What a wild and crazy month we've been having so far! With me back at work we are slowly progressing to a new "normal" around here. I'm starting to get used to my job but would still love something that is more "me". Food service is not where it's at! LOL
The kids are adjusting well to school. Ethan's teacher Mrs Kuttenkueler or "Mrs K." for those who have issues pronunciation- is a FANTASTIC teacher. She is working well with him. She even spent her Saturday watching the shows that Ethan talks about so that when he starts going into his little worlds she can better reach him. Amazing attention to detail! He has even made a friend named Trent which is a HUGE deal in Ethan land. It's hard to play in his world because it's so hard to understand. I'm his mother and I don't get it half the time! We're hoping come soon there will be play dates with Trent and that this is only the beginning of a great friendship to span the years at Mt Albion.
Jenna has been doing well. Her teacher Ms. Harwood is pregnant and leaving soon (this is teacher #8 in her school history). And due to a huge influx of new students Jenna is now being switched to a new grade 2 class with a whole new teacher. I am hoping the work will stimulate her more. Right now she's bored and never gets any homework. I think she would actually like some homework. I really sense a desire in her to learn.
Shawn is still successful at his job. He keeps making his company lots of money which keeps them very happy. LOL He is doing a wonderful job as the gospel doctrine teacher. I am amazed at his capacity to teach and speak in a public forum like that. I have absolutely no desire to do so myself. I think I would faint before I got up there! I am very proud of him and the hard work that he does. So grateful to be his wife.
My dear friend Marni turned 40 this month and we celebrated her birthday with a huge dance at a local hall. Lots of people turned up. Friends DJ'ed and we partied like it was 1999! LOL The theme was hawaiian and it was great to see those who did dress for the occassion. She's an awesome person and deserved to have an awesome night. I hope she liked it!
Still no more progress made on the house....we're terrible! We were all into it for a while and now we just can't do it anymore. I'm still hoping we will find our way back to it soon. Lots to do! Keeping my fingers crossed. Anyway, thanks to all those who still read. Sorry my entries have been sporatic at best. Wishing you all a wonderful fall!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
My "little" job
So once the kids are back in school again for the year I get a little job to keep me busy while the kids are in school. This year I started working at Quiznos a few blocks from my house.
So far it has been a rough go. I am absolutely exhausted and I don't think I am doing as well as I should be. Maybe I am being hard on myself but there are moments every day where I feel like the STUPIDEST person on the planet. I thought a place like Quiznos would be easy but I was so wrong. There are like 30 different recipes you have to know by heart, then there is the "easy" register which I always manage to mess up, and all the food prep that keeps you busy throughout the day.
I'm working Mon to Fri from 9-2:30. So while it's only a 5 1/2 hour shift I am pooped at the end for being on my feet the whole time and I never have a break. We're just too busy.
Now that being said I really like the people I work with. I could not have a more accommodating boss. I have 2 days off next week because the kids have a PA day and Ethan has an eye appointment. I have learned a lot and feel like I have made strides...Just wish it came to me easier.
And then there are the aches and pains of us 30 somethings. When you're 21 nothing hurts and once you hit 30 it all hurts. My wrist is in a permanent state of pain and my back has knots up and down it. I am going to have to invest in better shoes. And maybe find a way to get gloves over a wrist brace. LOL That should be fun!
I got my first paycheque today though and that was a nice treat. I'm going to get a few things for myself...all that work deserves a little treat. I am thinking a nice purse would be awesome.
So I'm gonna tough it out a little while longer. If anyone knows of a job that pays decent and requires much less pain...let me know and my views might change! LOL
Anyway, this new job has me exhausted! Hope this message finds you all doing well!
So far it has been a rough go. I am absolutely exhausted and I don't think I am doing as well as I should be. Maybe I am being hard on myself but there are moments every day where I feel like the STUPIDEST person on the planet. I thought a place like Quiznos would be easy but I was so wrong. There are like 30 different recipes you have to know by heart, then there is the "easy" register which I always manage to mess up, and all the food prep that keeps you busy throughout the day.
I'm working Mon to Fri from 9-2:30. So while it's only a 5 1/2 hour shift I am pooped at the end for being on my feet the whole time and I never have a break. We're just too busy.
Now that being said I really like the people I work with. I could not have a more accommodating boss. I have 2 days off next week because the kids have a PA day and Ethan has an eye appointment. I have learned a lot and feel like I have made strides...Just wish it came to me easier.
