Thrifty Thursdays

For the Health Nuts: Old El Paso is giving away $1.00 off coupon for their new Smart Fiesta line of Old El Paso products.  This will be great for my new Healthy Eating.  It's a smart twist on Mexican and it's a fiesta for your taste buds with whole grains, fibre and less sodium.

For the "Sickies": Advil is giving away a $2.00 off coupon when you buy any adult Advil Tablets, Caplets, Gel Caps, Liqui-Gels, Extra Strength Caplets, of Extra Strength Liqui-Gels. **This coupon is not valid in Quebec though**

For the Coffee Drinkers:  Starbucks is offering Starbucks Reward Program.  You just need to register your gift card or buy a card here and you can be eligible for all these great perks:

• Free beverage on your birthday
• Purchase a beverage with your registered Starbucks Card and you can get select syrup and milk options (like soy) on the house.
• When you're at Starbucks you feel at home. Your registered Starbucks Card gets you brewed or iced coffee and tea refills at no charge.

For the Crafty People: Register with Michaels and get great offers in your inbox.  You get coupons sent to you for 20% off entire purchases, 50% off custom framing etc...There are great ideas at Michaels for kids crafts, baking, pretty much anything.  I love going there to get all my Wilton baking supplies and cake pans.  When you go into the store, remember to keep your receipt because you will have another coupon printed on your receipt for the next week.  Bonus!!

Reckless Driving

Last Friday as I was driving home from work (with Maddy passed out in her car seat) I got stopped by the cops for "reckless driving".  Let me re-tell the story:

It was a nice sunny afternoon, I was driving home with my music louder than normal (to blur out the noise coming from my car that sounds like it's about to blow up).  I was following traffic which was pretty light...came over Ghost Hill and was driving along the plains when all of a sudden, my nose started to bleed...and by bleed, I mean it was pouring all over the place.  I was trying to reach in my glove compartment to get some napkins (thank you McDonalds) to try and control the bleeding when all of a sudden, all the cars in front of me are braking (oh come on!!)...so I lay off and continue to keep up with traffic when I realized that they were all braking because a cop was sitting at the corner.  Well lo and behold as I get up to him, he pulls me over.  Keep in mind, my nose is gushing like the Niagara Falls, all over my legs, my coat...not pretty. 



This was me...but FEMALE and using brown McDonald napkins

 I safely pull my car to the side of the road and wait for the officer to come to my window. 
Officer: "Do you know why I am pulling you over Miss?"
Me (holding my nose): "No??"
Officer: "You were driving dangerously and I am going to have to give you a ticket for reckless driving?"
Me (still holding my nose and trying to make it obvious): "Really?  I am sorry, i just started a major nose bleed and was trying to get a napkin to control the bleeding"
Officer: "You swerved off the road and went over the line"
Me: "Okay" (really, what am I suppose to do, argue with him?)

He gets my license and registration and goes to the car - I am panicking in the car thinking of the fine...and if my car is going to be impounded or something.

He comes back and lets me off with a warning...to stay on my side of the road and then throws in:

Officer: "You were also travelling really close to the car in front of you - could have caused an accident"
My reply to him was "Seriously...I had no choice but to suddenly brake because they all saw you and freaked out"

Simple and to the point...

I am glad that I didn't get a fine but seriously, there are people I meet all the time on the road that should be pulled over for reckless driving and shouldn't even have their license...and I get pulled over because I have a bloody nose. 

Anyways, there is my rant of the day!  Things like this only happen to me!!

Operation Healthy Eating

So, hubby is having some eating issues...well the eating he can do...it's WHAT he's eating that isn't the good thing.  He has two types of kidney stones and he has a hiatus hernia and now...a bit of high cholesterol.  The poor guy basically can't eat anything but fruits and vegetables...which to me is okay, but give that to a guy EVERY DAY and he's bound to get sick of it. 

