tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48151504654899042112024-02-19T17:05:57.529-07:00Know ALL The People!A family of hermits have decided to come out of their shell this year. 365 different people in 365 days. Never a repeat. Find out how it all started.Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-26348649469302487252012-05-05T15:37:00.002-06:002012-05-05T15:37:36.326-06:00Moving on to Bigger and Better Things<span style="color: #20124d;">My nursing clinical experience this semester has been nothing short of a headache, to say the least. Clinical is a substantial task itself, but when factoring all the nonsense I endured with the college and scheduling and whatnot, it was almost enough to make a grown girl give up. I went from being juggled around rotations to a new group lucky enough to endure a less than average instructor (to put it politely). But the details are not what's important, but what is is that I am stronger because of it and I've come away with a group of great friends. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Six more friends to be more specific, actually make that seven. The girls in my group welcomed me mid-rotation, but our instructor, Anne, was amazing. Faced with the challenge of repairing us from the previous rotation, it was no easy task to re-instill our confidence and competence as nursing students. But Anne was successful and was a great mentor. Really she was more than a teacher to us, she was also a friend and confidant. I've rarely seen any instructors sit to eat lunch with the students, because it's difficult to play both roles. And apparently it's frowned upon by some of the other instructors. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Walking out of clinical for the last day was bittersweet. We were all so glad to be done, but a little sad to depart knowing the chances are slim to be in the same group with any of us girls again. But we made the best of it, and went out for lunch afterwards. We laughed a lot and cried a little, since we had all been through so much together. But I have to admit all of us are ready for the summer break. And the prospect of returning to school, at the University next semester, is definitely something worth celebrating. </span><br />
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i></div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-79094946534843961822012-05-02T17:12:00.000-06:002012-05-02T17:12:17.525-06:00Playing Ball with the Boys<span style="color: #20124d;">At the beginning of the year, I had come the not-so-easy conclusion that I needed to make some changes in my routine. As a wife and a mother, a full-time student, and participation in many other things that I could compile a huge list on, I was burning out. Or really, already burnt out. I could no longer pretend to be a wonder woman wanna-be. So it came time to simplify. But that was not possible in all areas, so rather it became prioritizing. Some decisions were easy, others required much thought, but of my conclusions are such:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #20124d;">My family comes first. Not that they weren't ever my first priority, but I could do more with them and less elsewhere. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">It became easier than I expected to stop working, which wasn't entirely my decision to make (and <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/03/you-can-take-away-my-job-but-you-cant.html" target="_blank">this is why</a>). </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">Good grades in school are attainable in most other programs besides nursing at the college, so why invest the time when it doesn't pay off? and ultimately it doesn't matter. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">It's important for houses to be clean, but spotless isn't worth losing sleep over. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">Down time is essential, and doing hobbies and completing projects doesn't count. I'll admit, Ryley had to help me differentiate, (and my relationship with books (not textbooks) is better than ever. and popcorn too.)</span></li>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">And so on I went, over the Christmas holidays, reorganizing and reevaluating my priorities. I was back to school lickety-split, and feeling better about my new outlook.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I was approached by <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/01/be-all-girls-on-team.html" target="_blank">Harmoni</a> shortly after the semester began to see if I'd like to play basketball again.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">I hadn't remembered this commitment over the holidays, so I had to think about this with my revised approach. After some deliberating, I came to the conclusion that even though I'm busy and stressed, I needed to do something for myself. And realistically, exercise is one of the best ways to combat stress. Yes it would mean another obligation and schedule coordination, but it was a small amount of time that would have many benefits.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">So as I have already introduced Harmoni, to the blog, there are 6 other guys who play on the team that I have had the opportunity to get to know a little bit over the past two semesters. Granted I would probably be able to know them better if I took them up on the opportunity to join them for drinks after our playoff games, but most days I had been up at 5 am for clinical, so all that I could think about was going to bed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We were never the best team on the roster, but we did win consolation which was a great way to end the tournament. I don't think our team will be rejoining again in the fall as a good portion of the guys graduated this year. But hopefully I can join a different group or assemble another team since I'll finally be at the University. I've heard good things about it, and I couldn't be happier to be finished at the college.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlC9gK-z7qrlAgputLM1O2dsnYdktD-fT-0YqRditRlLtqAnhwxd7uBrmxiazSkNIeVOZRJinFYeS3DEKGuWcjPmdZq1-Wsi51cw2MXfeD5Ny_QF_ZkBQU6kWPkgf-XDkZBb4g1C-cW24/s1600/IMG_2455fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlC9gK-z7qrlAgputLM1O2dsnYdktD-fT-0YqRditRlLtqAnhwxd7uBrmxiazSkNIeVOZRJinFYeS3DEKGuWcjPmdZq1-Wsi51cw2MXfeD5Ny_QF_ZkBQU6kWPkgf-XDkZBb4g1C-cW24/s640/IMG_2455fix.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After many many days of waiting for a copy of the team picture, I give up. This is the best I could come up with. <br />
Not great, I know. </td></tr>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-12290365177532249462012-04-09T21:56:00.000-06:002012-04-09T22:30:03.810-06:00A Pirate's Prayer<span style="color: #20124d;">Please help us have a piratey day,</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">bless the food,</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">help us to have fun,</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">help us to find holy treasure,</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">and to not find bad pirates,</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">bless all the pirates at the party,</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Amen. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Priceless.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">This was AJ's Pirate Prayer at his 5th birthday party. Grayson was super excited about this party because he knew all the fun things that birthday parties involve now. I've come to learn that when <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/01/fondue-all-fruits.html" target="_blank">Lacey</a> hosts an event, that she goes all the way. And this party was no exception. It was all things pirate. Pirate pancakes, swabbing the deck, walking the plank and digging for treasure to name a few.</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS6RhV5U5kU7JSXzwXJcB17P2l6QhkU9H8jaXTEmS8tU6r4tfYzMXjvMwOHrU24D1BKOHQ-PCgljH-uazsTGdxGIlO_DzXgyAmvHvo3rBb3YV1Z8eA-kLxF4Va3UdsKaOEHj4Ys3yBTs/s1600/IMG_2206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS6RhV5U5kU7JSXzwXJcB17P2l6QhkU9H8jaXTEmS8tU6r4tfYzMXjvMwOHrU24D1BKOHQ-PCgljH-uazsTGdxGIlO_DzXgyAmvHvo3rBb3YV1Z8eA-kLxF4Va3UdsKaOEHj4Ys3yBTs/s640/IMG_2206.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've never seen kids so eager to pick up a broom! Maybe Saturday chores needs a new title. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking the plank earned you a pirate hat and matching sword. Grayson still insists on wearing his hat around the house, and to bed if I would allow it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziGPzxOfN1_J65mxFKTgMXwTSXbhyphenhyphencZzdMZrJL8vFAHmODfs3uMRGuXITxYk-g3hMPLhuwhG8978DYxufnVxsTOVoHbEre4wz14axxBemGrzYtcTrS0shqgJM1VgXQkcbbvDrFKffEUU/s1600/IMG_2216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziGPzxOfN1_J65mxFKTgMXwTSXbhyphenhyphencZzdMZrJL8vFAHmODfs3uMRGuXITxYk-g3hMPLhuwhG8978DYxufnVxsTOVoHbEre4wz14axxBemGrzYtcTrS0shqgJM1VgXQkcbbvDrFKffEUU/s640/IMG_2216.JPG" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donuts definitely taste better on a hook. <br />
Maybe this approach would work to get Grayson to eat other, less popular, snacks, like apples. <br />
I could cut the apples ring style instead. I see potential here... </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The kids had a blast filling their booty bags with all kids of loot they earned throughout the afternoon. I think the pirate pinata was a hit. But no pirate birthday is complete without a Batman cake! Right?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB9ja2VlwCHVTcvDpq0sDVVKjdmanvohUJQO6YsN57-WI5lYtbFvWrowCFeoro-Oz0MDY-xhghqTuq9m81LNQCGhrVTRybkWga8EgGDtF149jh2mWTaVVzPE1jyNUjYYa0E0sxy5lO5E/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB9ja2VlwCHVTcvDpq0sDVVKjdmanvohUJQO6YsN57-WI5lYtbFvWrowCFeoro-Oz0MDY-xhghqTuq9m81LNQCGhrVTRybkWga8EgGDtF149jh2mWTaVVzPE1jyNUjYYa0E0sxy5lO5E/s640/IMG_2203.JPG" width="474" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The shindig was successful with filling these kids full of sugar and sending them on their way in typical birthday party style. AJ was a happy little pirate, especially with a full treasure chest at the end of the day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"> Thanks for the fun afternoon Lacey!</span><br />
