Lusious Lashes?

Am I the only one who has been on a 25 year hunt for great mascara?

I believe my search is over.

I love this product.

About $15 from Shoppers Drugmart... they recently started to carry the GOSH line.

Power Drop

When the kids were little, they got the biggest thrill out of "Power Drops", which entails Joel lifting them up to the ceiling and then dropping them onto our bed. When you're 3,4 or 5 it's a pretty wild ride.





Fastforward nearly 10 years.





Tonight, for some reason, the Power Drop was resurrected.





Pretty hilarious watching Joel try to lift Adam, who now stands at almost 5'7", to the ceiling. Brodie's not exaclty compact any more either.





To save Dad's back, there was a 2 Power Drop limit.





Do not try this at home.

Gay for Fey

I love Tina Fey.
She's hilarious, beautiful and talented.
If I could be any celebrity, it would be her.
I am unabashedly a little gay for her.

If you've enjoyed the show 30 Rock, and if you haven't I have to ask "Why Not????"... you might enjoy these clips of Tina's character, Liz Lemon, at her finest.

Friday Favs...

Best things about this week...
1) Wednesday Joel turned 39... "No Finer 39'er"... and the four of us had a very special dinner out at Cactus Club. He'd ordered himself a Garmon?? which is a fancy running watch that measures your distance, heart rate, pace... perspiration output, attitude, swear words... very high tech. On top of that fancy gadget, we bought him a pair of fancy undies... you know the big controversial billboard that read, "Comfort for his balls"... well... $29.99 later Joel's junk is resting nicely in bamboo underpants.

2) Closure... I've had this temporary job, working in the sales center for another development... my goal was to earn enough money to pay for 1 or 2 tickets to Thailand. It's been prety quiet. OK, that's generous. Most days I was done my work by 9:50 and that included watering the plants, emptying the dishwasher and possibly running to Safeway for cream. I knew at any moment my job could come to an end--- I was paying for my parking half a day at a time. Today I found out that they are closing the sales center at the end of the month, so it's just good to know the timeline. This job has been an amazing opportunity to earn almost 3 tickets to thailand, the time to sit on the computer and research and plan, the opportunity to get to know a couple of very cool people that I really hope to keep in touch with, and another taste of the working life that makes me so thankful that I do not have to work full time.

3) A note from Brodie left on the kitchen table while I was in the shower and he was heading out the door... "By Mom I (heart) u" How sweet is that 10-year old?

4) NineStyles... a great accessory shop on Ellis, between Lawrence and Bernard, has amazing jewellery, hats, etc... is having a buy 2 get the 3rd free sale... and she's got decent prices to start with! Check it out....

this is one of the pieces I treated myself to, (apparently for losing my job????)5) Cheryl and I have gone into the closet. Stay tuned for details. (I know, you all saw it coming.)

Thailand or Bust

Hellllloooo my friends!

It's been a crazy fall... I've had an interesting little temp job (next post), have had a very cool opportunity (post after that) and one of the most exciting things that I have yet to post about is that our family is going to Thailand!!

We leave Dec 17th for 25 days! The first two weeks we'll be in Phuket, working in an orphanage and doing come Christmassy community things with some Canadian missionaries we've hooked up with, (this is one of the areas that was hit hardest by the Tsunami a few years ago.) We will have one week of traveling at the end of the trip and still have to decide on the details of that part of our adventure.

We're SOOOO excited and know it'll be a life-changing experience for all four of us!
So much to do in the next 2 months to get ready for this big adventure!

The kids are pumped, and Joel is really excited about stepping away from this whole North American, consumeristic scene. Being in a third world area is really where his heart is. I love that about him, and how it reminds me to hold "stuff" and comfort loosely.

That said, I will still keep it my goal to NOT come home with a baby and own a hut on a Thai beach somewhere.

Inappropriate Laughter and my growing need for "Depends"

Newport Oregon, July 2008

So, you know when you're just busting up laughing in a place that really shouldn't be filled with hilarity? But you can't help yourself, and you just keep thinking of funnier and funnier things to say, so you try to spit them out, all the while doing a terrible job of keeping your laughing quite... and the tears are rolling---oh the tears.

Whilst wandering the quaint streets of Newport, OR, we kept seeing this poster...


"Not your Daughter's Jeans" greatly intrigued Patti (my sister-in-law) and I.
There was only one thing to do.
Try them on.

So, into the "old lady clothing store" we went... armed with Nathan and a camera.

