well that's twice now, I've skinned (deshelled) the shrimp for that totally yummy thai soup Melanie introduced us to and I must say, although I might as well go out and kill a moose now too, and the stink of seafood is really a bit over the top in my opinion, it was definilty worth it and I'll likely do it again. Yummy soup.
We had tons of fun at international dinner night we had a yummy Paht Tai, ground chicken meatballs, our soup, this bean, citrus salad thing, a red onion cabbage salad thing, and fried banana's and coconut milk, quite the feed! and guess where we're going next month? Jamaica! Wooopeee! I think Chad is going to make his yummy yummy Jamaican jerk pizza. I might do a little research and see if we can figure out something else cool too. Gotta love food!
Night for now, another week and we're on to March break!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
International Dinner Night
So I'm quite excited, tonight is International Dinner Night! Chad & I are joining with 3 other couples every month and a half or so to travel around the world--with food! Tonight is Thai night, a personal favorite of mine! oh yum yum. So everyone is bringing a different dish and we'll get to try a bunch of different things. Yummy Thai. Then we choose a paper out of a bottle at the end of the night that directs us to next gatherings destination! Sounds like lots of fun! It's our first night so I'm excited to see how it will turn out. Well speaking of such I should probably get cleaned up and start making that AAaaMMmmaaAAZZzzIIiiNNnnggGG soup of mine!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Did I mention my crazy project?
Have I mentioned my crazy project? not only have I endeavored to paint up my music classroom and bring some life to the area, I had the most brilliant idea that I should create these little valance/curtain things. Now I had the option of finding some material at fabricville and running a hem thing in them, or..... I found material on sale, plain black material....so of course, my creative juices got going....and I thought, why not create a piano keyboard. So that's what I've been up to lately, cutting out tons and tons of felt keys to then put on this black material....yikes! Anyway I should stop goofing off on blogger and get to it if the classsroom is EVER going to get finished so I can move on! One more painting evening and I think I'll call it quits. .....silly girl
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
thoughts on Publishing
As you know I gave an attempt at writing a novel in November. The goal was to punch out 50,000 words in a month and I LOVED the expereince! I needed the push to get this thing out of me, I've wanted to write it for at least 4 years! Anyway, it's one of those cherished things, you know, something you keep so close to your heart. I have allowed 2 people to read it and last night I got some really encouraging feedback from reader #2. He really thought it was great, and not hokey or anything and encouraged me to continue developing it (something I knew I needed to do anyway--I so love these people!) and even to look at publishing it in the end. I'll admit I was a bit suprised.
For me, I have a bit of a beef with this publish your own stuff generation. Basically I'm aware of 2 methods of publishing, 1 pay for it yourself and they'll publish anything, then hope that you can recoop the costs, or 2 send it through the gammet of editors etc. and hope someone eventually likes it well enough to publish it. I'm of the second persuasion, probably only because I have that authentic writers anxed personality, you know the one that struggles at her pen, pining over words and images (I think I've read too much LM Montgomery as a child) and then if or when she does decide to embark on the publishing adventure, is rejected again and again, yet perserveres sending it back and back, trying again and again, until finally someone sees it's worth and decides to publish it.
For me this is some sort of twisted confirmation that it's not junk, that it's a worthy piece of writing. Why have editors, publishers etc. who are excellent in what they do, if you don't need their imput. I don't know.... especially in Christian circles, it seems that anyone can publish anything, as long as they have the money to put up for it and then they get to call themselves a novelist? Can you be a novelist without the anxed personality, the rejection? Can you be a novelist if you don't primarily write to feed your soul, to anwer a call within you, because you must get it out on paper? Maybe I complicate things too much, ok, we all know I have a habit of complicating things too much, maybe any 'ol body should be able to print, record, any 'ol thing....just doesn't it lose some of it's power that way? What do you think?