And then there are the aches and pains of us 30 somethings. When you're 21 nothing hurts and once you hit 30 it all hurts. My wrist is in a permanent state of pain and my back has knots up and down it. I am going to have to invest in better shoes. And maybe find a way to get gloves over a wrist brace. LOL That should be fun!
I got my first paycheque today though and that was a nice treat. I'm going to get a few things for myself...all that work deserves a little treat. I am thinking a nice purse would be awesome.
So I'm gonna tough it out a little while longer. If anyone knows of a job that pays decent and requires much less pain...let me know and my views might change! LOL
Anyway, this new job has me exhausted! Hope this message finds you all doing well!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Boy am I ever behind!
Alright, I admit it....I suck at keeping this thing up. I shall try to do better in the future. In the meantime, lets put the berating aside and I will catch you up on a few things happening the LaFrance abode.
So we have finished the little bathroom upstairs as much as we can for now. The shower rip out/replacement will have to be a spring job as I don't have it in me financially or energy-wise. But I have fixed the vanity, painted it a beautiful chocolate brown, installed a new countertop, sink and faucet (YES ME!! lol) new fixtures, lighting and painted it. To cover the HIDEOUS shower we painted the outer tile white (we aren't using it so it shouldn't scratch) and hung a shower curtain to hide the awful 80's glass door. So now it looks like a beautiful spa getaway. The mood is so much calmer than the old yellow and blue theme. I love those colours but the tones were harsh and made you feel anxious. Just glad it is done for now and hopefully it won't be too long until we have a new shower in there.
In other house news we tore down the one shed and now have much more lawn. Turns out there was a HUGE dirtpile hiding behind the shed so we have turned that into a new garden that will have some pretty annuals but will mostly be a fruit and veg garden. My dinnerplate hibiscus is out in bloom and I am so excited! I wish I had pictures to download. Soon I promise! While the vast amounts of rain were crappy for our social lives, our basement (ugh...don't even get me started) and our pool time; it did wonders for our plants. Next year we plan on builing nice retaining walls around the beds and raising the dirt level to ammend the soil so that they can do that much better next year. I never thought I would be that into plants....go figure!
The master bedroom remains undone. I think Shawn and I are just exhausted....maybe at some point this month we will tackle that one. Maybe by then I will have some photos! LOL
My sister Sarah came up to visit for a few days. It was great to see her again. We hung out by the pool, went shopping, got my haircut and went to the Winona Peach Festival. It was an all round good visit. I often wish she lived closer so we could do things like that more often. It's hard not having family close sometimes.
We took the kids to St Jacobs the weekend before school started. The Lego store there is one of their most favourite places in the whole world. Got some yummy veggies at the market and toured the stores in the village. Then we took a quick juant to Waterloo where there is a great park with a zoo of sorts and a splash pad. It was a fun visit made all the more fun by our travelling companions the Thompsons. Their kids went to our kids old school and over the last few years we have been fortunate to become friends with them. We love our visits and the kids really love seeing the people they miss.
We have been given Church callings now too! Shawn is now the gospel doctrine teacher and I am activity day leader for the girls (formally known as achievment girls leader) I just got called this last Sunday so I have yet to do anything as far as my calling is concerned, but I am so proud of Shawn and how well he is doing in the calling. Think I would get in trouble for flirting with the teacher??
The kids started their new school on Tuesday. So far things are going well. Jenna has adjusted well (as if there was any doubt) and Ethan has had a few bumps but it hasn't been a bad transition. The teachers are very involved and are easy to work with. It's always nice to know that you have someone with a vested interest in having your kids succeed and be happy working with you. The LRT has been FABULOUS. She spends time with him every day so far. I hope that she continues to have a close working relationship with him. I am not sure how much of that he got before.
As for me, I started a new job this week at Quiznos. Now I know this isn't anyones idea of a dream job but it's something to keep me busy while the kids are in school. I work from 9-2:30 Mon-Fri so it is perfect as far as letting me be the mom I want to be. We will see how things like holidays and PA days go, but for now it suits me. I feel a little overwhelmed still. There are over 20 sandwiches I have to learn how to build, and learning the routine has been interesting. I never get to sit down which is bad in one way and good in another. I hate being bored on the job. We had a lot of that post Christmas rush at the portrait studio. But man I am exhausted!!!! It's go go go all day long. I am having the hardest time remembering things and getting the hang of it. I am sure it will come. The boss said during my interview it takes about 3 weeks to a month and I am only on day 2. So hopefully it won't be too long before it all kicks into high gear and I become a sandwich making phenoem! Wish me luck!!
