Reality show junkee and Megamillions winner wannabe

Anyone else?
I can't help it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE reality shows.
It all started with Survivor...which, in my humble opinion is still the best reality show out there. I can't wait until it starts up on Sept 20th when the next season starts, in China. Should be interesting.

What has me thinking about reality shows this morning is Big Brother. In the past I've been an 'in passing' kind of viewer. Because it was on so many nights a week and there was always something else on, I never really got into it....until this year. (Gotta love the invention of the DVR (Tivo)) I have not missed a second of the show this year and just love it! I can't stand not knowing who the HOH is this week, and am worried because next week is a double eviction, instead of just one person going home. It's getting so close to the end.....I want Eric or Jessica to win. Can't stand Dick or Danielle. Yes, I know I'm going on but still............

Also can't wait for the Dancing with the Stars this year. Mark Cuban, who is very well known in my area because he owns the Dallas Marvericks basketball team (which I love) and he's a very 'fun' guy. Real mouthy and 'out there'. It will so funny to watch him DWTS....wonder if he actually has any talent??

Now, on to much bigger things.........MEGAMILLIONS!! This is a multi state lottery and it is now up to about $320 Million dollars. The drawing is tonight and I told dh to either bring home 2 tickets or he'll be sorry. If you take the cashout option, which I would, then we'd get $190 Million. I can live with that...you? I promise, if we win the jackpot I'll give each of you some money....really, I will. You have it in writing!! LOL

Crochet news: A couple of new swaps have started recently at CrochetMania. If you crochet and are not involved in 'the mania' yet, you might want to check it out. It's a fabulous bunch of people. It's amazing how people actually become your friends, isn't it? It always amazes me when, someone I met online, really cares about me and how I am. It's heartwarming.

I have to thank everyone for reaching out to me earlier this week when I was having my meltdown. I got so many 'I know how you feel' and 'if you need a shoulder' posts and emails and phone calls......it really felt nice and warmed my heart.

Also, don't forget to comment so you can win some yarn. My contest is still running for another few days. Don't miss out!!

Have a FANTASTERIFFIC DAY!!!

Scattergories.........

I snagged this off Will Blog for Yarn

SCATTERGORIES … and it’s harder than it looks! Here are the rules:

* Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.
* They MUST be real places, names, things … NOTHING made up!
* If you can’t think of anything, skip it.
* You CAN’T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
* If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can’t use my answers!

My name: Lisa
1. Famous Singer/Band: K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Kansas
2. Four letter word: Love

3. Street: Lisa Lane (it's true...in Ottawa, Canada)

4. Color: Lemon

5. Gifts/Presents:
6. Vehicle: Landrover

7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Letters
8. Boy Name: Larry
9. Girl Name: Lucy

10. Movie Title: Love Actually
11. Drink: Long Island Iced Tea
12. Occupation: Landscaper
13. Celebrity: Leah Reminy
14. Magazine: Lucky

15. U.S. City: Las Angeles
16. Pro Sports Teams: L A Lakers
17. Fruit: Lime

18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Lovemaking made me late...but it was worth it!!

19. Something You Throw Away: Lumpy gravy

20. Things You Shout: Love Rocks!
21. Cartoon Character: Lil

A better day

Thank you to everyone who sent me hugs yesterday.
It was a tough day, right until I went to sleep pretty much, but today is looking brighter.

I woke up to brand new yarn (that was in the plastic wrap, IN the box) all over the floor this morning but that didn't ruin my day so I'm off to a much better start.

Would you believe we actually had 2 inches of rain yesterday?? In August?? And they're calling for more today?? What a crazy summer it's been...not complaining though. Me? Not complaining? Dang, it really is true...miracles really do happen....lol

I hope everyone has a great day today and thank you for joining me in my bloggy contest. Don't forget to comment on my posts for your chance to win. No more 'downer posts', I promise!!

Here is a picture of the rain yesterday...pouring down. Did I mention that it's August...in Texas??

I miss.....

I know I almost always keep my blog entries light and with not a lot of thought behind them but today something is bothering me and after reading Kari's blog I decided to go ahead and 'spill the beans'.

