My New Obsession...season 5

I got season 5 in the mail today. Go figure that I wouldn't get #2 so that I could actually start watching them.

Here's praying that I get them in order from now on!!!

My New Obsession

I've fallen in love with Dr Quinn Medicine Woman. So much so that I've actually spent time on eBay winning all the seasons plus the 2 movie set. I'm waiting for them all to get here....poor mail lady is getting stalked big time!

This is what I have so far!

Season 1 and the movies!!

Syd the Thief

This is what I found Christmas Morning. Santa had brought some Smarties ball for all the kids and I guess we weren't watching Sydney close enough after she woke up!

I'm glad someone enjoyed them!!

Merry Christmas to All!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

We wish you all the best in the New Year!

The Groens!!

Ryan's Birthday

December 22 is Ryan's birthday. This year I decided to do something different! I helped the kids make cards for him.

The had a blast and the cards turned out really really well.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

The Real Meaning of Christmas

A friend read this at our TOPS meeting last night....

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enou gh money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores
early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though. I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear
night out and there was ice in his beard.

"Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight."

I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know
what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and
stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards
on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing
into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something.

"Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"

“You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked.

The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

Yeah," I
said,
"Why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked.

“Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile,
though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I w ould have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible then, we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said,

"Who is it?"

"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the
lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sac k of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and
started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't
speak.

My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us.

"God bless you," she said.

"I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on
it.

Pa insisted that everyone try o n the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you
understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me
much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.

Down in Fraggle Rock!!!

I love the Fraggles....it was one of my favorite shows as a kid....here are some awesome pics!

The Fraggle Five!!

Boober

Wembley

Mookey

Red

Uncle Travelling Matt

Gobo

My Background Choices

I'm putting these here mostly so that I can find the ones I like again when I'm ready to change!!

These are from: www.thecutestblogontheblock.com

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=379

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=362

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=352 - this one doesn't work anymore!

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=327

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=273

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=247

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=222

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=50

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=54 - I don't like this one anymore!

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=29

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/background.php?id=12 - I don't like this one either!

If you happen to have time and there is one that you particularly like...let me know!!!

The Flat Tire!

Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate. So I ease my
car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully get out of
the car and open the trunk.

I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them
at the rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look
so lifelike you wouldn't believe! They are in trench coats
exposing their nude bodies and private parts to the
approaching drivers.

But to my surprise, cars start slowing down looking at my
lifelike men.

And of course, traffic starts backing up. Everybody is
tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long
before a state trooper pulls up behind me.

He gets out of his car and starts walking towards me.
I could tell he was not a happy camper!

'What's going on here?'

'My car has a flat tire', I said calmly.

'Well, what the world are those obscene cardboard men
doing here by the road?'

I couldn't believe that he didn't know. So I told him,

'Helloooooo, those are my emergency flashers!'

It's STILL snowing, It's STILL snowing, It's STILL snowing!

Holy cow is all I have to say....I wonder how much is out there???

I'm not complaining...I asked for it!!

It's snowing, it's snowing, it's snowing!!!

HAHAHA....beautiful!!! I can't believe how much has come down and it's still coming. The roads are nasty, buses are cancelled....Just what I ordered!!!!

I'm hoping that the roads aren't too bad tonight because I have a surprise for the kids...and it would be just beautiful in this snow!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

Well, if the weather man is right for once...we're supposed to get a whole lot of snow tonight and tomorrow.

Most people want to kick my butt, well all people actually, except maybe Viviane, simply because I would love to have an old fashion snow store. I'm talking closing schools, shutting down work places, buses not running and be buried in your house for a couple of days.

Now, please don't misunderstand...I don't want us to be without power, or heat or cable for internet and TV....but wouldn't it be nice to be forced to spend some quality time with your family. Pack up the kids tie them onto a sled and go for a walk. Find a hill (which don't actually exist in Baden) and go sledding...make a snowman or snow fort.

This is the weather warning from www.theweathernetwork.com :

WINTER STORM WARNING: Waterloo - WellingtonIssued at 4:20 PM EST THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER 2008

SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW EXPECTED ON FRIDAY. THIS IS A WARNING THAT DANGEROUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS..LISTEN FOR UPDATED STATEMENTS.

