Pumpkin Party!

Jordan and I took the kids to Wagon Wheel Ranch this weekend. It was rainy and cold, but we wanted to take the opportunity to go for their annual Fall Harvest specials. Basically, you get to go on a 30 minute hay ride, there is a pumpkin patch, pony rides, petting zoo and the like.

Gramma and Grampa Guenard joined us, as did Raedah and her kids, Emma and Cassy. We had a blast.

Afterwards, we all gathered at my house for dinner and pumpkin carving. Andy, Raedah's husband joined us and we had a blast.

Zachary picked an Optimus Prime design pumpkin, and he, Jordan and Grampa Peter set to work on it. They did a super job! This isn't the best picture of it, but you get the idea!



Corbett is on a Blue's Clues kick, so that is what he picked, and he and I carved that up like we were pros. I am amazed that with my holdinga knife, o one got injured, but everyone was safe!



I will try to post some better pictures of the pumpkins when I get them!

Jes

Rest In Peace

My Grandma Guenard passed away this afternoon. Although not entirely unexpected, it was still a shock. I think that considering how many times she miraculously bounced back from illnesses and strokes, I just kind of hoped she would again.

I am glad she is not suffering, but I am sad that she is gone.

Jessica

M-A-D-O-N-N-A

Tomorrow my friend Raedah and I head to Toronto. Raedah has had a lifelong goal to see Madonna in concert. She two tickets to tomorrow night's concert and asked me to come along!

We will be staying at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel on Queen Street, not too far away from the Air Canada Centre

The hotel is expensive, but not for me because I booked through a website called Hotwire. YOu dont know what hotel you are going to have before you book it, but it does tell you how many stars the hotel is, what services and what area it is in. You also pay ahead of time. Basically, this gets you a drastically reduced price. The regular rate for the hotel is $399 a night, and I got it for $94! We stayed there for the Celine Dion concert and the beds are sooooooo comfy!

Wish me a safe trip! I will miss my boys, but am sure the concert will be AWESOME!

Jes

20 Things I Have Learned

A friend of mine did this on her blog, so I am apparently supposed to do it on mine.
Here ya go Rosie!


1) Every morning when I wake up, I have a choice. I can choose to be happy or I can choose to be grumpy. The choice I make will determine the course of my day and how I deal with its individual challenges. Why on earth would I choose to be grumpy?
2) Just when you think you have met the dumbest person on the planet, you’ll meet his idiot cousin.
3) Somewhere in between “I wonder what would happen if I….” and its immediate consequence is where hindsight should factor in. Because it doesn’t we spend a lot of time saying “Crap, what was I thinking?”
4) If you want something done, ask a busy person
5) I am quite likely the luckiest person on earth.
6) Without my fabulous friends and family, I would be a lot less lucky.
7) No matter how many times you tell your child that it is not a good idea to (insert ridiculous idea here), they are going to do it anyway.
8) You CAN indeed get Sharpie Marker off a cream-coloured couch
9) Don’t keep a cream-coloured couch and a Sharpie Marker in the same house.
10) 4 out of 3 people have trouble with fractions.
11) I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy
12) People who have battled cancer deserve to be called Heroes.
13) We need a lot less Heroes.
14) A lot of problems can be solved on a 5km run
15) Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups
16) Everyone needs a friend who listens to them. Everyone needs to learn how to be that friend.
17) When my children get up each morning, they seem to be on a mission to see which one can maim the other in the fastest time. But if anyone else tries to hurt their brother, all hell breaks loose. That’s what being a brother is all about.
18) If you listen to or think about the song “Stayin Alive” while performing CPR, then you have the right rhythm. Apparently the song has 103 beats a minute, which is the right amount of compressions for CPR.
19) Rick Mercer should run for Prime Minister. Or at least teach the bozos we elect how to run the government. See if you agree. http://www.rickmercer.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/10/15
20) I have a lot more left to learn

Jessica

Eight Years Ago....

Eight years ago today, I married Jordan. Like any couple, we have had some great big ups and some great big downs, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

Happy Anniversary, Jordan!

CIBC Run for the Cure - 2008

Today I ran 5 kilometers. That statement is not surprising in and of itself. Usually when I go for a run, I do a 5 kilometer circuit. Today's run was special for two reasons.

First of all, I ran with my dear friend Tracy, who I convinced (bribed) to start running with me this summer when I taught a Learn to Run Class at the Running Room. After that class I signed up to teach the 5K Class and Tracy signed up to be my pupil once again. (She must be some kind of sadist!). This was our first chance to actually run together, and I truly enjoyed being the one to take her across the finish line. Even if she hates me forever for saying "Do you see the Finish Line? Good......SPRINT!" At that point she was already telling people I tortured her, so I figured I didn't have a lot to lose.

Most importantly however, I was running this 5 kilometers to honour a special woman. Linda is a breast cancer survior and those words alone mean she is entitled to forever be considered a Hero. I can not begin to imagine what it means to be diagnosed with, and then bravely fight such a disease. Linda is also my Mother-in-Law-my husband's mother.

It was my goal to raise $1000 for research this year. While I didn't quite make it, I did raise, (so far) $705. I say so far, because I have until October 31st to collect donations.

So, why do I run?

I run to stay healthy, reduce stress, eat chocolate, and show my kids that being active is fun. I run because in 30 minutes of running, I can solve problems that would take me over an hour if I was just sitting and thinking at home or work.

I run because after a horrible car accident, I wondered if I would walk normally again. I run because inexplicably, the simple feeling of my legs propelling me forward in a rhythmic motion is exhilirating and soothing at the same time

I run because I can.

But not on October 5th, 2008.

On October 5th, 2008, I ran because I truly believe that I can make a difference. To some $705 is not a lot of money. To others it is. To me, it simply means that I have helped bring us may never have to hold the hand of a friend while they, their mother, their child, their daughter goes through Breast Cancer.

I am not an emotional person by nature. But as I waited anxiously at the opening ceremonies for the race to being. I saw young children no older than Zachary and Corbett wearing race bibs, saying they were running for their Mom. I saw a young woman wearing one that said "myself". I say bibs that said "I Love You Grandma". Another that said "My Dad". Yes, her Dad. Did you know that Breast Cancer affects men too.

It is nearly impossible to not be overwhelmed with emotion.

Today as I ran I was thinking not only of my Mother-in-Law, but also of a friend of mine who is currently undergoing a Breast Cancer scare. The Biopsy is soon. I hope, I pray, that I will not have to add her name to my race bib next year. One name is more than enough.

My Mother-in-Law is a Hero alright. I run so that no one else ever has to be one.

Thank you for helping me reach my goal, whether it was through a donation, or simply wishing me a good run.

And Tracy, thank you for doing it with me. As always, you rock!




Sprinting to the Finish Line for time of 32 minutes 14 seconds. Tracy is just behind me out of the picture, but she was giving it her everything!



Tracy, with a look on her face that says "Runner's High" ALLLLLL over it. Congrats Tracy, you should be very very proud of your 32 minutes 15 second finish.



This one says it all. I love you Linda!

By the way, if you want to help me reach that $1000 goal, please visit my donation page by clicking here!


Jessica