He met with a dietitian last week and was given A LOT of literature.  He took in what she said but really, it should have been ME at that appointment.  I have to change everything: the way I cook and the way I grocery shop.  He needs to watch his sodium intake (a max of 2300 mg daily) and watch his calcium intake (a max of 1000 mg daily) and watch pretty much everything else.  What he can eat to control the high cholesterol, he can't eat because he's leaking uric acid (the kidney stones) and everything ends up being canceled out, which is why, basically after reading everything, he can only eat fruits and vegetables (oh, and 2 oz of meat daily).  I have to start looking at labels on everything I buy...anything that has more than 140 mg of sodium per serving STAYS ON THE SHELF...
After his appointment, the dietitian told him if he forgets everything she said to remember this: NO PEPSI and NO SNACKING AT NIGHT...we'll see how that goes...I'm okay with switching to the healthier eating, but my Pepsi, not sure if I can give that up COMPLETELY yet but I will try...I have been pretty good lately putting lemon slices in my water (I hate water).

The big thing that he (we) have to change is the sodium for sure.  I'm not one to put salt on my food but he is...which will come to a stop.  We (I) cannot buy any pre-packaged foods (hey, sometimes Sidekicks are just a quicker alternative)...any mixes really which brings me to this:

WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSE TO MAKE FOR SUPPERS??

I do not want to have to make different meals for each of us, so I guess we'll all start the healthy eating.  We aren't bad eaters (but we do like the occasional McDonalds...okay, AT LEAST once a week)...but seriously - Day 1 and I am already running out of ideas for suppers.

Last night I had to go to the grocery store after work (another DOWN side of healthy eating - when you live in a small town, you don't have access to a store with fresh produce, so I think we'll be stopping at the grocery store EVERY night now) and picked up some fresh fruit and veggies.

The menu was pork chops (plain for him and mine had Sweet Chili Thai sauce...mmm) with a salad.  I made a salad bar. I mixed Romaine and Boston lettuce with some baby spinach in one bowl.  I then cut up my veggies and placed in little bowls (onions, cucumbers, celery, orange peppers and broccoli) and we just placed what we wanted in our own salad...it made it FUN for Maddy.  

The next issue about healthy eating is $IT'S EXPENSIVE$.  When I went and got those veggies mentioned above and 2 different dressings (and some strawberries and bananas), it cost me $45 bucks...geez.

I did however buy something that I have NEVER tried (or cooked) - a spaghetti squash.  I read the directions on the squash and it says to bake it to soften the skin then cut it lengthwise, bake again and then shred it with a fork...THEN WHAT?? I have no idea how you are suppose to eat this?  Anyone have any ideas and remember, no salt, no nothing basically.

Anyways if anyone has any yummy recipes, I am willing to try anything...pass them along to me cuz I have no idea how to eat healthy...I just eat what I want, when I want (I am lucky to have good metabolism and I don't gain a pound).

I really feel for those who have tried to go on diets and stuff and never see through, I totally see why...it's hard work!

Beautiful Weekend for....CAKES

This weekend I had a cake order for a baby shower.  The theme of this shower was Mod Ladybug:

I had been preparing for this cake for some time...actually in all, I think it took me about 3 weeks to get the cake, in my mind, JUST RIGHT.  
It began with making all the "accessories" for the cake.  I decided I was going to make ladybugs out of fondant.  It literally took me 3 weeks to make these (not every night or anything, just here and there I would work on them).

They wanted a white and chocolate, but said that white would probably be the most eaten, so I decided I would do a white rectangle cake and chocolate cupcakes.  When I had started to make the fondant ladybugs and they were taking forever, I was like there is no way I could make enough for each cupcake, so I came up with idea #2 for the cupcakes.  I would get a ladybug candy mold and make chocolate ladybugs to put on each of the cupcakes.