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-50221132747762400752012-04-09T21:55:00.000-06:002012-04-09T21:55:29.541-06:00Unconventional Easter Fun<span style="color: #20124d;">With any holiday comes many traditions and countless variations thereof. I had the fortunate opportunity to join <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/02/like-we-were-still-teenagers.html" target="_blank">Char-Lane</a> to her family-in-law's Easter festivities. She mentioned her husband would be working, so she would love to have some company for the ride and for the afternoon. Ryley was going to be up in Calgary working longer than he expected, so I was excited to get out for the day and experience the annual egg-rolling. I conveniently had 2 dozen eggs in my fridge to hard-boil, and Grayson and I went to Char's place a little early to color them. Without fail we were met with <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/04/colorful-birthday-bash.html" target="_blank">Summer's</a> happy jig when we arrived. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Soon after we arrived the kiddos we sent on an Easter egg hunt, and shortly afterwards we headed out to the hill to roll some eggs. I've actually only heard of people rolling eggs down a hill, so I was a little excited to participate. We rolled a few, and sent the kids to fetch the unbroken eggs. After a couple rounds it was time to watch the guys see who could throw the farthest. We girls opted out of the distance round as to avoid certain embarrassment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The highlight of the afternoon is when I learned more about this variation in family tradition. I was told that some years ago someone thought it would be a good idea to sacrifice themselves as a moving target for the avid egg throwers. This year two such targets volunteered for the occasion. I managed to get a few pictures of one contender in action.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Padded jacket on, hard hat in place, ready to go... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSK7ipAK3BWCzYuRc2vg8UKRzax-E7I8IpMTuN-QA0HW2jtxzGpKM2kzsDMQEaLGVG5Hrx3ir3vsl5zZmLwCx-a-2Ur8h3UFlp_ypEBYOiuSmbhx6BKudCLIVDORBePJynfjVeSIoHG8/s1600/IMG_2243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSK7ipAK3BWCzYuRc2vg8UKRzax-E7I8IpMTuN-QA0HW2jtxzGpKM2kzsDMQEaLGVG5Hrx3ir3vsl5zZmLwCx-a-2Ur8h3UFlp_ypEBYOiuSmbhx6BKudCLIVDORBePJynfjVeSIoHG8/s640/IMG_2243.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's off with egg's already in mid-air.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tactical skills definitely an asset when dodging this kind of colorful ammunition.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The afternoon was less than ordinary and lots of fun. I didn't learn until after we had left that there was also a family Easter dinner that afternoon. It wasn't my intent to encroach on the family function, but I felt welcome and was met with friendly and some familiar faces. I appreciate the generosity of Char-Lane's extended family, and thank them for the food and the fun. This Easter has been memorable to say the least. </span><br />
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-72807997304038563862012-04-07T15:05:00.000-06:002012-04-07T15:05:53.737-06:00An ~ Earth Friendly ~ Easter Event<span style="color: #20124d;">Today we met the Easter Bunny! This year has been lots of fun because Grayson's little imagination has started to catch on to things like Halloween, Santa Claus and the Eater Bunny. He was super excited to go see the big fluffy candy-loving rabbit this morning and we couldn't get out the door fast enough. But of course, when the time came to actually sit with the Easter Bunny, he needed a little encouragement. Thank you Auntie Carly!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The Galt Museum here in Lethbridge usually has some sort of event going on each week. I know there's events for the children and families planned each Saturday, year round. For us it's just a matter of getting out and taking advantage of the community event and resources, such as the Galt.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">In addition to meeting the Easter Bunny, there were lots of different -Earth friendly- things for the kids to do.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">First we dyed Easter eggs with all natural colors. I'll admit the egg turned out better than I expected. The beet dye worked a little more efficiently than the others, but we were told that the other colors did work. It just takes time and patience, which all preschoolers have ample amounts of... I'm not sure what the other dyes were made from, but after a little research I've found out that you can use blueberries, kale, turmeric, grape juice and coffee to dye eggs. But really. Brown eggs? That doesn't seem very festive.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We then stepped outside to color with some sidewalk chalk where we were greeted by some familiar faces. <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/03/play-date-out-of-ordinary.html" target="_blank">Angie and Anderson </a>were out with her sister-in-law, Jolie, for the morning. It is sure becoming common occasion to see more people I know, and I love it. Angie told me that I need to go out for another visit to come see the lambs and baby goats. I'll expect to meet them goats in the near future.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Kite flying is also Earth friendly, and Grayson would not focus on the other activities inside until he had a turn. It was a small challenge to catch the kite in the wind, especially after getting tangled in the other kites, and with the kite itself as Grayson experienced firsthand. I'll admit it was my highlight of the morning, the struggle it was somewhat amusing. But soon enough we got the kite and the kid coordinated and he was free to fly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We finished up the morning decorating Grayson's eco-Easter tree. I was assigned the task to build the eggie sheep and Carly helped with the chicken. There were other goodies to add to his tree, but I think Grayson's attention span was spent, and we left before anyone got grumpy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I say so far this Easter's festivities have been a success, and Eco to boot. I love the 3 year-old imagination, and I'm looking forward to assembling the rest of the Easter goodies tonight. I actually really enjoy hiding the Easter candy, in addition to eating it. I'm looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, and less time with my textbooks. If this blog does nothing but help me get my priorities in order, it's already been a success. </span><br />
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-69726841089690221942012-04-06T20:50:00.001-06:002012-04-07T12:42:47.012-06:00A Colorful Birthday Bash<span style="color: #20124d;">Grayson may only be 3 years-old, but I'm pretty sure I've already got my future daughter-in-law picked out. Too bad arranged marriages are not common practice around here.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Summer and Grayson have been good little friends for almost a year now. I think one of my favorite things about Summer is that she has no inhibitions when it comes to showing her emotions. When we go over to her house to play, we're greeted with a gasping grin followed by a happy little jig. Needless to say she's very animated; I think it's genetic. We got to experience this firsthand when we had <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/02/like-we-were-still-teenagers.html" target="_blank">Tom and Char-Lane</a> (aka Toad and Chuck) over to play games a little while back.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I was so excited when Grayson got invited to his first birthday party. I don't think he entirely knew what to expect, but a house full of children may have been a slight surprise. But I think all was okay when we were received with the familiar happy jig.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who ever thought it was a good idea to say "cheese" for a picture??<br />
It might work for a small portion of people, Grayson is not one of them.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">There were some new faces for Grayson and I, but some familiar ones as well. I'll admit I didn't recognize <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/02/like-some-bawses-curling.h" target="_blank">Kaylee</a> first thing without her coat and toque, but it was nice to see her again. <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/01/fondue-all-fruits.html" target="_blank">Lacey </a>also stopped by for a couple minutes. I manged to catch up with her about her latest <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.ca/2012/03/great-debate.html" target="_blank">debate </a>that we were regrettably unable to attend. It's too bad, it sounded like it would have been interesting. Hopefully there'll be a next time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I was glad to stay and play with a houseful of 3 year-olds, and lend an extra pair of helping hands to the occasion. Conveniently the weather cooperated and we were able to take the kiddos out to play. I imagine things could have gotten a little loud inside had we not been able to burn a little energy off outside before we got to the presents. Because, you know, all 3 year-olds sit patiently and watch someone else opening presents... We parents may have had to intervene more than once.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">After presents it was cake time. Summer had a special rainbow cake and the rest of us had rainbow cupcakes. I may have a small cupcake obsession, and rainbow cupcakes are no exception. There was also a rainbow fruit platter to go along with the rest of the rainbow decorations. The kids sure enjoyed hunting for their treat bags of gold at the end of the rainbow party.</span><br />
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After this successful party, I think I'm a little braver to host a birthday party for Grayson this year. But at the rate Grayson is making so many new friends, it may just be a bigger bash than I'm anticipating. At least his birthday isn't until July so I imagine I'll be hosting it outdoors.<br />
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i><br />