As most of you that read my blog know I'm from Canada and came to live in Texas in May 2003. I have not been back since either and today, well actually the last few days but especially today, things are really getting to me.

This morning I got out some old pictures, that are still in a bag because I've not put them into albums yet, after bringing them here with me over 4 years ago and the thing is.....

I miss home. And everything that goes along with that.

I don't have any friends here. I've lived here this long and I still don't have anyone I can go have fun with. That was always really important me. I always had friends...at least a couple that I hung around with and of course, since moving here we've lost touch. (Well, one showed her nasty ugly true colors and the other doesn't have a computer anymore...or even a phone)

I miss my mom....a lot. My mom has always been my very best friend and we talked at least once or twice a day. I always lived close to my parents and when my 2 older kids were little, I likely wouldn't have made it without their help. They were always there for me. My mom would come over, even if just for a coffee while she was up town for something and visit with me. Now I only get to see her twice a year and it's so hard. I worry about something happening to them when I'm so far away and can't get to them to help.

I miss my doctor. I know that may sound funny but I had the same doctor for 12 years and the receptionist knew who I was by the sound of my voice and would say 'who is it today?' Not to mention missing the whole healthcare system in Canada where you never have to worry about not having enough money to go see a doctor because you didn't have the money, didn't have insurance. I live in fear that something happens to one of my kids and I have to go to the emergency room. For this being 'the greatest country in the world' as many shout....it sure is lacking for healthcare.

I miss the friends I used to have. I miss having my phone ring off the hook with friends calling. I miss my house being grand central station with friends and the friends of my kids coming and going. I miss volunteering at my kids school and being 'known'. I miss feeling useful. I miss going to pick something up from the store, like a jug of milk, and it take me an hour because I keep running in to people I know. I miss going for a drive to the river and just sitting there and watching the water. I miss taking my kids to the beach any time I had an extra hour. I miss the flowers blooming right about now. I miss Swiss Chalet. I miss Canadian chocolate. I miss going to my brothers to watch tv with him. I miss my dad teaching things to my kids that no one else can teach them. I miss my parents getting sick of me and the kids going over EVERY Sunday for dinner. I miss going over there for Sunday dinners. I miss fall colors. I miss Canadian hockey coverage. I miss not having to worry that the person in the car next to you might have a gun. I miss the freedom I used to have to just get in the car and go. I miss chip wagons. I miss poutine. I miss living in a 2 storry home. I miss fall. I miss snow on the ground at Christmas. I miss Canadian Chinese food. I miss Giant Tiger. I miss Tim Hortons. I miss hearing the Canadian National Anthem.

Yeah, there are things I don't miss too but right now..............I miss home.

On your mark.............CONTEST TIME

Alrighty now.
I've been meaning to do this for a very long time so, here goes.

I'm having a blog contest!!

I'm giving away balls of yarn that I have laying around, as well as some hooks. Yes, I say balls of yarn, but there are few that are full or half skeins.

All of the dark red you see is actually Bernat Satin and there is at least a full skien to a skein and half of that. There are some veriagates as well as some Patons Shetland. I also have 4 hooks, sized K, F, J, K.

What do you have to do to win? Leave a comment. That's it. That's all. Everytime you post over the next week I will put your name into a hat and on Wednesday, Sept 5th, I will get my son to pick a name out of the hat. You will get one entry for each post. So if you make one comment you'll have one chance to win. If you make 100 comments, you'll have 100 chances to win.

While you're at it, I'd love it if you could vote for me at the 'top crochet lists'. I appreciate it.

So...come on people......let's get posting!!!!!

Here is a pic........and there might be more added if I get a lot of commentors!!

Bless his little heart.....

7:09am my phone rings...."Hey mom, it's Sam. I just wanted to let you know that the bus might be bringing Austin home. He got sick on the bus." (Looooooovely) "The bus driver asked me if you were home so I'm not sure what they'll do."

