TAXI TUESDAY

So, J's last "taxi" story generated so much interesting conversation that I've decided to make some of the stories that he tells me a weekly thing :-) Sometimes the things he tells me are sad, some stir up righteous indignation, some scare me, last week I laughed :-)
At about 5am the other day I answered the phone at work. Usually at this time it is Jamie telling me he is home from his night shift, this day though he greeted me by asking me what it was like to be married to such an athletic, young man. Having grown accustomed to his strange sense of humor over the 15 + years that we've been married, I didn't really bat an eyelash before I asked the few leading questions which led to the story of the night. Jamie had just outrun a ninteen year old. I know, hold your hat, Mr. 35 years old, 200 and something ish pounds, "can we walk a little slower", just outran a ninteen year old..... wait it gets better.... for a $10.00 fare. Remember what I've said about J being all about the principle? Well, heck be danged, he wasn't going to let some punk run out on the $10.00 that was rightfully intended to be added to the mortgage fund, or buy milk for B or buy T#1's birthday gift. So, when that kid ran, J ran, and when that kid ran some more, J ran some more and so goes the story, until J finally caught the kid and held him in a headlock until the police arrived. The police promptly handcuffed the delinquent youth, marched him into the nearest convenience store and demanded that he pay J the money that was owed. At this point in the conversation the police officer then turned to look at my sweat drenched, panting, red faced husband (and I wasn't even around!), turned to the little brat and stated, "actually take a look at this guy, you made HIM run... you're paying double", and he did. The moral of this story is... "it never pays to make the fat guy run :-)"

You're it!

A friend of mine over at Rambling On tagged me for a meme, I am really new to this, but I'll try anything once!
Here are the rules....
THE RULES OF THIS TAG ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Each person posts the rules before their list, then list 8 things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people. Then that person visits those people's spaces and leaves them comments, letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come and read the post so they know what they have to do.
So, here goes:
8 Things you might not know about Bonnie:
1. I really, really, really want to be a Godly Woman. I may flop misserably sometimes, but this is my #1 goal in life!!
2. The most important job I have is Mother and Wife. 4 fantastic Children, and One fabulous Man (some days I may call them other things, but just ignore me, I don't mean it :-)Also, daughter, sister, auntie, to the most fabulous set of people EVER!!!
3. I am the self-appointed, official, full-time, officer in cheif of Tasting at the Coaldale Bakery (it is a great thing that they give us stretchy pants for our bakery suits!!) - this is a very difficult, demanding job, nevertheless, I feel that with my training, and expertiece in the eating feild I will enjoy the challenge of using my tasting talents each and every day!!! TEE HEE! (Actually my official title is Catering Coordinator, that is what it says on my buisness card... all lies :-).. Oh, yeah, and I'm going to VEGAS for a Bakery Exposition in exactly 2 WEEKS!!!!!
4. I'm a sucker for pretty MATCHING underwear!!!
5. I'm a little addicted to blogging (like you didn't know that) I love learning about new people... tell
me about you... whoever you are :-)
6. I love to sing, in the shower, at church, at work... especially Grease songs!!!!!
7. I can be really obnoxious!! - see #6
8. I am not a details girl. I really try, but I'm a bit of a Dennis the Mennace...I love to feed people, but as for the mess.... not so much!

As you can see by all the excalmation marks, I am very excited about my life, I am a lucky, lucky girl!!!
Thanks for reminding me of this... Ms. Rambling On :-) That was fun ... O.K so there goes the narcicism again. So, this is who I am tagging.. Dale, Yvonne, Taylor, Carol , Denise, Kalie, Connor , Naphi

A friend of mine over at D'caffeinated Pickle blogged a while back about this site and subsequent books called "Post Secrets". The premise behind this site and books are as follows: Some random guy (said author of blog and subsequent books :-) decided that for a project he would invite strangers from any and all walks of life to send him their secrets anonymously. For some reason the vouyeur in me found this extremely interesting. I laughed at the funny secrets, and cried at the sad ones. The art work and creativity were astounding. I showed a few people that I care about, and did not get the same reaction that I had. I was moved. I absolutely loved the humanity, the reality, the vulnerability. Why is it that it feels better to some to unload one's secrets? Is that the reason Catholics have confession, does it do a body good to speak these things out loud? Well, no worries here, my biggest confesion is going to be the mess in my laundry room, or that time I was blogging instead of doing one of the other million things that I should be doing. I found it curious that I loved it so much while others were indifferent. I could have read for hours. Anyhow, if you are looking for an interesting break, I think it is worth checking out, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on why we read them, why some love them, others don't? Why some send them, and if you're really daring... what's yours????

