New House Pictures/Let's Be Friends Blog Hop

I have promised pictures of our new place, and I keep forgetting...lol. But I thought I would do a quick post on/about it.

We have been here for a month, and we LOVE it! I am finding that we do hear more "floor/wall" noise, but it has generally been quieter than our old place.

So, without further ado...here are the pics (please excuse the mess...we are not super-clean people, and we certainly weren't when these pictures were taken).

                                      I think I have posted this before..my new favourite spot.

                         Our bedroom. Please excuse the creams and foot lotions. And the cords.

 Our bedroom is SO MUCH bigger...well, it feels like it's twice as big. Lots of room! And yes I forgot, to clean up a bit before taking this..just keeping it real, people.

 Anker found this wood futon frame on Kijjjji for $30. We had thrown our last metal one away. We love this one.

 Our spare room. Yes, it's a junk room. But at least we can close the door. And yes, we are planning on going through it while I am on vacay. Maybe. If I can fit it in btwn my lying around time.

             Our bathroom. We have since put up a shower curtain, and I have organized it a bit more.

                                                         Our kitchen. Lots more storage.

                                                                  Our living room.

 Our dining area. Still don't sit at the table for/during meals, but when I do sit there, there's lots of light.

                                                        The other half of our kitchen.

                                               The other half of our living room.

                                                                     Our yard.

Looking towards the road. I love on how the fence is so high you can't look into your neighbours' yards. The brick wall is the mini storage unit, which is right next to us.

So, there you have it!! I hope you have enjoyed the "tour".

Linking up with Tiffany for

Friday Link Ups

Yes, I am still alive :) I haven't felt like blogging lately, mainly b/c I have been enjoying this weather, but also b/c I haven't had much to say. Shocking, I know! But all is (mostly) well in the W household.

Hubby hasn't been feeling well this week, so we have been kind of laying low. I worked last wknd (our holiday LW), and Monday, my brother and future SIL were coming into town, so I met up with them at A and K's house. H said some cute things. I love on how he is trying to figure out family; who is, and why. I got to read him a story, and we had a short visit, until I had to leave for work. Tuesday, I had a small procedure done at the hospital, and I relaxed most of the day. We made supper together, which was fun, and relaxed in the evening, and we got caught up on our TV shows. Wednesday, I mainly stayed home. I did run out in the morning to grab a few things, then I came home and made French Toast, and stayed home, lazed around. Thursday, I went out ran a few errands, and sat outside at McD's and read magazines for awhile. I came home and cleaned up, as my Aunt and Uncle were coming over to see our new place. They brought over ice cream treats from DQ. We had a nice visit, and they left, and we had spaghetti for supper, and just relaxed. Yesterday was pay day, and after doing my FB game, and doing who knows what, I went off to grab a weed eater for the yard, and dropped it off, then went back out to run a few more errands, then it was off to work! So, them there's the highlights of the week!!


Here are a few things that I am loving this week...

1. Warmer Weather.

That's right...it hit 31C the other day. We have brought out the fans, as well as the cold packs. We're happy little campers.

Here are just a few of screen shots that I got of the temps

2. Things for our House.

Hubby and I found a really good (at least we think so) deal on a weed eater (does anyone else think, when, they hear/say wee wacker/eater, they immediately think of what's his name from Over the Hedge saying "The Weed Wacker, Vern". Cracks me up, every.single.time)! Hubby played with it yesterday, and he says it worked really well. I also bought a faker Swiffer from Shoppers Drug Mart yesterday. Anker just quickly used it for a few minutes last night when I got home from work, and he says it worked great.

3. New Clothes.

Well, ONE clothing item. My aunt gave me money for my birthday (it's next month), and she knew I wanted some capri pants, and the best ones (though they are expensive) are at Penningtongs (aka: the fat ladies store), so I went up there (it is now up, since we have moved down to another area of town...they used to be down from us) to find a pair, and I LOVE them!!! I very nearly bought a t-shirt that I LOVED, but I couldn't justify paying $26 for one, when I could buy a $7 one from Wal-Mart. So I just settled on/with/for the pants.

4. Watermelon.

I don't usually buy watermelon, b/c they are usually so expensive, and I never know if they are going to be any good, but I bought one last week, for $6, and it was the best $6 I had ever spent. It was SO delish!

5. New Recipes.

I had a small procedure done at/in the hospital on Tuesday, and while I was having it done, hubby was looking through a Canadian Living Magazine and saw this recipe for Kale and Potato Cake recipe. They were SO good!

There is also a paprika and mayo sauce, which was delish, too.

Then on Wednesda, I made Crumpet French Toast. It was VERY GOOD!

Well, that's what happened in our little world this week!!

