WOW - That was quite a storm...

Wednesday afternoon, the weather channel was saying there was a tornado warning for our area.  WHAT?? SCARY?  I was so worried about it, however by supper, it had been lifted.  No scary wind storm after all.

Yesterday afternoon however, the winds came back and caused havoc all over the place. 

In our region, our highway was closed in many spots because of downed hydro lines and up rooted trees.  It was reported that in our area alone, 74,000 people were to be without power.  That must be ALL of OUTAOUAIS cuz in the Pontiac, I don't think there are that many people.  Friends of the family had their barn come tumbling down, shingles flying off roofs, siding from houses...pretty scary stuff...BUT there was no tornado warning - just a wind warning (of 100 km/hr winds). 

I am sooo thankful that our big maple trees were removed from our yard last summer or I would have been stressing out way more.

The ferry in our town actually had to close because of the wind, I am told that this is the first time in history it has had to close.  I was glad that when I got home we had power, the other end of town didn't and I think the ETA was 9:15 am THIS morning.  Glad we had it.  Now, on the other hand, I had power, but I had no water last night.  If you read this post, you should know my reaction to this stupid water issue in town.  Anyways when I got up this morning, I was happy that we had enough water to shower and wash hair!

Here are some pics of the damage around my house:



I hope it doesn't get worse than this cuz this is where my Nanny's party will be on Saturday



I guess we should count our chickens lucky though - nothing compared to what Alabama experienced Wednesday evening. See the story here.

Have a good weekend everyone!

NEW LOOK

Yesterday I decided to vamp up my blog a little.  I didn't find it TOO hard (who am I kidding...I was "googling" all sorts of "Blogger Help") but I did have to call out to my good blogger friend Nicole.  Thanks a lot Nicole!

I see all these nice blogs and want one, however last night when I was figuring out the tabs or menu bar on top, I realized, I really don't have anything to put in it yet.  Oh well, something will come soon maybe!

Anyways, what do you think of it...too colorful?  too cheery?  I am still working on it so you may notice some small changes for a bit until I make up my mind what I want to do!

Thrifty Thursdays

This isn't a freebie or even a coupon, but if you join Shoe Dazzle you’ll be asked to pick your favorites from a series of outfits and from that information, a group of celebrity stylists put together your ‘showroom.’ Every month your showroom is updated with new shoes – you’ll love every one of the shoes because they’re all selected from your style profile! The best part about this entire website? Everything featured on the site is $39.95! Check it out! You’re never obligated to spend a penny! 


This was one of mine chosen!

  If you are anything like me and have allergies, this freebie is for you.  NeilMed Sinus Rinse is giving away 2 free packets.  Just "like" them on Facebook and request your free samples.

Join the YMCA with a free 2 week trial.  I have always thought about joining a gym but time isn't on my side and neither is money half the time.  I know there is a YMCA downtown here where I work, but I think it would be quite the hike for me, but I will still share this amazing deal with my blogger friends!

Get a FREE sample of Absolutely Me by ESCADA.  Go here to order your sample today. 

Make sure to enter Postal Code in this format: J8J 8J8.

10 Things I Love

Ashley over at The Johnstons tagged me in "10 Things I Love".  The rules are simple:

State who tagged you:
Ashley did!

State 10 things you love:

1. My family and friends...what would I do without them?

2. Maddy...I know she qualifies under family, but she is worth her own line cuz I love her THAT much...LOL - she's my baby!

3. Cake Decorating...a new found hobby.  I enjoy surfing websites looking for creative cakes that I can do.  Right now I am working on a wedding style cake, a sheet anniversary cake and a boy baptism cake!

4. Massages...if I could afford to get a massage EVERY DAY, I would!  I love them that much.

5. Blogging...another new found hobby that I am loving.  My friends and I were just talking and I wish I knew how to just find blogs.  The blogs that I follow, all my friends also follow because I have taken them from their list.  I wish I knew what to search for and just find new bloggers...but until then, I am happy in my blog world.