For me, I have a bit of a beef with this publish your own stuff generation. Basically I'm aware of 2 methods of publishing, 1 pay for it yourself and they'll publish anything, then hope that you can recoop the costs, or 2 send it through the gammet of editors etc. and hope someone eventually likes it well enough to publish it. I'm of the second persuasion, probably only because I have that authentic writers anxed personality, you know the one that struggles at her pen, pining over words and images (I think I've read too much LM Montgomery as a child) and then if or when she does decide to embark on the publishing adventure, is rejected again and again, yet perserveres sending it back and back, trying again and again, until finally someone sees it's worth and decides to publish it.
For me this is some sort of twisted confirmation that it's not junk, that it's a worthy piece of writing. Why have editors, publishers etc. who are excellent in what they do, if you don't need their imput. I don't know.... especially in Christian circles, it seems that anyone can publish anything, as long as they have the money to put up for it and then they get to call themselves a novelist? Can you be a novelist without the anxed personality, the rejection? Can you be a novelist if you don't primarily write to feed your soul, to anwer a call within you, because you must get it out on paper? Maybe I complicate things too much, ok, we all know I have a habit of complicating things too much, maybe any 'ol body should be able to print, record, any 'ol thing....just doesn't it lose some of it's power that way? What do you think?
Saturday, February 17, 2007
48 hour moving marathon
Chad & I just returned to Freddyville from my sisters' 48 hour moving marathon, actually now that I think of it it was more like 28 or 30 hours of moving, and of course SOME sleeping did occur last night, SOME being the key words. Parents and grandparents snoring, Chad doing that shudder freaky thing he does when he's overtired in his sleep....
So they just bought their first home in the absolute boonies of....gosh what is that place called? It's farther than Petticodiac, farther than Elgin, farther than Portagevale...anyway it's way out in the woods. (seems to be a theme in my family) It is a lovely place, with a great Masterbedroom loft, massivly high cathedral ceilings and a kitchen that is really to die for. Unfortuanlty it was crazy dirty and they had to clean incessantly for hours. The truck they rented for the day broke down on the road (thankfully prior to loading) so they needed to get another, they missed the landlord with their damage deposit check, and we weren't unloading the truck until well after 8pm last night - oh and did I mention that their new boudoir and drawers were smashed to blithers and bits and they were unable to pick up the new set until tomorrow (today) and she was still waiting for them to deliver when we left after 5pm today. Despite all of this, attitudes prevailed, cleanthliness insued, as well as everything being unloaded last night and most everything unpacked and set up today. Not to mention I got to hang with my cool neice! She's fun!
A crazy marathon, a new home, a fresh start (I could get poetic but I'll spare you today), and some tired bodies. It was nice to share the moment with them though.
So they just bought their first home in the absolute boonies of....gosh what is that place called? It's farther than Petticodiac, farther than Elgin, farther than Portagevale...anyway it's way out in the woods. (seems to be a theme in my family) It is a lovely place, with a great Masterbedroom loft, massivly high cathedral ceilings and a kitchen that is really to die for. Unfortuanlty it was crazy dirty and they had to clean incessantly for hours. The truck they rented for the day broke down on the road (thankfully prior to loading) so they needed to get another, they missed the landlord with their damage deposit check, and we weren't unloading the truck until well after 8pm last night - oh and did I mention that their new boudoir and drawers were smashed to blithers and bits and they were unable to pick up the new set until tomorrow (today) and she was still waiting for them to deliver when we left after 5pm today. Despite all of this, attitudes prevailed, cleanthliness insued, as well as everything being unloaded last night and most everything unpacked and set up today. Not to mention I got to hang with my cool neice! She's fun!
A crazy marathon, a new home, a fresh start (I could get poetic but I'll spare you today), and some tired bodies. It was nice to share the moment with them though.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
A Wonderful Snuggly Valentines Day
I have just had the most wonderful snuggly Valentines day. Funny I think, that although I had dated a good bit before meeting Chad I had never been with anyone on Valentines day. I either broke up with them, or they broke up with me prior to Valentines day, or Valentines day urged us into a relationship following the day. (LOL--desperate and lonely?) Anyway, needless to say before Chad I had always been single on Valentines day, and always secreatly, (secreatly being the key word here!) wanted just a box of chocolates or a rose or something from some sort of admirer :) I know, it's pitiful!
