I heart Don Cherry

OK...

I have a secret that I have to share...

I love Don Cherry. And...get this...if given the chance, I think I might even have sex with him. Yes...me...the asexual one. I would have sex with an old man like Don Cherry.

I also love Mike Rowe, Huey Lewis, Kevin James, Kevin Spacey, Jack Nicholson and Howard Stern. Yeah...I'm weird that way.

Go ahead. Flame me...I can take it.

Who's YOUR secret crush? Come on...I won't tell anyone.

I heart Barney

I know most of you seasoned mommies hate him and wish awful death on him, but I LOVE BARNEY! He is the only "person" on earth that Julian wants to watch every.single.night. Thank GOD for Rogers on Demand. Although, I must admit, Episode 42, the only episode available on demand is wearing a little thin. But, I love him.

Maybe it's because he reminds me of when Frankie and Nicholas were little. They loved him too.

I must admit though, I cannot STAND BJ or Baby Bop...they make me sick.

That's all for today.

American Idol and a quick update

LOVIN' IT PEEPS!

It's the one show that I look forward to watching. I love the beginning of the season 'cuz it's on three times a week and the people are hilarious. I kinda lose interest mid-season and then jump back on the band wagon for the final ten. I'm really hoping to watch all the way through this year.

Joe, Julian and I went to several furniture stores tonight to shop for bunk beds while Frankie and Nicholas played shinny with their school friends. We found a great set at Sears Whole Home...to the tune of $1,349.00. It was gorgeous and solid wood, but way out of our league on price. Next, we headed to the Brick, where they had two bunk beds, both of which were crappy quality and overpriced. Julian LOVED riding in the car cart though, so it wasn't a wasted trip. Our last stop was IKEA. I HEART IKEA. Jules ran around like a chicken with its head cut off while we looked at the ten or so bunk bed models. I think we found the one we will end up getting, but of course, it's not on their website so I can't show it to you. It's cheap, looks nicer than the metal framed ones and will serve its purpose for the time that we need it.

We'll probably end up getting it this weekend. Frankie's bed is Joe's from when he was Frankie's age. It has no headboard and the mattress is awful. We really need to get Frankie into Nicholas' queen sized bed, which is only about 6 years old and move Nicholas and eventually Julian, into the bunks.

We also need to price out mattresses, but it shouldn't be a big deal. We have a "guy" who we deal with for mattresses. ;o)

Anyhoo...the kids have a PA day tomorrow (I think this is the 124th one of the year so far...don't EVEN get me started...) so, in order to stay sane, I may head down to my Mississauga office for some peace and quiet. That means waking up early in the morning, so I am off to bed.

Night all!

On the band wagon

Nicholas and I have jumped on the "Twilight" band wagon.

I was at Costco the other day and the book was sitting there, so I decided to grab it...I haven't been able to put it down since. Nicholas and I fight in the evening as to who gets to read it first. I let him win most of the time, but he has to swear not to tell me what he read.

It's a brilliant book....bordering on as good as the "Harry Potter" series. I love it.

I'd really like to see the movie, but not until I have finished the book...maybe this weekend ;o)

YAY ME!

Look at this email, sent by my manager's manager today (I have changed the other peeps' names to stars for obvious reasons):

It's time to celebrate success - and there is a new set of individuals to be recongnized for outstanding customer satisfaction and achievement thoroughout the Q4 period and for that of 2008 as a whole.

Please join the management team in congratulating all the individuals below for their outstanding efforts. As well, we'd also like to acknowledge the entire team for their ongoing commitment, dedication, support of the management team, their colleagues, and ultimately the number one stakeholder we are accountable to every day - our CUSTOMERS.

Awards will be paid out on the final pay of Jan 2009.

Keep up the great work in 2009 everyone !!

Quarterly Survey Award Recipients (Q4)

Dawn :

Dawn receives 1st Place for Customer Satisfaction Survey Award (Q4 2008) with a score of 98.89 % out of 100 (new survey method)
$250.00

We also have a tie 3 ways for 2nd place, so this quarter will not have a 3rd place winner.

