Timmins trip journal. Reealllllly long and boring! LOL

August 25
We made it to Timmins safe and sound. Well, safe anyway J The trip started well, we got out of the driveway about 5 minutes behind schedule, I only forgot my shoes and a coat for Aidan so far (I meant to go back to the closet for them). I managed to catch about an hour or so of sleep on the way to North Bay, which was Much needed, since I’ve been up since 1:30AM with Mason L Who, of course, got the luxury of falling asleep again at the precise minute I needed to start getting ready to pack up and go. So I got showered, gathered the few last minute things together, we got the kids in the van and were off.

Made it to North Bay in really good time, stopped for breakfast and coffee (Thank God) and then headed out again. Unfortunately, the second leg of the journey wasn’t quite as smooth as the first. About 40 minutes outside of North Bay, Al got a speeding ticket. Thankfully the cop was kind, and gave him a reduced fine, so it’s not a bad ticket…but still! And then, 15 minutes after that, Mason started crying, and we couldn’t please him no matter what we offered! And then he barfed. UGH!!! So, we had to stop again to get him cleaned up and changed. I thought there was something wrong when I picked him up to get him into the van. He was sweating sooo much L I had hoped that it was just because I had dressed him warmly anticipating the cool morning…but I guess not. My poor boy L. Once we got some Gravol into him he was sleeping peacefully within about 20 minutes, and slept until we got into Timmins.

Jenna, Aidan, Al and I spent most of the rest of the trip watching/listening to the Cars DVD. I love that movie J! And then Al and I took turns picking CD’s J I’m proud to say I know almost all the words to my Norah Jones CD! LOL I’m so in love with her. I totally wish I knew her in real life so that she could sing at my wedding. LOL…whatever J Jenna and Aidan know far too many words from our Mika CD LOL! Their favourite is the Lollypop song. Mine is Big Girls. Fun stuff on that one.

So we get to Timmins. Al checked the trip timer on the display, it took 6 hours and 45 minutes! Awesome time! Considering the two unplanned stops, and me nagging Al to slow down after he got the ticket! We stopped at Al’s Mom’s first. Mason was just brutal there L I couldn’t put him down, he fell off his chair at lunch, constant crying/screaming. There’s a lot of stuff in her house…and I think it was just over-whelming for him…plus he’s not feeling well of course. I guess I finally gave Al the piercing eyes, “we need to get out of here before I lose it” look enough times that we finally headed over to his sister’s house. Mason did Much better there!! It’s definitely more kid friendly. Plus, Joseph (Al’s nephew) wasn’t there…I don’t know why, but Mason just really doesn’t like Joe L Joe’s 11, and of course, doesn’t understand…I feel bad for both of them L

So, now we’re at Noreen’s boyfriends for a BBQ/birthday celebration for Al’s Mom. Which is a bit hurtful, since Mason’s birthday is a day before my MIL’s, and no one has acknowledged that L That’s what this family is like though, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. Mason and I are sitting in the van watching Dora. Because it’s 8:30, and he’s too damn tired to be a cute 2 year old any longer. Dinner was just served about an hour ago. Which I gratefully got to eat…but now Mason and I are out here, and No one invited us in to blow out candles for a combined birthday, I’m pretty much ready to go home. I don’t know, I’m probably just crabby because I’m so tired. And it’s hard on me since Mason is such a mommy’s boy. He won’t go to anyone else. Even Al at times. It sucks a bit. But, we’re here for Al’s family, and it’s more important for him to spend time with them than it is for me to whine about anything.

So anyway, that’s where we’re at so far in our journey to the (not so) great north. I’m writing this in Word, since there’s no wireless connection out here in the boonies. Hopefully I’ll be able to get on when we’re back in the city. I’m feeling very disconnected out here

August 27
Still in Timmins. Ready to go home and get back to normal…but we’re having a better time than the first day we were here! I’d like to personally thank the creators of Dora the Explorer! She’s saved us many tantrums from Mason!! I wish I knew why he was so sensitive to everything. I have high hopes for two! He’ll be talking and communicating so much better, he’ll be toilet trained (He actually peed on the toilet this morning! Yay! Progress!) And if there’s any sort of a higher being, he won’t cry all the damn time!! Hey, a girl can hope!

I went to bed early last night. Tried to read, but I couldn’t focus on the words…so gave up and chose to dream instead J I didn’t move all night…which actually kinda sucked, because the bed we’re sleeping on is hard as a rock, so when I woke up, the muscles on the right side of my body were screaming! I am sooo looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again!