<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-39905660307012690212012-04-05T11:30:00.000-06:002012-04-06T22:41:37.593-06:00Here's To Dreaming BigI'm not sure when, but somewhere along the line we've all decided that dreaming is for kids. Oh yeah, we all try to say to ourselves that we think that dreaming big is important, and we tell our kids that. Or maybe <i>we</i> were told that as kids. I mean, weren't you ever told that you could be anything you want to be*?<br />
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*As long as that "anything" is a doctor, lawyer, or dentist...<br />
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I literally heard a person say once that the reason that a couple divorced is because he was a "dreamer". As if that was supposed to explain just how validated the divorce was.<br />
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Dreaming in conjunction with other traits can be a very bad thing. I'm sure we all know a dreamer who is lazy. Who talks constantly of all the neat things he's going to do, yet sits in front of his laptop writing blog posts all day.<br />
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I'd like to point out that it isn't the <i>dreaming</i> that's the problem, it's the <i>lazy</i>.<br />
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I have a niece that's pretty close to my age, so she's really more like a sister-in-law. Erika is her name, and she's a dreamer (now don't you dare attach any of the negative connotations to that word, we just went over that).<br />
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In her early 20's, Erika has already done several things that most people would consider "unconventional". She's lived (not vacationed) in Mexico. She's moved out to Vancouver to waittress and act on the side. She's sold her own original artwork for cash. She's been a model. She's performed several shows performing covers as well as original music. Among many other things.<br />
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And now she's getting ready to pack up and go to Dawson City, Yukon to work for a few months to get enough money to spend a year in Australia and then to tour Europe after that.<br />
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We try to get Erika to come by as much as we can. The reason is because when she comes by, she leaves me and Trish feeling energized. Excited. About all the things that we want to do in life before we get all crotchety. She reminds us how the days will slip by if we don't grab them. This is why you need a dreamer in your life.<br />
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Maybe you have a friend who is a dreamer. Maybe you are married to one. Heck, maybe you <i>are</i> one. Whatever the case, realize that these people are here to boost the rest of us. Dreamers have the unfortunate situation of having to go through life having 90% of people tell them that what they want to do isn't practical, or realistic. Who cares? What's the worst that can happen? Now that's just Erika talking.<br />
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So forget about all the reasons that you can't do something. Seriously, you only live once. And I'm willing to bet that whatever it is that you're dreaming about, telling yourself that you'll do it someday, will only get harder and harder to do with every passing day. So start on it now. Go hang out with a dreamer that you know, and be inspired. And if you try and fail, who cares? At least you tried, during the one chance that you had, the one life that you'll never get to live again.<br />
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So here's to dreaming big, and not worrying too much about the details. My family is full of dreamers (on both sides), and I'm saying that it's one of the biggest compliments that I can give.<br />
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-26609997913282698352012-04-04T09:50:00.002-06:002012-04-04T09:51:52.298-06:00Teaching Trains to TroyHad an old friend from high school call me up the other day.<br />
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"Saw your blog." says he, "and was wondering if you'd like to come over for some board games."<br />
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The answer is yes. It's always yes.<br />
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When I got there he was all ready. Rail Baron (1977) was all nicely laid out on the table, and he had invited 2 guests over that I had never met. This was my kind of evening.<br />
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Never had I thought that a game based on trains could be so cutthroat. I found myself to be out of my league and the other (more callous) rail barons seemed to make quick work of my pathetic railroad empire that I was attempting to build.<br />
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Mike's brother Jeff won. But that's not important. It's only important when <i>I</i> win.<br />
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Trish had clinical rotations at the hospital the evening of the game, so I took Grayson over to play at Mike's house while we gamed. The little tyke must be getting more mature, because he was quite the little angel for the bulk of the evening. Either that, or this meet new people thing is starting to affect him.<br />
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That's the long and the short of it. Sure is nice when people lay out our evening for us. Thanks Mike! No thanks to Jeff, the sore winner. I don't know what that makes me.<br />
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-33918314583636688242012-04-02T22:29:00.000-06:002012-04-02T22:31:05.627-06:00Friends Of FriendsOne of the best parts about this thing we're doing this year is that we are already expanding our little social circle beyond what we thought would happen.<br />
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We've spent time with many of our friends. But by day 3 we were beginning to run out of friends, and so we made a plea to our friends.<br />
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"Please," we said, "let us get to know <i>your</i> friends. You all are always doing fun and cool things when you aren't around us, just let us tag along."<br />
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And so, like everybody's younger sibling, we've been tagging along with our friends as they hang out with cooler people than we.<br />
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But we have now taken it a step beyond this. The other night, I hung out with the friend of a friend of a friend. You heard me right, pick your mouth up off the floor. Friend to the power of 3.<br />
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See, Tyson (a good friend of mine), invited his brother-in-law Fraser to come play some board games about a month back. Fraser commented that he had a good friend that lived nearby that would be interested in playing some games as well. He left me with a number for Mark, who we invited over about a month later (although Fraser couldn't make it).<br />
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So now the web is growing, and soon my social appendages will be sneaking into every area of the local social scene. I need some type of evil genius to help me take advantage of the situation. All I've got is a blog. There has to be a better way to tap into this influence I will be gaining.<br />
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Anyways, had Mark over for some (dun dun!) board games. It felt good to be back at my house (I've been working in Calgary for the past several weeks), and be able to relax in my own home. I will be having this guy over again. His own board game collection dwarfs my own. He has 691 games to my 75(ish). For those of you from Lethbridge, it's like he has a bigger truck than me. Very emasculating.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I couldn't resist...</span></td></tr>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<br />Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-70435852411689611862012-04-02T20:50:00.000-06:002012-04-02T20:50:03.954-06:00Excuses, Explanations, And ExpletivesThere aren't any expletives in this post, don't get excited. I just couldn't find many words that started with "ex" on a cursory examination, just think of it as an exaggeration.<br />
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Alright.<br />
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As our thousands of regular readers have undoubtedly noticed, we have started to move away from daily blogging. This is not because we have nothing to blog about. On the contrary, we have been so busy spending time withe people that we just haven't had as much time to dedicate to keeping up with the daily posts.<br />
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As one reader has informed me, this is bad, ergo I am a bad person, and need a haircut. I appreciate this type of candid advice from our readers.<br />
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Now I have that gross feeling. That feeling of "I have way too much to catch up on, so instead of chipping away at it, I'm going to play on my iphone." We've all been there. It is a dark place.<br />
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So I'm kicking myself in the butt today and getting back in the routine. Maybe I should start outsourcing this blogging stuff to India.<br />
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What you can expect in the future: More of the same from your truly. Maybe we'll figure something out at some point, but until then, hang in there people!<br />
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And if you're going to give me advice, don't comment on my nose, I already know it's big.<br />
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<br />Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-15587606376218593192012-03-30T21:27:00.003-06:002012-04-04T21:25:59.340-06:00Matt Had A Baby On The Side Of The Road<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For those of you who majored in
biology, you`ll probably realize that Matt wasn`t actually the one who had the
baby. `Twas his wife, Kathy. But because Matt is a very prominent personality
in any situation he is in, you find yourself just saying "Matt did this or that".
