Well, still no babies.. Leanne and Joanna are both due any time but no visits from the stork as yet. Thank you to everyone who came to Joanna's baby shower. There were a couple of people that I have not seen is so long and it was great to see them again. All in all it was a success. I know that Joanna has posted some pics on her site, but I will add some to mine as well. Speaking of sites, I am going to give the MSN spaces a shot... I was looking at it and it appears to be much better as far as uploading pictures. That's my main reason for trying it... I will link to it in this blog and I have linked back to this one from there. I don't want to give up this blog, there has been too much time and energy spent in keeping it and sometimes it's kind of nice to be able to look back and see what you wrote... Does anyone know, by the way, how much space you are allocated on the MSN spaces sites (for pictures etc)? I have to believe there's a limit, just not sure how much. In the meantime, what's new?

Joanna and I went to a "Stampin It Up" party with my adopted daughter and my favourite teacher in training (I have to say that I do like the anagram Anneleike - I wanted to use it for the link to your site from mine! lol) . Fun was had by all (except Joanna who could not seem to grasp the mechanics of doublesided tape) . We made cards and it was fun but the whole concept reminded me of Barbies. When you were little, you couldn't just have "a" Barbie. Your entire social acceptance revolved around "the accessories". Stamping, from what I've seen, is much the same... You can't just have a set of stamps and a stamp pad... the number of accessories (ink pads, stamps, eyelets, ribbons - oh, and the Barbie Corvette of Stamping - the Brayer which is a paint roller from what I saw) rivals Barbie's, Skipper's, Midge's and Ken's wardrobes combined. But far be it from me to judge what makes people happy. These are people that I love so if this is what they want to do, then I'm happy that they are willing to include me, even though I can't ever see myself as a convert. But then again I was the one with "a" Barbie; usually headless courtesy of my brothers. lol

We went out for dinner on Friday night to the Harmony Buffet. I haven't been to a buffet for ages and now remember what it feels like to eat so much that your ribs hurt... Hopefully I will remember next time when I'm going for more food... lol. Anneleike and Taco are leaving at the end of the month so it was her farewell dinner. Sometimes people come into your life and you look upon them as family right away. Anneleike is one of these people to me (as is my adopted daughter) and I wish her nothing but the absolute very best that life has to offer. She deserves it. Sometimes getting back up on your feet and starting over is the scariest thing in the world but when you know you have people behind you, who believe in you and will be there, no matter what life deals you, it can be pretty exciting too. Just remember Anneleike, if small minds are to be molded by anyone, better you than Tim!

Oh, exciting news! I now have an air conditioner, courtesy of Joanna and Ryan. It fits right into the sleeve in my bedroom so sleeping should be a lot more comfortable. I also no longer have a stupid satellite dish but have digital cable with a PVR courtesy of Rogers Cable. The deal was that you traded in the satellite dish (gladly) and got the PVR for 2 years no extra charge... Marco likes it cause I can now PVR Survivor cause I don't watch it and then transfer it to a VHS tape or he can just watch it when he comes over. Still no sofa but I have Ryans futon frame... that will do til I get the orange monster declawed. I just have to pick up a couple of cushions for it. right now it reminds me of sitting on a picnic table.

The tv is still the little 14" screen but the picture is good so that's okay. Things will slowly come together... Rachel is coming home for a week at the end of August, then not til Christmas. OSAP has approved her loan so that's a good thing too.

Well, I think I will go over to the mall and pick up some undershirts for the new baby and then to Pier One... the old one on Wellington is closing August 21, so the cushions for the futon are coming from there... half price on the lowest ticket... not bad.

Talk to you later kids...