll pay you back!
As for comments, be kind

>
> Hey, He just made a total elf of me. Check it out by clicking the
> link below.
>
> http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1301978217
>
>
>
>

Fwd: Fw: Talented Cell Phone Salesman

 

amazing!!   You would not believe. 

 

 

 

 Talented Cell Phone Salesman
Take a minute and watch this....makes your heart feel good! Watch the faces of the judges as this guy walks out on the stage. You can almost see what they are thinking as they pre-judge this guy based on his looks and the fact that he is a cell phone salesman.
So much for First impressions!


(Click on the link below for video!)

For http://www.maniacworld.com/Phone-Salesman-Amazes-Crowd.html

 

Fwd: The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas       T'was the night before Christmas,   He lived all alone,   In a one bedroom house,   Made of plaster and stone.     I had come down the chimney,   With presents to give,   And to see just who,   In this home did live.       I looked all about,   A strange sight I did see,   No tinsel, no presents,   Not even a tree.       No stocking by the mantle,   Just boots filled with sand,   On the wall hung pictures,   Of far distant lands.       With medals and badges,   Awards of all kinds,   A sober thought,   Came through my mind.       For this house was different,   It was dark and dreary,   I found the home of a soldier,   Once I could see clearly.       The soldier lay sleeping,   Silent, alone,   Curled up on the floor,   In this one bedroom home.       The face was so gentle,   The room in such disorder,   Not how I pictured,   A Canadian soldier.       Was this the hero,   Of whom I'd just read?,   Curled up on a poncho,   The floor for a bed?       I realized the families,   That I saw this night,   Owed their lives to these soldiers,   Who were willing to fight.       Soon round the world,   The children would play,   And grownups would celebrate,   A bright Christmas Day.       They all enjoyed freedom,   Each month of the year,   Because of the soldiers,   Like the one lying here.       I couldn't help wonder,   How many lay alone,   On a cold Christmas Eve,   In a land far from home.       The very thought brought   A tear to my eye,   I dropped to my knees,   And started to cry.       The soldier awakened,   And I heard a rough voice,   'Santa, don't cry.   This life is my choice.       I fight for freedom,   I don't ask for more,   My life is my God,   My country, my corps.'       The soldier rolled over,   And drifted to sleep,   I couldn't control it,   I continued to weep.       I kept watch for hours,   So silent and still,   And we both shivered,   From the cold night's chill.       I didn't want to leave,   On that cold, dark night,   This guardian of honor,   So willing to fight.       Then the soldier rolled over,   With a voice, soft and pure,   Whispered, 'Carry on Santa,   It's Christmas Day, all is secure.'       One look at my watch,   And I knew he was right,   'Merry Christmas my friend,   And to all a good night.'       This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.   PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our Canadian service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities in the peace and tranquility of our own country. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves. For us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

Fwd: FW: American praise for Canada

> This guy seems to have a better appreciation for his Canuck neighbours than > the average Yank. > > > > > One American's View - David Meadows is a retired US Navy Captain and the > > author of numerous books and articles on military subjects. > > > > This message was on the U.S. Military.Com website. You will find it quite > > positive. It appears that Mr. Meadows knows one helluva lot more about > what > > our military is doing than most Canadians. I trust this message will > assist > > to improve their knowledge. > > > > David Meadows ~ April 27, 2006 > > > > On April 22, 2006 four Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan by a > > roadside bomb. Respects and heartfelt sadness go to the families of those > > heroes who stand alongside the U.S. In the Long War half a world away. > While > > we focus on the war in Iraq, the fighting continues in Afghanistan Where > > side-by-side the U.S. And one of its most loyal allies, Canada, engage the > > re-emergence of the Taliban. > > > > Canada is like a close uncle who constantly argues, badgers, and complains > > about what you are doing, but when help is truly needed, you can't keep > him > > away: he's right there alongside you. We have a unique relationship with > > Canada. We have different political positions on many issues, but our > unique > > friendship has weathered world wars, global crises, and the ever-so-often > > neighborhood disagreement. > > > > Canada has been with us since the beginning of the Global War on > Terrorism. > > In February 2006, without fanfare Canada, leading a multinational force > > combating growing Taliban insurgency, increased troop strength in > > Afghanistan to 2,300. With the American military stretched thin against > > rising instability in both Iraq and Afghanistan, an ally that increases > its > > troop strength is inspiring and deserves our respect. > > > > Katrina was another example of our close family-like relationship. Katrina > > struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. Two days later, the Vancouver > > Urban Search and Rescue Team rushed from British Columbia, Canada to Saint > > Bernard Parish, Louisiana. In this Parish of 68,000 Americans, the first > > responders were Canadians. Overall, within the devastated Gulf Coast area, > > it appears Canada was the first responder outside of local efforts. They > > worked 18-hour days, going door-to-door alongside Louisiana State > Troopers, > > rescuing 119-Americans. > > > > While FEMA ramped up to surge into the catastrophe; while the > administration > > and Louisiana fought for the politically correct way to respond; Canadian > > aid was already at work. > > > > The Canadian Forces Joint Task Group 306 consisting of the warships HMCS > > Athabaskan, HMCS Toronto, NSMC Ville de Quebec, and CCGC William Alexander > > sailed to the Gulf Coast to deliver humanitarian supplies. They stayed, > > working alongside U.S. Navy and Mexican warships, to provide aid to > Katrina > > victims. > > > > Katrina was not an anomaly of our close relationship. When Hurricane Ivan > > devastated Pensacola, Florida in October 2004 Canadian humanitarian help > was > > there also. Canadian power trucks roamed the streets and countryside > helping > > restore electricity where Americans had a unique experience of running > into > > workmen who only spoke French. > > > > Canada took a lot of undeserved flak for failing to leap into Operation > > Iraqi Freedom when our administration sent us galloping across the desert. > > But Canada remains one of our staunchest allies in the war. When United > > States military forces were fighting up the highways in Operation Iraqi > > Freedom, Canada quietly increased troop numbers in Afghanistan and > continued > > Naval operations with U.S. Warships in the Persian Gulf. > > > > I was at the Pentagon on 9/11, stationed on the Joint Staff. During the > > early hours after the attack, the United States closed its air space and > > ordered every aircraft within our borders to land immediately at the > nearest > > airfield. Canada immediately stood up an Operations Support Post. With > civil > > aviation grounded, aircraft destined for the United States were forced > > elsewhere. Most landed in Canada. Re-routed travelers and flight crews > were > > hosted at Canadian Forces facilities in Goose Bay, Gander, and > Stephenville, > > Newfoundland; Halifax, Shearwater, and Aldershot, Nova Scotia; Winnipeg, > > Manitoba; Edmonton Alberta. and, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. > > > > Canada rapidly mobilized its forces. Within hours, the Canadian Navy was > on > > alert with ships preparing to cast off immediately for any U.S. Port to > help > > victims of the 9/11 attacks. Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team > > prepared to deploy from Trenton, Ontario. Canada dispersed CF-18 fighter > > aircraft to strategic locations throughout Canada. No politics. No > > negotiating. No questions. They were just there. Canada would have fought > > any adversary that approached the United States that day. > > > > Canada has been such an integral partner with the United States in the > > Global War on Terrorism that on December 7, 2004 when President Bush > awarded > > the Presidential Unit Citation to Commander Joint Force South for combat > > success in Afghanistan, he was also recognizing the secretive Canadian > Joint > > Task Force 2 commando counter-terrorism unit. > > > > The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded 30 Bronze Star medals for > heroism > > in combat to Canadian Forces personnel. Some of those 30 died in action. > > Many of the others were wounded. These Canadians earned this American > medal > > for heroism fighting alongside Americans. When we recall our own dead > > heroes, we must remember that these warriors gave their lives not only for > > Canada, but also for the United States. > > > > Canada is more than a neighbor. It is a close family member with the > > gumption to disagree with its brother to the south but always be there > when > > disaster strikes and America needs help. > > > > For that, I salute you, Canada, and extend my respect for the sacrifices > > given by members of the Canadian Forces. > > > > > > > > -- > > Per Ardua Ad Astra, HH > > > > -- . . > >

