Well, it's been nearly a millenia since I last posted. I hope the last thousand years have treated everyone all right. I've been sick, but I've been working hard at getting better. In fact, I have been staying with mom and dad in Edmonton for a few weeks while receiving some 'alternative' therapies: yoga, personal fitness training, massage therapy, meditation, and nutrition. It has been an interesting process and I'm slowly starting to feel better once again. I'll be returning home to the reserve this weekend. Wahoo!
And after all that time, this is all I'm going to say? Apparently.
Peace out.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
All out of witticisms
I know I should really update my blog, but there doesn't seem to be much to say. So I'll just babble a bit and see what happens. We are back from our monster summer vacation and I have spent the time since redoing my library, deep cleaning the house, watching Buffy, and counting down the days until school is back in session. There was a teacher who found another job on the reserve and left an opening in Grade Five. For a while there it looked like I was going to have an opportunity to teach it, but they did hire somebody for the position. Which I am grateful for at this moment. The new teacher came late, I got to sub this morning's classes and the grade five class, well, let's just say I'm not gung-ho on teaching them permanently. Besides, I've got a book to write.
I am planning on writing two books this year... we don't need me to find another job so I'm going to see if I can buckle down and see if I can really make it as a writer. I'm quite excited about starting... I was supposed to start today until I got called in to sub.
We are having a refugee stay with us for the winter. Maki, my sister's dog, will be living with us for the winter months until Joc can find a place where she can keep a pet. We don't mind. We're actually quite excited. Maki is cool. And she should get along with the neighbour's dog, Barkley. At least we hope so.
I've been a reading maniac all summer and am currently reading Stephen King's latest, Lisey's Story. It's good, but a little surreal, even for him. My all time Stephen King fave is still 'The Dead Zone', but he has so many others I enjoy: The Stand, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, and Desperation, to list a few. I think I want to start reading Orson Scott Card - I can't believe I've never read him before, and Heather tells me he is pretty darn good.
I'm also trying to get in the groove of being a really good Relief Society President; thank goodness I have two counselors now to help me out. The only problem is we all live more than an hour away from each other, making coming together for meetings a little troublesome. But it's worth it - I just wish I had an electric car to cut down on the gas bill.
Otherwise, things are pretty much the same around here. I'll try to blog a little more often in the future. (Maybe that can be another resolution!)
Ciao!
I am planning on writing two books this year... we don't need me to find another job so I'm going to see if I can buckle down and see if I can really make it as a writer. I'm quite excited about starting... I was supposed to start today until I got called in to sub.
We are having a refugee stay with us for the winter. Maki, my sister's dog, will be living with us for the winter months until Joc can find a place where she can keep a pet. We don't mind. We're actually quite excited. Maki is cool. And she should get along with the neighbour's dog, Barkley. At least we hope so.
I've been a reading maniac all summer and am currently reading Stephen King's latest, Lisey's Story. It's good, but a little surreal, even for him. My all time Stephen King fave is still 'The Dead Zone', but he has so many others I enjoy: The Stand, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, and Desperation, to list a few. I think I want to start reading Orson Scott Card - I can't believe I've never read him before, and Heather tells me he is pretty darn good.
I'm also trying to get in the groove of being a really good Relief Society President; thank goodness I have two counselors now to help me out. The only problem is we all live more than an hour away from each other, making coming together for meetings a little troublesome. But it's worth it - I just wish I had an electric car to cut down on the gas bill.
Otherwise, things are pretty much the same around here. I'll try to blog a little more often in the future. (Maybe that can be another resolution!)
Ciao!
Monday, August 13, 2007
The Ultimate Library
Whew! We're home! While it was wonderful being with family and friends in the dry, brown, scorched lands of southern Alberta, it is so nice to be home. Our house survived our month-long exile and I am so glad it was clean when we left. It's nice coming home to a clean house.
My major project for today was rebuilding my bookshelves. I'm kind of a book hound and I bought about thirty more books while I was in Alberta (mostly at second-hand stores). So out came the power drill and the mitre saw as I rebuilt the shelves to accomodate more books.
It looks fabulous.
So, for my ever-loving family members and friends, I would like you to now guess how many books Bryan and I have in our collection. I'm quite proud of it. I've got a lot of reading to do. Instead of just yelling out numbers, here is a multiple choice question to help out:
1. Bryan and Jen have how many books in their personal library?
A. between 100 and 250
B. between 250 and 500
C. between 500 and 750
D. between 750 and 1000
E. over 1000
Winner gets a book.
