such a sap...

I recently went to a wedding with my family. Now, the people who were getting married were not really friends of ours, but more "work related" friends of my husband. They had a HUGE, extravagent wedding, so four more people coming was not really a problem for them. The entire affair cost around $70,000...if you can believe that!!!!
Anyway, whenever I go to a wedding since I got married, I always get choked up. Most of my friends have already walked down the aisle, so I have not been to one for about 8 years. Considering that I really had little emotional attachment to these people, I figured I would be safe in the tear department when the bride appeared. WRONG! As soon as I saw her, saw the groom, listened to the vows...I was a mess. It was an outdoor wedding, so I could hide behind my sunglasses fortunately.
I really am not sappy. My husband laughs that I am hard as nails. I only cry at "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas and weddings. Oh yeah, I am also moved by our national anthem. When we go to a hockey game at GM Place, and there are 18000 people singing the anthem, I get a lump in my throat. I think I feel that way now after spending so many years out of the country and missed Cananda.
What do you guys get emotional about?

tagged...hurray...

Tagged by Clowngirl requesting list of places I eat at...
Well, considering that we have two small children, 6 and 3, we do not get out much. But here is a list that I love to go to when I get a chance...
1. Stella's - on Commercial Dr in Van. Amazing mussels and a vast selection of beers.
2. La Bodega - By the Grandville Street Bridge in Van. Great tapas and sangria. Authentic Spanish food as alot of the clientele are from Spain.
3. The Boot and Sombrero - Ladner. Local pub that does fantastic fajitas. We know the owners, so that always helps too with regard to lock-ins.
4. Any British pub - anywhere in the UK. We can try to duplicate them here in Canada, but it just does not cut the mustard. There is just something quintessential about ordering scampi and chips and a pint of lager and lime, and then eating it in the beer garden. I love it. And now that I have a family, I appreciate it even more as children are allowed. No stupid liquor liciencing laws like here.
5. The Point Hotel - Edinburgh. If you are ever there...try it!!! Best place in town!!!

HELP!!!!!!!

We are going to a wedding on July 1st, and I, honestly, have nothing to wear. Remembering that my full time job for the past 6 years has been being a mother, I have no formal clothes!! This is my opportunity to wear something nice and not worry about getting grass stains or apple juice on it. Well, if I drink too much, I may get a red wine stain, but I can sacrifice that. I went out on my own last night to go shopping and all I could find that I felt comfortable in was a black cotton A line skirt. I bought it, but I have nothing wear with it!!!! I am definately a fall / winter person. I could easily pull something together to an October wedding. I wonder if that is why I actually got married in October????
Anyway, all the styles are wild patterns, cross over, low V neck things that I would look horrilbe in!!!! AHHHHHH the stress. Silly, isn't it?
Any suggestions?

kitchens

All that seems to be on my mind is my kitchen. We are ripping it all out and starting over again. We are not beginning the work until September, but I figure that between now and then I have about 200 decisions to make. This room will be our final big reno in the house, then it will be virtually complete. I cannot wait to do it, to put our own mark on it and create something that we both love. But hey, you can get sucked into the whole reno pretty quickly at some of the shops. We went to a great shop here, and some of the ranges were about $15000!!! Do I really need 6 burners, a double oven and a warming rack??? I ended up purchasing a fridge and range in the ex-display model sections and saved close to $1000.00. I figure I would rather pay less for an item that has a little scratch, rather than paying full price and having my sons (or me!!) scratch it in three months time....Some people would never be seen in that section, but to me it was heaven!!! Anyone have any words of wisdom for my new creation???? Please.....

new book

In the vancouver sun the other day, they reviewed a book written by two british brothers called "The Dangerous Book for Boys". It deals with the condition of the "new" boyhood. In the old days, boys (and girls) played outside in the dirt until the street lights came on. Childhood freedoms are long lost to housing density, absentee working parents, latch key kids and parlaysing parental paranoia. There are too many strangers next door, too many allergies and too little time (to paraphrase the Sun). This book claims boys have lost the art of boyhood, and damn it, he is going to re-introduce it. This is a guide to: making a tree fort, writting with invisible ink, making a real bow and arrow. A list of books for boys to read from Winnie the Pooh to James Bond. I thought it sounded fantastic. As for girls, the author advises avoiding being vulgar around them, as girls think differently to boys, but without them, life would be a bloody long haul....ain't that the truth!!!!
I know all this is sexist and old fashioned, but I found the concept of it to be refreshing...and should apply to the females as well!!!

I am ready for summer...

Yes, I am ready for school to finish! The kids in my son's class definately are! It seems that everyday, there is a little crisis at school. Today, three little girls in his class came up behind me and started calling me names as I was telling them not to vandalize the bikes. Boy, did they pick the wrong parent to mess with this morning....What disrespect! I would never do that as a child. These girls get dropped off by the bus and have NO supervision until the bell rings. They are 6 years old and NO ONE is looking out for them. They were so much trouble this morning, I was informed that the school will be calling their parents. I have a sinking feeling that the parents are not going to be too bothered. They have been trouble for the whole year, and feel bad about that. There never seems to be anyone around to help them go in the right direction. No wonder my boy is scared of them....
There is my rant....we both need a break from the routine until September.

Everyone loves a parade...

Well, not everyone, and especially not me. I never really liked them as a child, and have paid little attention to them since...until now. My oldest son is in our local May Days parade tomorrow. He is so excited! He is on his lacrosse team float, and now I am a parade convert! I have helped to decorate it, we plotted our spot to watch my boy go by and throw some candy to his younger brother...I look at myself and I cannot believe I am at this place right now. My boys are growing up and it is such a pleasure to witness.
So I will be there tomorrow, rain or shine, BEAMING with my boy....any maybe he will throw me a lollipop!!!