WordlessWednesday

Vigilante Taxi Stories

This... is why I am proud of my husband :-) As many of you know J is a Taxi driver by night and an EMR by day. But, did you know that he is a vigilante??? For J there is no grey. Sometimes he and I disagree, since I believe I am the more liberal and tolerant in our relationship, he may beg to differ. Nevertheless, J sees things as black and white, good and evil.. he is a defender of the right and the just and nothing makes him more angry than an injustice. So, about last night......
Imagine this. J driving his cab minding his own buisness when he overhears this conversation: (is it possible to eavesdrop and mind your own buisness simutaneously??? Whatever... continuing on...) "Yeah, buddy, I know that I still owe you five bucks I just need a bit more to get me by, listen, no I don't have any money, but I just picked up a food hamper from the food bank, there's like $80.00 worth of food in here.. seriously man, there's lots here.....(pause here supposedly for the other person to agree) O.k, I'll be right there, thanks man." Peculiar, I know. Knowing his customer base and being the observant type of person he is - in a minding your own buisness sort of way, J says to said customer "Am I hearing things or did you just trade your food hamper for Crack Cocaine" To which the passenger replied, "yes, what's it to ya'". J, a man never to be reckoned with on a good day, as I said, Mr. "defender of the right, good and just" pondered momentarily over the good people who donated food to the food bank assumably imagining hungry, struggling individuals grateful for the support they were recieving. The thought of this guy ripping off all of the good folks and using their generosity to support his habbit angered Jamie. He imediately stopped the car and told his passenger to get out. His passenger argued briefly, but his protestations were drowned out as J drove off with his "hamper" and returned it to the nearest supermarket "donation to the food bank bin". Oh, yeah and he left the guy with one closing comment... "what do you mean I can't kick you out of my cab and take your hamper?? Why don't you call the cops???"

No, I would never do this. Maybe because I'm too chicken, maybe because I consider the possibility that the person who is selling the drugs could use the food, maybe because I don't stand up for my principles like he does, but that is what I respect about J, right or wrong (mostly right I think :-) he stands up for what he believes in and does just that little bit every day in every way (however unusual or unorthodox) to make the world a better place. I think the veggie tales sang it best -- StandUp, for what you believe in, believe in, believe in God -- he will see you through! Anyhow, it's something to think about for today anyway -- Cheers! P.S. --- DOn't Do DRUgs :-)

That's it!!!

This is it!!! THank you so much for your help, it is exactly what I was looking for.. look out, this may be just the motivation that I need!! Now if I could just do something about that extra 15 lbs!!!!
www.flylady.com

Wordless Wednesday

poor, poor kitty

Our poor little kitties had to go to the vet and it is official. The little white one is forever christened... "handicat". Unfortunately, (maybe because mom was so young.. and a tramp) he was born with a few serious handicaps, he still can't walk, his legs are completely splayed. It is really sad to see him roll around on his tummy although he does seem quite content. His brother is quite normal but doesn't seem want to assume any responsibility for his well being. All jokes aside, the handibus is going to cost us a fortune. J made a comment that if only we could change his sexual orientation, we could possibly get government funding for his care and feeding, alas... we will wait and perform much carefull physiotherapy on the kitten.. the kids are still holding out hope. PLEASE DON't BE OFFENDED! I just couldn't stop giggling at the poor kitty's expense.. honest the only time he's unhappy is when we're giving him his medicine!

Sometimes Sundays are like that!?!

So, after a 65 hour work week, I've had it. Thursday night we catered a roast beef dinner for 120 ppl. Friday Evening we delivered 456 mini pastries and picked up two very tired girls from Summer camp, only to deliver one of them to a birthday party in the country. Then Saturday, we catered a Birthday party for another 120 ppl. Sunday, I was sleeping in!!!! Not! My ever loving husband decided that we needed to spend time together, since he is finished work at about 5am he waited till 8 to wake me up.... oops. Well, anyone who knows me knows that I value my sleep, sometimes to a fault (well, o.k, all the time to a fault, but keep in mind, I'm severely sleep deprived at this point). I'm pretty sure at this point you could have set of the bell that they ring at the beginning of a fight, bcause the fight was on. Unfortunately I can be a little bit of a ... well, cover your eyes all you wholesome folks out there, bcause I was a full out bitch. Once again, putting work and sleep in front of my family. Will I ever get my priorities straight. Anyhow, that isn't even the point of my story, so continuing on... Poor J as I will affectionately call him from here on in :-) made some sort of comment about the state of our house. (true, yet hurtful) Really, we're all piggies- especially the four little ones! I took offense and took off on a mad cleaning rampage. I spent 8 hours and I didn't make it past my kitchen!! I've got clean cupboards and drawers, and shinny surfaces (well, I did have.. you know how it goes) Nevertheless, there are still things, like my oven that I didn't get done. By 6pm I was less mad, and by 8:30 dinner was over, the kids were watching Harry Potter (we started the book on holidays and are now officially on the bandwagon... yes, I know, a different entry.... focus Bonnie!) Anyhow, J and I went for a walk and I felt better because I had accomplished much, today we made some good progress in the bedroom (cleaning I mean :-) ... teehee) and now it's on to the bathroom... I am armed and ready! Mom and Dad are coming for dinner and I will have prevailed!
Having said all of this, I am looking for help!!! A friend of mine used to subscribe to an internet site that had an actual schedule of how to keep up on the cleaning, every day gave her a small task and before you knew it you had worked your way through all the little things that get overlooked. I looked for it a bit yesterday, but to no avail, I can't remember what it was called and I don't know if she would even remember even if I did try to contact her, and after so many years, that might just be weird... anyhow, if you know of anything like this... PLEASE pass it on!
So, Cheers, I'm off to procrastinate my bathroom some more, anyone want to insult me to get me motivated :-).... AH, you're not as daring as he is are you????