I went to Michaels to look for the ladybug CANDY mold but they had none - I walked up and down the aisles and decided to check another aisle...I found a ladybug mold...however, it was for clay...meh whatever, it would still serve the purpose.  Stupid me though, I only bought ONE tray.  One tray that had a butterfly, dragonfly, flower and ladybug, so this was going to be a step process being able to only do ONE ladybug at a time...no biggie.  Boy was I wrong...the candy's were a 2-step process.  I would melt chocolate candy melts, paint in the details (the spots, head and back) then let it dry and harden, then melted the pink candy melts and poured it into the mold and let it dry.  Finally, I got 12 (actually 13, but one was crappy looking). Here are the cupcakes:

Saturday was my day to bake the cake...simple...NOT.  Here is Cake #1:

So I crumbled it up, put it a bag and threw it in my freezer to make cake balls sometime.


On to Cake #2, well lo and behold, it didn't come out of the pan very easily either but I worked with the one edge that looked bad, by adding EXTRA icing.  Phew, thought I was going to have to make another one.


After the cake was finally made, the messed up part was fixed, I was happy with the outcome:

Along with making edible cakes, I decided my gift to Mommy and Baby Kenzie would be a homemade diaper cake:

The diaper cake included:

• 72 Pamper Baby-Dry Diapers (Size 2)
• 3 Face clothes
• 2 Bibs
• Teething Ring
• Homemade Tutu
• 2 Ladybug hair clippies
• Infant Tempra
• Manicure Set
• 2 packages of wipes
• Laughing Hippo
• Monogrammed Pink and Brown "K" Onesie

Love and Hate Relationship - with Fridays

Why I LOVE Fridays:

• It's the end of the work week - woo hoo!
• It's pay day (every Friday for me and bonus I actually got paid because I put my timesheet in late, I was worried)
• It means that we can sleep in (not likely though - my 4 year old wakes me up as soon as she sees the sun..."Mommy, it's time to get up - the sun is out!")
• Tonight I will be gathered with friends for an Epicure Tasting Party (HELLO...food - yummy)
• Hubby will be away most of the weekend (hockey tournament = late nights and early mornings FOR HIM)
• This weekend I have two cakes to do (I'll show pics next week)
• Less traffic on the roads
• Can stay up late watching movies (who am I kidding, Maddy and I head to bed, I put MY movie on and I fall asleep 10 mins in and she watches it all...seriously, she loves watching my movies)

Why I HATE Fridays...

• Usually means cleaning, tidying up and laundry
• If I have no plans, I go crazy being stuck in the house
• Making it through the whole day (after 6 years of being with a company that was off every Friday at Noon, sometimes it's still hard to adjust - even if I haven't done it over 3 years)
• Deciding whether to have supper at home or go thru a drive-thru
• People are crazy on the roads - when there are near accidents and people being stupid on the highways - you take a moment, then you realize that it's Friday.
• I have to remember to put in my timesheet (haven't had this problem in 3 years until last Friday when I forgot and only did it Monday)
• I usually have to go to Blockbuster to pick up movies or drop movies off (and this is a 7 block walk for me...bleh)
• That they go by way too fast and before we know it, it's Sunday night getting ready for the work week again (why is that...why does the work week drag on but weekends come and it flies by??)

Have a good weekend everyone!!

Thrifty Thursdays

We all hear about healthy eating and all the new organic foods in the grocery stores.  I participated in a Healthy Grocery Store Tour last summer and was introduced to a whole new way of shopping...an Organic aisle.  The girl that  took us on this tour has her own company called Newleaf Wellness and she is all about healthy and organic eating...she is also posting new recipes, coupons and stuff she finds for these products because they can be costly. 
Uber Samples is offering free organic product samples. Take a short 3 minute survey and in return, UberSamples will send a mix of sample goodies including: super-foods, nutritional bars, health foods, dietary supplements and beauty brands!

