Music Music Everywhere!!!! - "Life in the Fast Lane" -the Eagles

It defines our life these days. Lil'A and I haven't had a day with nowhere to go. (Ok, today is an exception - hence my blog).

With my standing appointments 3 times a week, have a "Manic Mommies" chat every other week (just because we're all so busy), and swimming, we're swamped. So many others too but they escape me right now.

As for my music stuff. Here starts the busiest time of the year. Not only is it concert season, it's also Advent (the 4 weeks before Christmas). Then of course, there's the whole song-fest on Christmas Day.

Tonight is the start of the fun.

• We have our Dress Rehearsal for our "Gift of Carols" concert on December 13th at 3pm at the Pentecostal Church.
• Then on Saturday, it's Dress Rehearsal for the same concert (Gift of Carols) that we will performing on Tuesday December 8th at 6.30 pm at All Saints Church in Ladner. I actually have a fun solo for this one concert. It will be fun. It's a fun take on a true Classic :)

For both concerts, I have auditioned with my friends Robin, Lindsay, and our new friend Brian for a quartet. The song will allow 3 sets of quartets to alternate verses. It is going to sound REALLY neat. Looking forward to these concerts.

For more info on the choir I sing with, please check out Richmond Orchestra and Chorus Association aka ROCA's website.

If you are interested in attending either concert, please let me know (email or FB or the old try and true telephone - dare I say it). If you have none of these contacts, just comment here and we'll work out some communication method)

Usually by this time of year, I'm down in the dumps because of the weather and feeling like I'm overbooked and confused. Music, parties, trying to figure out how to see or at least chat with our 4 families in one day. This year, many of these issues were decided for me. That takes a load off my shoulders.

It's allowing me to spend more happy time with lil'A and big'R :) and Packers too of course.

Also, if your inclined to join a Christian celebration on Christmas morning, I am also singing with the Holy Rosary Cathedral's Women Choir at the 9.30 am mass.

Well, off to dress rehearsal #1.

A Whole Bunch of Photo Albums

I apologize for not updating this blog in a long while. I know you've been looking for pictures of lil'A and her adventures as her first year as a toddler.

I've been quite underwhelmed at Blogger when it comes to adding pictures to posts. Only 5 at a time and everytime BACKWARDS from the order than you asked.

So, I had an idea. Facebook has a wonderful photo album feature and it seems to have a "share the link with others".

So, I'm going to try this out. From a blog perspective, I hope allows my apologies allow for forgiveness from you.

Lil'A in the Springtime

Playing with Photography - Cuz's Wedding '08

Lil'A in the Summertime

Playing with Photography - Misc

All Hallow's Eve (eve)

Lil'A in Fall

The order of these albums are oldest to newest. (The Fall album is the latest).

PS: If the links don`t work, please email me (or contact me on facebook) to let me know (I can`t test

I know, I know. Long Time But Lots on the Mind

This is just going to be a quick update and things weighing on my mind and not necessarily in order:

• Mom's hip surgery went swimmingly at VGH
• Mom is now at G.F. Strong rehabilitation centre in the Arthritis program. She's happy about that but not being cooped up.
• We've been up to Kimberley for a wonderful visit with the Hunt side of the family. Mark, Jodi and the kids came from Calgary as well. It was great to have all of the kids together again even though they saw each other earlier in the summer. Great to have them there and involved in Nan's big surprise birthday party. (She was completely surprised).
• Lil'A has started "Family & Tot" swimming lessons. Funny thing is, she loves the water. TOO MUCH! All she wants to do is dunk and drink. Can't get her to blow bubbles to saved my life. Tried the bath and everything. UGH!!!
• Lil'A is using a soother only at night. We're hoping to work it out of her some weekend this month.
• We're not sure when will be the right time to potty train lil'A. Things are always on the go outside of the house that I don't think we're going to be at home full time until the Olympics.
• Can't wait to watch ALL the Olympic coverage. TiVo is going to be smoking by the closing ceremonies. Love the fact I can get through a 4 hour chunk 2 hours if I fast forward through commercials and some commentaries. ALL HAIL TO TiVo!!!
• Opening Ceremonies are on my birthday. Looking forward to a celebratory bowl of microwave popcorn and cozying up in front of the TV.
• Have yet to go back to cotton diapers. Feel bad but am just to exhausted and she is demanding way more attention.
• She's at the mimic stage. Uh Oh.
• My PC's WiFi went on me for the second time in 6 months. I'm pretty ticked.
• The PeaPod is a complete life-saver on trips. lil'A is now climbing into it herself to go to bed. It's working!!!! Happy Mummy
• Stress is affecting my skin. Face is a mess and now getting patches of dry skin elsewhere. Doesn't go away.
• Lil'A went to Bowen Island last weekend with the HRC Women's Choir (church choir). She had a blast. One girl older and one younger to play with. They were having the time of their lives. The choir calls it their annual "Overseas trip".
• Lil'A is now using complete words and some phrases as well as the signs for them. Very shocking to see the signs because I gave up on them about 6 months ago. Her favourite is when I say, "What's the magic word?" (the answer is supposed to be "please"). Her response is always "COOKIE" with a devious smile on her face. Next time I ask, she gets it right. She's TOTALLY playing me. Ugh.
• We're moving toward a 1 nap day but timing is terrible. Usually 11 to 1. Need it to be 1 to 3 or 2 to 4 in order to get her to bed but 7pm.
• She's sleeping through the night alright. 12-13hrs! WAHOO!!!!
• Our 4th anniversary is coming up. We're just going to lay low because we're just too busy.
• We're off to lil'A's Great Grandparents anniversary dinner tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing the Buker side of the family.

Hope that gives you a glimpse (not even close to all) of life at the moment.

Have lots of pics to share but I'm in a quandary. Some of my pics are great (don't mean to boast but that is what many others have told me). Not sure I want to put them on the ether for others to claim as their own. We're trying to figure out how to handle it right now. Ugh.

Well, "Clifford the Big Red Dog" is now over so I need to head back in and get back to mummy duties.