By the way, Dan Brown rocks. (Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons.) If you've never read him, go do so. What a thrill ride.
My major project for today was rebuilding my bookshelves. I'm kind of a book hound and I bought about thirty more books while I was in Alberta (mostly at second-hand stores). So out came the power drill and the mitre saw as I rebuilt the shelves to accomodate more books.
It looks fabulous.
So, for my ever-loving family members and friends, I would like you to now guess how many books Bryan and I have in our collection. I'm quite proud of it. I've got a lot of reading to do. Instead of just yelling out numbers, here is a multiple choice question to help out:
1. Bryan and Jen have how many books in their personal library?
A. between 100 and 250
B. between 250 and 500
C. between 500 and 750
D. between 750 and 1000
E. over 1000
Winner gets a book.
By the way, Dan Brown rocks. (Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons.) If you've never read him, go do so. What a thrill ride.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Antics at the hill family dinner table...
So Jayden is throwing his spoon on the floor. Grandma is too lazy (her words, not mine) to pick it up. So he gets another spoon. Which ends up on the floor. And then he gets a fork. At the time of this writing, it perhaps is another casualty of Jayden's dinnertime menace.
And Jaala was sitting next to Banna and had 5 bowls of meat and cheese for her taco salad. (little kid-size bowls, but 5 helpings none the less). I told them it wasn't my fault (I am feeding them, you know.)
And mom (my mom) made deviled eggs. "Why are they called deviled eggs?" I wondered aloud (to the rapt attention of my food-snarfing family).
"Maybe it's because they take the yellow spark of life, (the yolk)," I continued, waving my hands, "and combine it with unholy sauces! And add to it itsy carrots and bits of green onion! And the whole thing is too delicious to be anything but devil food!"
At which point Banna said, "Put that in your blog."
ps. if Justin and Jada are reading this, we are having zero fun, sir. I hope you are doing the same.
And Jaala was sitting next to Banna and had 5 bowls of meat and cheese for her taco salad. (little kid-size bowls, but 5 helpings none the less). I told them it wasn't my fault (I am feeding them, you know.)
And mom (my mom) made deviled eggs. "Why are they called deviled eggs?" I wondered aloud (to the rapt attention of my food-snarfing family).
"Maybe it's because they take the yellow spark of life, (the yolk)," I continued, waving my hands, "and combine it with unholy sauces! And add to it itsy carrots and bits of green onion! And the whole thing is too delicious to be anything but devil food!"
At which point Banna said, "Put that in your blog."
ps. if Justin and Jada are reading this, we are having zero fun, sir. I hope you are doing the same.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
this, that, and the other thing
I am one weird cookie.
On June 30, we went to Lloydminster with a couple of boys from the school as their end-of-year incentive-for-being-good trip. We had a good time, played mini golf (I actually beat them all!), played paintball (which is surprisingly painful), ate at Tony Roma's (mmm....prime rib....), and bought another season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Unfortunately, they didn't have season five, so I had to jump right in to season six.
Which I finished in two days. I am such a loser.
So now that I have no more new Buffy, I started on Season one again and worked on my beading project. I caught up to Bryan (he's in season two), and then I decided I should start obsessing about something else.
I went to town (yes, that means Turtleford) and discovered that the library was having a book sale. Dangerous words. I think I bought about thirty books. But since they were only a dime each, I didn't spend all that much. In my creative writing course I have just finished the section on writing for children (so I also borrowed a dozen children's books), and the next section is on writing romance (so I got a few of those, too...) The past few days I have spent in a reading frenzy. First, I finished Monkey Beach. Then I read the 'Da Vinci Code' (finished it in a day, what a superb read!). Then I read Harry Potter 4. Finished it last night (only took me a day). And today, I read 'A Knight in Shining Armor' by Jude Deveraux, my favourite romance. Yeah, I finished it today. Of course, I also read children's books, which take about a half hour to read.
Maybe tomorrow I'll find something else to obsess about. Now, if only I could get obsessive about cleaning.... or working out....
(If you want my thoughts on the various books, surf to Jen Maki Reads!)
(it's over there, on the right...)
(no, your right, not my right...)
(ah, jeepers, here it is http://jenmakireads.blogspot.com/)
Only five more sleeps until vacation!
On June 30, we went to Lloydminster with a couple of boys from the school as their end-of-year incentive-for-being-good trip. We had a good time, played mini golf (I actually beat them all!), played paintball (which is surprisingly painful), ate at Tony Roma's (mmm....prime rib....), and bought another season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Unfortunately, they didn't have season five, so I had to jump right in to season six.
