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Friday, June 26, 2009

Gratitude Friday - Part 1

I still have 11 minutes of Friday left so even thought most of you will read this Saturday or later I did actually make it! My blog friend Kashoan has inspired me to participate in Gratitude Fridays so here I go:

I am so thankful for an energetic little girl that I get to enjoy running around with at the playground.
I am super stoked that it turns out our house/property taxes were automatically being withdrawn along with our mortgage payment so we have some unexpected money!
We spent a fun evening with friends.
The upcoming two months keep having more and more exciting things added to them so what was once looking like a dull summer will be a shiny, happy summer!

Happy weekend all!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

This and That

I've a bunch of random thoughts swirling in my brain and they need to be spewed so here they are:

Our ridiculously unjust provincial law system has deemed me 100% at fault for the vehicular incident three weeks ago. Since I was backing up and the other guy was moving forward he technically had the right of way and therefore I am the guilty party. As soon as the insurance adjuster heard that his ears turned off to the rest of the story and a big fat "At Fault" was stamped across my file. The law is the law and is doesn't matter that the other guy wasn't looking. Stupid. So we take a $1000+ hit one way or another. If the other guy does not claim for his damage (if has any kind of heart he won't!) we will likely pay for the repairs ourselves because going through insurance is not worth the increase in rates for the next six years (the length of time is shows on you record). Like we have that kind of money! Bah! But the vehicle is a lease and has to be repaired.

It was cloudy on Sunday and rained cats and dogs all day yesterday and it was great! Today the sun is back and tomorrow the heat returns.
I can actually see that I have some tan but I need more.

The cloudy Sunday meant that I missed the longest day of the year. Around here the sky will retain light until after 11P.M and show light around 4 A.M for May or so until July. I love it.

Last week we thought our garbage can had been stolen. Our town uses those fancy ones that the truck just picks up and dumps with a set of "arms", no touching garbage for those guys. The cans are $250 to replace and this was after we found out about our vehicle -we were starting to get really grumpy. It turns out that the can was mistakenly put in our neighbour's garage (unfinished, unoccupied house), probably by the guys who did our concrete. The can must have been in their way because it was garbage day and was on the curb. Relief with that scenario.

My mom and I joined a ladies golf league at a local par 3 course this summer. We took lessons about three years ago and haven't had too much time since then to practice. This was my mom's idea for us to do and after the first three weeks we started to enjoy ourselves. None of us ladies are very good so it's very laid back and relaxed and fun. It's 'our' time each week. The social aspect and the scenery is why women golf. Hitting a tiny white (okay not always white) ball with a stick across a vast expanse of grass into a small hole with as few strokes as possible is not particularly enjoyable because it rarely goes as one plans and gets extremely frustrating. But the one spectacular shot out of 25 does make up for the 25.

That's all for now, my brain is slightly lighter, thanks for reading!

Friday, June 19, 2009

More II

"Two year" pictures of Sierra in her birthday dress in my parents back yard.










Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Why Are People Like This?!!!!!!!!!

Last Wednesday, at approximately 6:30 P.M., after a particularly enjoyable round of golf with my mother, I was involved in a vehicular collision.
Here's the story:

I prepared to back out of my parking stall by checking all around me for other vehicles as I always do. I saw a car pulling into a spot a bit over from me on my right, and even further over on my right, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a truck pulling out of its spot. Seeing no reason to wait, I slowly began backing out, continuously checking for other vehicles in my vicinity. I'm always cautious when I drive our SUV because it is larger. I was more than two thirds out of my spot when I began turning the wheel counterclockwise. After another all around check I was certain I was clear to proceed so I concentrated on the driver's side front end of my vehicle to avoid scraping the vehicle next to me and continued backing out. I was nearly clear when I felt and heard a bang as my vehicle was hit. I gasped, thinking at first,
"What the heck did I just hit?"
I turned over my right shoulder and noticed a truck had hit me . I was slightly relieved to realize I hadn't hit a parked vehicle. It was a hard enough hit that my vehicle shook, and loud enough that my mother heard it from two rows over.
I exited my vehicle to inspect what happened. The male driver of the truck, who I won't name because his name makes me shudder, (I know I won't be naming any possible future children his name that's for sure!) was already looking at the damage. He immediately said (not exact wording),
"This may be one fo those times where we are glad vehicles are mostly plastic, I think my truck took the worst of this, your looks fine."
My mother then arrived and the man also said (again not exact wording),
"It happens so quickly, I was watching the other car park and bam!" (however this is worded he very obviously admitted to being at fault)
My mother and I inspected my vehicle more closely and noticed a dent and some scratches near the back passenger side wheel which we pointed out to the man. I said that we should exchange phone numbers, which we did. When I requested his insurance information he refused. My mother recognized his name as someone my father knew so I wrongly assumed that all was okay at this point. The damage also didn't appear to be very major so I naively left things at that and we parted ways. There are a million and one things I should have done but I'd never been in that kind of situation so didn't have a clue.