So, Matt had a baby. In the car. On a busy road. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;">On Calgary's biggest street was born a wee babe during rush hour.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Delivered by his dad, in the park lane of Macleod trail this morning at 6ish. Kathy told Matt to pull over which he resisted, carefully calculating what that meant. With legs dangling in the ditch, and cradling the babies head in her hands, while propped against the console, she delivered said baby into Matt's confident hands. The ambulance arrived about four minutes later to find the happy little family, mom and baby still attached, waiting patiently for roadside assistance.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now you're probably saying to yourself "Who the heck is
Matt?" </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">That is a very good question, and even though he's been my older
brother for practically my entire life, sometimes even I don't know the answer
to that question. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As a good friend of ours recently said, <span style="background-color: white;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Matt should be on the show <i>Canada's Know-It-All</i>. Turns out
he can assist birthing a child in a car. Chalk it up as another one of those
things that Matt just figures out and does well on the fly."</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This is all very true, but if you grew up
with Matt, I think that you'd find that it's not as inherent a skill as many
would like to believe. It was a learning process, and several of my favorite
toys met untimely demises due to Matt's "modifications". I remember
when he tried to make my Scorcher 6x6 remote control car submersible. He
modified it so that it could be placed in water. In the end, he<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>did</i> place it in water, and
that's like halfway there I guess. Points for trying I suppose.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlzLQd96BZXNF21Vl8WRQJyL-EKTzw1uM5ZfX1-E7VOpn-s0M7v2Yvq1IIMuVURWpSyOCNo_Zq6h5UcImkZTYCF7SmWgXdP06hOHK04EbYQQVCgpdUcOIcXdFIhmXIWrf8oMrlWblWCE/s1600/Baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlzLQd96BZXNF21Vl8WRQJyL-EKTzw1uM5ZfX1-E7VOpn-s0M7v2Yvq1IIMuVURWpSyOCNo_Zq6h5UcImkZTYCF7SmWgXdP06hOHK04EbYQQVCgpdUcOIcXdFIhmXIWrf8oMrlWblWCE/s640/Baby.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a picture of the un-modified baby boy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">By 10 years old he had gotten his paws on
several of my dad's tools. He managed to hook up an original Nintendo and
television to a battery pack he had welded together out of old socks and
vaseline (or something like that). We got literally minutes of playtime out of
the t.v./nintendo combo before it ran out of juice. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So you see, the guy's just got a knack for
knowing how stuff works. I wasn't surprised at all that he figured out how to
deliver a baby in a car on the side of a busy road. In fact, I'm sure by now
he's figured out how to do it even faster next time. He could deliver a baby in
a rollercoaster if it weren't for the silly "regulations" that the
government puts on that kind of thing. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Although before I get too far, I should
mention his wife Kathy. She helped in the delivery too. We all have some part
to play right?</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhWgqbN9KIgks7inrfErNe3ifYlfyVE5MJgkJEro6hrHmD8b6JqpsuHuiVk2N6a1su3Ak7C9g_DIvjFW-_6HLfiJqHjBeFjAodhkHGm_1kBtjXqiXavGhVCConT9ZgfsGZZpVxNZndVk/s1600/Matt+and+Kathy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhWgqbN9KIgks7inrfErNe3ifYlfyVE5MJgkJEro6hrHmD8b6JqpsuHuiVk2N6a1su3Ak7C9g_DIvjFW-_6HLfiJqHjBeFjAodhkHGm_1kBtjXqiXavGhVCConT9ZgfsGZZpVxNZndVk/s640/Matt+and+Kathy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt with his helper. He probably wouldn't have been able to do it without her.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I've gotten to know them both quite a bit
better as of late. Since I got laid off of my job I've been working in Calgary
(2 hours away) and staying at Matt's house during the week. Knowing how good he
is at everything I should really take up some of my broken stuff next time I go
up. I could take up that toaster that's been just sitting dusty in a corner for
years. He could probably deliver me a nice, new, baby toaster. On the side of
the road no less. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So that's Matt. If you don't
know Matt, you think I made him up. If you do know Matt, you know I toned him
down quite a bit to make him believable. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv78JQAQD6nX0zPKbl3bMiNabXSRjhoWj7pmpq0wpsMCD5HuDTP__u7UiNuLhWlTeVmRR8not50da93urRTkmEw32W3mOaVZupEfftiJvCQXTWv9chaLcdQ1crF5XmVGbO6-tRDkhIfnA/s1600/dumb+hat+matt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv78JQAQD6nX0zPKbl3bMiNabXSRjhoWj7pmpq0wpsMCD5HuDTP__u7UiNuLhWlTeVmRR8not50da93urRTkmEw32W3mOaVZupEfftiJvCQXTWv9chaLcdQ1crF5XmVGbO6-tRDkhIfnA/s640/dumb+hat+matt.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the ugliest picture I could find of Matt. Why? Because brothers.</td></tr>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i>
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<br /></div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-78410368952282761542012-03-26T21:21:00.000-06:002012-03-26T21:40:18.848-06:00A Tea Party with ALL the Trimmings<span style="color: #20124d;">Finding myself husband-less for the weekend, I decided to make the trek out to Hill Spring to stay at my sister Jana's place for a few days. We swap babysitting from time to time, and such was the case for this voyage. It's only an hour from her driveway to mine, so really it's not that bad of a drive, assuming the weather cooperates. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I am fairly familiar with a good portion of the people from Hill Spring. Both my brother and my sister and their families live there, a few good friends from high school, as well as some of Ryley's extended family. When Jana invited me out to a Tea Party with some of the ladies from the area, I was glad to go, and felt welcome attending. When considering the amount of people I knew would probably be attending, I assumed there would be someone there for me to get to know better. Instead of taking the easy route with a family member or family member-in-law, I decided to take the opportunity to sit beside someone new or someone I'd like to get reacquainted with.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Ryley and I have lived in our house for 5 years, which, for some reason, amazes me. But aside from that, we have had the opportunity to see people come and go in our neighborhood. During that time I had the chance to meet Tracey Beck, and visit with her a few times. But shortly after I had met her, she moved out to Hill Spring. I assumed I would see her again soon since I'm frequently in Hill Spring, but I didn't think it would take two years to reconnect, and at a Tea Party nonetheless. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I had the opportunity to sit next to Tracey and take little time to reconnect while we sipped from our tea cups. Lots has changed in the past two years; I'm back to school and she's since had a baby who's almost a year old! I really didn't think Tracey remembered much of the few times we visited before she moved, but I was surprised when she turned to me and said, "Trish, I really have to thank you." She continues, "my husband hardly eats ichiban noodles anymore and less macaroni and cheese since we moved. I never liked it when he did, but I couldn't get him to listen to me when I'd say it was't good for him." I tried to remember back the best I could... I must have gone off on a nutrition tangent at some point in a past conversation, but I was really glad that what I'd said had made a difference. And I thank Tracey for bringing it to my attention, it made me happy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkOtEpBekqeFfAr-06rt5d0ogEmsRVTRHhoPqvg2NKZrLRKG6jGnyX4n-OCg9xLOehYNxYnEonZHYtsdeeuwDWKV7rzKg_kspf-a1ZuJMmgVuwY3KU3cWEfqwpcl1b1XCRx8CVs9BFLg/s1600/IMG_7255fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkOtEpBekqeFfAr-06rt5d0ogEmsRVTRHhoPqvg2NKZrLRKG6jGnyX4n-OCg9xLOehYNxYnEonZHYtsdeeuwDWKV7rzKg_kspf-a1ZuJMmgVuwY3KU3cWEfqwpcl1b1XCRx8CVs9BFLg/s640/IMG_7255fix.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I can't recall ever attending a Tea Party party before, but this one was everything I had imagined one would be like: Tables of appetizers and finger food, sweet treats and dessert, flowers and fine tea china, complete with everyone wearing hats and the Cheshire Cat in the Tree. Did I forget to mention we were in Wonderland for the evening? And to accommodate this all for more than 70 ladies! That's an accomplishment. My hat goes off to those in charge. It was a wonderful evening. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<br />Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-25121694305842051222012-03-23T22:59:00.001-06:002012-04-16T10:04:33.034-06:00You can take away my job, but you can't take away my friends...Trish used to be a waitress at a particular restaurant. I won't mention the name of it because I'm about defame the junk out of it.<br />