****Regarding what has happened with the Duggars in the past 48 hours, instead of judging them, let's try to remember them in prayer****


Linking up with:

Mother's Day Wknd/Let's Be Friends Blog Hop

Happy Tuesday! I hope you had a good wknd! Mine/ours was...well...interesting!

Friday night, I worked, so that was pretty much moot. It was a good shift though, and they have hired another person, so that's good. It was a pretty relaxed shift. I came home and relaxed all evening. During the day, which was pay day, I relaxed in the morning, and ran around and got the newest magazines, and went to the chiropractor. All before work.

Saturday, Anker and I went to the Farmers' Market and met up with K and H. We got some plants for our garden, and bought a few things. Then we went to to Jysks to grab a shower curtain and a few things. Came home and relaxed and did a few things. I ran back out and met up with A, K, and H for a few minutes at Big Little Science Centre where they were holding a Mining Day. It was actually kind of interesting, but since I went alone, and I had other things to do, I didn't stay long. I went to grab a few things, the library, and came home and relaxed in the sun. I went back to try to return something, and then went to look after H. We had a lovely dinner, and watched his favourite NF show; Paw Patrol, and Puss in Boots. I just chilled and Facebooked.

Sunday, started out VERY interesting! Anker came in all in a huff, b/c he had tried to pick up something that he had found Kijjiji, but he couldn't remember the address, and he had forgotten his phone. I went back up with him, and then we came home and relaxed. We had brunch together, and just tootled around here. I sat outside for awhile, which was WONDERFUL! (I may have done that yesterday, too). Oh yes, that thing that Anker bought for us? It was a wooden futon frame! We ended up putting it together, which took about 45 minutes. After that was done, I decided to grab some Screamers (slurpees with ice cream mixed in), and some makings for nachos. Yummy! We had a nice night; watching/catching up on Call the Midwife. Oh yah, and I called my mom :) I was feeling kind of guilty that I wasn't there with her this year (it has been the first in a few years since we haven't been there with her for/on MD), but she told me she was getting her new fridge, so I felt less guilty! But it sure did feel weird not being there.

So, that was our wknd.

I was going to write a whole post on/about what I feel on Mother's Day, but to be honest, it gets tiring, it's depressing, and it is pretty much just the same stuff over and over. I WILL say that it was a little harder than some years, though. I was a bit emotional in the morning, but I tried not to dwell on it too much. I got a sweet text from my SIL, and a few people on FB said some nice things, which was nice. It would have nice if Mom had acknowledged or said something, but sometimes, it's just nice when no one says anything.


Here are a few things that I found/were posted on m page, along with some that I have found/remembered reading and I bookmarked them (though some of them are from blogs that I follow)....


In Case Mother's Day is Hard on You. Read it here
For those Who Hurt on MD. Read it here.
An Open Letter to Pastors. Read it here
I Could Have a Baby, but She Could not. Read it here
For those waiting to be Mothers. Read it here
Imagine you are Infertile. Read it here
Why I hate Mother's Day. Read it here

...and now for the pictures...

                                                 The new magazines that I bought.

                               This was me pretty much all wknd. Well, parts of the wknd.

                                                         Nacho night. Yummy!

                                                       The Shower curtain. Love it.

                          The garden hubs is putting in. Things are starting to come up already.

                                            The temps were pretty much like this all wknd.

                                                            The fans have come out!!

On Monday night, my girlfriends and I met at Starbucks for our semi monthly coffee date. I wasn't sure what I wanted, but I saw on their menu board that they had Razzle Dazzle...I asked what it was...it was a Frappicino on their secret menu...so I got it. It was good, save for the chocolate chips that were in it. I would just ask for no CC's next time.

                                                      I love their new oat bars. Yummy.
Linking up with...

Friday Link ups

Happy Friday!!

Wow...this week has been busy..and then not, then busy again! I am SO glad that I have the wknd off!

Here are a few of my favourites from my week...

1. Dollar Drink Days are Back!

$1 drinks are back at McD's. Happy girl, am I.

2. I got the weekly magazines, and a monthly Mag...

I had to...well, with my friend Kate and her babies on the cover and all...and I also got May's Cosmo.

3. My Yard.

Have I mentioned on how much I love my yard. I spent two hours in the sun yesterday. LOVE it.

4. Frappy Hour!

It's been Frappy hour for over a week, and yesterday was the first day that I was able to participate in it. I HAD to participate in it at least ONE day during the 10 day promotion. I met up with K and H yesterday, and we enjoyed sitting outside, enjoying our drinks.

5. Superhero Party.

I got to host a Superhero Party for a certain little someone. Since I couldn't participate in H's birthday fun that they had last wknd, and since they had had us over for supper last Friday, I thought it would be fun to have them on H's birthday! It was a fun evening, and I think he really enjoyed it. I went all out and got Spiderman decorations, and plastic plates and cups. And maybe a streamer or two.