Patti's pair were "dressy"... with extra stitchery. Very Fancy. Sure, she would need to get them hemmed, but with a nice pair of Naturalizers and a smart top, she'd look sharp. Sadly, the pictures don't do them justice.


Mine were more casual, every day slacks. They were so casual infact, that they had no back pockets and no belt loops. My ass was 32 inches long.

We were laughing sooooooo hard, and the ladies who worked there kept walking through the changing area where Nathan was discreetly trying to snap a few photos of us... they're not great but you get the idea.

My final line before I could no longer speak was after about 3 minutes of stifled laughter... "Patti, I think I have to buy these. I've just peed in them a little too much."

Home Sweet Home...

14 days and 3,640 kms later, we're home to our own beds, (and toilet seats.)

There is soooo much to say about our trip and I don't want to bore you with long entries, so I'll try to break it down into bitesized pieces, (so I can bore you a little bit at a time, rather than all at once.)

We traveled with our favorite trip buddies, Joel's twin brother Nathan, his wife Patti, and their 3 cuties. It has long been Joel's dream to drive to Oregon. I've sucessfully squashed that dream for 16 years. I couldn't keep up the resistance any longer. I have nothing agaist Oregon... it was the 40 hours in the car I was dreading. In the end Joel's dream was a good one, although Patti and I are very happy that OUR dreams involve airplanes and beaches... warm ones.

Bite #1 - Newport Oregon

Fact: Oregon is windy and cool.
Fact: I was unaware of this apparent common knowledge.
Fact: I had many tank tops that remained in my suitcase the whole 5 days.
Fact: Kids have no sense of temperature and were in the ocean every chance they had.
Fact: Even thought it's too far away, I would totally go there again.

We rented in a great little "nothin' fancy" house across the street from the ocean with a great view. It was an amazing deal, fantastic location and if anyone wants the info I'd be happy to pass it along.

Day one: getting used to the cold and exploring Newport and the beach. Had heard about "Cafe Stephanie", checked it out and fell in love. Went back 4 times over the course of the few days we were there.

Day two: Went for a run with Patti & Joel then went to Florence for quadding on the dunes. I drove a little jeep thing with my neice Kendra, and the boys each had their own quad. In the last few minutes of our dunes adventure Brodie accidentally drove down a cliff of sand and thankfully lived to tell the tale. He was still shaking when he got off the quad at the rental return. That's where I heard about his misadventure and STARTED shaking.

We hit the Sea Lion caves on the way home, which was cold and smelly but interesting. Bought Joel a new wedding ring in the gift shop. Sadly, no, it does not have a sealion on it. $6.99. Yup, big spender and a true romantic, I am.

Day three: Aquarium in Newport... great little place to spend a few hours.

The Kern brothers doing their seal imitation...That evening, we wanted to have a special grown-up dinner out, and left it a little late, so ended up at the only place still open, "Cafe Mundo" which I'd heard was strange but delicious. That's exactly what it was. One of the best meals I'd ever had in the weirdest places I'd ever walked into. Look at the pretty flowers in my seafood curry!

Day four: I did my big long run on the beach... 13 Kilometres... just me and Jesus. I am so proud of myself I can not tell you. I'm a completely dependent runner, so it was a huge personal accomplishment to run for 95 minutes all by myself. It was beautiful and refreshing and I'll never forget it.
We headed to our fav breakfast spot for a major pig out... (Note the size of the cinnamon buns.... i luvs me some big buns)...

and then our friends Magnus & Mindy joined us for the afternoon and evening--they are spending the summer in her home town a few hours away. Who knew you could keep 3 grown men and 5 kids entertained for 6 hours with a couple of kites?

Day five: We drove to Idaho, with a stop in at the Lincoln City outlet shops and did some damage, particularly at the Quicksilver store. If it wasn't for our completely full little civic, we'd have bought more. I think that's just one more reason taking the 2 door civic was a smarter choice than the van.

OK, that was a long entry... more later.

My Love/Hate Relationship with Starbucks...

I love, love, LOVE the Green Tea Lemonade. Venti Please.

I am SOOOOOOOOO disappointed that they've discontinued my very favorite snack, the Oat Bar. Blast.

And that's all I have to say about that.

It's pretty deep -- go forth and ponder.

Happy Friday

I'm stealing an idea from Christina, who has a "love list" and creating my own "Happy List"... i'm going to try to do this on Fridays so I can look back on the things that made me happy during the week... maybe some of them will make you happy too...