BACK TO WORK

I am finally back to work. After being off on disability since April 2006, I went back to work last Monday. Even though I am only there for 4hours/day right now it is good to be back. I work for a building supply company and do floor sales right now. Normally I would be behind the contractors sales desk but my doctor wants me to be moving.

Having been off for so long, my back certainly knows that I am back to work. At the end of two hours of constantly walking on a concrete floor, I can feel the muscles, where the fusion was done, protesting. Fortunately, the company is very good. The boss has told me to take breaks when I need them. So , I go and sit for 15 minutes and then get back out to serve customers. By the time the four hours is finished, I know I have been there.

I found that a good hot shower when I get home, letting the water massage my back, helps. So do the pain killers. I try not to take them if I can help it.

When I got back, I was pleasantly surprised to have a number of my old customers come over and welcome me back. This is very good
for the ego. A lot, thought I had retired, some knew I was off for a spinal fusion. All said they were glad I had returned.

The company has told me to make sure I follow doctor's orders about lifting. Nothing over 20 pounds. In fact one assistant manager told me not to lift anything at all. This is very difficult when you want to give good customer service, especially if the customer is an elderly female. I have been good so far and been able to get others to do the lifting for me.
Now I have to try to remember all the stuff for the computer. It won't take long to re-learn the system I don't think.

Thursday, I was going through Owen withdrawal and after work Thursday went over to see him. Even though I was only there for 3 hours , it made my week

Saturday Mrs. Moose and I got to babysit Owen again for about 5 hours. Apparently he woke up and and was calling for his Grandpa. I was still upstairs in bed and he was calling for me when he arrived. I called him back and he came up as fast as he could.
Because it is -20C right now, his mom had to buy him boots for winter. He was so proud of them he didn't want to take them off. He also had a new hat that he kept on for the longest time. This is unusual for him as he doesn't usually like to have a hat on.

We had scrambled eggs for breakfast and then went out for our walk. This is one of the first times he has walked in snow. We started down the sidewalk and when we got to the alley he turned up it. We walked around to the garage and came in the back gate. I guess he thought the walk was too short because he did not want to come into the house.

He played around for a while and then had lunch. For dessert my wife gave him a cookie which was about 4 inches across, with Smarties on top. At first , he was overwhelmed by the size, but eventually started to eat it. Then he realized the Smarties would come off, so he picked at them and ate them separately. At 1;30 , it was nap time. We put him down in his playpen in our bedroom. He was not tired and screamed for half an hour until I got him. If you're not tired, you're not tired.

He also coloured on a piece of paper for us. His mom has been teaching him how to hold a pencil properly. He has only been doing this about a week so he hasn't quite got it right yet. He did make some scribble lines which is better than the dots he was making. He even tried with his eyes closed.

At 3:00 his dad came to pick him up and home he went. All in all. it has been a good week.

While we took these pictures of him eating at the table, he looked under the table to see what I would do. I snapped this picture of him. It looks like he has a foot growing out of his armpit.