Wordless Wednesday

Kitten Update!

I forgot to update you... Good News! Kitten number 2 is right back where he belonged under T#2's bed! Who knows where he went on his little adventure? The white one still can't get his little legs under himself to walk, but apparantly the black one is getting around just fine... silly little furballs!

BBQ Time!

I am so excited! Finally we have a BBQ! About a month ago our BBQ bit the dust, and cooking...like real cooking in the oven has been an ever-lovin' drag with temperatures that don't go below 28 degrees! So, yesterday J and I finally found ourselves faced with a few moments together and decided to go out to purchase a new BBQ. We began putting it together at about 6pm.

About 10 to 15 minutes after this picture was taken my help was enlisted.... About 10 minutes after that J got hit in the head with a leg from the BBQ, said a bad word, and disapeared into the basement, probably a wise choice, although this meant....the job was left to me. A little bit of a problem, since BBQ set up is clearly a blue job. Nevertheless, I took it on like a champ! By step 7 I was a little bit frustrated, I was, however pleasantly surprised to read step seven which said.. and I quote... "pour yourself a glass of wine".... honest it did ;-) So, in true trooper fashion, I carried on. By 9:30, after dis-assembling the BBQ a couple of times to backtrack, stifling a few expletives, enilsting the help of several innocent passerbys:-) (could you just hold this for a sec...) our BBQ was finished.....

hopefully you are suitably impressed (insert oohs and ahhs here)

nevermind the fact that there are still a few leftover parts, I believe that the legs, yes, the very same ones that smashed into J's skull, are on backwards, which I discovered at the very end when I needed to put on one last piece, but I am NOT dis-assembling that freaking thing for all the tea in China! I'm pretty sure that those legs have a mind of their own anyhow, I'm not tempting fate.

Dinner guests arrived at 9:30ish, and dinner was served at 10:00pm... J BBQed steaks in the pouring rain, and in the dark, after he emerged seeminly unscathed from the basement :-) We had a really good time with Kalie and Kevin and I think the kids will be talking about their dinner in the middle of the night for a while. Thankfully, C was in much better spirits AFTER he ate. Earlier in the night he was threaghtening to go and knock on the neighbor's doors until someone fed him something that wasn't the unsuitable leftovers from the fridge.... thankfully we filled his belly and everyone was safely tucked in by 11:00.

He Put a Song in My Heart!

I heard a new song last nite, Tim (our pastor) had mentioned that we were going to be singing it on Sunday when he asked if I wanted to sing on the "worship team" (funny phrase I'll address some other time!), anyhow, I looked it up so that I would know it.... I love it! Wow, what fantastic lyrics! Here is the link if you want to listen to it:

http://www.espew.com/cgi-bin/play.cgi/1281865

and, here are the fantastic lyrics that I speak of:

Indescribable - Chris Tomlin
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name

You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

You are amazing God

So... here I am trying to focus again in the midst of chaos. God is the centre, where I want to be, even when chaos reigns supreme and my house looks like the scene of a ... get ready for it DALE......a cataclysmic apocalypse! Isn't that a great phrase, Dale writes about heavy smart people stuff in his blog...http://dcaffeinatedpickler.blogspot.com/ Mostly I just use him and his knowledge for the big words :-) Just joking, he actually writes all sorts of fantastic stuff, sometimes even stuff that I can understand :-) Regardless, that one just got me, I'm going to say it all the time for anyone who cares! Anyhow, speaking of focus.... I need to deal with life.... the house is quiet...scary...I have 3 kids at home... where are they??? Searching for the missing week old kitten... how does a family loose a baby kitten??? We have company coming tonite for the bonfire that is not really a bonfire because of the fire ban... disappointing. Regardless, I am sure if they came to our house in it's current state they would be disgusted. I believe I just wiped pb off of my computer tower...ewwww, there are three different puzzles on my kitchen floor and an unidentified substance in my sink.... therefore, I must go... clean, cook, mother, and perform other such wifey duties... (whatever those might be???) Jamie is finally home for two days... hooray! Two parents in one home... why is that such an anomaly around here?? So, before I get distracted once again.....(oh look.... shiny:-))I shall bid my computer adieu.
P.S. anyone have any ideas on where to find a missing kitten??.... I'm not even kidding!!! Really, suggestions would be welcome! We can't find him anywhere!!!!