1) Coffee with one of my oldest friends tonight, in town for a few days.



2) Karleigh's Avacado & Papaya Salsa.... (hope you don't mind me reposting this here) I've been enjoying it very much on Wasa Crackers this week!

Papaya Salsa
(adapted from the Best of Bridge, Best of the Best cookbook)
1 ripe papaya chopped into pieces.
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 TBSP finely chopped jalapeno pepper( I usually just use the ones in a jar that are inmy fridge...maybe 5 rings?)
1 TBSP chopped cilantro ( optional... lots of people dont like it. I usually dont put it in when company is coming.. you never know..)
Juice of 1 Lime
1Tsp honey.. I always use 2 tsps...
salt and peper to taste...
I add these extras....
1 avocado...chopped
1 tomato ...chopped
Mix all ingreadient together and let marinate for at least an hour in the fridge.

3) An AMAZING breakfast on Sunday morning at the Blind Angler in Peachland. We had a great family morning, sitting on the patio, watching the lake, chatting about our upcoming trip to Oregon, Silverwood and P & N's cabin. I had the Angler Benedict-- eggs benny with crab and shrimp, and dill bernaise.... TO DIE FOR!

4) That the houseboat is coming together.... I should have it pretty much all ready to go tomorrow! It's been fun to plan the houseboat program at Greenbay this summer, from decorating it to setting the menu, to planning the promo for it. We should be taking it out next week for an evening cruise just to make sure everything is working properly and the staff know the routine. I hope we'll be "Glitch free!"... but what ever is??

5) That I've been able to pretty much be sugar and wheat free for the past 4 days... a little experiment this week, eating a ton of fruit and veggies, no red meat, hardly any other meat, a bit of salmon, next to no flour or sugar. Feeling good, not really missing it too much. Very Surprising!

6) Speaking of Salmon... I've been enjoying the Salmon Burgers from Costco -- Trident Brand, I think. Tasty and easy to BBQ!

7) I have overcome my fear of lighting the BBQ... what a big girl.

Hope you can think of happy things,(even if silly and simple) from this week too :-)

Nature

I'm thinking hardly anyone reads my blog anymore... maybe it's summer time, maybe I've gotten dull. In order to keep your attention, I'm adding a little of what those in marketing refer to as, "Sex & Sizzle".
Enjoy my favorite Nature video.

Turning Over a New Page

OK Blog readers... It's summer and that means it's time for me to be reading.
(I am embarrassed to admit that I am strictly a summer/vacation reader.)

I need your help!

If you are someone who drops by my Blog from time to time, I'd love to know what you've been reading and what you recommend. Could I ask you to post a comment help me with my "must reads" for summer '09!

I usually only read books that have been recommended by people who know me... I NEED YOU! THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Simply Swellegant

The BIG SHOW was last Saturday night and I couldn't be prouder! They did a great job, had a good turn out, and I really hope they'll bring the show to Kelowna. My camera doesn't take great indoor pictures to start with, so add in the theater lighting, and well... not the best photos, but here's a taste of the evening... WAY TO GO MARK, CONRAD & JAY!

Their Swell Poster...


My Talented Brother...


The Elegant Assistants...


The lovely Cleland Theatre in Penticton... before the doors opened and while all the spouses and siblings were in the lobby, nervous for our guys!


The First Ticket...


Improv Game... that's my little brother in the kilt...

Heeeeerrreee's Jonny... eager audience participant...



Serious business, this improv thing...

And no comedy night is complete without a scene acted bare-footed and blind folded, on a stage littered with set mouse-traps.
Yes, seriously.
A high "cringe factor" for all.


My Date at "Martini's"...



And me and Michelle... I don't know if this was before or after we delicate flowers polished off a plate of natchos, calimari, spinach dip AND the Appy Platter.
For 4.

I'm a Binger, but sadly not a Purger.

Last week's binge was coffee.
Yup.
Coffee.
That stuff I don't drink.

I made a pot for my girlfriend Cathy, who was in from Calgary. and discovered that I had a container of "International Delight Fat Free Hazelnut Creamer" in the fridge.

I don't recall purchasing this container of sweet and creamy goodness, and thought what luck! when I discovered that there seemed to be no expiry date.

I wonder which part of this nectar called "International Delight Fat Free Hazelnut Creamer" contains the magical ingredient that keeps this stuff from going bad.
I think it's in the "Delight".