Not much planned for today. Noreen has an insurance adjuster coming over this afternoon to go over everything from the accident, so we’ll probably take the kids to the park for awhile, and then back to Al’s Mom’s so Mason can sleep. I think the best part of the day is going to be tonight…it’s tradition now, on the night before we head home from Timmins, we get the BEST poutine on the PLANET! So, if you’re ever in Timmins (HA!) check out Chez Nous on McLean. Get a Large (if you dare, I can’t finish it though!) Quebec, Double Cheese. Oh. My. God. A whole lot of heaven in that heart attack filled Styrofoam bowl!! Yum!

I was a good girl. Only got the small Poutine J It was the perfect amount. We watched Wimbledon, it’s a cute little chick flick, highly predictable, but sweet, non the less J

August 28
We’re on our way home. We left Noreen’s at 9:25…baring any major catastrophes, we should get home at about 4. Mason’s had his dose of Gravol and is sleeping, Jenna and Aidan are watching Cars; all is quiet on the western front! I wish we could have left earlier, it’s nice to spend the first couple hours sleeping…which I don’t usually do when we’ve left later like this L But, Al, understandably wanted to be able to say goodbye to everyone…something we can’t really do at 4AM.

Al’s Mom has promised to visit more…we’ll see. We hear that every time we come up to visit. She’s a really sweet woman, and I know she means well…but I don’t usually hold my breath hoping they’ll come visit. They’ve only been our way less than a handful of times in 7 years. And once was for a funeral. Oh well. We’ll just have to try to make the most of the visits we do get.

We've made it home, safe and sound. I got to drive halfway home. No speeding tickets, no barfing. It was a good trip LOL. As soon as I can find the camera in our jumble of luggage I'll try to get some pics up!!

I'm happy to be home.

Lisa

Why blog when facebook is so handy!? and other stuff.

I think I have a new internet love. In fact, I know I do. Hi. My name is Lisa. I'm addicted to Facebook. I check it about a gazillion and one times a day. ***Collectively now...Hi Liiisaaaa***

I've found so many old friends on there!! Even friends from public school! it's so cool to see who has changed, and who has stayed the same. Who had kids that I never expected to, who married who. It's fun. Even my husband and I communicate through it! LOL...he leaves me little messages in the morning before work. I respond...and it's nice to use when one is annoyed at the other.

Plus! Let's not forget SCRABULOUS!! Which has been down for a couple days and ACK! The Withdrawl!!

On to other news...I'm starting to feel more human. I went to the clinic on Tuesday evening. I have Acute Acidosis. So, while it feels like I'm dying, I'm actually not. I'm taking Prevacid...but I hope I don't have to for much longer. Ever since I started taking it I've been having the weirdest dreams. It's also making my head feel a bit fuzzy, so that I'm feeling a bit disoriented at times, and my poor ticker is palpatating at a vicious speed today. So, I think I'll take it back to one a day and see what happens from there.

I'm REALLY annoyed with my bank. We have a loan that we took out to pay off the older van, and Al's student loans...at a lower rate. It was coming out on the 14th, but I asked it to be changed to the 28th because that's the day after I get paid and it's easier that way. So, on Tuesday I planned on visiting my best friend and her twins for the day. I stopped off to get gas on the way...Imagine my surprise when my card was declined!! Funds not Available it said! WHAT!! I KNEW there was money in there. Very confused. So, I pay from a different account and went on my way. Down the road a bit it occurred to me what could have happened. the loan came out. And now I'm in a very big negative. NOT COOL! I emailed the woman who was supposed to change the dates, and didn't get an answer back. So, I finally called at 4:20, and got a bit of run around, couldn't talk to my normal person, but was assured this would be taken care of. Finally Did get to talk to C, and she doesn't understand why the date wasn't changed. I personally have a feeling she never filed the request :( So, now I'm stuck waiting to see if they are going to give my money back and then take it again on the 28th like they were supposed to! Buggers!!

Mason's party is on Saturday. Can y'all believe he's going to be 2?! I'm doing a construction theme. Should be fun :) he's SO into big trucks. Whenever he sees a crane, or dozer, or even a larger pickup truck he says "ohhhh! Be tuh!!!" Translation: "ohhh! Big Truck!!!" It's cute :) So, that's what I'm up to the next couple days. I'll post pics...if we take any! LOL...we're bad for not taking pics of the parties...and my Mom is bad for not emailing me the ones she takes!! Vicious Circle :)

Better run. Hope you're all doing well :)

So, I guess it's about time I updated huh??