Trevor has since gotten quotes on repairs. $1700 - highway robbers those body shops are! But it is what it is. We notified the man and he began backpeddling something fierce saying that I was partly at fault for "backing out into the driving lane which he was clearly in."
Um, no.

Did I not say that I was mostly out of my parking stall? I drive a large, white SUV which is kinda hard to miss! (apparently not) Did I also not say that he admitted to that he wasn't paying attention? The force of the impact proves that.
When I reminded him of his admission of guilt he again agreed that "yes, (he)was distracted, but (I) still did not have the right of way in backing up."

"BULL@#^%!!!"

He began attempting to intimidate me with claims of his partial innocence and saying,
"You don't have a leg to stand on," and "you would never win in court," and "just ask the cops of your insurance agent."

NOT ONCE during our so called conversation did I admit to being even remotely at fault.

He suggested two options, that we let it go and each deal with our own vehicle separately (which I'm sure he hopes happens), or file a police report and allow insurance to take it from here.

At that point I said we would think about it and let him know.

We thought for two minutes.

I refuse to speak with him again if he's going to talk to me like that. I will be calling my insurance agent and likely filing a police report and having them deal with it. I realize it's my word against his at this point which sucks. Worst case scenario is that they deem it my fault and my insurance takes the hit. Seeing as I have the cleanest driving record possible my premiums shouldn't suffer to greatly.

I'm off to find all this fun stuff out tomorrow.

At least no injuries occurred.



Wednesday, June 10, 2009

II

My darling girl is officially two years old. While I was pregnant with Sierra, everyone, and I mean everyone with kids, warned me that time progressed at warp speed as soon as you become a parent. I scoffed those people.
Not anymore.
There's something about watching how much they change from a helpless newborn, to a cuddly baby, to an independent toddler in such s short span that sets time on 'fast' mode.
Two years ago, after 64 hours of labour, Sierra Mary was born at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and 21 inches long. She was perfect and healthy. We named her Sierra simply because we loved the name, the name Mary came from my maternal grandmother, Trevor's maternal grandmother, and my mother's middle name. I remember marvelling at this tiny creature and seeing immediately how she was so much her own person even though she was also a part of Trevor and me.

3 days old

Sierra has never ceased to display her unique personality; she is very definitive about her likes and dislikes. We didn't start calling her "The Small Boss" for nothing!That assertion is manifesting itself more and more each day, especially now as she has hit the dreaded "two". She frustrates me to no end at times and has even reduced me to tears but I wouldn't wish her any other way. I pray that her strength and gumption carry her through her entire life and are beneficial to her. No one will take advantage of my girl!

3 months old

Sierra is incredibly happy and gleeful. I've said this before, and I'll say it again, she is such a joy to be around. Her enthusiasm for everything is heartwarming. There truly is nothing like seeing things through the eyes of a child.
Around 9 months old

She also oozes sweetness. I want that sweetness and innocence to stay with her forever. Unfortunately I know that life and experience will have to challenge that. I pray that the joy of Jesus takes over her heart and that she draws on Him for everything.

One year old.

I never in a million years thought I would so completely enjoy being a parent.
I never in a million years thought that a child could enlighten me so much.
I never in a million years thought I could love a child as much as I love Sierra.

Nearly two.

We had a birthday party for her last Saturday. My parents, Oma, and some close friends came for pizza, Shrek cake (Sierra's most recent obsession on TV, I was so sick of Big Comfy Couch one day I popped the Shrek DVD in and it was an instant hit) and good times!


No I did not make this, I wish! A local bakery that specializes in cakes came up with this lovely creation.


Blowing out her candles was too much to ask so I had to do it!


Opening presents though...she was right into it!

I love you Sierra!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

A Challenge

There are over three weeks left in June and I've already managed to spend nearly all of our grocery budget! Last month I was so careful week to week but then all of a sudden we were out of many major items and before I knew it my allotted amount was nearly depleted.
In my own self defense, I did mostly purchased wisely and items we needed. Boxes of chicken were on sale at Safeway, we ran out of all our cereal at once , we threw a birthday party for Sierra which added some expense, and the list goes on.
My self-challenge is to go through my cupboards and freezer and be as creative as possible with what we have and buying only fresh fruit, veggies, and milk which will easily take up half that. We have food so there should be no excuse. Can I spend only $50 on food over the next three weeks? It'll be tough.

I'll let you know.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Sierra--ese

I'm subjecting you to the language of Sierra because I'm her mom and I think it's so darn cute and I feel the need to share!
Burp: belt
Burbur: bellybutton
Moush: mouth
Wee: slide
Jumjum - said with a soft "J" like in Angelina Jolie: swing (not sure why)
Byby: blanket
Soo: soother, although soo-er is starting to emerge.
Chacha: chocolate
'No (besides the obvious meaning which she knows all to well): snow
Hophop: walk, although she's going with wha more and more.
Key: kitty
Tee: t.v.
Schraa: Shrek
Dat: Dad
Hone: home

Sierra melted my heart on Sunday when out of nowhere she started calling me Mom-mee. Now she walks around saying it constantly and it almost drives me crazy but it's way sweeter to hear that than the drawling "Maawm" I got util now.


 

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