*
** receives tie for 2nd Place for Customer Satisfaction Survey Award (Q4 2008) with a score of 97.78 % out of 100 (new survey method)
$250.00

*
** receives tie for 2nd Place for Customer Satisfaction Survey Award (Q4 2008) with a score of 97.78 % out of 100 (new survey method)
$250.00

*
** receives tie for 2nd Place for Customer Satisfaction Survey Award (Q4 2008) with a score of 97.78 % out of 100 (new survey method)
$250.00


Annual Survey Award Recipients (2008) - Top customer satisfaction award averages for all surveys received during 2008

Dawn
Dawn receives 1st Place for Customer Satisfaction Survey Award (Annual 2008) with an overall average score of 95.69 % out of 100 (new & old survey methods)
$500.00

*
** receives 2nd Place for Customer Satisfaction Survey Award (Annual 2008) with a score of 94.67 % out of 100 (new & old survey methods)
$500.00

*
** receives 3rd Place for Customer Satisfaction Survey Award (Annual 2008) with a score of 86.39 % out of 100 (new & old survey method)
$500.00

Just last quarter, I won first place for customer satisfaction with a score of 37/40.

Wow. I am so proud of myself! And what better day to have such great news than a sad day like today?

Three years

Some days, it seems like yesterday, others, it seems like an eternity. My sister, my friend. (01-10-72 to 01-28-06)

I miss you. I love you. Rest in Peace.







Joanne's Mission Statement, found in her Daytimer, written in 2001, when she was 28 years old:

I will live each day remembering that relationships take priority over riches. I will express love and affection to the most important people in my life -- God, Mark and my children, putting their needs ahead of my own. I will strive to keep commitments, not only to myself but to others. I will walk and set a positive Christian example, influencing others to find the peace, comfort and security I have through accepting Jesus Christ. I desire to live in God's will for my life through daily devotion and taking the time to listen. My values of self-confidence, truth, good health and respect for others will serve as a constant reminder for the way in which I will conduct myself and live each day.

MORE snow.

OK. This is getting a little ridiculous. The news/weather forecasters are calling for a shitload of snow tomorrow. Crap. Of course, tomorrow, I have to go to Pickering to see a client. Crap.

Look:



We need more snow like Kate Moss needs to diet. We need more snow like Bill Gates needs a raise. Crap, we need more snow like Julian needs a baby brother.

ENOUGH!

I need sun. I need heat. I need a beach. I swear, I will never, ever complain about our hot summers again. Ever. Well, except in July when it's too hot to breathe. OK, not even then.

PLEASE MOTHER NATURE...

NO

MORE

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Twelve years.

Today, I am celebrating twelve years with my company. TWELVE YEARS. That's a LONG time peeps.

I started at this company when Frankie was just seven months old. I had been working as a legal assistant since I graduated high school and was making pretty good money. After Frankie was born and I spent some time with him on maternity leave, as with most mothers, my priorites completely changed. It was no longer about money and a career...it was ALL about Frankie and being a Mommy. I was devastated to have to go back to work, but lucky that MIL and FIL were his caregivers.

I decided to take a much lesser paying job to work at the payroll services section of a large bank. I started on January 27th, 1996. I was in the PhonePay department, taking calls from customers and running their payrolls...for $10.00 less per hour than my legal assistant position was paying, but MUCH less stress and much less hours. I worked four days a week, 8:30 to 4:30 and I LOVED every second of it. I worked with fantastic people and loved my new job.

In 1998, the payroll services section that I worked for was bought out by a large company that also purchased two other banks' payroll services. I was promoted to a larger department, working with larger and more complex clients on a very complex product. I loved that too. I had a large client base and was extremely proud of my accomplishments. I stayed in that department until my maternity leave started with Nicholas in June, 1999.

In 2000, I returned and a short while after, I was promoted to the Customer Training Department. I REALLY loved this position...teaching clients how to use our software. I met new people every day and loved being the teacher at the front of the classroom!

In 2001, Joe's Dad died and I took a leave of absence for a year to move homes so that MIL could live with us, and to help her out until she was able to fully function again. I returned to work in 2002, after I applied for a position as an Inside Sales Rep. I enjoyed that alot, but wanted more. I worked very hard and was eventually promoted to Team Leader in 2003. I led a team of 14 people who I adored and loved motivating them to be the best that they could be.

In 2006, I applied for the position that I currently hold...a Conversion Specialist. I convert clients from one payroll program to another. I work from home, and by far, think this is the best position I have held. My manager is great, my teammates are fantastic and 99% of my clients are awesome. Every day has a new challenge and I love having the independence that this job allows.