Chad & I spent our first Valentines together 3 years ago, having just gotten engaged a little over a week before hand, so engagement was certainly the focus! and then last year Chad spent Valentines with the prayer group at the church (I'm sure the older ladies appreciated it). So this year was our first, "just normal" Valentines. Chad came home early, and I didn't work today and we were going to get ready and go out for a night on the town. We swapped gifts (I got some lovely jewlery!) and I took a shower (I'd been cleaning the house up all day).
After my shower I was really super tired. I sat on the bed for a few minutes trying to gather myself together and Chad came in. "Did you want to take a nap?" he asked. I hated to admit it, but I did, and he did too. So we napped and snuggled the evening away, both of us deciding that the snow should encourage us to stay in and just enjoy being together and not having to run the roads another night. Around 7pm or so we made pancakes and then Chad read me another chapter of The Chronicles of Narnia (we read the first book last winter). An absolutly perfect, non rush-run the roads and be crazy-snuggly Valentines Day.
Moral-Preaching Moment of the Day from Heidi:
For those of you who don't have a man this wonderful in your life-WAIT FOR HIM! and then work at it (and remember to count your blessings--I need to remember more often how lucky I am). For those of you who do, work at it. One thing I am starting to get a handle on in a real way, and not just theory, is that good marriage, fun marriage, takes lots of work.
Chad & I spent our first Valentines together 3 years ago, having just gotten engaged a little over a week before hand, so engagement was certainly the focus! and then last year Chad spent Valentines with the prayer group at the church (I'm sure the older ladies appreciated it). So this year was our first, "just normal" Valentines. Chad came home early, and I didn't work today and we were going to get ready and go out for a night on the town. We swapped gifts (I got some lovely jewlery!) and I took a shower (I'd been cleaning the house up all day).
After my shower I was really super tired. I sat on the bed for a few minutes trying to gather myself together and Chad came in. "Did you want to take a nap?" he asked. I hated to admit it, but I did, and he did too. So we napped and snuggled the evening away, both of us deciding that the snow should encourage us to stay in and just enjoy being together and not having to run the roads another night. Around 7pm or so we made pancakes and then Chad read me another chapter of The Chronicles of Narnia (we read the first book last winter). An absolutly perfect, non rush-run the roads and be crazy-snuggly Valentines Day.
Moral-Preaching Moment of the Day from Heidi:
For those of you who don't have a man this wonderful in your life-WAIT FOR HIM! and then work at it (and remember to count your blessings--I need to remember more often how lucky I am). For those of you who do, work at it. One thing I am starting to get a handle on in a real way, and not just theory, is that good marriage, fun marriage, takes lots of work.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Lucky you! It's more about me! LOL!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE: ahhh it’s true, Heidi in the storybook. In’t that sweet?
2. ARE YOU AN ONLY CHILD? Nope, 2 younger sisters, who just happen to be identical twins.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? When I take my time I think it’s quite nice….but I don’t take my time much of the time.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Lunch meat I can’t do very much, gives me terrible headaches, something in the processing.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Not yet, God help them.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so, I’m pretty ok once you get to know me I think.
7. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yup
8. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? ABSOLUTLY!!! Oh please please! And over water in New Zeland!!!!
9.WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? I can’t allow myself to eat it because it really is immoral I think, but cocopuffs, and only because my mother didn’t let us!
10. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No I’m afraid I’m too lazy.
11. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? For sure, just tell me I can’t, and I’ll astound us both with my capabilities, mentally or physically.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Peanut Butter Fudge Crunch for sure! But honestly Gelato is far better in every flavor! Oh someone bring gelato to Fredericton!
13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I look for that spark in their eyes that tells me they enjoy life!
14. RED OR PINK? Pink, I can’t help it. Even though it goes against all my feminist ideals!
15. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Physically? My gut for sure.
16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? The family that adopted me when I first came back to church. They dumped me after I got married for some reason, and despite trying to figure out why I’ve been given no answers….
17. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Pj pants and fuzzy pink slipper-socks.
18. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? SUBWAY!
19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Nothing, it’s beautiful.