Where to start?! uhhhhh......

Well, Al went back for his post-op appointment last week. The right side looks really good. Unfortunately, the left side "Has the most impressive scar tissue" the doctor has ever seen! So, because the scar tissue is partially blocking the sinuses on that side, he has to go back in October to have it taken out. Either by having it cotterized or with a chemical peel. Either way? GROSS!!

I did contact my ex. Let him know who I was (like I suspected, he knew it was me). Things are actually going pretty good. We email every day. Keep things fairly light, and we seem to be okay! Even his wife and I are emailing back and forth :) She's a really nice girl. I still haven't decided about the Buck and Doe we were invited to. Al is really leary of S. Also a bit jealous...and I don't want to make Al uncomfortable all night...but then, the other side of me says what's the point of contacting S if I still can't be in the same room as him. Still frustrated I guess. My loyalty is to my husband OF COURSE...it's just hard to put him into a situation that I'd like to be in and he wouldn't. I feel a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place.

So, have any of you ever had an ulcer? or a hernia? I've got this pain, at the bottom of my ribcage, centred, and it feels kinda like someone stuck a lump of hot coal in there. Yesterday was pretty bad, the pain was constant unless I was laying down, and then when I got up, I would belch like a man! (sorry!). It seems better today. When I woke up this morning, I felt like I had been kicked in that spot, and it left a bruise, but then once I ate lunch (Mac N cheese) it came back a bit. I haven't had any caffiene today. Not even the tea I was tempted to make this morning to replace my usual cup or two of coffee. Only water to drink. no chocolate. But, I seem to burp a lot more after I eat or drink. Sound familiar to anyone!? I think I'll have to make an appointment tomorrow to get checked. ****edited to add...I've had dinner now, octoberfest sausages, noodles, tomato and cucumber salad. And a tea. And I'm back in pain again. This sucks so bad :(

Better go, boys are battling it out :)

~Lisa~

Long or Short? Votes? Ideas? Help?

I'm about 15 pounds lighter now than in the short hair picture, so my face is thinner.

Lisa

I realized today how far I've come....

I weigh myself almost daily. Bad habit, I know, but I don't care :) I weighed myself back in April and I was creeping back up to close to 170 pounds. Not cool. At my heaviest, after having Jenna, I was about 185 pounds. And miserable. I'm only 5'5"...that much weight doesn't sit well on me. But then I got pregnant with Aidan, and lost a lot of weight during my pregnancy. After having him I got down to about 155 pounds. I was okay with that then. After having Mason, last summer I got down even farther, to 146 pounds. I was soo happy!! I don't know what happened though. Because the weight went up and up and up. Until I looked like this.

I cringe every time I look at that. blech. lol :)

So, today, we decided to take the kids to the beach. Now, I'm a regular girl. I hate bathing suits as much as the next girl. But, for the sake of my kids, I tolerate them. I even took the time to pick something out this year that I really like. Al took pictures of us all at the beach today. And I am sooo happy to report that when I look at this:

I don't cringe :) I still have a ways to go. About 10-15 pounds I think. And a whole lot of toning. Which SUCKS, because I loathe exercise :) I think I might look into something fun like Badminton...where it won't FEEL like exercise, but will be :) We'll see :) For now, I think I'll spend some time enjoying the fact that I am not cringing.

ETA!! I went to Old Navy this afternoon to return a dress I'd bought that was (!) too big. I couldn't find any other dresses I liked as much, but then, when I went into the jeans area...OMG! I found a pair that I LOVE and they are size SIX!! Ladies...after I had Jenna, I was teetering on the edge of 14...almost a sixTEEN! I am soooo happy :)

~Lisa~

Kid Pics!!!

I hate waiting!!!

I have very limited patience for some things. Waiting, and being late are VERY high on my list. I hate the feeling of being late. Of being off schedule. Of thinking that someone out there is waiting on me to arrive, and I'm about to make them wait longer than necessary! Hate it. I also hate to wait. I hate to wait for people to arrive. I've grown over the years to realize which of my friends are notoriously late, and have adjusted to that.