And so, twelve years have passed since that fateful day in January, 1996 when I turned my life upside down to start a new career. I have never worked for a more family-oriented, positive, fair, loyal, generous company before. This company is where I want to be for the rest of my working life. I love it here.

Thanks for twelve great years! Here's to many, many more!

Weekend? What weekend?

OMG...

It's Sunday night at 9:05 pm. Did we even HAVE a weekend? Sigh. Between hockey, chores and birthday parties, my weekend plain disappeared!

Saturday went like this:

Nick, hockey at 8:15...I took him because Joe needs his beauty sleep...whatever.

11:00: shower and rush out to grocery store to buy lasagne ingredients.

12:32: Make lasagne from scratch...yes, I DO rock as a human being.

1:30: Clean boys' bathroom... NASTY.

1:45: load #32 of laundry.

2:00: sort and put laundry away.

2:45: leave for Jordanna's birthday party.

3:03: Arrive at Jordanna's birthday party.

4:45: Leave Jordanna's party for home.

5:15: Arrive home. Start dinner (rainbow trout and sweet potatoes with broccoli on the side)

6:30: Eat.

7:23: Load #456 of laundry.

8:00: Bathe Jules.

8:30: Lie down in bed with Julian.

8:32: Out cold.

Sunday morning:

5:30: Julian wakes me up for milk. Don't go back to sleep.

9:00: Leave for Nicholas' hockey game.

10:45: Nick loses 2-0...great game though.

11:30: Arrive home, drop off MIL and pick up lasagne.

12:15: Arrive at Mom's and put lasagne in oven to warm.

2:00: Eat lunch (Mark is late, as per usual...love you Mark)

3:48: Leave for home.

4:42: Go grocery shopping.

5:25: Get home and realize I forgot chips and dip for Nicholas. Damn.

6:15: Back to grocery store for chips and dip (and rapini that is on sale for 99 cents)

6:30: Home in time for Joe and Frankie and MIL to leave for Frankie's hockey game.

7:02: Playing with Jules and his cars.

7:42: Playing with Nick on Wii Mario Kart.

8:00: Bathe Nick and Jules.

8:29: Give chips and dip to Jules and Nick.

9:02: Put on PJs.

9:05: Started this post.

9:14: Completed this post and dropped dead.

I need another weekend.

Brotherly Love

Feeling a little SICK.

UGH.

We had Swiss Chalet for dinner tonight and now, I am regretting every bite.

It was SO yummy as I ate it, but like every other time I have Swiss Chalet, I now have stomach ache and I am SO thirsty...damn they use alot of salt.

But seriously, Swiss Chalet ROCKS. I don't think my Yankee friends are lucky enough to have Swiss Chalet, so here is a link to it >>> Swisschalet? OK!

Anyway, I am suffering for my indulgence in a quarter chicken white with fries. Maalox is my new BFF. Hmmm...maybe the fact that one of the first people I looked at this morning was Gay Gaykin. I must admit that my tummy hasn't been right since that sight. Ugh. Ew.

On another note, I am mad at my iPod. I was lying in bed just now, chilling out, listening to my tunes when, right in the middle of "Comfortably Numb", she died. Caput. No warning, no light flashing to advise me that she was in need of a charge, she just plain quit. Damn. I had listened to Neil Diamond's "Song Sung Blue" and "Play Me" and was quite enjoying my little dose of Pink Floyd and was rudely interrupted. Sigh. Note to self: Recharge iPod battery once in a while.

We have a busy weekend ahead. I am making a HUGE homemade lasagne tomorrow in preparation for Rebekah's 10th birthday celebration at my Mom's on Sunday. There will be ten of us, so it will be one BIGASS lasagne. Mom ordered an ice cream cake with a horse on it, so Rebekah will be thrilled. Hockey will fill the time in between household chores and before I know it, it will be Monday. Monday of an extremely busy week for me at work. But, today is Friday...off to my bed I go, iPodless, but very tired and ready for sleep. Night all!

Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, EEEEEEWWW!

How ANYONE could find this guy attractive is beyond me. Ew. I think I vomitted in my mouth a little.

EWWWW!

Take from this what you will.

Last night, I had a dream.

Joanne has been on my mind ALOT lately, as I have previously mentioned, and I guess my subconscious knows that.

In my dream, I was talking to her. Here is the conversation, verbatum:

Me: "Did you feel the impact when you died?"