20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Orange
21. FAVOURITE SMELLS? White musk. Cotton candle smell. Fresh laundry. Homemade cookies.
22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Chad when he picked me up from girls night last night.
23. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? She’s a hoot, although her stories on ageing kind of scar the mind for life. :P
24. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Figure Skating
25. HAIR COLOUR? Brown
26. EYE COLOUR? Grey-blue/green
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? When I have the money to afford them!
28. FAVOURITE FOOD? Thai & cheesecake with coffee
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Neither, I like the ones that leave you hanging or miserable.
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Catch & Release last night.
31. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? What colour is that? Army green? It's ugly anyway
32. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs! Stay away from my lips!
33. FAVOURITE DESSERT? Cheesecake
34. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not a clue
35. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Dido
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Private Justice by Terri Blackstock
37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don’t have one
38. DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Last night I was out with the gals watching Catch & Release
39. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SOUND(s)? Coffee dripping, waves at the beach, babies laughter
40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles .
41. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Seattle, WA
42. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? LOL! I AM a special talent! J I don’t know, I like musical stuff, and words….I have deep compassion for people, is that a talent?
43. WHO'S ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? I like these little opportunities to get to know people better, so anybody.
2. ARE YOU AN ONLY CHILD? Nope, 2 younger sisters, who just happen to be identical twins.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? When I take my time I think it’s quite nice….but I don’t take my time much of the time.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Lunch meat I can’t do very much, gives me terrible headaches, something in the processing.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Not yet, God help them.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so, I’m pretty ok once you get to know me I think.
7. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yup
8. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? ABSOLUTLY!!! Oh please please! And over water in New Zeland!!!!
9.WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? I can’t allow myself to eat it because it really is immoral I think, but cocopuffs, and only because my mother didn’t let us!
10. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No I’m afraid I’m too lazy.
11. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? For sure, just tell me I can’t, and I’ll astound us both with my capabilities, mentally or physically.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Peanut Butter Fudge Crunch for sure! But honestly Gelato is far better in every flavor! Oh someone bring gelato to Fredericton!
13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I look for that spark in their eyes that tells me they enjoy life!
14. RED OR PINK? Pink, I can’t help it. Even though it goes against all my feminist ideals!
15. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Physically? My gut for sure.
16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? The family that adopted me when I first came back to church. They dumped me after I got married for some reason, and despite trying to figure out why I’ve been given no answers….
17. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Pj pants and fuzzy pink slipper-socks.
18. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? SUBWAY!
19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Nothing, it’s beautiful.
20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Orange
21. FAVOURITE SMELLS? White musk. Cotton candle smell. Fresh laundry. Homemade cookies.
22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Chad when he picked me up from girls night last night.
23. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? She’s a hoot, although her stories on ageing kind of scar the mind for life. :P
24. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Figure Skating
25. HAIR COLOUR? Brown
26. EYE COLOUR? Grey-blue/green
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? When I have the money to afford them!
28. FAVOURITE FOOD? Thai & cheesecake with coffee
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Neither, I like the ones that leave you hanging or miserable.
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Catch & Release last night.
31. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? What colour is that? Army green? It's ugly anyway
32. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs! Stay away from my lips!
33. FAVOURITE DESSERT? Cheesecake
34. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not a clue
35. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Dido
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Private Justice by Terri Blackstock
37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don’t have one
38. DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Last night I was out with the gals watching Catch & Release
39. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SOUND(s)? Coffee dripping, waves at the beach, babies laughter
40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles .
41. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Seattle, WA
42. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? LOL! I AM a special talent! J I don’t know, I like musical stuff, and words….I have deep compassion for people, is that a talent?
43. WHO'S ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? I like these little opportunities to get to know people better, so anybody.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
these are the days...
So it's been a couple of weeks, wow, what a couple of weeks it has been. It seems I have been especially busy, there was a run there, for 8 days or so that I was working every day and running all weekend, and all evenings. No wonder I was feeling tired! It always seems like there is nothing, or too much!
I have been helping co-write a song for a CD the choir is putting together in the spring. This has been a fun experience for me, working with someone else's thoughts, and tightening it up a bit. It is neat sitting down with other creative thinkers for a brainstorm! This has been far more positive than I thought it would be, to be honest. I look forward to hearing the final product.