For the Health Nuts: Get a Free sample of GBG Vitality 10-in-1 Chewable Vitamins
Join their free Health Newsletter today and they will mail you a free sample of the new GBG 10-IN-ONE Chewable Super Formula. Just fill in the form & submit.

***Unfortunately they are out of samples right now, but if you sign up on the notification list on the right hand side, you will be notified when they have more available.***

For the dog owners: Halo Pets is allowing users to get 2 free cans of Halo Spot's Stew. Sign up on the far right of the page. Enter your email & complete the form on the following page. 

For those who LOVE Italian: Go and spin the wheel at East Side Mario's - Budda Spin, Budda Win for your chance to win many different prizes.  I won a Free Dessert when I spend $9.99 on a meal.  Cool!  You only have one spin a day after you register your name, email and postal code.



SO WHAT...

If:

• I am actually anxious about the upcoming weekend...so many fun plans!
• I went to an Epicure party 2 weeks ago and I'm going to another one.
• My ladybugs aren't the exact brown shade (don't ask - you will see more about this next week)
• Maddy LOVES wearing a dress that she wore when she was like 2...add a pair of tights and it becomes a shirt!

• I prefer clear vanilla extract over the normal dark stuff (it makes my icing whiter)
• All I think about is upcoming cakes I am doing (stay tuned for those).
• I wanna skip Course #2 - Flowers of the Wilton Cake Decorating Courses and just go right into Course #3 - Fondant (and I can because I have Course 1 which is mandatory).
• I can't wait to go Garage Sale shopping this summer (cuz we have a dependable truck now - first one Great Glebe Sale - May 28, 2011)




I want these ones for work


• I can't wait to get my Crocs out (and get a new pair this year)
• I am procastinating about going through all off Maddy's clothes...if you need anything for girls size 2 + - I am getting rid of her "bigger" stuff!
• I love a break during the week from supper-making (ok maybe 2 breaks cuz we usually grab McDonalds at least ONCE) and go to my sister-in-law's for supper EVERY Tuesday night.
• I check out things on Ebay and Etsy everyday (I just browse and look for "crafty" things that I MAY be able to tackle myself)

This is what I'm loving right now

• If I only go to the dentist when my teeth hurt
• I want to go with all my girlfriends (mothers and non-mothers) to Le Nordik to celebrate Mothers Day this year (leave the Daddy's at home with the kiddies...that is the point right??)

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Car Seats

This is the car seat that Maddy is in RIGHT NOW!!

Saturday when I went to my hairdressers, she basically laughed at me when we were chatting and I said that Maddy was still in a car seat.  I know the regulations and stuff for the transition from the infant rear-facing car seat to the forward facing...but I obviously didn't know the rules for the forward facing to the booster seat.  To me, a booster seat doesn't sound safe.  I just think that Maddy would slip the shoulder belt behind her head and that wouldn't be safe and she could probably unbuckle it herself.

Yesterday, I started checking the regulations and OBVIOUSLY, Maddy shouldn't be in her 5 point harness car seat anymore.

This is what I learned from the MTO website:

What are your thoughts?  Which one should I get?

I am thinking the high back one would be more comfortable!!



• Booster seats are required for children under the age of eight, weighing 18 kg or more but less than 36 kg (40-80 lb) and who stand less than 145 cm (4 feet-9 inches) tall.
• A lap and shoulder belt combination must be used for both the high-back and low-back booster seat. 
• Never use a lap belt alone with a booster seat.
• Your child's head must be supported by the top of the booster seat and the vehicle seat or head rest.
• The shoulder strap must lie across your child's shoulder and the middle of their chest (not the neck or face) and the lap belt must cross low over the hips (not the stomach/abdomen).
• Never use seatbelt adjusters.

So with this being said, I guess I will have to first weigh Maddy and make sure she is over 40 lbs (which I am 99.9% sure she is) and then go out and buy a new booster seat.  I am pretty sure that my car seat I have is a convertible one that changes to the booster seat by taking out the straps, but I am not 100% sure and I can't even find it on the Evenflo website so I guess I will be going out and buying a new one.