6. Food Network...I took up watching the Food Network 4 year ago when I was on maternity leave.  I love it.  When there is nothing on TV, my TV is usually tuned into Channel 603 - The Food Network. 

7. Etsy...I love just looking at all the cool things on that website.

8. Deals...I love coming across great deals.  My most recent deal: a REAL leather jacket at Zellers...regular $150.00 on sale for $7.00...LOVE IT!  The message came over the loud speaker and I just happened to be right there, so I grabbed one and left as the crowds were coming.  I loved seeing on my receipt that my $50 total purchase had a savings of $117...woo hoo!

9. Baths...when I am bored, I get a bath (Yes, I said GET a bath, apparently my friends think its hilarious that I say GET rather than TAKE a bath, they say it makes it seem like I am going out and buying a bath)...if I ever own a house, the first reno would be the bathroom and I would have a big bath with jets!

10. Chocolate...I am pretty picky with my chocolate.  Most chocolate bars I like but as for actual chocolate...milk chocolate for me please!

I have to now tag 10 people but all of my people have already been tagged and I don't even think I could get 10 people:

1. Kelly at Keeping Up With Kelly and Co.

2. Sharon at Sharon's 101 List

3. Nicole at Life's a Beach

4. Brittan at A Babbling Brunette

5. Caitrin at From Shopping Bags to Diaper Bags

6. Teenage Bride at The Teenage Bride

7. Leslie at Lestanto Photography

8. Taylor at The Undomestic Momma

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Tonight is Survivor and there is a surprise twist (but what I'm NOT loving is that I may not be able to watch it because of Hubby working overtime and I have to hang out in the city until 8:30 pm)

Yesterday I did my very first proposal at work, all by myself and it was submitted on time and in exchange, the team got me a giftcard to Starbucks to show their appreciation (just when I thought that I should be getting paid more than a receptionist to do this sorta work...haha)

Today is EQUITY day and can't wait to see my grandmother's ad in the paper!

That I don't have to cook supper much this week because of the overtime situation...might be spending most suppers at my sister in laws!

I found a Satin Ice fondant distributor in Ottawa - and the possibilities are ENDLESS...it's already colored and flavored...so much better than the Bulk Barn brand.  Excited to start making my fondant cake this week.  It's the same stuff that Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes uses! 

Easter Chocolate sales in stores!  Went yesterday and got myself some Lindor eggs for 30 cents and some Aero Eggs for $1.99...SCORE!!

What are you loving today???

Fun with Photos

Last night I headed over to Picnik to do some photo editing.  It was my first time there and I have to admit, it was pretty cool.  Here are some pics that I did - there aren't too many, had to watch 90210.  Sorry!

Flower Girl - Round 2

Last Wednesday night, my cousin Lindsay and her fiance Ryan came over to surprise Maddy with an Easter gift.  Inside the card was a little write up from Linds saying that Maddy was a very special girl in their lives and they would be honored to have her be part of their wedding day as a flower girl.  YAY!!  Maddy accepted the invite!

Maddy was in my friend Sara's wedding almost 2 years ago and it was a stressful ordeal.  She was obviously younger so we'll blame it on that...

The dress shopping trip was...adventurous...us chasing Maddy throughout the store while she hid in corners and under clothes racks.  Eventually we found the dress and it took I think 4 of us to get her into it just to see if it fit.  Thank god we bought that dress and there was no more shopping around!

Lindsay's wedding is next May so I am really hoping that Round 2 goes better.  I don't think Sara and her husband Graham minded Maddy though. It was a series of bad timing.  Pictures had been in the afternoon before the service, and she had fallen asleep on our way there (that is why she wasn't too cooperative with pictures).  I was worried that she wouldn't even go down the aisle at the Church but she did...then she just wanted to hang out with Graham at the front of the Church while they said their vows.  Could have been worse I suppose.  By May, she will be 5 years old and I hope less....hyper and moody.