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The staff at this place was really cool. Everyone got along great and the bosses themselves were very caring for the staff. Unfortunately, some time ago the restaurant was purchased by some other people who decided to fire almost every last (<span style="color: #351c75;">student</span>) employee <span style="color: #351c75;">(during the holidays no least)</span> and replace them with family members. </div>
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What was interesting, is that many of the people from the restaurant have kept in really good touch with each other, and because of this continued connection, we found ourselves having lunch with Matt.</div>
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Matt is one of the nicest people that I think I have ever met. You know how when your spouse knows a person of the opposite gender your instinct kicks in and you immediately compare them to yourself? (Don't lie, we all do this). You have to check that they aren't as good looking as you, that they aren't as funny as you, etc. It's not that you're worried or anything, you just have to check. </div>
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My point is, that this doesn't happen with Matt. Matt is such a genuinely <i>nice</i> person, that you don't have to do the "is he better than me at anything" check. I think this comes from there being absolutely no shred of dishonesty in the guy. </div>
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We had a lunch at the Saigonese Restaurant (love that place). Matt informed us on the ins and outs of journalism, as that's what he's in school for. We had a great time, with a great guy, and had some good laughs. I mean, how can you <i>not</i> have a good time with a guy who's main passions are unicorns and narwhales?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuP0uDktytrC6LXa0dnuIwhwxaMFLi8bdcm64uBLdgVBIz9CSi1KLiscmhuMuxqz6XA6TCaAoleRpbIeyKyYkWsjmpdOcaVdMPXwANu66P9Tz7Hyu3MzKb59ZZTZACwoo-ZJKR3YqX7A/s1600/IMG_2345crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuP0uDktytrC6LXa0dnuIwhwxaMFLi8bdcm64uBLdgVBIz9CSi1KLiscmhuMuxqz6XA6TCaAoleRpbIeyKyYkWsjmpdOcaVdMPXwANu66P9Tz7Hyu3MzKb59ZZTZACwoo-ZJKR3YqX7A/s640/IMG_2345crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">p.s. - Matt, if you read this, I would still like a copy of your unicorn song...</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i> </span></div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-4561657764268428922012-03-23T15:12:00.000-06:002012-03-23T21:32:02.328-06:00A Play Date Out of the Ordinary<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7xlzUzMpvZV3SIiRObhXe-vXRgtLmD1uvaJg97YNirx2aNoj5UowSMpRV0Du5vhwOR50qA1v3Vd4RThnhmy3ke6VcTl85WOIBRTDoDrNqQxRX5QACCvUKeBzlnLpqGflUIMSiLr1je0/s1600/The+Sheeps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7xlzUzMpvZV3SIiRObhXe-vXRgtLmD1uvaJg97YNirx2aNoj5UowSMpRV0Du5vhwOR50qA1v3Vd4RThnhmy3ke6VcTl85WOIBRTDoDrNqQxRX5QACCvUKeBzlnLpqGflUIMSiLr1je0/s400/The+Sheeps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;">I am continually surprised at how many other students in my nursing group are also parents. I find it refreshing to know that I'm not the only one whose main priority isn't school. It's enlightening to make the connections with the other moms, and dads too, and to talk through the stresses of school. And it's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who loses sleep when the kiddos get sick...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The past couple weeks have been a little stressful with the transition from Ryley's job and trying to coordinate the change with school and babysitting. But I've found the best thing for Grayson and I to do is to keep busy and spend time with family and friends. Play dates are a refreshing break from the ordinary routine, and especially welcome when Ryley is out of town for the week.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Angela, a good friend from school, invited Grayson and I out for a play date. However, if you're from southern Alberta, you know that meeting at the park is dependent on the weather, specifically they wind. And we should have known that it would blow. But instead of rescheduling, (even aside from the wind, Angel's back was out so she had a good reason to cancel,) Angela invited me out to her place for a visit. I could tell she was a little hesitant to ask me to drive out to her place since it was a little ways out of town. Kudos to Angela for asking, rather than assuming, because I was more than happy to take a short drive to get out of the house for a little while.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Angela's son isn't quite a year-old yet, so Grayson was a little timorous playing aside the little guy. Conveniently Angela is located beside a little hobby farm, and is also in the process of building a house. What better to appeal to a 3 year-old than animals and construction stuff. So we ventured outside to wander through the framed house and visited a few friends along the way.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE3BErnVJLDlqKmckLkTgznB8dlsFwd73xhOTI7I48dy-TEs1c13L-eN5uVLfXXAA-LQsbXG66NjO2OqrPJ3V4x5Jg3tvcyqPmNktGgK8lXpE_yqu8OwjBtEX7i6QpY-5umYxRMOR72U/s1600/Piggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE3BErnVJLDlqKmckLkTgznB8dlsFwd73xhOTI7I48dy-TEs1c13L-eN5uVLfXXAA-LQsbXG66NjO2OqrPJ3V4x5Jg3tvcyqPmNktGgK8lXpE_yqu8OwjBtEX7i6QpY-5umYxRMOR72U/s400/Piggies.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQPbtyMLNpHWsaMZCMXgFZ6R1DcCKau-kcnZCxirh4qYSKUcULsin4vheMuctBrib4qaKHS4-r6kzJTWbbtAcZ9wcyuyxgpbWalWKNgBnxiSD9VjgbT4pcpD9OKpEXlCtZnd4KUPhfO0/s1600/Funky+Chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQPbtyMLNpHWsaMZCMXgFZ6R1DcCKau-kcnZCxirh4qYSKUcULsin4vheMuctBrib4qaKHS4-r6kzJTWbbtAcZ9wcyuyxgpbWalWKNgBnxiSD9VjgbT4pcpD9OKpEXlCtZnd4KUPhfO0/s400/Funky+Chickens.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQPbtyMLNpHWsaMZCMXgFZ6R1DcCKau-kcnZCxirh4qYSKUcULsin4vheMuctBrib4qaKHS4-r6kzJTWbbtAcZ9wcyuyxgpbWalWKNgBnxiSD9VjgbT4pcpD9OKpEXlCtZnd4KUPhfO0/s1600/Funky+Chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE3BErnVJLDlqKmckLkTgznB8dlsFwd73xhOTI7I48dy-TEs1c13L-eN5uVLfXXAA-LQsbXG66NjO2OqrPJ3V4x5Jg3tvcyqPmNktGgK8lXpE_yqu8OwjBtEX7i6QpY-5umYxRMOR72U/s1600/Piggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM1mG47Pbwko5qErdoa0xgBrXeuFEwncvnQd3Z1Ngoxr6aptC6VAapK2sdvxYem6HECi8A_HxzI40zOLn2G3Mbfs8hLuZidtVq7W9FVHZJuVyGi2TiPl1bhpevI9RhXi3EK_eWOKmKtw/s1600/Geese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM1mG47Pbwko5qErdoa0xgBrXeuFEwncvnQd3Z1Ngoxr6aptC6VAapK2sdvxYem6HECi8A_HxzI40zOLn2G3Mbfs8hLuZidtVq7W9FVHZJuVyGi2TiPl1bhpevI9RhXi3EK_eWOKmKtw/s400/Geese.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;">If anyone knows me well, they'll know that I have a soft spot for geese. I don't really know why, they just fascinate me. I don't think they were intended to be included with our farm tour, but they located themselves conveniently across the fence. I couldn't resist, I had to approach them, but they weren't as welcoming has I'd hoped. I got a couple laughs from the hissing, and we moved on.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">I think Grayson enjoyed watching the chickens, since his favorite cereal is corn flakes and it has a chicken on the box. But I think his highlight of the day was the kitty that followed us around and throwing the ball for Angela's big dogs to chase.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">I have to say that I think our play date was much more exciting visiting Angela's place than playing at the park like we do so often. And it will be fun to see her house more than just walls when it's all done. I was also told that there will be baby goats in a few weeks. I may like baby goats almost as much as I like the geese. I think we shall be returning in the near future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i> </span><br />
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</div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-13596973648389303872012-03-20T20:27:00.002-06:002012-03-23T15:13:21.953-06:00Chillin' With The Old DudeBack before I was laid off I found myself working for the day out in Claresholm. It was kind of a last-minute thing, there was some issues out there that needed to be taken care of ASAP.<br />
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As such, I didn't really plan a lunch. This may or may not have been on purpose, seeing as there is an A & W out in Claresholm, and I have a bit of a soft spot for that place. Onion rings. </div>
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At around 3 in the afternoon I found myself in a mostly deserted A & W. An old guy in a corner table made a comment about my hat. (I had been taping all day and had many splotches of white drywall mud on my cap). He said it looked like the seagull pooping army had attacked me. </div>
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Ha ha old guy. </div>
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As I made my order I was thinking about the fact that I didn't have anyone to blog about that day. So I decided the old guy would pay for his insolence by becoming my blog object for the day. </div>
