Our Amazing... Disappointment!

It started with Mona hearing about the casting call for our beloved show "The Amazing Race".  If you know Mona and I, you know we have been talking about applying to be contestants for years. So without hesitation we headed out to stand in line for our chance to audition!

We stood in line for...5ish hours in the cold (29 F / -1 C).  We made some new friends, chatted up Brett (the cute security guard), got the blonde ear-muff wearing line-cutters removed and even managed to go inside the restaurant for a late lunch and a few drinks (courtesy of our new friends and future Amazing Race allies who held our place in line).

The information clearly stated not to come before 8:00am.  However when people showed up around 1:00 am that morning, fear for their safety had the Producers handing out tickets and sending people home.  At 6:00 am more tickets were handed out.... leaving us rule-abiding contestant wanna-bees basically.... well.... screwed!  We were not far from the ticketed people in line and with talk of the auditions running longer we stuck it out.

This is how close we got to auditioning.  We were about the 20th team in line when they cut the auditions off!!!!    Mona (a long with a few others) tried to persuade the Producer without any luck.

So, so, so VERY close!!!!  Still, it was an adventure and we don't regret giving it a try!

Snow You Later!

What a difference a day makes! 

Snow Day!!!

We woke up to snow!  School was canceled and the kids were excited.  By 9:00 am we already had a snowball fight in the back yard, made snowmen in the front yard, and went sledding on the hill down our street!

Cookie Cutter Cuties

Members of the "Cookie Cutter Cuties" were out this cold afternoon making sales in front of the QFC Grocery Store.  Katie and her fellow Girl Scouts didn't seem bothered by the cold.  I can't say the same for myself though.  My toes went numb and it took a long hot shower after to finally warm up!

I have documented proof of the temperature... which granted is about +3 C... and would be considered a heat wave for this time of year in my hometown of Winnipeg.   So yeah, I guess I've turned into a bit of a wimp!

Twinkle Toes

Each toe nail is a different color....

....and I found myself attempting stripes on the big toes...

...Katie is a hard customer to please!  :o)

An Obituary printed in the London Times

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

- Why the early bird gets the worm;

- Life isn't always fair;

- and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights

I Want It Now

Someone Else Is To Blame

I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Snow!

We had snow!!! 

Well...  it only lasted for maybe two hours this morning. 
Still, the kids were thrilled and managed a mini-snowball fight at the bus stop before school. :o)

Sit Down and Relax

Just the other day I was reading my friend Amy's blog post about her daughter surprising her by cleaning up the dinner dishes.  My kids are pretty typical.  They do help out and have their chores... however I often feel like a broken record as they need constant reminders.

So when I read Amy's daughter had thought of this surprise all on her own I was really impressed.  I don't think Katie was reading over my shoulder at the time, but some how she came up with the same idea tonight.

"I'll wash and put the dishes away Mom, so you can sit down and relax". 

I, of course had to take a picture!  Who knows when those words will be uttered to me again!  :o)

A Wonderful Visit

We had a wonderful visit last night with my cousin Marni and her family.  However one evening was NOT long enough!  They were just passing through on their way home to Winnipeg after enjoying some sunshine on a Disney Cruise.  I wish they could of stayed a little longer.  (PS:  My hair really isn't orange or even red - it was the lighting and/or my camera).