Here are some pictures...Sorry they aren't in order, but I didn't feel like re-ordering them.

Btwn him loving Superman (which sadly, isn't that popular right now), and him wanting, mac n cheese, salad, pineapple, and waffles, here is what I came up with...

 Marvel Mac N Cheese.

 He wanted waffles, and I was thinking shortcakes, so I combined the two. It was a hit.

 The table all ready and waiting.

 The Happy Birthday Streamer.

 A close up of the table.

 I wrote Happy 4th Birthday, Hayden on the balloons.

 The party started at the door.

 H's birthday shortcake.

We also had Superhero (which I changed to Superman) Shortcake, Spidey Salad, and Superhero Juice. I know Martha won't exactly be pounding on my door begging me to be part of her empire, but I think I did ok :)

6. My Fave Spot.

Well, I actually have two; our table which is now by a window (where I actually will eat breakfast), and this...

Love it, people!! It is almost TOO bright in the morning.

Well, those are my five fave for this week (plus one more).

Yes, I will still put up pics of our house, and our trip to the ranch soon. Hopefully this wknd.

Moving Tips/Let's Be Friends Blog Hop

I thought I would do a post on my tips for moving. And I thought I would also link up for this wks LFBH. You know, to kill two birds with one stone.

Like I had mentioned before, I had been at my last place for over 8 years. And this was the first move that Anker and I had done together, and we have been married for almost 8 years, so you can imagine on how much stuff we have accumulated. So, here are a few tips that I have rounded up since this last move.

1. Start Early (but not too early).

People told us to start packing early. I think there is a fine line btwn starting early enough to not make you go insane, and not too early, so that you are walking around boxes. I think we started a week or so early, and that was plenty of early for us. I have always started by packing my CD's, movies, and books first. Then I move on to knick knacks, and go from there. I am by no means a packing Queen (anymore!), but that is what I have discovered works for me.

2. Buy some Bins.

My brother and his family used bins, and we kind of made fun of them for doing that, but in all honesty, it works! I wouldn't buy a ton of them, though, as they are costly, and although great for storing stuff, are a bit bulky. But definitely get a few if you can. We find that Rubbermaid works the best. Adam and his family also have some see-through ones. They were very sweet, and let us borrow a few that they weren't using, which helped.

3. Don't Use your Dishes

While/when you're unpacking/packing, don't use dishes. My SIL told me to buy some plastic plates, cups and utensils, which are a great life saver. Go to the dollar store and grab a few. You'll thank me later. Or, better yet, go out for dinner.

4. Label, Label, Label.

Nothing needs to be said here. Label a box that says "open me first", with things that you will be wanting ASAP; meds, alarm clocks. We didn't do this, and we wish we had. Label boxes instead of items with in which rooms they should go in.

5. Don't Pack Random Stuff...

..in the same box. Yes, I did this. I may have packed a slipper and cooking oil in the same box. at the end, you just don't care, but try not to do this (except for what I said above). Pack the heavy stuff in small boxes/bins, and the lighter stuff in larger boxes/bins.

6. Have one Person at each End.

I am sure this is a given, but it helps when you have one person at the old place, and one person at the new place (ok, this would only work if you're moving within the same radius/town, etc..unless of course, if one person is already at the new place in the new town, etc). We both started at our old place, and then Anker went to the new place to meet the movers. He helped organized (and did a great job!) at telling them where stuff should go. I stayed behind in/at our old place and packed, etc. Also make sure you each have a cell phone with you (preferably yours).

7. Take Time off work.

If you can, take time off from work. I cannot tell you the amount of times when I didn't, and it wasn't fun, so this time, I took a day off, which helped immensely. I would also suggest that you don't work the wknd after you move and clean.

8. Hire Movers

If you can, hire movers. End of story. Friends with trucks are hard to come by, and everyone has such a busy life, that rarely will there be anyone to help you. Just hire them already.

9. Move Out stuff before you clean.

Just trust me. You`ll thank me later. You`re welcome.

10. Clean and move on Different Days.

Again; trust me; you`ll thank me later. It just is better. It makes sense. Or better yet, hire someone to clean your place for you. If we had had the money, I think we would have done this.

I think that is all my tips on moving for now. I am sure there are more, but I have a day of errands, ahead of me, so I will end here. I hope that helps. It was also great that we didn't have any pets or kids to worry about. ..however..

If you do have pets (coming from hubby)..

1. Have an appropriate Pet Carrier for the move.

2. Give the pet a chance to explore the place first before you bring all the stuff in.

3. Put Fluffy for Fido in a room that is not being used for moving; close the door, and move things around that room (if possible).

As far as moving with kids...

