Sleeping with one nostril open

I think I'm sick.
Last night I had the worst sleep ever! My right nostril would not stop running, to the point that I could not breathe out of it! And if I turned over onto my back, it would drain down my throat! YUK! I think I blew my nose about 10 times through the night!

After reading that.... YUP, I'm sick! :(

Damn you, BC weather!
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Nanaimo Time! Christmas Time!

We finally made it to the island, after a very exciting winter journey along Higway 1 through Western Canada! We observed at least 8 cars in the ditch to some degree and at least 6 other vehicles completely flipped over! (I felt pretty fortunate that Collin's truck has 4x4 at that point!)

We left at 4:45am from Calgary and made it to the ferry terminal in Vancouver by 4:20 pm (I thought we made great time!) Unfortunately we missed the 5:00pm ferry sailing, and had to wait in the vehicle till 7:00 to board our ferry. (by that time, I had played way too much 'Parachute' on my iPod and my eyes were really blood-shot!)

When we finally got to Nanaimo, the kids were exstatic to see me (they wouldn't sleep till I arrived!) and I even heard Nolan exclaim "I missed you, Aunty!" (AWE!!!)

It's going to be a great 3 day visit, and I'm so glad we made the long trip to spend this time of year with my favorite island family! Unfortunately Collin has to return to work on Thursday so we have to make the 12 hour trip back home on Boxing Day. :( I'll be sad, but looking forward to my next opportunity to come back here! I know it will be sooner then I think :)

Merry Christmas to all! Hope you are all enjoying your family and friends!



Here's to a Happy New Year!
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"I don't want to work....

...I just awant to bang on a drum all day!"
Well, really, I just want to be at home beading!!! I'm having withdrawl since my little frenzy of beading the other night! Oh well, maybe tonight while Collin is gone shopping!

PS. Last night I made this, and WOW, it was excellent! Collin ate it ALL up and I couldn't even finish my plate! Very filling, and great flavor! (Who doesn't love pasta and cheese???)
(My recipe mods: Rotini noodles instead of Fettucini I added fresh, crushed garlic to the sauce, and I also used 'Herb and Garlic' Creem Cheese instead of plain. Mmmmm!)
Also, check out how they cook the broccoli in this dish! They add it to the boiling pasta 2 minutes before it's done cooking, then drain... GENIUS! It worked out great, and was SO QUICK!!
If you make it, let me know how yours turns out! I gave this recipe 5 stars (out of 5!)
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4 more days!

Only 4 more days till I'm in Nanaimo! Can you tell I'm pretty excited?

:)


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Beading Frenzy!

This past weekend was really good, even despite my lingering cold.

Friday was my corporate Christmas party.
Here's a pic of Collin and I before the event got underway. (So cute! lol)

It was a good time, as always! Unfortunately Collin started not feeling very well after dinner, so we left earlier then I'd hoped... oh well, there's always next year! I was just stoked that I got to wear my new dress! It looked awesome!

Saturday I had to get up early (well, not really early, but early enough after drinking the night before) to teach Yoga. It was really tough, because when I woke up my cold was in full effect! Ugh! (It still hasn't really gone away. :( So much for my love affair with Echinachea! LOL) But Saturday night I had lots of time for beading, and I whipped up a few fun things! Have a look at my Flickr beading photo set for the photos.

Today, Collin and I went Christmas shopping. (Which I really wasn't looking forward to...) But to my surprise there were only a few stupid people out shopping today, and we got almost EVERYTHING we needed by 4:00PM! (WOOT! Power shopping!) And I absolutely LOVE the gift I got for my nephew... He's gonna love, love, LOVE it! (And well, if he doesn't love it, I'll surely keep it! hahaha)

T minus 6 days to Nanaimo!!! Can't wait to see my Island Family!
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Texas Donuts?!?

Has anyone else heard of this? Apparently, the elementary schools in Calgary used to have a "Texas Donut day", where if the kids brought in some money, they could get a "Texas Donut" for lunch! (Think Texas Sized Donuts!!!!!...Wow, sounds like a super healthy and balanced meal!?! NOT!)
I remember having hot-dog days in Saskatchewan, but never donut days. What does that teach kids about proper nutrition? (Then again, do hot-dog days teach them much more?)
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BUSY Christmas Sunday

Yesterday was the busiest day of the weekend for me. Collin, his mom, sister and I all headed to Edmonton to meet up with all his aunts, uncles and cousins to decorate his Grandmother's Christmas tree and wish her a very Merry Christmas! (She has ALWAYS wanted the tree in the front of her house decorated for Christmas, so all the cousins banded together this christmas to make that dream become a reality!)
She was absolutely shocked when she saw the tree come to life in the front yard! (Pics to come!!!) She was brought to tears when she realized that all of her kids and grandkids were behind it!

It was awesome to be able to help be a part of something like that... She's a very strong and caring woman who deserves the best! We all support you and love you, Grandma Sabourin!
Have a very Merry Christmas!
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My First WHITE hair!!!

Today as I was getting ready for work, I found (and quickly proceeded to PLUCK!) my first WHITE hair! I know what you are thinking, that's normal! OK, but it wasn't found on my head... try, below the belt!!! I was shocked! I had NO idea that THOSE hairs turned white as you age also!!!
OMG... I just got a mental picture of Santa Claus.... NAKED! Bwahahaha
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Echinacea, I think I love you!

I have been taking Echinacea capsules with my cleanse pills for the past 2 weeks... I'm sure that's what kept me from getting that cold that was brewing! My body reacts really good to Echinacea! It must be a very powerful herb!

I've been on an Ebay tear lately. So far I've won 5 items in the past 10 days! (2 of them are Christmas gifts though, but the others are for me :) Ebay is great, I've decided I only like shopping when I'm in the mood for it. And lately I'm just not in the mood for it; the crowds, the line-ups, the crowds! Ugh... I'd much rather shop in the comfort of my own house! (Hence the rise (and fall) of the Shopping Channel. Now, we've got Ebay for that!)
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Car-Zilla!

A picture I took of an art car got a shout out on another blog today...
Go have a read... well, if you can read German! HAHAHA!

Hello SNOW!

Collin and I decided to head out to Banff last night to visit with my best friend and her husband who were staying at the Banff Springs Hotel for a weekend get-away! (I figured it was easier to drive an hour and a half to see her now then wait and have to drive 6.5 hours to Cold Lake to see her later!!!) I checked the weather reports and they said that the roads were good... only a few icy patches near Canmore. It seemed like a good report, so off we went.
Collin was driving my car. (I am very comfortable with his driving in winter conditions... he's got a lot of experience with it!) But wow... white out conditions (due to the snow plows ahead of you) is enough to make even Collin a bit uneasy! The snow started to fall as we hit Canmore, and we ended up stopped behind an accident near Canmore (where the icy patches were supposed to start) for almost an hour! We finally were let to pass and then proceeded to miss our Banff turn off! (It was just so dark and snowy out, you couldn't see signs or roads!!!) We even almost missed our turn off back to Banff! What a gong show!
We finally arrived in Banff and got to meet up with Rae and Damon. It was nice to see them and we decided to go to The Keg for dinner. We got stuffed!
But as we were talking and eating the snow kept falling, which made the drive home just as interesting as the drive out. Luckily there were no accidents on the way back to Calgary so we made it home by 11:00pm.
All I can say is that when I finally got home and let my head hit the pillow I had to say a prayer that we made it home alright and in one piece! I hate bad weather driving!!!
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