Which I finished in two days. I am such a loser.
So now that I have no more new Buffy, I started on Season one again and worked on my beading project. I caught up to Bryan (he's in season two), and then I decided I should start obsessing about something else.
I went to town (yes, that means Turtleford) and discovered that the library was having a book sale. Dangerous words. I think I bought about thirty books. But since they were only a dime each, I didn't spend all that much. In my creative writing course I have just finished the section on writing for children (so I also borrowed a dozen children's books), and the next section is on writing romance (so I got a few of those, too...) The past few days I have spent in a reading frenzy. First, I finished Monkey Beach. Then I read the 'Da Vinci Code' (finished it in a day, what a superb read!). Then I read Harry Potter 4. Finished it last night (only took me a day). And today, I read 'A Knight in Shining Armor' by Jude Deveraux, my favourite romance. Yeah, I finished it today. Of course, I also read children's books, which take about a half hour to read.
Maybe tomorrow I'll find something else to obsess about. Now, if only I could get obsessive about cleaning.... or working out....
(If you want my thoughts on the various books, surf to Jen Maki Reads!)
(it's over there, on the right...)
(no, your right, not my right...)
(ah, jeepers, here it is http://jenmakireads.blogspot.com/)
Only five more sleeps until vacation!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The blogging craze continues!
As part of my most wondrous creative writing course (http://www.winghill.com), I have created a new blog devoted only to book reviews of books I am reading or have recently read. This is more a heads-up to family and friends... I don't expect you to jump over there too often unless I bully you.
Here it is, and I'm also putting it in my links area:
http://jenmakireads.blogspot.com
Only twelve more sleeps until vacation time!
Here it is, and I'm also putting it in my links area:
http://jenmakireads.blogspot.com
Only twelve more sleeps until vacation time!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The good, the bad, and the utterly fabulous!
It may come as a surprise to some of you to know that Bryan and I have just received some pretty important callings in the church. I am the Battleford Branch Relief Society President, and he is the Elders Quorum President. Besides us feeling totally inadequate and utterly child-less, we are excited about the opportunity to serve.
I admit that lately I've been feeling a little trapped here on the reserve. Most times I really enjoy the peace and solitude, but I'm trying to complete a writing course here and the Turtleford Library, when it's even open, which is rare, has fewer books than my personal library! Okay, that's an exaggeration, but I'm really missing civilization. I want to see movies, eat Japanese food, and go to the Library on a Saturday. Is that asking for too much?
At least when we're out in the boonies, we get to see some pretty cool things. We attended church in Meadow Lake last Sunday (it's about an hour and twenty minutes away), because we have a bunch of members who meet there instead of driving the several hours to Battleford. The highway takes us through Meadow Lake Provincial Forest. It was gorgeous. And there, right in the ditch by the tree line we saw a black bear. Too cool! I almost sound like those hicks who've never seen a bear before, but it was really neat.
Only twenty sleeps until our vacation starts!
I admit that lately I've been feeling a little trapped here on the reserve. Most times I really enjoy the peace and solitude, but I'm trying to complete a writing course here and the Turtleford Library, when it's even open, which is rare, has fewer books than my personal library! Okay, that's an exaggeration, but I'm really missing civilization. I want to see movies, eat Japanese food, and go to the Library on a Saturday. Is that asking for too much?
At least when we're out in the boonies, we get to see some pretty cool things. We attended church in Meadow Lake last Sunday (it's about an hour and twenty minutes away), because we have a bunch of members who meet there instead of driving the several hours to Battleford. The highway takes us through Meadow Lake Provincial Forest. It was gorgeous. And there, right in the ditch by the tree line we saw a black bear. Too cool! I almost sound like those hicks who've never seen a bear before, but it was really neat.
Only twenty sleeps until our vacation starts!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Our Vacation Itinerary
Hi gang!
Due to the many requests about where we will be and when, here is the itinerary of our summer vacation as it currently stands:
Monday, July 16 - we head to Calgary (we may stop in Edmonton)
Tuesday, July 17 - we're in Calgary, and hopefully watching HP & The Order of the Phoenix
Wednesday, July 18 - Tara and Bryan fly out to Chicago and we start housesitting
Thursday, July 19 - we're in Calgary
Friday, July 20 - we're in Calgary and going to a HP party for Book 7
Saturday, July 21 - we're in Calgary and reading the book all day long
Sunday, July 22 - Jen's going to Brooks for church and to hang out with Tracey
Monday, July 23 - we're in Calgary
Tuesday, July 24 - we're in Calgary
Wednesday, July 25 - we're in Calgary (and hopefully I'll have gone to Devon with Corinne)
Thursday, July 26 - Tara and Bryan fly home
Friday, July 27 - off to Lethbridge!