Here are some pics of her last flower girl role:


This was a trial run at home - the first trying on the dress since the store



Picture Taking - when she had just woken from a nap!

CRANKY!

Practicing to walk with the Ring Bearer (pulling him...lovely)

At the Hair Dresser's

A group picture - wow - look at Maddy's lovely face!!

Happy Easter to All

Just wanted to wish all my blogger friends a Happy Easter.

Maddy was fun last year looking for eggs, but this year she is actually excited about it.  She asked me the other night if the Easter Bunny was going to hide eggs in the bathroom??  I guess the Easter Bunny is going to expand it's hiding abilities throughout the WHOLE house and not just the living room and kitchen this year.

Can't wait to see her Sunday morning.

The rest of the weekend - dinner at my Mom's on Saturday and dinner with Hubby's side on Sunday.  Monday - back to work for us...Hubby has a Stat Holiday but he has to work overtime so Maddy will be spending the day with Auntie Trace!

Here are some pics from last Easter:



Egg Hunting



Egg Hunting



Her new bike from the Easter Bunny



More Egg Hunting



Looking for eggs outside at Mama's house - I don't think she'll be wearing that this year...Easter was EARLIER last year and shes wearing short leaves, capris and crocs - this year she will still be in a winter coat and mitts I think!



Thrifty Thursdays

Just in time for Easter - when you purchase 3 cards from Hallmark, you can get this cute duck for $14.95 as opposed to the original price of $29.95.

FREE Easter portraits at Black's Photography from now until Easter.  No strings attached, bring the kiddies in and you can get a free 6x8 photo for Easter with an Easter border...no cost!  Read more about this offer here.

Aeropostale has two printable coupons to use IN-STORE until April 27, 2011.  Get $25 off when you spend $100 and get $10 off when you spend $50.

Planning, Planning, Planning

What I am planning these days:

Easter egg hunts

My grandmother's 90th Birthday Bash (90 years old, you think an afternoon tea, but this granny wanted a party...with a band and music, so that is what she will get!)

Nanny's birthday cake (these are the three I am using as ideas...but I may change my mind)

Another surprise (can't tell in case this person reads my blog but stay tuned for the details in May)

An Escape Day at Home (an entourage of natural therapists that come to your house and provide: massages, hot stone therapy, reiki, reflexology, pedis and manis, facials and a psychic) with my bestie Josee!

A wedding (haha, not really, just thought it would be a big deal planning event but not for this girl, no wedding plans here)

Summer vacation and day trips

A craft for May to do with the girls (haven't committed to doing one yet, just thinking of something to do)

Proposals at work (well I am on the side lines and just wait for the work to get to me)

Top 2 Tuesday...Things you Collect

I linked up with Undomesticated Momma and decided to do her Top 2 Tuesday...this week: Things you collect

1) Snowglobes - Ok so I thought this was something I wanted to collect but it never really stuck.  I think I have about 8 different ones throughout my house.  I have always wanted to collect something though but to be honest, they are sorta dust collectors.

2) Strollers - I have a weird obsession of buying strollers apparently.  I was given a stroller at one of my baby showers complete with the infant seat.  Then once I started using it, the wheels kept falling off.  I then decided I wanted a jogger stroller.  I found a good priced one on Used Ottawa, brand new and it included the infant car seat.  Loved it, except the front wheel didn't swivel and I didn't like that.  So I found another jogger stroller - this one's front wheel did swivel.  In the meantime, I purchased two umbrella strollers.  A cheap one and then a heavier duty one with better wheels.  My "baby" is 4 and I am still buying strollers.  In September, I bought a bike trailer/stroller because I thought it would come in handy for Shawville Fair, she could cozy up in there and watch her DVD player.  Come to think of it, the reason I had bought the jogger stroller was for the same thing, for Shawville Fair.  I wanted a stroller with bigger tires that could get me over all the cords that run all over the place. 


I don't have one like this yet...maybe my next purchase?? LOL