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Instead of asking if I could take a seat with him I just sat on down. He didn't even blink an eye. We chatted over some burgers about who we were and he filled me in on the details of his quite colorful life. </div>
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I didn't have a camera on me, so unfortunately Ken The Old Guy will forever go without picture evidence. I have decided, however, that anytime I'm by myself in a restaurant I'm just gonna plop down at someone's table. It's so much better to be in the company of someone, even if they are a stranger.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i> </span></div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-24898653222907223352012-03-14T23:04:00.000-06:002012-03-15T10:16:52.894-06:00Girls Night Out and a GIANT COOKIE SUNDAE TO MYSELF<span style="color: #20124d;">Rarely in the past couple years have I had a day entirely to myself. I've had time with the husband and without the child and vice versa, but rarely have I been solo. And in the past when I have had that time it's usually because I have to work, or school and what not. Initially that's what the plan was for. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Originally I had arranged for Grayson to be at my sister's place for a couple days while Ryley was up in Calgary working because I had a couple evening clinical shifts. Said shifts are difficult to coordinate with the sitter, so I opt to have him spend time with the grandparents or his cousins instead. But lucky for me, one of my clinical shifts was cancelled last minute, and I was left with no plans. What a great feeling! However, I found myself unsure of what to do, almost like I had forgotten what I did by myself.<i> </i>I felt obligated to do some homework, but as the same time I felt I needed to take advantage of the situation. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">And that I did. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Conveniently a friend posted on Facebook that very evening about a girls night out at Firestone for dessert. I'll admit that if this was sometime last year, I probably would have let the opportunity pass by... However my thought's this year were: How could I not? Especially with <i>dessert </i>at Firestone. For those of you who have never tried Them Donuts there, I recommend it. Highly. We frequent Them Donuts on a regular basis. However, I had been there with Ryley a few days previous and spied the giant cookie sundae on the feature menu and I had to try it instead. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">The night was a blast. I had the opportunity to spend time with six fantastic ladies, a few of whom I knew previous, but most I had never met before. I'm not entirely sure whose idea it was, but the conversation centered around how we met our husbands and how we got engaged. I wasn't aware until now how entertaining such an intimate story can be! The conversation lent itself to much laughter, and a few happy tears, and overall an opportunity to get to know some great women. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg689icWGku-Iw4XEHfKaCSKpT4Bvm-gBXzcjpAJyjSDh1DQHbLV1EM0VcMaZA7GQDK8TlY26TGCweN_KZI-eci6zkX0f_CIh4i2N22ejuf3DEjIaWNUKQ4325KVjf4cvXZdJSyfHelmPw/s1600/firestonefreinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg689icWGku-Iw4XEHfKaCSKpT4Bvm-gBXzcjpAJyjSDh1DQHbLV1EM0VcMaZA7GQDK8TlY26TGCweN_KZI-eci6zkX0f_CIh4i2N22ejuf3DEjIaWNUKQ4325KVjf4cvXZdJSyfHelmPw/s640/firestonefreinds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Please forgive the poor quality of the iPhone pic...</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">And did I mention that I had a giant cookie sundae, all to myself? Either way, here's the delicious evidence that I shamelessly ate.. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5YOWUiHj-vmnTYJM7I7dhKW3q6Gfl3t_yIkxze-jE5OSt6TpfYc7UXbXwiwiTEXekNMp9LtS2zn1GkyxBZ2C-CNeBFkk0uKuMSA-YYWU3_WCCUMFtdtBkgXeuWgwmsV8EI_AEtZhzlM/s1600/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5YOWUiHj-vmnTYJM7I7dhKW3q6Gfl3t_yIkxze-jE5OSt6TpfYc7UXbXwiwiTEXekNMp9LtS2zn1GkyxBZ2C-CNeBFkk0uKuMSA-YYWU3_WCCUMFtdtBkgXeuWgwmsV8EI_AEtZhzlM/s640/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">All by myself. I'll add that to the list with the <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/02/one-wedding-and-entire-pie-to-myself.html" target="_blank">coconut cream pie</a>... That I ate all by myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i> </span><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<br />Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-7626461856107091112012-03-13T12:34:00.001-06:002012-03-13T12:35:05.029-06:00Tagging AlongRecently I managed to get myself laid off. I find that I'm careful to point out that I didn't get fired. But who am I kidding? For all intents and purposes, they're really the same thing.<br />
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So I find myself back up in Calgary working. I was thinking about trying out that whole "retiring" thing that old people keep talking about, but Trish wouldn't go for that. Pity. </div>
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Doing work in the construction field in Calgary is a pretty decent gig I guess. The only thing that really bothers me is being away from Trish and Grayson. I took it on myself, therefore, to take care of the blog whilst I was away, as Trish had enough to worry about with Grayson and her less favored child: School.</div>
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I stay up at my brother's place while I'm up in Calgary, and it just so happens that one of the first nights that I was up there he got us invited to someone's house for dinner. It was actually supper, but he was an American, so in the name of bilinguilness, I'll henceforth refer to supper as dinner, to pylons as traffic cones, and food as bacon. </div>
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Matt and Jocelyn invited us over to dinner for some bacon. Jocelyn actually made some incredible bacon. It was a family recipe that was passed down for generations, and you won't find it anywhere else. That's right, I have the exclusive scoop on it. All I had to do was pocket one of the "items" and reverse engineer it in my garage. The result: A yummy recipe that you can make your family for your next bacon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLPAKksFsfUztOiZhexPA_shUok4iryJ5gpJbyE2JirkpDIpg6AiM_3LqpUODDszaMF82hesK0jzpDjy1Ix7-HcZKgsR5dTZdhztBOJ2i1WNTUzrWhyphenhyphenaWQKMtVQH7RjwZuXD17jOyWNo/s1600/IMG_2317betterfix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLPAKksFsfUztOiZhexPA_shUok4iryJ5gpJbyE2JirkpDIpg6AiM_3LqpUODDszaMF82hesK0jzpDjy1Ix7-HcZKgsR5dTZdhztBOJ2i1WNTUzrWhyphenhyphenaWQKMtVQH7RjwZuXD17jOyWNo/s640/IMG_2317betterfix.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Jocelyn's Bacony Goodness</b><br />
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1. Cook some chicken breasts. Like 2. Or something. Cook them until cooked. When done cooking, stop them from cooking any further.</div>
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2. Dangle chicken from string in front of cats until shredded into many tiny strips. Pulled pork style.</div>
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3. Add 1 block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese. </div>
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4. Mash that stuff together.</div>
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5. Open can of Pillsbury croissants dough thingies.</div>
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6. Wrap small balls of the chicken/cream cheese mash in croissants. Take care to completely seal the little balls of goodness.</div>
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7. Cook on 350 degrees Celsius. Or, if your oven is in Kelvin, get back to your physics research. </div>
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8. Cook until goldenny brown on top. This usually takes several time units. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx87olMljPmWr-HOAjZUVYkwbaItb9Dt0UDkvmz3Nvnu6XvO0MKvAGb9BFkcTIwkgxiOjcEkSXAO3wZOeQyL1145_ex3pAJnP5wxXp-JcE42sl7AHoCVVNm0qWnZBaYLqAbzwznncrDhM/s1600/IMG_2316yesfoodfix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx87olMljPmWr-HOAjZUVYkwbaItb9Dt0UDkvmz3Nvnu6XvO0MKvAGb9BFkcTIwkgxiOjcEkSXAO3wZOeQyL1145_ex3pAJnP5wxXp-JcE42sl7AHoCVVNm0qWnZBaYLqAbzwznncrDhM/s640/IMG_2316yesfoodfix.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So that's that. These are very yummy, so I encourage you to make them for your family. I hope you all appreciate the trouble I went through to bring you these. </div>
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After dinner I played "making princess puzzles" with the two little girls on the floor. It wasn't gay at all.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i></span></div>