7:40am......"Hello, Mrs. Marchand?" (with emphasis on the 'ch' sound) It's 'L', the school nurse for (his school). Austin is sick. He's here in my office. Bless his little heart, he's been throwing up ever since he walked in the back door of the school. The poor little guy was even apologizing because he said was feeling fine at home but this came over him all of a sudden, bless his little heart. " My responses are jumbled up in there. "Is there some way you can come and get him?" Well, after I tell her we only have one vehicle she tells me she'll call me back after asking a bus driver if they would be able to run him home.

7:47am..... "Hello, Mrs. Marchand?" (again with the emphasis on the 'ch' sound...geesh). It's 'L' again, the school nurse. Our vice principal has offered to drive Austin home, if that's alright with you." I tell her that would be great. "It'll be about 15 minutes before he can leave though, letting the traffic clear out from the moring. Austin is laying on the bed in my office, bless his little heart. I just feel so bad for him."

8:15am..... The vice principal drives in my driveway dropping Austin off. "I hope he feels better soon." he says. I thank him very much for bringing Austin home.

Austin walks in with a completely different set of clothes on because his are...well, let's just say he wouldn't want to be wearing his at the moment.

I have him put on 'jammies' and lay on the couch. Miraculously, he's feeling fine now. Laying on the couch playing play station.

So much for my 'alone time'...........the second day of school....lol.....

..............bless his little heart.

Lovely fall colors

Ok, so I cheated. Living in Texas, one of the things I miss the most are the fall colors in Canada. These are pictures I took myself when I still lived there. I made one of them into a background for my blog and I must say...I like it.

So enjoy a little bit of Canada's beautiful fall foliage..............I know I will.

Here are the two pictures before and after tiling for my blog.

Doin' the happy dance

Oh yes, I am!! I am doin' the happy dance!! At 6:33am I saw the lights of the bus coming up the road....woo hooooooooooo!!!! There it is. There is my own little piece of heaven. Coming to take my little angels off for the day. Leaving me alone, with no fighting, no 'mom can I go on the computer', no 'mom, can I have something to eat'? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, the peace.
Then the happy dance got even bigger as dh left for work. Not that I don't love his company, but I was sooooooo happy to be able to spend alone...all by myself...after 3 months of 'torture'.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my kids but the fighting.............arg!!!!!!!

It is hard to believe though that I have a senior in high school, a junior in high school and one in grade 3. Amazing.

Oh yeah, did I mention I was doin' the happy dance?? And did I mention how gooooooood it feels??

Here are my little angels on their first day back to school. I hope you have a good at school my little angels....with your friends....away from mom.........lol.

Happy Sunday....Happy Raceday

It's quiet in the house so far this morning. I'm the only one up. Oops, too late, hubby just woke up. Well the kids are still sleeping and that's what makes it quiet.

So I heard back from TheCrochetDude and he loved the 'thing' I made for him. I'm so happy, what a relief! Wish I could tell you more about it but then I'd have to kill you, so...........

We are going shopping today for the remainder of the school supplies. School starts in one week...yippee!! This coming Thursday is 'Meet the Teacher Night' for my youngest, so that will be 'fun'. It will be nice to get back in the swing of things though, especially for him. He's looking forward to grade 3.

As far as anything else going on, it is Race Day after all and I predict that whoever won the pole will be the winner....... Oh. Wait. Didn't Jeff Gordon win the pole? Oh yeah, that's right, he did. Well then I guess he'll just have to win then...tee hee! GO JEFFY GO!!!!!!

Til next time...........

Done!

It took me a while but I'm finally done. I was doing a project for TheCrochetDude and this morning dh took it off to work with him to drop off at the post office at lunch time.....such a wonderful feeling......but now the anxiety begins.

Are my stiches even?

Did I weave my ends in right?

Did I make a mistake somewhere that I didn't see?

.....Is it good enough??????

Oh the horror!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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On a lighter note.............

Over at Crochetmania we are having a contest. A 'sign people up' contest. And of course, being the competetive person I am, I want to win...isn't that natural? So, if you read my blog and do not yet belong to Crochetmania why don't you come on over and join us...and make 15 posts. Don't forget to mention my name and/or blog as the way you go there.

It's a win win situation after all.....I get the glory of 'being in the race' and you sign up to a great crochet board with fantastic people. See, everybody wins!!