Saturday, July 28 - Justin and Jada fly out to California
Sunday, July 29 - we're babysitting in Lethbridge
Monday, July 30 - we're still in Lethbridge (hopefully going to Libbert's at some time)
Tuesday, July 31 - we're still in Lethbridge, but maybe off to the zoo with the kids
Wednesday, Aug 1 - we're in Lethbridge
Thursday, Aug 2 - we're in Lethbridge
Friday, Aug 3 - we're in Lethbridge (maybe a day trip to waterton with the aunties)
Saturday, Aug 4 - we're in Lethbridge
Sunday, Aug 5 - Justin and Jada fly home
Monday, Aug 6 - we're camping in Waterton (most likely by ourselves)
Tuesday, Aug 7 - we're in Waterton
Wednesday, Aug 8 - we're preparing for our trip to PEI
Thursday, Aug 9 - Mom, Banna, Boss and I fly to Charlottetown, PEI, and Bryan stays in Calgary
Friday, Aug 10 - we're in PEI (Bryan in Calgary)
Saturday, Aug 11 - we're in PEI (Bryan is still in Calgary)
Sunday, Aug 12 - we're still in PEI (guess where Bryan is?)
Monday, Aug 13 - we're in PEI
Tuesday, Aug 14 - last day in PEI
Wednesday, Aug 15 - we fly home to Calgary
Thursday, Aug 16 - Bryan and I drive home (with no money but lots of memories!)
Remember, all locations and dates are set, but individual activities within those days are subject to change. We'll keep you posted!
Due to the many requests about where we will be and when, here is the itinerary of our summer vacation as it currently stands:
Monday, July 16 - we head to Calgary (we may stop in Edmonton)
Tuesday, July 17 - we're in Calgary, and hopefully watching HP & The Order of the Phoenix
Wednesday, July 18 - Tara and Bryan fly out to Chicago and we start housesitting
Thursday, July 19 - we're in Calgary
Friday, July 20 - we're in Calgary and going to a HP party for Book 7
Saturday, July 21 - we're in Calgary and reading the book all day long
Sunday, July 22 - Jen's going to Brooks for church and to hang out with Tracey
Monday, July 23 - we're in Calgary
Tuesday, July 24 - we're in Calgary
Wednesday, July 25 - we're in Calgary (and hopefully I'll have gone to Devon with Corinne)
Thursday, July 26 - Tara and Bryan fly home
Friday, July 27 - off to Lethbridge!
Saturday, July 28 - Justin and Jada fly out to California
Sunday, July 29 - we're babysitting in Lethbridge
Monday, July 30 - we're still in Lethbridge (hopefully going to Libbert's at some time)
Tuesday, July 31 - we're still in Lethbridge, but maybe off to the zoo with the kids
Wednesday, Aug 1 - we're in Lethbridge
Thursday, Aug 2 - we're in Lethbridge
Friday, Aug 3 - we're in Lethbridge (maybe a day trip to waterton with the aunties)
Saturday, Aug 4 - we're in Lethbridge
Sunday, Aug 5 - Justin and Jada fly home
Monday, Aug 6 - we're camping in Waterton (most likely by ourselves)
Tuesday, Aug 7 - we're in Waterton
Wednesday, Aug 8 - we're preparing for our trip to PEI
Thursday, Aug 9 - Mom, Banna, Boss and I fly to Charlottetown, PEI, and Bryan stays in Calgary
Friday, Aug 10 - we're in PEI (Bryan in Calgary)
Saturday, Aug 11 - we're in PEI (Bryan is still in Calgary)
Sunday, Aug 12 - we're still in PEI (guess where Bryan is?)
Monday, Aug 13 - we're in PEI
Tuesday, Aug 14 - last day in PEI
Wednesday, Aug 15 - we fly home to Calgary
Thursday, Aug 16 - Bryan and I drive home (with no money but lots of memories!)
Remember, all locations and dates are set, but individual activities within those days are subject to change. We'll keep you posted!
Friday, June 15, 2007
More strays to adopt!
I love this place. There have been a few more strays coming around the house that I really wanted to adopt. Bryan said I couldn't. How mean. Look at the picture, aren't they cute?