Joanne: "Well, yes and no. I felt the impact, but it was very quick and before I knew it, I felt my soul leave my body."

Me: "Was there any pain?"

Joanne: "No...none at all. I felt complete peace."

And I woke up.

You have NO idea how comforting this dream is for me. You have NO idea how comforting it will be for my Mom when I tell her tonight.

Spiritual visit? Just a dream? Who cares...I have peace now. Peace after nearly three years of anguish about whether she felt pain.

Thank God for answered prayers.

Sickie.

Frankie stayed home from school today because he has a cold. He's been staying up late, playing shinny hockey outdoors in minus 22 degree weather, he's had ALOT of homework lately and I guess it all just caught up with him. It's just your average run-of-the-mill cold, but I hope it stays that way.

Julian has a runny nose and is sneezing alot, so I guess he's next. Sigh.

We had a good run since Jules' febrile seizure before Christmas, so I guess I shouldn't complain, but MAN OH MAN I hate it when the kids are sick.

Moving to a more positive subject, Nicholas came home with a 3+ on his math test and has worked REALLY hard on his project on Nova Scotia. The project is a brochure about the Province, including attractions, sports, natural resources and a famous person. He really has done a nice job and I am looking forward to seeing what the teacher thinks.

I am SO ready for spring. This snow has REALLY gotten me down and the colder than cold weather has made it even worse. Julian goes days and days without stepping outside because it's just too damned cold. He can't even enjoy the snow because it's too bitter cold. I feel so bad for him. He just watches tv all day long. MIL sometimes sits with him while he plays, but the tv is on all the time. I appreciate her watching him for us, but I really want him to be stimulated. I am thinking about putting him in a 2-3 morning a week program through the City in the spring. He needs interaction with other kids and that was proven today when he played all day with Frankie. He needs more than a tv set to occupy him. I'll keep you posted on that.

Joanne...

I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness. ~Emily Dickinson

What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it? ~Jenny DeVries

How do people make it through life without a sister? ~Sara Corpening

Sweet is the voice of a sister in the season of sorrow. ~Benjamin Disraeli

Between sisters, often, the child's cry never dies down. "Never leave me," it says; "do not abandon me." ~Louise Bernikow

Sigh.

I miss her. Deeply. More deeply now than three years ago when she died.

As I get older, I realize just how important the relationship that I had with Joanne really was. I hear my friends making plans with their sisters, I see older ladies who are clearly sisters, walking arm in arm in the mall. I will never have that closeness again.

My friends are wonderful, but my sister was my sister. We fought like cat and dog most of our lives, but the knowledge that she was there is so much more powerful now that she is gone. Even now, as the third anniversary of her death approaches, I catch myself thinking, “I have to tell Joanne about this” and before the thought is even complete, I realize that I can’t tell her. Oh sure, I comfort myself by saying that she sees and hears everything now that she is in Heaven, but some days, that’s not good enough. Some days, dammit, I just want her back. I want to share my achievements and goals. I want to vent on her. I want her to give me advice. I want her to make me laugh again.

The hole is deep, just like the hole that my Dad left. Some days, it just seems to get deeper with time instead of slowly closing a little. I remember feeling this way about Dad…I think it may have even been his third anniversary that hit me so hard. I remember missing him so much that my chest ached. I feel that way about Joanne today. I miss her in the depths of my soul today. The physical ache is truly painful. I can’t even describe it.

I feel her around me some days and that comforts me, but boy I wish I could hug her one more time. I wish I could thank her for the impact she made on me and my family. I wish we could grow old together and knit sweaters for our grandchildren. I wish I could tell her I love her.

If you are blessed with a sister, call her today. Tell her you love her. Tomorrow may never come and you will wish you could tell her just one more time.

He shoots, he scores, they WIN!!!

Frankie's team played a phenomenal game tonight. They beat the #1 team in the league 5-3. Yes folks, you read that right...they WON A GAME!

Frankie scored the second goal, and what a gorgeous goal it was! The game was action packed and SO exciting to watch. The thrill on the kids' faces in the dressing room after the game was just priceless. I LOVE it.

This team has come so, so far. Joe has worked extremely hard with them and it really is paying off. They play SO well together now, almost reading what their teamates are going to do before they do it. Fan-freaking-tastic.

Playoffs, here we come! GO YELLOW!!