Krystle and H came over and although H was very bored, he did help us by crushing boxes, and putting small things away. And hubby's Mac helped.

...and as far as unpacking....

Get the kitchen unpacked first. Get up your stereo, tv/dvd, etc. Then you have something to listen to while you unpack. Unpack your bedroom ASAP. Yes, I am still walking around boxes, and it has been nearly a week. I blame working this wknd. Unpack a box/bin a day. If you can, keep all your stuff in a room/corner so that they don't clutter up your house...

...and on moving day..

Move your boxes/bins outside, which will help you realize that you really have done more than you think you have (during packing, put the boxes/bins in a corner or room to ease the obstacle course). It also clears up space.

Linking up with Tiffany for:

Random

Duchess Kate has a baby. Honestly, could she ***LOOK*** any more gorgeous?? I love the name they have chosen...and Charlotte is simply adorbs. And let's talk about on how ADORABLE Big Brother George was, looking so much like his daddy, and rocking those tube socks!!!

Can we just please talk about Grey's? Ugh. I can't believe the PD is gone. BOO. I guess I shouldn't be that surprised, as he had been talking about leaving for awhile. I hated on how Meridith left with the kids, and didn't tell anyone, but I guess she felt that she had to do it; to heal.

My blogger friend Kelly had a little boy last month. He is so adorable, and he has two wonderful big sisters to help raise him! Go on over and wish her and her family congrats! My other blogging friend Patricia had her baby a couple of weeks ago, a girl, named Amelia. I am sure there are a few other bloggers that I follow that have had babies..including Jessica, but I don't follow them quite as close as I do others...soooo...that is why I only highlighted those two (ok three).

I watch too much TV. We were talking with my brother and SIL the day, and telling them about what shows we watch, and she says "wow, you watch a lot of tv". Yup, she's right. That's not even including the TLC shows that we used to watch (we no longer get TLC anyway...boo). At any rate, yes, we do....which again doesn't include the movies, and extra stuff that we watch. But I tend to watch it long stretches, so as not to totally waste time. I am two weeks behind in DWTS, and 5 wks behind in CTM...and we have to catch up on AD,Y&R, JJ, and Remedy, Big Bang (our PVR was unhooked, so we watched GA on CTV's website, and will have to do the same with Big Bang), and I watched Amazing Race today. One of my favourite teams were eliminated. So sad. Hubby also watches shows that I have no (real) interest in. I will sometimes catch FOREVER, and maybe MOTIVE, but that's about all. But yes, we do watch a bit too much tv.

Hubby is back working at the church a few days a week. It gets him out, and gives him something to do. Even he was saying that he was bored.

We have a yard, people. A yard! I am determined that this will greatly improve our marriage. Hubby has already spent more money than he should getting it going.

Have I mentioned that I love where we live? I love on how it feels so country. Across the road there is a therapautic riding club, and we are very close to the airport, but we can see the stars at night...and actually hear birds (well, we heard birds at the last place, too). There isn't a lot of traffic (we are near the end of the road, close to the airport), so that is good, and our place is quite insulated, so we actually don't hear a lot, anyway. As I am writing this, I can see the moon through the blinds. We also have SO MUCH light! And I love our deep bath tub. I love that we can have people over. We hope to do this a lot. I felt like I could never have anyone over, especially in the last few years; our place was always a mess, and it got very crowded; mostly with Anker's stuff.

That is enough randomness for now....:)

Friday Link Ups

Here are a few of my (moving) favourites  this week...

I was going to talk about a few random favourites, like Nutella pockets and Tim's, and on how I finally got my free drink at Starbucks, but since we have just done a move, I will blog about some of my moving faves that we experienced this week:

1. Our new place.

We moved this (or rather last) week. I had been at my last place for over 8 years. It was time for a move. We love it. It has a spare room, a yard, and lamenant flooring. So far, the neighbours seem nice. It has a country feel out here, which we both love. I am from the country, and although I love the city, as I get older, I am loving the peace and quiet even more. I will post pictures soon.

2. Movers.

Honestly, I don't know what we would have done if we hadn't hired movers. I had booked off the last wknd of May, since that was when we originally were planning on moving, so when this place came up, and we knew we had to take it, we decided to get movers. They were wonderful. We felt very grown up.

3. Friends/Family.

Friends and family came out and helped clean, pack and unpack our stuff. It was such a blessing!!

4. Lieu Day.

If I hadn't taken (and gotten) a lieu day, I am pretty sure that I would still be cleaning. I thanked Jesus over and over all day Thursday (my lieu day), that I didn't have to go to work at/for 3:30.

5. Bins

Buy them. Pack them. Keep them. Use them.

Linking up with The Farmer's Wife

Linking up with The Slaughters

Linking up with April

Linking up with My Life in Leggings