Happy Feet

Kids LOVE having their pictures taken! This is one of my precious preschoolers.

~K~

Blog Stalking

I think I'm a blog stalker. In fact, I KNOW I am. I read SO many blogs every day, and half the people don't realize that I visit(and half of them probably don't even remember me from way back in the day)!! That's creepy of me. All of this realization came when I watched Dr. Phil the other day and his topic was "Stalking". I definitely don't go as far as actual stalkers, gosh no, but I thought to myself, "self, it's pretty creepy of you to read all these blogs without the author knowing." (I find people randomly through a network of blogsites I visit) Meh, not like they care...I don't think.
It also occurred to me that I needed to blog again. So here I am. There's really nothing interesting to say, and apparently you all needed to know that. Yup.
Oh, and in case some of you haven't read the recent blogs...Duane and I have made the tough decision to stay in Calgary for one more year(plus 5 months)and move after the next school year is over. I will continue to work full-time for Calgary HandiBus in the Pre-school division with my darling children, and Duane will stay at Userful. This extra time in the city will give us a chance to put away more money for a down-payment and for me to build up credit.
I think that's about all.

~K~

Just Because

Just because everything else has been about boring stuff. Here are some nice pics from Jasper. I was bored. All day long.

~K~

Who Do You Talk To?

I had an interesting conversation last night with Kevan. We were chatting about the fact that Leah calls me his "other girlfriend" There's a few things that concern me about that statement, one that I'm certainly not a girl, secondly, who's his first girlfriend that makes me the other? I hope they don't classify themselves as boyfriend/girlfriend still! That's enough detail for that and can be addressed another day.

So after Leah said that to Kevan he did a search in his Gmail and "Duane" came up hundreds of times (if you use Gmail you'll know what I mean when you do searches). I found that interesting so I did a search on Kevan and it came up with over 100 hits. I thought...hum...I wonder how many times other people's names will come up. I did a search on "Leah" and I had HUNDREDS of results compared to Kevan's mere 100 (mind you almost all of those hits had Kevan's email address attached to them). That was a little awkward! I also did a search on "Karyn" and luckily she blew everyone out of the water with literally THOUSANDS of results. It's good to know that I talk about my lovely wife more than anyone else.

So...Leah, for the record, I'm not Kevan's "other girlfriend", we just happen to share a mutual affinity to talking with each other (all the time) about stuff and sometimes go out shopping together!

D

Uncertainty..What the Heck are we Supposed to DO???

When we were so sure about where we were heading in the next 5 months, things have come to a relatively abrupt halt. I was, I guess, more sure what I THOUGHT was going to happen than Duane was. He didn't set himself up for disappointment like I did. I was just trying to be positive(and I really want to move)! This whole "waiting game" is already boring, and it's only been a few days since we found out we can't afford to move! Good grief.
The first question is now, "when do we move?" instead of "where do we move?". Hmmm. The suggestion was brought up the other day that we stay in Calgary another year *shudder* and THEN move. At that point our dear friends, Kevan and Leah, will be finished their teaching contracts and will be able to move as well! I really think they just don't want us to leave first ;) *wink wink*
The next question is then "where do we move when we decide to move?" We know the Wilkies don't want to move to Salmon Arm, so now there's the option of moving to Revelstoke to get in on the market there and still live near them. There's supposedly this big billion dollar ski resort going in there, meaning we'd need to buy now before the houses become Calgary priced. They are actually already rather out of our price range...soooo yeah. Not so sure what to do about that, and I still like the idea of the Salmon Arm area better. I'm sure I could be convinced fairly easily because I just want to MOVE and own something! Duane too.
Duane and I sort of talked a little bit tonight about what we think we should do, but there still are not any solid conclusions. We REALLY don't like the idea of staying for another year in this rapidly-growing city, BUUUUUUUT....I can stay at my full-time job that I actually enjoy, earn and save more money than if I were looking for a $10-an-hour job in the Shuswap, and build up my credit for another year(once I get a credit card, that is). It seems really smart to stay, but it is hard to know what the right thing is. I guess since we're having feelings of "WAIT", maybe it's a "wait in Calgary", not a "wait in Salmon Arm"(where we still have to go through a 3 month financial probation no matter when we move there). Who knows. We have great landlords, an AMAZING deal on our rent, and are still close to the mountains for skiing, hiking and camping. And we're still close to most of our friends.
I kind of feel like we were going to be getting on with our lives and now we've got to hang around for awhile longer and put a hold on our future. I know it probably sounds weird, but it almost feels like this isn't "life" yet...like I'm waiting for something (moving and starting fresh) so I can get on with it. Maybe it's because we know we want to get out of here but can't. Feels like there's something more waiting out there for us that we can't have yet. I dunno. Now I'm analyzing and I should really go to bed. There can't be that many people that want to read my "maybe this, and maybe that" analysis. So I'll just quit.
I need sleep. Night all.