MOTHER NATURE IS STRIKING SOUTHERN ONTARIO WITH THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF SIGNIFICANT SNOW STORMS. THE FIRST GAVE AROUND 10 CENTIMETRES TUESDAY NIGHT. THE SECOND ARRIVES ON FRIDAY. A DYNAMIC STORM IS NOW DEVELOPING OVER COLORADO AS EXPECTED AND WILL RACE CLOSE TO THE LOWER GREAT LAKES DURING THE DAY FRIDAY. HEAVY SNOW IS FORECAST TO BEGIN IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO OVERNIGHT REACHING THE GREATER TORONTO REGION NEAR DAWN FRIDAY MORNING. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 15 TO LOCALLY 20 CM ARE WIDELY EXPECTED ACROSS MUCH OF THE LOWER GREAT LAKES BY FRIDAY EVENING. STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS OF 40 GUSTING AT TIMES TO 60 KM/H WILL DEVELOP EARLY FRIDAY COMPOUNDING THE SEVERITY OF THE STORM GIVING NEAR WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES IN FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW. THE STORM WILL LIKELY HAVE AN EXTRA STING AROUND THE WEST END OF LAKE ONTARIO DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR A LAKE-ENHANCED HEAVY SNOW BAND WHICH MAY AFFECT LOCALES FROM OAKVILLE INTO TORONTO FOR A WHILE FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE SHIFTING TOWARDS HAMILTON AND NIAGARA. LOCAL ACCUMULATIONS NEAR THE WEST END OF THE LAKE MAY REACH 25 CM. THE FRIDAY MORNING RUSH HOUR IN AND AROUND THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE MAY NOT BE QUITE AS BAD AS EARLIER THOUGHT AS THE SNOW'S ARRIVAL MAY BE DELAYED BY AN HOUR OR TWO. THE ONLY CAVEAT IS THAT A LAKE EFFECT SNOW BAND MAY GIVE SOME FLURRIES INITIALLY. HOWEVER..HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW THROUGHOUT THE DAY WILL LIKELY MAKE THE AFTERNOON COMMUTE PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT. CAUTION IS STRONGLY URGED FOR ANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES OR TRAVEL DURING THE DAY FRIDAY.

Ouch...that sounds like a lot and then on Sunday, supposedly it's gonna be the same thing again!!

Take out your shovels and find your mitts...let hope we're in for a good one!!!

Guess Where HomeMade Market is going to be?

HomeMade Market will be one of the Work At Home Mom companies in the December Spotted Box. I worked my heiney off to get these samples made and mailed out just days before we moved.

I'm very excited to have my name get out to so many people...I'm hoping that it means an increase in sales.

This is a picture of what I sent:

The Spotted Box will be available on December 15, 2008....but act quickly there are a limited number and people really really want to get them! Check Hyenacart and Etsy for a better chance, but honestly if you don't hit the "Buy Now" button the second they come on, you're not going to get one!!

Pioneer Club Christmas Party

Yesterday was the Christmas Party at the kids' Pioneer Clubs. It was alot of fun and I stayed with them the whole time.

They had it split into stations and we were divided by last name.

We started out at the gift wrapping contest. It was a conventional gift we were wrapping. The parents had to try to think of their kids as gifts and we wrapped on of them up!! Ethan actually let us wrap him and we pretended that he was a bouquet of flowers and wrapped him like that!!

Next we went to the garland making section. It was really fun...we made garlands for the Christmas tree out of popcorn and cranberries!! I've never done this before and I have to say it turned out quite cute!

Last but not least, we went to the Cookie station. Each child got two cookies that they were allowed to decorate with icing and sprinkles. The parents were allowed two also, but I didn't take them since I knew that undoubtedly I would get to eat some of Mia's....and I was right!!

After all the fun, there was a giant cake and ice cream and we all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Daddy and His Girls

It's a rare moment when either of us get to sit and snuggle with the kids, so I just had to take this picture of Ryan and the girls watching the Leaf game the other night.