Decision: Backless booster seat or one with a back? 

New Do

Here are some pictures (taken by myself I'm sorry) of my new hairdo!

And I couldn't get pictures of it behind but it's basically shorter at the back...feels good to have some weight off of it - my hair sucks, it's SUPER THICK.

This weekend, I also did another cake for a friend...Chainsaws from Hell is my Hubby's hockey team - this weekend is the last weekend of hockey where they hold a hockey tournament called The Flying Elbows Tournament, needless to say, it's going to be a Maddy n' Me this coming weekend!

TGIF

I had such a busy day yesterday, I actually got a little stressed out about it all...wait, let me re-phrase that...not a busy day...a WASTED day!

Here is a weekly review:

Monday was going pretty good until I get a phone call from Hubby at work around lunch time to see if I could leave work and go home.  Why?  He wasn't feeling well and was laying in the back room since early that morning.  He's been having some kidney stone issues and the doctor had prescribed him some pain killers.  He had taken them all weekend and was fine, but Monday morning, he took two and just immediately started feeling wierd.  Sweats, dizziness, pale...so his boss made him lay down.  So I had to leave work early (might I add that I do not have any leave where I work cuz I am only a contractor - thank god for banked hours)...by the evening, Dr. Johnston diagnosed him as just coming down with the flu.  Lovely...

Tuesday, Maddy and I were solo...Hubby stayed at home in bed.  It was a pretty OKAY day actually...nothing to complain on Tuesday...after work, Maddy and I went to my sister in laws for supper.

Wednesday was another great day...starting at around 6:00 am when I received a phone call.  When I get a phone call that early in the morning, I think something is wrong but this was not the case.  It would my cousin Lindsay calling to see if we were still on to meet tonight (we did a trade...she took some books and I got this real nice Ikea dresser), I said "yea" and she said "okay cuz I have something to show you".  I thought it was some new crafty thing she may have made for Maddy (she's crafty like that) and her reply was "my engagement ring"...woo hoo!  The night before, her boyfriend proposed!  Read all about it here.  That evening her and her FIANCE came over, we did our trade, chatted a bit and then watched Survivor (oh and I made a cake).



My "new" IKEA dresser - it's not white though, it's natural wood color

 Thursday was a HORRIBLE day...at work anyways.  My computer decided it needed to upgrade some anti-virus thing and well after Step 5, it was stopped.  I work for an IT company but I have to call the Help Desk when a problem occurs...yep real handy, especially when they are in INDIA.  I have technicians in the same office as me, but I have to call INDIA...so I did that...at 8:00 AM...I finally got off the phone around 1:00 pm with them...after 4 different people tried to help and nothing was resolved.  They do this remotely FROM INDIA - they "share" my screen and can see everything on my screen, therefore, NO FACEBOOK, NO EMAIL, NO BLOGS.  By Noon, my stomach was growling and I was starving as I am sitting on the phone staring at my computer doing things (without me touching it, sorta cool)...finally at 1:00 pm he told me that he is going to look at some logs and call me in the morning.  Thank goodness.  My next issue was...I received some work related stuff that I needed to get done and had wasted half of my day on the phone, but I also NEEDED to go to Bulk Barn to get some fondant for a cake I was decorating lastnight (needless to say, my image was too big for the cake and there was no fondant hockey sticks put on the cake - oh well I needed it for an upcoming Baby Shower cake).  Anyways, by the time I got home, I was still stressed and worked up.  I had to get supper ready, finish decorating a cake, deliver the cake and then went to visit Sara, Graham and Miss Charlotte.