I have offically started my job as Music teacher. It is fun, the kids are so cute (for the most part!) Honestly, the little kindergarten kids come running up to me after class to give me a hug, I hardly even remember those days. it is good for the ego to have someone thinking you're wonderful! Elementary school definitly has a different feel than middle school for sure, but I think I am going to really enjoy it. It's amazing how fast the days and the weeks fly!
I have the enjoyable task of decorating the room. The other teacher didn't seem so keen in this area so it's kind of blank slate for me, which is a bit intimdating. Any ideas on great music classroom decoration? My goal is for these kids to walk away from music class thinking music is just too awesome!
Friday Chad's Grammie was in a car accident. What a mess! She has a nasty gash to her head and some bruising but thankfully she is ok. It does make you stop and think again of how quickly things can change, and what really matters, those who really matter in our lives become clear again.
Saturday we went to Ashley & Murray's wedding. It's funny how weddings seem to make you a bit giddy about your own realtionship, or at least that is the case for Chad & I. Yet it also reminds us that a good marriage is a good load of work too! We had fun just hanging out with some SSC friends while we were there. We were in Centerville NB, which ironically is no where near the center of NB at all, but there was absolutly nothing to do between the ceremony & the reception during picture taking time, so we had fun at a little bakery with awesome baking and fabulous prices, just hanging with some friends. It seems we don't get to just "hang" with people much anymore. It's always for a reason, to accomplish something...I miss that.
I'm enjoying READING THE RED, with my church family. The church has decided to read the words of Jesus (often printed in red in many Bible translations) over the next months, and they have also set up a blog for us to blog our thoughts and reflections as we read. It's kind a cool. You can get in on the fun too at http://www.smythestreetcathedral.com
Well I'm off for a bit of a lesson planning/ creative classroom decorating brainstorm session. Wish me luck! and by all means if you have ideas send them along!
I have been helping co-write a song for a CD the choir is putting together in the spring. This has been a fun experience for me, working with someone else's thoughts, and tightening it up a bit. It is neat sitting down with other creative thinkers for a brainstorm! This has been far more positive than I thought it would be, to be honest. I look forward to hearing the final product.
I have offically started my job as Music teacher. It is fun, the kids are so cute (for the most part!) Honestly, the little kindergarten kids come running up to me after class to give me a hug, I hardly even remember those days. it is good for the ego to have someone thinking you're wonderful! Elementary school definitly has a different feel than middle school for sure, but I think I am going to really enjoy it. It's amazing how fast the days and the weeks fly!
I have the enjoyable task of decorating the room. The other teacher didn't seem so keen in this area so it's kind of blank slate for me, which is a bit intimdating. Any ideas on great music classroom decoration? My goal is for these kids to walk away from music class thinking music is just too awesome!
Friday Chad's Grammie was in a car accident. What a mess! She has a nasty gash to her head and some bruising but thankfully she is ok. It does make you stop and think again of how quickly things can change, and what really matters, those who really matter in our lives become clear again.
Saturday we went to Ashley & Murray's wedding. It's funny how weddings seem to make you a bit giddy about your own realtionship, or at least that is the case for Chad & I. Yet it also reminds us that a good marriage is a good load of work too! We had fun just hanging out with some SSC friends while we were there. We were in Centerville NB, which ironically is no where near the center of NB at all, but there was absolutly nothing to do between the ceremony & the reception during picture taking time, so we had fun at a little bakery with awesome baking and fabulous prices, just hanging with some friends. It seems we don't get to just "hang" with people much anymore. It's always for a reason, to accomplish something...I miss that.
I'm enjoying READING THE RED, with my church family. The church has decided to read the words of Jesus (often printed in red in many Bible translations) over the next months, and they have also set up a blog for us to blog our thoughts and reflections as we read. It's kind a cool. You can get in on the fun too at http://www.smythestreetcathedral.com
Well I'm off for a bit of a lesson planning/ creative classroom decorating brainstorm session. Wish me luck! and by all means if you have ideas send them along!
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