Anyhow, I drank pot after pot for 6 days and now that I've polished off the IDFFHC, and have promised myself to never buy it again, I must move on to something new.

I'm making a good effort on the eating front, so I'm back on the Black Bean Salad... here's the recipe incase you are in need of a new, healthy binge item.

That's assuming I'm not the only binger out there.
You know who you are.
No one's here to judge.

SANTA FE SALAD (From the Best of Bridge "That's Trump")

Original Recipe...

Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
juice of 2 limes (O use 1/4 cup "reallime" if necessary)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 tps cumin
salt and pepper

Salad:
19 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 red bell pepper, diced
12 oz can kernel corn, drained
1/3 cup chopped red onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced.

In a medium bowl, whisk together oil and lime joice. Add cilantro, cumin sald and pepper and mix well. stir in salda ingreients and correct seasoning. serve at room temp.

My Variation...
I add a diced cucumber and somtimes a mango.
I use 1/8 cup oil
I use more diced peppers sometimes.
I've never used Jalapeno and I use less red onion.

enjoy!

Highschool Musical

We met in 1986, I was in grade 11, they were in grade 12. We became fast friends and pretty soon we were inseperable. Cathy and I were talking about how secure we felt in those friendships... we were at school together (that year), we wrote each other letters during classes that we traded in the hallway as we passed on our way to the next class... we ate lunch, we hung out in the evening, we spent our weekends and summers together. We were ALWAYS there, and always there for each other. This weekend we were able be together again, catching up and being an ear and shoulder for one of us who's recently been put through the ringer.

In the last 21 years, you name it, one or more of us has gone through it... traveling, jobs, school, love triangles, break-ups, engagements, broken engagements, weddings, babies, infertility, adoptions, major moves, major adventures, deaths, and now a pending divorce. While we might not have kept "in touch" always, we have been kindred sprits and felt a deep love, concern and care for each other--shared heart-ache and celebration, even though sometimes distantly and silently.

There's just something about the people you knew best (and who knew you best) in those years that roots inself so deeply in your heart, that no matter what, why and when, you just are able to pick up where you left off and "be there" again when the occassion calls.

Jason, Cathy, Sherri & Ken (who we miss desperately when we're together without him)... whatever our friendship looks like today and tomorrow... you are a part of my heart always. I thank God that He has held us together through it all, leading us back to the same place at the same time every once in a while.

Love you guys.

DO SOMETHING FUNNY THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!

If you haven't already heard, this coming Saturday the 21st, at the Cleland Community Theatre in Penticton there is going to be an awesome improvisational comedy show starring some amazing BC talent... (including my baby brother)!

The tickets are only $17.85 and it promises to be a really fun evening. If you've got the night free and have a couple of friends who would like to take in something very funny, very different and support local comedy/theatre... LET ME KNOW AND I'LL GET YOU SOME TICKETS, (or you can call the Cleland Theatre).

Dawney K -- Talent Scout

Nothing thrills me more than discovering fresh talent.
It warms my heart to see unknown artists realize their dream.

A couple of weeks ago I discovered this young man on Conan O'Brien.
Then I discovered him on YOU TUBE.

I will now post his video here on my well-read blog and, if all goes well, we should be hearing him on the radio soon.
On that day, I will toast his success... and I'm sure he'll send me a note of thanks.

Gavin, if you're reading this (and I'm sure you are)... you don't need to thank me. It was my pleasure.

p.s. I love you.

In the meantime, the rest of you take a moment to enjoy the very talented Gavin DeGraw...

More Videos

IT'S DECKTACULAR

We're all decked out around here now! There's a little mater of the step and trim, but otherwise, it's a gorgeous piece of work out there in our back yard... Joel and Dad did an awesome job! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU GUYS!

We had a few friends over to break it in... as you probably noticed,there were no headlines about wild parties on the Westside where the structure collapsed and guests fell to their fate... ours would have read "and party goers fell as much as 18 inches... several people were thrown off balance and one shoe got quite dirty"... it would have been very dramatic. Good we dodged that bullet!

It was kind of cool temperature wise, but I made everyone stay outside anyway.
I'm not that gracious of a host! I also wanted to take a pictures of the deck all set up without the pesky people getting in the way of it's true beauty... but I have to wait for a break in the rain to get that shot:-)

Looking forward to many many, many good times in our backyard, now that we have a nice place to relax and entertain!

Do come by!

p.s. you know how at every party there's always that "one guy" who has to get in the hot tub... Chris was "our guy" :-) Love it.