</div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-72410031070643909782012-03-10T22:02:00.000-07:002012-03-11T09:55:51.826-06:00Bribing With Zucchini Brownies<span style="color: #20124d;">Some days at clinical are long days. Then there are the days that seem to never end, especially when clinical is scheduled on a weekend. Or maybe it's really not that bad and I'm whining because I was a little discouraged because Ryley had left to work up in Calgary for a week. But on the up-side it was the last shifts on my current rotation and I had the opportunity to do some baking, which I thoroughly enjoy doing, because I had offered to bring something as a token of appreciation for the staff on the unit. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Let me explain a little more about my passion for food...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">As a nutritionist, I am always trying to find creative and deceiving ways to camouflage fruits and vegetables, and add flax and fibre into what I feed my family. Heck, even my cat eats spinach! I'd say most of the time I'm successful, and Grayson has no clue that there's spinach and sweet potatoes in his oatmeal. But there's the odd occasion that he refuses my concoctions or picks out the green flecks in his food at supper time. I have, however, found a couple favorite dishes that I've found through my recipe surfing. One such, is Zucchini Brownies. Zucchini? You might ask? Don't be too quick to judge that it doesn't belong in brownies. Or that I don't eat brownies because I know a few things about nutrition. And this is where the brownies and clinical come together. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Some of my fellow students like to pick my brain about some of their nutrition questions in class and at clinical. They also see the baggie of mixed vegetables that I bring in my lunch every shift. And when I try to convince them that I am a popcorn addict, I have Miss Vicki's chips stashed in my cupboard and there's a fresh pan of brownies on the stove... my peers don't believe me. And yes, left on my own, which I was since Ryley was working out of town, I would have finished the rest of the brownies, by myself. I'm not against it, but I figured it would be better to have a little company and share the goodness of Zucchini Brownies. I also had to prove that the zucchini made the brownies <i>oh so</i> moist and chewy. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">What a better way to spend, what would have beem a lonely, brownie binging evening by myself, than to have Malissa over to share the brownies with. Plus I had to prove that I actually had the said junk food items in my kitchen. We had a great time watching an IV pump tutorial video for the next day at clinical. Okay, maybe the video was less than exciting, but I think Malissa is a believer in the goodness of zucchini in the brownies. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQmJZAg2445ZyBMxXDo7auLZcFEJ_xJequ_9fnaff2qed2jxcgTh7lyVvZGH3GJMoDSjpU0mpvlXi4ta-jCHafKW9nP9etRV-6nYTCq7cca45sRhtU_wiL6Yy22mFfcK-q4J5m8FLKsg/s1600/Zucchini+Brownie+IV+Pump+Tutorial+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQmJZAg2445ZyBMxXDo7auLZcFEJ_xJequ_9fnaff2qed2jxcgTh7lyVvZGH3GJMoDSjpU0mpvlXi4ta-jCHafKW9nP9etRV-6nYTCq7cca45sRhtU_wiL6Yy22mFfcK-q4J5m8FLKsg/s400/Zucchini+Brownie+IV+Pump+Tutorial+Party.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;">For your convenience, I've included the recipe below. Like I've mentioned previously, I actually prefer the </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Zucchini Brownie to a regular one, especially since they are slightly less bad for you. Omit the icing, </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">and they are a little less bad. Reduce the sugar or replace part of it with something like Splenda, and, </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">well, I'll stop before I get any deeper into my nutrition babble. </span><br />
<br />
<b><u>Zucchini Brownies</u></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ingredients<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
1/2 cup vegetable oil</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
1 1/2 cups white sugar</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
2 tsp vanilla extract</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
2 cups flour</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder<br />
1/4 cup ground flax</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
1 1/2 tsp baking soda</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
1/2 tsp salt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
2 1/2 cups shredded zucchini</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
3 tbsp butter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
1 1/2 cups icing sugar</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
3 tbsp milk (soy milk or almond milk
also works nicely) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Directions<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Preheat
oven to 350° F. Grease and cocoa dust a 9x13 inch baking pan.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">In a
large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well
blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, ground flax, baking soda and salt; stir into
the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini <span style="font-size: x-small;">(If you want to get precise, I use ~ 450g of zucchini..</span>.) Spread evenly into the prepared
pan.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Bake
for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back
when gently touched. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">To
make the frosting, melt together the 4 tablespoons of cocoa and butter;
set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the icing sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread
over cooled brownies before cutting into squares. </li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i></span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-59955812005054237552012-03-10T16:44:00.001-07:002012-03-10T16:49:21.574-07:00The Great DebateWe're only about three months in to our little project here and we are already starting to run out of things to do. That's why it's really great that some of our friends have felt pity for us and started to help us find things to do.<br />
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Someone who is especially keen on helping us keep our heads above water is <a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/fondue-all-fruits.html" target="_blank">Lacey and Aaron</a> (Erin when he's being a little girl). So far they've thrown several ideas at us and planned several of our nights. This is good, because it means Trish doesn't have to divorce me when I turn into a burnt out pile of ragged goo. </div>
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Lacey and Aaron planned a night of debating. Yup. That was the goal. The night before, we all watched the same documentary on vaccinations. Each of us was allowed to research any supplemental material that we wanted, and we all met for supper at Lacey's, with the express purpose of arguing all evening.</div>
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Jeff and Chelsie were our bogees that night. Chelsie is the sister of Aaron, and Jeff is the older brother of one of my best friends growing up. Of course Jeff didn't remember me, as he's several years older, and I was just some annoying brat that came to his house on Saturdays. </div>
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As usual, Lacey supplied an amazing meal for us to fatten ourselves up on. I think that she thought that if she stuffed enough food into us we wouldn't have the energy to throw any punches when the debate got heated. It worked. </div>
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I won't get into the particulars of the debate, but it was one of the most interesting nights I've had in awhile. Going in, we'd never met Chelsie or Jeff (I'd been at his house alot, but like I said, older brother to my friend. We were ignored). I've never gotten to know somebody by arguing with them, and I was worried it wouldn't go over all that well. </div>
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We had a great time. Part of the reason was the amazingly good enchiladas that Lacey provided, but it was also a great way to break the ice with people you don't know. We plan on getting to know Jeff and Chelsie better, since they've recently moved to town. </div>
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I fully plan on making this a regular thing. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmQpiMwAl9tXUFi7dRwk6yxihdih6qXsHeudMK2EmH34YHmvo2zSTwDnAYOK8tbxM31Pgv7feqiqBQ4Zh2UDQgZjmMYLI4U6_BhxX90NqsRTSy6N7LseUZTibBoTAcef_wySEdXO_z6I/s1600/debatefix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmQpiMwAl9tXUFi7dRwk6yxihdih6qXsHeudMK2EmH34YHmvo2zSTwDnAYOK8tbxM31Pgv7feqiqBQ4Zh2UDQgZjmMYLI4U6_BhxX90NqsRTSy6N7LseUZTibBoTAcef_wySEdXO_z6I/s640/debatefix.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can tell by the faces on people whether or not they won or lost the debate. In case you can't tell, I'll provide<br />
the answers below...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RygyEzt07vkqwunIiS5hThVgQ1ImVmcBYLzb2oRivr0DRXjSNvz8Aq11uLL905Ma6wszF25NkoymiEmjGy1Jn9CROs4KM7pfaYjnbmqMBRNLsJkcu1XZMvwJdoHZi170SzqfuzGLq6Y/s1600/paint+debate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RygyEzt07vkqwunIiS5hThVgQ1ImVmcBYLzb2oRivr0DRXjSNvz8Aq11uLL905Ma6wszF25NkoymiEmjGy1Jn9CROs4KM7pfaYjnbmqMBRNLsJkcu1XZMvwJdoHZi170SzqfuzGLq6Y/s640/paint+debate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i></span>