Miss Charlotte - she brightened my horrible day (stole the pic from her mommy's Facebook)

Today - FRIDAY - AT LAST!  I am less stressed out today - INDIA called me back this morning and the computer issue is still not resolved - he is going to work on it during the weekend and hopefully Monday morning, it will be fixed.  Tonight, Hubby is going back to the camp (to finish renovating so he says...but I think its more cards and booze seeing how EVERY weekend he is going to "finish up")...I will be busy making sandwiches and squares for an Irish Tea our Church is hosting tomorrow and hopefully clean the house a bit.

Tomorrow bright and early I am heading to my hairdressers for a haircut then heading to the Church to help out while Hubby and Maddy will be out in the bush and at the camp "finishing up" some more.

Something like the way I am going to get my haircut

Sunday I am thinking of going to hockey then organizing my house (maybe).

Have a good weekend everyone!

Thrifty Thursdays

We all know that Tim Horton's has their famous "Roll Up the Rim to Win" but did you know that you can Play Roulette with Tim Hortons?  Go here and give the wheel a spin.  You can win free coffee and even $25 gift cards.  You just have to register quickly and then SPIN.  You can go back every day for a free spin and try your luck.
My first spin I won a "Fun Fact" - the fact was "did you know that there is $57,000,000 CDN in prizes to be won in the Roll Up The Rim contest"...hhmm well I have purchased 2 hot chocolates and the only thing I won was...SORRY TRY AGAIN!

If you head over to Facebook and fill in a short 5 question survey for McSweeney's Beef Jerky will send you a FREE 80g bag of our new Montreal Steak Spice flavoured Beef jerky.

Breathe Right is giving away a free sample of their Breathe Right Nasal Strips.  All you have to do is complete the registration form and a sample will be sent.  This is only open to Canadian residents...sorry U.S friends!

Breathe Right Nasal Strips gently open nasal passages helping you to:

• breathe better
• relieve nasal congestion
• reduce or eliminate snoring

Febreze has an opportunity to Trade Up to a Febreze NOTICEables for FREE (after mail in rebate)

Get a New Freshener

First, Buy ONE Febreze® NOTICEables® Scented Oil Warmer 1-Pack or ONE Febreze NOTICEables Scented Oil Warmer with decorative cover.  

Send us your receipt

Completed mail-in rebate form, original UPC from package, original dated cash receipt with applicable product item circled in a stamped envelope with sufficient postage.

» Download Rebate Form 

Get your noticeables rebate

We will send you a cheque for your purchase price (including applicable taxes and shipping).

Here is a coupon for Aveeno - get $3.00 of any two Aveeno products you buy.  Aveeno is a great product - I especially like the Oatmeal bath stuff - it really helps with Maddy's sensitive and itchy skin.

SO WHAT

If:

• I am very jealous and wish I could pose in pictures like this.  Good work Leslie!
• I thought our small town might have had an earthquake Tuesday afternoon around 3:00 pm (I thought I was just really tired and was shaky or something...then I thought maybe the washer was going...but after Hubby got up from a nap, he said he felt the bed shake too...not sure where we find out if there was one but the way the shaking lasted, it would have been a pretty big earthquake - bigger than last summer - and well I am sure we would heard something...maybe someone was working near our house...who knows??)
• I love wearing my rubber boots EVERY DAY even with no rain.
• I like buttercream icing better than fondant.
• I wear long johns (or tights) under my pants from Shawville Fair weekend (September) until June...and two pairs of socks.
• I hate the Twilight series and everything Twilight related.
• I didn't change the Boardroom clock at work and people stayed in there longer for lunch and missed a conference call (hehehe - was not intentional but still funny when I heard one of the Sales people freaking out yesterday)
• I play BINGO faithfully EVERY MONDAY and never win...I still try my luck.
• I only buy Lotto Max or 649 tickets when the jackpot is really big (even though I would be happy even winning $100,000...ok that would just pay debt...maybe something a LITTLE higher)
• I can't bite the bullet and get my hair cut super short again (going to the hairdresser's on Saturday...maybe I will do it then)
• My daughter Maddy (who is 4 and roughly 50 lbs) still wants to be pushed in a stroller when we go for a walk (even though she always wants her "little" stroller)
• I can't wait for the snow to be gone so Maddy and I can go riding our Plasma Cars.
• I am still a CONTRACT employee at work after 3 years and no sign of moving to permanent (the benefits of being alone most days, limited work, internet access and free underground parking downtown Ottawa makes it all worth it).
• I can't think of anything to write and I have to write this instead.