On another note, Nicholas only played for the last 10 minutes of his game...he forgot his helmet at home and Joe had to go back to get it just before the game started. He was devastated and SO embarrassed. Joe wanted to punish him further for being irresponsible, but I think he had a little pity on him when he saw how upset he was. His team lost miserably today. They played really well, but the other team's goalie was a ROCK!

I love being a hockey mom.

I have most certainly been rocked.

What a GREAT show We Will Rock You was!! Great costumes, fantastic music, amazing dancers/actors/singers, a cute, albeit corny, storyline and two HOT actors...hubba hubba.

I'll start with the hot actors, because, please, I know that's what you would skip to anyway. Yvan Pedneault plays the lead character, "Galileo Figaro". He is just.plain.sexy. I'm probably old enough to be his mother, but man oh MAN is he hot.

The other hot actor is Danny Balkwill. OMG girls...he was born in 1976, so he IS legal, but he got married last year. Boo. He played "Burton", who had ripped jeans, right in front, with red undies on. Yummorama.

Anyhoo....

The short sinopsis is that in the year 2300, the Killer Queen destroys all the instruments on the Planet Mall and kids must listen to music that can be downloaded. There is a group of "Bohemians" who are rebelling and want to play their own music. Galileo falls in love with Scaramouche and yada yada. There were lots of jokes that were funny for both adults and kids and as I mentioned, the music was incredible. I mean who doesn't love Queen?

We had third row seats, which were PERFECT. Nicholas rocked out to "We are the Champions" and Frankie loved "We Will Rock You". My favourite part was at the end, when we all sang, "Bohemian Rhapsody" together.

Freaking.Awesome.Show. Now go buy tickets before the show is gone. It's worth it.

We Will ROCK You!

Tonight, Joe and I are taking Frankie and Nicholas and our nephews, Anthony and Matthew, to see "We Will Rock You". I am SO excited. It looks amazing and I have heard fantastic things about it.

The tickets were a Christmas gift and I have been looking forward to today since I bought them.

We will take them all out to Montana's for dinner first (Nicholas' favourite restaurant) and then head downtown for the show at 8:00. MIL will watch Julian while we are out.

I'll post my review tomorrow!

Oil and water

As I have mentioned numerous times in my blogs, we have fan-effing-tastic neighbours. One of those neighbours is "M" & "J", who have a beautiful 5 year old daughter, "J" and two sweet twin boys, "F" and "S".

I consider them family, as I do with all of our neighbours...we are there for each other when we go away, need a last minute babysitter or a couple of eggs for a recipe. It's fantastic to have such close, caring neighbours.

We, however, have a dilemma. Julian and "S" are like oil and water. They fight constantly. "F" goes off playing on his own and "S" makes a beeline for Jules. Julian pushes him down, "S" grabs Julian's hair and then Julian clotheslines him. It's awful. They fight over toys and fight for attention ALL.THE.TIME. This summer is going to be a nightmare on our street. The biggest problem is that "F" and "S" are BRUISERS. They are nearly as big as Jules (even though Julian is a bruiser himself). When they get older, Julian will be facing TWO of them. Ugh.

"M" and I laugh it off now, but I just hope it doesn't come to REAL blows as they get bigger. It's just so weird how they are so in each others' faces.

Fate

Today, I spoke to the ex-girlfriend of the man who drove the car that hit and killed my sister...let's call her "S" She is SUCH a lovely person...so caring and just, well...lovely. There have never been any hard feelings about the accident. I know in my heart of hearts that my sister was SOLELY to blame.

Anyway, in a strange twist of fate, her ex-boyfriend, who is with someone else now, happened to bump into "S" this week. His girlfriend is pregnant. She is having a girl. She is due on January 28th...the day my sister was killed.

Am I the only person who thinks that's really weird?

Apparently, he told "S" that they have a name, but he didn't want to share it. Can you IMAGINE if he named her after my sister??? Even if he doesn't, I still think it's an amazing twist of fate.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Joanne.

My sister, Joanne would be 37 years old today. Instead of celebrating with us, she is spending her 3rd birthday in Heaven.

She has been on my mind almost constantly for the last few weeks. This time of year is always hard...the holidays, her birthday and then, on the 28th, the anniversary of her death.

I have a really interesting story about fate that I promise to post later today. You will be amazed, I am sure.

M-listed!!!

M Dot that is!

I got listed on mom dot! YAY ME!