I guess I can't bathe them and deworm them and find them a home. Oh, well.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
What it means to be a Hill
What are the essential Hill qualities? When we speak of the 'strength of the hills' to what do we refer? Here are my top ten... uh... whatevers on what it means to be a hill.
And yes, I'm still a Hill.
10. Hill = eating at Japanese Village, ordering Shirley Temples, laughing at the chef, and watching Jon drum with his chopsticks.
9. Hill = horror movies. Either watching them and loving them, or not watching them and hating them, or watching them with your glasses off so they really aren't scary anymore!
8. Hill = Two-prises. The gift that is given for no special reason, and is a Hill original.
7. Hill = getting cards from Rick and Val. Every birthday and anniversary. How do they do it?
6. Hill = giving each other weird nicknames. I know mom is tired of Mrs. Bates. Jon has been EE forever. I particularly like Justin's new one: the Spaghetti Princess. Janna has been Banna for a long time but has found a new home as Bacon. I think Boss is the best. Because there are just so many: Boss, BooBoo, Boobers, Gooby, Goobers, Booby, you know....
5. Hill = Waterton. It's our special place, a little bit of heaven on earth, our personal battery recharging area.
4. Hill = playing games. Like dad said a long time ago, a family that plays together, stays together. Even though it's the inserts to the family who rule the games, like Jada who has been in the Rage box TWICE! (What's up with that?)
3. Hill = memorable phrases. Though we all come up with them, it seems like Mom and Heather who give us the ones we remember the longest: She's got a long crack (Heather), I want a barky dog (Mom), These buns are too bunny (Heather), The wunner who wun the wace (Mom).
2. Hill = owning movies. Usually way too many movies. Movies that you start buying just to say you own it and to have an impressive bookcase when people come to visit.
1. Hill = obsessing. Janna takes the cake for this one. Her latest obsession: either Ben (Lost) or Battlestar Gallactica. We all have our obsessive tendencies, though. Just a part of being a Hill.
Speaking of which, my newest obsession is Buffy. Blame it on Bryan. Because it was Bryan's sister, Tara, who introduced me to Buffy. I always knew Buffy existed (somewhere out in on Space channel), but Tara showed me the musical episode. Which was hilarious. So she showed me another episode. Which I loved. So she lent me the first two seasons.
Which I ripped through in about a week. I've only got two discs left! So, yes, for the next little while for me, it's all about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's just so cute!
Tune in next week for the next obsession.
And yes, I'm still a Hill.
10. Hill = eating at Japanese Village, ordering Shirley Temples, laughing at the chef, and watching Jon drum with his chopsticks.
9. Hill = horror movies. Either watching them and loving them, or not watching them and hating them, or watching them with your glasses off so they really aren't scary anymore!
8. Hill = Two-prises. The gift that is given for no special reason, and is a Hill original.
7. Hill = getting cards from Rick and Val. Every birthday and anniversary. How do they do it?
6. Hill = giving each other weird nicknames. I know mom is tired of Mrs. Bates. Jon has been EE forever. I particularly like Justin's new one: the Spaghetti Princess. Janna has been Banna for a long time but has found a new home as Bacon. I think Boss is the best. Because there are just so many: Boss, BooBoo, Boobers, Gooby, Goobers, Booby, you know....
5. Hill = Waterton. It's our special place, a little bit of heaven on earth, our personal battery recharging area.
4. Hill = playing games. Like dad said a long time ago, a family that plays together, stays together. Even though it's the inserts to the family who rule the games, like Jada who has been in the Rage box TWICE! (What's up with that?)
3. Hill = memorable phrases. Though we all come up with them, it seems like Mom and Heather who give us the ones we remember the longest: She's got a long crack (Heather), I want a barky dog (Mom), These buns are too bunny (Heather), The wunner who wun the wace (Mom).
2. Hill = owning movies. Usually way too many movies. Movies that you start buying just to say you own it and to have an impressive bookcase when people come to visit.
1. Hill = obsessing. Janna takes the cake for this one. Her latest obsession: either Ben (Lost) or Battlestar Gallactica. We all have our obsessive tendencies, though. Just a part of being a Hill.
Speaking of which, my newest obsession is Buffy. Blame it on Bryan. Because it was Bryan's sister, Tara, who introduced me to Buffy. I always knew Buffy existed (somewhere out in on Space channel), but Tara showed me the musical episode. Which was hilarious. So she showed me another episode. Which I loved. So she lent me the first two seasons.
Which I ripped through in about a week. I've only got two discs left! So, yes, for the next little while for me, it's all about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's just so cute!
Tune in next week for the next obsession.
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