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.

Looks like House Staging - At least I think so.

As our Pampered Chef party draws near (tomorrow!!!) we have been what I call "re-invigorating) our home. Focus is on the kitchen of course but the entire main floor is in on the act. Here are some pics from today's finishing touches.

Supervisor lil'A is on the job. Sitting right in the middle of the cleaning job.

The kitchen view of one wall. The main wall.

The breakfast nook. I bought this table and 4 chairs as my first big purchase when I moved out on my own. Notice the symmetry. I'm trying to learn how to "dress" a home.

The entire kitchen from door on right to the fax/printer on the left.

Celebrating now that the big job is done by playing with toys and drinking water. PHEW all that work makes a little girl thirsty.

Let's see how things look after tonight and tomorrow. A lot of time between now and the party to mess things up. I promise to TRY to keep the granite in sight. hehehehe.

See many of you tomorrow.

House Party (firm date) is a great way to get the house changed

PHEW! We're working very hard at getting the house ready for the Pampered Chef Cooking Show that we're hosting on Thursday Night.

BTW, if you're interested in attending, please do!!! Thursday our place 7.05pm. Contact me.

OR, if you can't attend, please feel free to check out their stuff at http://www.pamperedchef.biz/pennyk?showId=2154346 until Aug 25 (when my "show" closes).

Will post pictures of the re-invigorated kitchen and family room soon.