MomDot is a mom blog listing site that is run by mommy bloggers, trisha, alicia, and bridgette. They run contests weekly, reviews on awesome (and not so awesome) products for family and kids, and talk about their lives. But more importantly, they feature bloggers and mom boutiques to give them an avenue to get thier name out there, also assisting in google links! You can head out and list your blog for free and talk to them about doing an interview about you. Head on over and see what MomDot is about!

Holy MACKEREL!

Today was my day to care for Julesy. Wow...who knew it would be so exciting!!??

I went over to the plaza in my 'hood to pick up my prescription (and some wine...nice combo) anyhoo....I pulled into the plaza and was quickly sandwiched between two police cars (in the driveway to the plaza). Long story short, there was a bank robbery in the plaza and I was RIGHT in the middle of it all!! After a couple of minutes, the cop in front of me BARRELLED it out from his spot and the cop behind me reversed so quickly he did a donut and I was left stranded in the driveway!

There had to be at LEAST 40 police cars in the parking lot as I gingerly drove into the parking lot to get my meds.

Turns out that the Scotiabank in the plaza was in the midst of a robbery and the bad guys were still in the area. This was at about 1:30.

At 3:00, the bell rang for the boys to be dismissed from school and as I looked out my back window, no kids were being released. All the blinds at the school were closed and there was complete silence as the parents/grandparents/caregivers awaited the kids' dismissal. Lockdown. The Chief of Police issued a code red, which meant that all schools were in lockdown mode...no one got in or out of the school until the Chief of Police okayed it. The kids are supposed to be dismissed at 3:00, but today, dismissal was at 3:25.

Anyway, rumour has it that they caught the bad guys, armed no less, on the main street that meets my subdivision...nice.

Gotta watch CP24 tonight for all the deets.

Man, I have an exciting life!

My turn.

I am taking a vacation day to do my share of the Julian-caregiving. He had a great day with Joe on Monday, a FANTASTIC time with my Mom today and tomorrow, it's my turn.

I am already fretting about what on EARTH we will do all day. It's too cold to be outside, but malls are full of germs and gross people. He's too young for a movie, too old for sleeping all day...oh dear...what is a mother to do???

I'm thinking we brave the mall in the morning (he has grown an inch in the last month and all his 2T pants are too small...time to move up to 3T...WTF?! He's only 20 months! Anyway, that will kill an hour or two. Then, we'll come home for lunch, play a little bit and then NAPTIME! The boys will be home at 3:10 and then, well, Bob's yer uncle...Joe will be able to relieve me.

Whoever thought being a mother would entail actaully caring for and entertaining your own child. Huh...go figure.

Wow.

As I type this post, Frankie is reading a book to Julian. WOW! To Frankie, books of ANY kind are kryptonite. This, my friends is blog-post-worthy.

My heart is warm, if only for a moment while Frankie reads the riddle book, which is TOTALLY not for Julian's age. The best part is that as Frankie reads each punchline, Julian giggles, as if he "gets it". LOL!!

OK...Frankie just finished the book and Julian is saying, "Moah!" (more). Frankie is gone to get another book!!!! HOLY MACKEREL PEEPS!!!! This is BIG!

Now, can I get Julian to sit still long enough to have Frankie read, "Tale of Two Cities"? OK, OK...I know...I am pushing my luck.

Good luck Dad!

Joe is parenting Julian today...NOT babysitting, as he would describe it...he is PARENTING.

MIL has gone on her annual trek to Atlantic City, to give her yearly donation to the casino. She is gone until late Wednesday night, so we had to make alternate arrangements for his care during the day...the evening care will alway fall into my lap because, well, I am his mother and his father needs "downtime". But I digress...

So, Joe has complete care of Julian today. He has asked me for a grocery list (not because he is husband of the year and wants to help me out by doing the groceries) so that he can kill an hour this morning. He also plans to go to Home Depot to get a replacement light bulb for the kitchen fixture that has been out for DAYS and some no-salt salt stuff for the sheet of ice that is my front path. Then, it'll be lunchtime and then, Joe's FAVOURITE time of the day....NAPTIME, wherein he will enjoy two hours of sound sleep with his littlest boy.

Tomorrow, Grandma is watching him for us and then Wednesday, I have taken a vacation day, so that I can do my part.

Good luck today Joe...you'll need it. HAHAHA!

Nicholas' joke of the day

What chews, but does not eat?
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wait for it
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A choo-choo train!!!