In other news....my bro in law and his lovely wife, and our friends Rob and Victoria are buying a house (not together obviously! LOL)!!!!!!! I am so thrilled for all of them! I know how happy we are to finally have a home of our own, it's nice to see others have the same kind of happiness.
Anyway, after a long day or work and kids that's about all I have in me for now. Sorry I haven't been doing my blogging duty. I will try to make it up to you soon! Thanks for reading!
So we have finished the little bathroom upstairs as much as we can for now. The shower rip out/replacement will have to be a spring job as I don't have it in me financially or energy-wise. But I have fixed the vanity, painted it a beautiful chocolate brown, installed a new countertop, sink and faucet (YES ME!! lol) new fixtures, lighting and painted it. To cover the HIDEOUS shower we painted the outer tile white (we aren't using it so it shouldn't scratch) and hung a shower curtain to hide the awful 80's glass door. So now it looks like a beautiful spa getaway. The mood is so much calmer than the old yellow and blue theme. I love those colours but the tones were harsh and made you feel anxious. Just glad it is done for now and hopefully it won't be too long until we have a new shower in there.
In other house news we tore down the one shed and now have much more lawn. Turns out there was a HUGE dirtpile hiding behind the shed so we have turned that into a new garden that will have some pretty annuals but will mostly be a fruit and veg garden. My dinnerplate hibiscus is out in bloom and I am so excited! I wish I had pictures to download. Soon I promise! While the vast amounts of rain were crappy for our social lives, our basement (ugh...don't even get me started) and our pool time; it did wonders for our plants. Next year we plan on builing nice retaining walls around the beds and raising the dirt level to ammend the soil so that they can do that much better next year. I never thought I would be that into plants....go figure!
The master bedroom remains undone. I think Shawn and I are just exhausted....maybe at some point this month we will tackle that one. Maybe by then I will have some photos! LOL
My sister Sarah came up to visit for a few days. It was great to see her again. We hung out by the pool, went shopping, got my haircut and went to the Winona Peach Festival. It was an all round good visit. I often wish she lived closer so we could do things like that more often. It's hard not having family close sometimes.
We took the kids to St Jacobs the weekend before school started. The Lego store there is one of their most favourite places in the whole world. Got some yummy veggies at the market and toured the stores in the village. Then we took a quick juant to Waterloo where there is a great park with a zoo of sorts and a splash pad. It was a fun visit made all the more fun by our travelling companions the Thompsons. Their kids went to our kids old school and over the last few years we have been fortunate to become friends with them. We love our visits and the kids really love seeing the people they miss.
We have been given Church callings now too! Shawn is now the gospel doctrine teacher and I am activity day leader for the girls (formally known as achievment girls leader) I just got called this last Sunday so I have yet to do anything as far as my calling is concerned, but I am so proud of Shawn and how well he is doing in the calling. Think I would get in trouble for flirting with the teacher??
The kids started their new school on Tuesday. So far things are going well. Jenna has adjusted well (as if there was any doubt) and Ethan has had a few bumps but it hasn't been a bad transition. The teachers are very involved and are easy to work with. It's always nice to know that you have someone with a vested interest in having your kids succeed and be happy working with you. The LRT has been FABULOUS. She spends time with him every day so far. I hope that she continues to have a close working relationship with him. I am not sure how much of that he got before.
As for me, I started a new job this week at Quiznos. Now I know this isn't anyones idea of a dream job but it's something to keep me busy while the kids are in school. I work from 9-2:30 Mon-Fri so it is perfect as far as letting me be the mom I want to be. We will see how things like holidays and PA days go, but for now it suits me. I feel a little overwhelmed still. There are over 20 sandwiches I have to learn how to build, and learning the routine has been interesting. I never get to sit down which is bad in one way and good in another. I hate being bored on the job. We had a lot of that post Christmas rush at the portrait studio. But man I am exhausted!!!! It's go go go all day long. I am having the hardest time remembering things and getting the hang of it. I am sure it will come. The boss said during my interview it takes about 3 weeks to a month and I am only on day 2. So hopefully it won't be too long before it all kicks into high gear and I become a sandwich making phenoem! Wish me luck!!
In other news....my bro in law and his lovely wife, and our friends Rob and Victoria are buying a house (not together obviously! LOL)!!!!!!! I am so thrilled for all of them! I know how happy we are to finally have a home of our own, it's nice to see others have the same kind of happiness.
Anyway, after a long day or work and kids that's about all I have in me for now. Sorry I haven't been doing my blogging duty. I will try to make it up to you soon! Thanks for reading!
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