I hate waiting for other things too. Like my turn in the drive-thru. And a phone call. And payday, I especially hate waiting for that. I hate waiting for emails to come. I hate waiting for my kids to get their shoes on. I hate waiting around while someone else is getting ready. I hate waiting for the Friday paper to come (it always has the good flyers). I hate waiting for my favourite shows to come back on after the summer. I hate waiting for my food in restaurants.

Mind you, I am reallllly good at not showing my annoyance, if there is any, at other people who have kept me waiting, or are going to make me late. So, if for some reason, you're ever late...no worries, because I will realize by the time you get to my door that I am glad you are here. That really, you aren't that late at all. I will realize that I appreciate the lateness, because it allowed me to get some extra things done.

But really, I hate to wait. Especially for things that I don't know are actually going to happen.

~Lisa~

Wow, I'm feeling all special and popular like!

So, I was updating my profile this morning, and saw that I've had 637 profile views!! At first, I was like, WOW! I am SO COOL! and then I realized...If I am so cool, why doesn't anyone ever comment?

So, I'd like to know who reads me!!

Lisa

So, I'm kinda confused...

A little background. About 11 years ago, I was in highschool, and I had landed myself a pretty good boyfriend. We dated all throughout high school, and it was pretty certain in everyone's eyes that we were it. High school sweethearts, destined for forever. And that would have been fine. Except that he turned out to be a little bit crazy. As in like stalker boyfriend crazy. And that wasn't so cool. The summer before we went off to college/university, was okay for us. There were a couple big bumps in the road, but we were young, in love, and could handle it right? no. Once I got to my college, about 1o hours away from S, things happened, and I realized that I was feeling very trapped in that relationship. I was trying to fit into a mould he had made for us, and I just didn't fit! I needed to be free. I needed to have some understanding from him. I needed him to not 'check up' on me all the damn time. But I didn't get that. So, I decided enough was enough, and ended it for good. And then it got worse. S became suicidal, and even more persistant, and omg the guilt trips he tried to lay on me...wow. He even got my parents on his side. That was rough. Especially since I was starting a new relationship with the man I eventually married! It seemed to me that no one from back home was on my side, except for a very loose handful of people, and my very best friend (Thank god for her!!). it seemed to me that most people took his side, and that was fine, because he was obviously sick, and needed that support. So, life went on, I made new friends, got married, had kids, saw S occasionally at functions that my best friend hosted, and that was it. We didn't talk. We didn't look the other in the eye, we tried to stay in different rooms. I'm sure because he was still very hurt and probably angry, and I because I didn't want to hurt him even farther.

Fast forward. I found out that he blogs, and his sister gave me his wife's blog address, and I've been lurking ever since. Recently, he posted about how his old friends had hurt him very badly, and it seemed to him that he was on the wrong side of the chosen sides again. I felt so awful for him, that I left an anonymous comment saying that I knew how he was feeling, and that he wasn't alone. A few more comments between he and I went back and forth, always anonymously on my part. I *Think* he knows who I am, but he won't say so.

I would Love to be able to go to gatherings with old friends and not feel that animosity with him. I'd like to introduce my kids to his and see them play and laugh. I'd like to get past all that heartache. He seems, from his comments, to be willing to do all that, but without knowing if he knows it's me commenting, how do I do that?! He seems to have matured greatly. Which is sooo nice to see.

I don't know. Is it worth it? Will it freak out our mutual friends? is it ever too late? Let me just be clear that I in NO way am romantically interested in him. He was a friend first all those years ago. We had a good thing for awhile, until it soured, and now, I would just like to be in the same room with him without feeling like I am stealing his air. but like I said, I wonder if it's too late.

We were invited to a buck and doe for S's best friend J. A man I once considered a best friend of mine as well. And one who took S's side back then. Who told me that he had no interest in ever talking to me again after what I had done to S. J's fiance is lovely. So sweet to my kids, speaks to me at gatherings, shows a genuine interest...but not J. he never has offered more than the bare minimum to me in 8 years. My best friend sent the invite through facebook...and looking at the guestlist, it looks to me that she invited everyone we went to highschool with...so my name would naturally be included on that facebook generated highschool list.

Al thinks there's no reason not to go...that we all need to get past this silliness. I just wonder if it's the wrong time and place? But since it's a facebook invitation, my name is going to be attached to the event in one of three places...Attending, Maybe Attending, or Not Attending. And I really don't know where my name belongs :(

Part of me is wishing I had never made that first comment, and had never received that invitation. And the other part is hopeful that this is the beginning of the end of the madness.

~Lisa~