~K~

As a Side Note To Karyn's Post Below

Yeah, it was a sad day. I have to be honest and say that I was almost expecting it. I should, however, add a few things that Karyn left out as to why we can't get what we need:

1. With my job I'm part salary and part commission. That apparently does not work in our favour and we'd be able to get more if I were either 100% one or the other

2. We don't live out there and don't have guaranteed jobs there. That means we have to go on probation and as a result they're not willing to take as much of a risk on us.

3. The mortgage was done based on my income alone. Because Karyn doesn't really have much credit (and the stuff she does have would work against us as it's only a student loan) they didn't put in her wages

On a positive note, we, as a couple, have amazing credit. Once we get Karyn a credit card it's going to get her earning credit that will help us out. More so, if we wait we're going to get into a much better place that we can stay at for a longer period of time (instead of just jumping into the market to have our own place - as much as we'd love to do that). Finally, it also gives us a chance to get a feel for the place. Who knows, maybe we won't like it there and we'll want to try somewhere else. God has a plan for us and even though this setback sucks, we'll probably be better for it in the long run and it's just that we can't see the future.

D

Sad, sad day...

I come home at the halfway point in my day and get hit with "I just talked to a broker in the Shuswap, guess what, we can't afford anything." Yeah, ANYTHING...not even a condo, which he told Duane is apparently a bad idea because we'd also be paying condo fees and that adds to the finances that we apparently don't have. So we now get to move to Salmon Arm(or area) and rent...again...still. Boo. For 6 months. At that point we should be able to afford a home that will be more than what we would be able to get now. And I have to work at a full time job that pays from $10-$12/hour to help with getting that approval.

I guess I can stop looking online at houses. Rentals are scarce out there, so this should be interesting being that we live in Calgary and if we were to find something online that sounds nice, we'd probably have to just take it without looking at it first because it'd be snatched out from under us if we wait until we can go take a look at it. Whatever. Apparently this is what God is telling us...WAIT!! I guess it's the smart thing to do, even if it's not what we want to do. So much for our vacation home in Vernon.

~K~

Current Home Project

Duane and I are moving. Many of you know this; some of you don't know this. Where, we aren't totally sure. We thought we were, mind you. I guess now instead of saying we're moving to Salmon Arm, we need to say "somewhere in the Okanagan". It's really very uncertain. Salmon Arm hasn't proven to be great in the home market...in our price range. We want a house, not a condo or townhouse, though we may end up in one being that it seems to be the only thing we can afford. Any house we seem to like turns out to be "sketchy" when we go and actually look at it in person instead of online. Amazing how good pictures can make a place look! Anyway. I tried to post a picture of our current project, but it won't let me for some odd reason. This home seems like an ultra sweet deal! 2 homes for the price of one! We've got problems figuring out the layout, but aside from that(oh, and not knowing what the master bedroom looks like or how big it is), we think it could be a great thing for us...with extra income even!
So if anyone is interested, head on over to www.mls.ca and when you get to the home page, on the left side click the space where it says "MLS Number" and punch in 9163126 and it should take you to a home in Vernon/Fintry. Take a gander and let us know what you think! We know it's a vacation home...there isn't really a living room, but there's a whole upstairs they don't post pictures of, so it could work! I'm really excited and already have ideas for decorating the place. Right after getting rid of the yellow walls! ;)

~K~

Some New...Some New to the Rest of You

I haven't been very dilligent in posting my pictures lately as there have been a lot of things happening at work and I've also been a little lazy in my photo editing.

The other day I was in Canmore replacing a system for work and decided after I was done to drive up the Spray Lakes Road a little. I've been commissioned by my brother to take some pictures of "majestic mountains" as I don't seem to have enough in my repertoire. While up in the mountains I found some "snow flowers" that were coated by hoar frost. I wish I could have gone back and taken them over because they kind of get lost in the mountain in the background!While in Ontario Mom was looking for some "tree pictures" to decorate her living room with. Karyn and I found a couple near the house in Thornton. I can't decide if which one I like best. Mom was looking for something that was either Sepia or Black & White but the sunset behind was pretty cool as well.Hopefully this should tie you all over until I can post some more.