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Obligatory animal pic..............Patches

Time flies......

Geesh, it's been nearly a week since I've posted anything.....shame on me....

Let's see, what's new. Well, we've started the 'let's start getting ready for school' routine this week. Going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. It's hard to believe school is almost here already...not that mind...lol. It's been a hellish summer here, that's for sure. My two older kids fight a lot....well, to be honest they really only fight once a day....from the time they wake up until the time they go to bed. It's so stressful.

My daughter starts her senior year in high school this year......I just can't believe it. My baby girl is almost grown. Everything I can do for her, to teach her, is done. There's nothing new I can do. Nothing I can say that she hasn't heard a million times before. Now it's up to her to do with it what she will. She's a good girl though. I am very proud of her. She's going to be a teacher...a high school teacher. She will make a good one. With the age of my kids, she could possibly teach my youngest when he's in high school. That'll be interesting if it does happen......

I've been busy crocheting lately too. As I've said in earlier posts, I'm crocheting something for TheCrochetDude. I'm almost finished too. I'll be finished with it tomorrow and they'll I'll be able to send it off to him. It's been fun though. I've enjoyed it a lot.

When I'm finished with that I'll be busy making a couple of hat/sweater/booties sets for an Etsy order. It's nice to be busy like that. Actually making money doing something I enjoy. Whodathunkit?

It's been horribly H.O.T. here too this week...over 100F. I can't stand it. I guess I can't complain too much....who'd listen...lol. Thank goodness for air conditioners.

Ok, I've taken up enough of your time, now go do something productive. Weed the flower bed. Do the dishes. Sit down with a nice tall glass of iced tea and crochet something. Yeah, I like the last choice better too! Think I'll do that one!

Now, you know I wouldn't leave you without a picture or two....

Here is my daughters cat playing peek a boo...silly cat!



This is what I had for lunch today. My kids looked at me like I was out of my mind when I took this photo. "Mom, why are you taking a picture of foooooood?" They just don't understand...lol.
This is my favvvvvvvorite lunch. Grilled cheese and tomato soup....yummy!!



Have a great day everyone and thanks for stopping by to share a moment of your time with me!

All back to 'normal'

Yes, my parents have been gone for a little over 24 hours now and it's all back to normal in the house....especially the kids fighting. They were sooooo good while my parents were here and I swear, the minute they drove out the driveway the kids started to fight!! Oh well, I guess the important part was that they behaved while mom and dad were here...I just wish they always acted like that.

I always enjoy when my parents visit and this time it seemed to fly by. It was like one day they showed up and the next they left. I miss them already.

They took the kids shopping and got everything on their school supplies lists.....I could not believe it!! I was...and am...so grateful. The list just seems to get longer and more expensive each year. They got them clothes too....so all I have to buy is shoes for the boys and a hoodie for my daughter....such a relief!!

My mom, who has had a bad hip for a long time now...I'd say at least the last 15 years, from bursitis (sp?), is going to have hip replacement surgery, possibly in November. That upsets me because I am so far away I can't be there to take care of her. She says my dad is good at that stuff, and he really is, there's never been a doubt in my whole life how much they love each other, but I'm the daughter...I'm supposed to be there to help. I wish I didn't live so far away.

Well, I guess I'd better 'git' for now. I've been making something for The Crochet Dude and it has a deadline so I'd better get back to that....after a blueberry bagel for breakfast!!

Have a great day everyone!!

P day is here.....

P for parents, that is.

I'm sitting here in anticipation for their arrival. I think they should be here anytime now... I hope...than anticipation is killin' me!

They've been driving for 3 days now, from Ontario Canada. They make the trip about every six months, but it's been 8 months this time because my dad kept getting work...he's a private contractor in technology stuff...anything more than that, I just don't know.

I've been up since 5 am, anxious about them getting here today. We've already been to town for groceries and other arrands so now it's just a waiting game..........*me pulling my hair out*.

Well, this didn't take up that much time, now did it?

They'll be here for about a week and I'll blog about it after they've gone.

I"m soooooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!