Thinking Tuesday

This is what I am thinking about today:

• The earthquake that hit Japan (Maddy's friend Naoki's family is from there, luckily they have been in touch and everything is okay, so far)
• How to keep the potential flu bug that Hubby may have...AWAY from Maddy and I.
• I need a good, relaxing back massage.
• Cake ideas for some upcoming cakes I am making.
• My Nanny's 90th birthday party plans.
• What to do April 2nd when the guys are playing poker?
• Wishing I was the winner of the Lotto Max on the weekend so that I could go and buy some new clothes.
• I want to take a trip to IKEA someday soon
• What is for supper?  Can I incorporate maple syrup or pancakes in ANOTHER day...since the Sugar Bush, we have had nothing but pancakes, sometimes twice in one day (it's all about the real maple syrup)
• I have to start going through Maddy's clothes and getting rid of some (not her baby stuff)
• That keeping books is just clutter...so last night, I made "lots" and put them on the Shawville Yard Sale Facebook Site
•  That I love my new rubber boots and glad that I threw my very old winter boots out! 
• I have to remind myself that I am making TWO loaves of ham sandwiches for our Irish Tea on Saturday...DO NOT BUY 3 lbs of ham!!
• Remember to sneak peak and read The Equity a day early using my sister's login...hehe!!

Have a good day everyone!!

Beautiful Weekend

Friday night, Maddy and I headed to my friends parents place to have a GIRLS NIGHT.

Girls Night (10 years ago) - sleeping bags, popcorn and movies
Girls Night (now) - playpens, drama babies and breastfeeding

The thing that is common in both of these worlds though - LAUGHTER, GOOD TIMES and FRIENDS...now it's just mixed with babies and little ones.  It was great to just sit around and talk baby talk, talk grown up talk, pass babies around and have a yummy snack of chicken wings, fries and combo platters from Gavans (our local "pub" haha).

Saturday morning, another group of friends, all packed up and headed to Fulton's Pancake House where we went walking (and MORE walking) on some trails, had taffy on snow, played I SPY through the wilderness....had yummy pancakes with REAL syrup and the weather was LOVELY.  It was so nice and mild out - we had a great day...here are some pics to prove it:

My new rubber boots!

Maddy and Daddy

The Map of Fulton's posted at the Play Yard

Maddy with her Taffy

Evan, Josee and Maddy (sorta)

The scary man in the outhouse

The horse sleigh ride

Sunday was our big St Patrick's Day festivities.  If you are from the area, you know that pretty much there are two places to be: Douglas or Gavans.  I haven't gone in a few years because it's way too packed there for me.  You don't get served, you get beer spilled on you and it's just too much for me.  The music is great, the company is fun but I prefer to stay away from the crowd.  I am sure it was a good time!!


Now we're back to the work week and I can't complain about it yet...because the weather is looking very springish this week!

	Tuesday Mar. 15	Wednesday Mar. 16	Thursday Mar. 17	Friday Mar. 18	Saturday Mar. 19	Sunday Mar. 20
	Mainly sunny	Light rain	Variable cloudiness	Cloudy with showers	Variable cloudiness	Few flurries
	10%	70%	30%	60%	40%	40%
Conditions 6pm - 6am
	Few flurries	Isolated showers	Cloudy with showers	Isolated showers	Mainly clear	Mixed precip.
P.O.P.	40%	70%	60%	60%	40%	90%
	5°C	5°C	10°C	12°C	1°C	3°C