D

A Warm Story to Read

Normally we post about stuff we're doing and things we've done. Today I was passed along this story through email. I don't know if it's real or not but it does just warm your heart and make you smile...

D

At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children,the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe,that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,"Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some
confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!"

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"

Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home! Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.

That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.

Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND, NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY: We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people think twice about sharing. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message,chances are that you're probably sorting out the people on your address list that aren't the "appropriate" ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference. We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the "natural order of things." So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up that opportunity to brighten the day of those with us the least able, and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

Blood Diamond

I've been sitting around waiting for Duane to blog about our Christmas holidays(he's got better pictures, and I haven't edited mine yet) and our movie night to see 'Blood Diamond'. I see he's not going to get around to it. I apologize for those of you who have been waiting for our opinion of the movie(Rich and Jenn)...Duane says he doesn't really remember because it was too long ago! Oh brother.

The movie was well done(aside from Leo DiCaprio's rough South African accent!), however a lot more brutally violent than I thought it might be...but that's the story in most parts of Africa, isn't it? Unfortunately. There were a few hard-to-watch places, mostly when it came to the blatant killings and the brainwashing of child soldiers. When you see what goes on over there just to come up with a few tiny diamonds, it's hard to think it's ok to buy them for ourselves in the form of a ring. I understand that not ALL diamonds come from those types of situations, but is it much better anywhere else? A friend of ours took her rings off while watching the film because she felt bad having them, knowing it was a possibility they came from such anger and brutality. I don't want to ruin the movie for you guys, so I won't say much more. It was interesting to see how things are done and how, with strength and will-power, you can make things happen.
Duane's paraphrased opinion(over MSN while at work): Good, but sad. Eye-opening, and not the type of movie to go to if you're looking for something to make you feel good. He recommends it.

~K~

Free Drugs!

No, we are not druggies here in room 253, however the effects of the marijuana from a nearby suite may render us higher than a kite after too long! Actually, the smell isn't bad anymore...maybe we're used to it?!
Welcome to BC everyone! *wink*
So our initial stop-off here in Golden was rather, umm...how do I say this...sketchy?? Our reserved "hostel"(if you could call it that!) was less than pleasant. The 3 welcoming dogs on site were rather adorable, though! We were told it was a mobile home-turned hostel, but we figured it'd at least be sanitary! After arriving and seeing the condition...and smelling it as well...we decided it was better for our health and sanity to spend our $120 dollars on something cleaner and more hotel-like. Hence, the Travelodge. Now I will be able to spend my non-skiing time in more comfortable conditions. Everyone else here will be skiing/boarding, and I will be the shuttle to and from the hill each morning and evening. I may end up spending my day at the hill in the lodge since it's a good 13 kms out of town still...and that's a lot of snowy driving...but having the cable TV is a bit of a draw. It's a novelty while I'm on holidays since I don't have it at home. I can always find something to watch, while a lot of people hate TV and say there's never anything on. If there is a rare occasion that nothing is on, I'll watch one of the 4 DVDs I brought along...or read my book.
We went out for dinner to a local diner that was really quite good! After dinner the card games started...along with the current hockey game on TSN. Hence me blogging. Neither do I enjoy cards or hockey...or poker, which is the next game on deck. Blah.
Well, I think I'll find something else online to entertain myself with while the games are being played.
Here's a shot of our "hostel". Hmmmm. And Kevan dutifully shoveling the driveway because they must've assumed we drove 4x4s as it was quite snow-covered. The lady was still cleaning the house as we arrived...and she knew we were coming! I have a feeling she had just started or she was in over her head, 'cause the place was a sty! And there was a plumbing problem. The plumber showed up as we were standing around outside deciding what to do. Yeah, we left.

Happy New Year everyone!
~K~

Out and About

Hey all, it's been awhile since we've posted, but we are still alive! This is just a quick update to let everyone know that we've made it back from Ontario and had a wonderful time! Both there and back we arrived at the airport at unearthly hours of the morning, but had the opportunity to sleep it off the next morning. Today is being spent cleaning up, buying food, doing laundry, and relaxing. We plan on eating a meal with friends and going to watch Blood Diamond tonight at the theatre. Should be nice. Tomorrow we are heading out to Golden for a couple days so Duane and friends can ski-snowboard at Kicking Horse while I pretty much do nothing. Relaxing, I guess.
We'll do an in-depth blog with photos once we return and our lives are back to normal. Whatever normal is.

~K~