<br />
<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i></div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-78541213168961377302012-03-09T20:36:00.000-07:002012-03-10T09:02:59.484-07:00Sometimes the best things in life are free...You know those flyers that you get in the mail?<br />
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"Customer appreciation party!" "Come celebrate our 25th anniversary as a little known business!"<br />
<br />
Seriously. Does anyone actually go to those things?<br />
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I get them in the mail all the time, but I always kind of figure that nobody really goes to them. It must just be the employees (who are forced to come) standing around waiting for the night to be over.<br />
<br />
Beachcomber hot tubs recently sent us an invite to a customer appreciation party, where it claimed that we would be sampling the finest cheeses and wines. Now my ears perked up at the cheese part, but I still wasn't sure that I wanted to stoop to the level of going to a customer appreciation party.<br />
<br />
Then I remembered our blog.<br />
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Trish gave me that look when she saw the invite in the mail. That look that says, "You know we are going to do this, right?" I knew my fate was sealed at that moment.<br />
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So we did go. We figured it would be a great way to meet a few people.<br />
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Turns out there is a large group of people that goes to these things. I figured that there were nearly 100 people crammed inside that place. To top it all off, they had live entertainment by Trevor Panczak, who has seriously got some pipes on him. Also, the long-haired dude from The Chevelles (Tim Carter) was there gettin' groovy in the odd song.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTPdsTrY5oek-2Et7XX7aXBnd_xc3Q_i9FkyyURUg8W6FMxSa4BkPd2rzFsh0q5xVqupZXaByG6UJ8ybYUE45ytJHHUAP98Har4hSVXSWm6tq-nNrMrcEOyPP9irxlG4KWhnosf1kG28/s1600/IMG_2175fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTPdsTrY5oek-2Et7XX7aXBnd_xc3Q_i9FkyyURUg8W6FMxSa4BkPd2rzFsh0q5xVqupZXaByG6UJ8ybYUE45ytJHHUAP98Har4hSVXSWm6tq-nNrMrcEOyPP9irxlG4KWhnosf1kG28/s640/IMG_2175fix.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0miJeGhbME_BY_jBWe9_3I_PMpqTiy8VTETU4SA4pFLyx-ii6IoRN1brcthlygB0F9P-Ea9x3C0Msbd_HW4QkZqGGIi2vKv_3ptujDp-ge-A8Uq7Tf_Uase8aECO6_zzm6YeFNH9LOQ0/s1600/IMG_2171fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0miJeGhbME_BY_jBWe9_3I_PMpqTiy8VTETU4SA4pFLyx-ii6IoRN1brcthlygB0F9P-Ea9x3C0Msbd_HW4QkZqGGIi2vKv_3ptujDp-ge-A8Uq7Tf_Uase8aECO6_zzm6YeFNH9LOQ0/s640/IMG_2171fix.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Great food, great entertainment, and a chance to win a trip to Vegas... And to think we would have otherwise not come!<br />Sometimes the best things in life are free, and even better when you've got a good lookin' date sitting beside you.</span></td></tr>
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We had a great time, and that was seriously unexpected. This was more one of those "Oh, we should probably do that for the sake of the blog" things. If rarely been more unexpectedly surprised. I will be attending all future customer appreciation nights, and I now have high expectations for them.<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i></span>
<br />
<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-71862835557629249492012-03-06T23:49:00.000-07:002012-03-07T07:50:28.918-07:00Everyone Is UniqueSometimes people have convictions that they don't wear on their sleeves. In today's world, it seems like everyone is struggling to feel like they have some sort of identity, and so we latch onto something that we feel makes us unique, and then try to plaster that image as blatantly as we can across our lives so there is no mistaking just how unique we are.<br />
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And I don't mean to be cynical here, because I am probably the worst offender for this. Especially with music. I like to think that I'm SO ahead of the curve with my little indie bands. Which actually aren't little indie bands, they're HUGE indie bands, us fans just don't interact with each other so we can all feel underground. I'm so unique, just like everybody else.</div>
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What I'm getting at, is that it's incredibly refreshing when you learn that someone has something about them that makes them actually unique, but you don't learn that until you have known that person for some time. It's that guy who speaks seven languages fluently and yet doesn't order burritos at taco bell in Spanish. It's the girl that has three university degrees, yet doesn't bring them up when trying to win an argument. </div>
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It's Mark. I've known Mark for a long time, introduced through my brother. I was going to say some of the cool things that make Mark unique, but it would kind of be counter-intuitive to my post here. Let's just say that he's got some really cool standards he lives by, yet doesn't cram them down your throat. Doesn't judge you. This is cool. This is refreshing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4BgCFT04y4lgAPK28Do7Qfdf0zSQU3C6nS_rmSVgo1SeEOon6QkN_rpNKWMKoOMqS2Lwa9QnyYLC0yoOgVuMnND-dCQDym_7FLQR6kAVnsXKYym-a2FfOAKbM4KJTYrJBCyvisqFdb8/s1600/IMG_1573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4BgCFT04y4lgAPK28Do7Qfdf0zSQU3C6nS_rmSVgo1SeEOon6QkN_rpNKWMKoOMqS2Lwa9QnyYLC0yoOgVuMnND-dCQDym_7FLQR6kAVnsXKYym-a2FfOAKbM4KJTYrJBCyvisqFdb8/s640/IMG_1573.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Since Mark is unique, I thought this unique picture would suit. <br />Maybe Mark has more talents than we know?? <br />Or maybe Grayson is playing with his toy guitar nearby... </span></td></tr>
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I'm going to try and be a little more silent about my convictions, or anything else that I feel makes me unique. Everyone and their dog has heard about a hundred times how I got dengue fever once. Oh, and look! I'm bringing it up again in a thinly-veiled attempt to pretend it wasn't on purpose. Is it sad that the only way I can feel unique is by getting diseases? </div>
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Yes, yes it is. </div>
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So Mark. Is cool, and taught me how to have beliefs with class. He knows everything about just about everything, but doesn't pull credentials in debates. He doesn't use his beliefs to try and justify how unique he wishes he was. The result of this is that he truly <i>is</i> unique. In a room full of shouting people, I find myself drawn to the person who is standing quietly. Maybe he knows something I don't. </div>
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And we play board games, so there's that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXjJQP16GzJRklQEusDebRtvbOCgOGbZ_KobPdzwIwP9Hcd8IwP5Aty9U6MKt664kJPh90UgUbWYqvpeiX7h6sIRqKzSRsjRYCakIG-4VbkNb36wohmGL-uSvr0lAKhw3FHz3qra2OEg/s1600/IMG_1561crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXjJQP16GzJRklQEusDebRtvbOCgOGbZ_KobPdzwIwP9Hcd8IwP5Aty9U6MKt664kJPh90UgUbWYqvpeiX7h6sIRqKzSRsjRYCakIG-4VbkNb36wohmGL-uSvr0lAKhw3FHz3qra2OEg/s640/IMG_1561crop.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Yes, Ryley, you <i>play </i>board games, but another reason Mark is unique is because he <i>wins </i>them.</span></td></tr>
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i></span>
</div>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-50480282851461846022012-03-05T12:31:00.001-07:002012-03-05T12:49:36.922-07:00Berry Soup and Fry BreadI grew up right next to the Blood Tribe. In fact, the highway that runs through my town separates the reserve from the rest of the town. Unfortunately, this isn't the only thing that separates the Blood Reserve and town.<br />
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I wouldn't say that the town I grew up in is actually racist at all. (Of course, I'm looking at this all through white colored lenses). Rather, there's just kind of a feeling of separation. Not of hostility, but just apathy towards interaction.<br />
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This feeling, more than anything, contributes to the general lack of understanding between the two groups. Like I said, I'd like to believe that there isn't any major hostility present, just a feeling of indifference. If there is one thing, however, that breaks through the barriers and gets people interested in interacting, it's when the Blood Tribe starts to cook fry bread.<br />
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We all knew growing up that when we did our Native studies in elementary school, that someone would be coming by to cook fry bread, and these were some of the only times that we were excited to go to school. I honestly don't know how to make it, and I'm told it's not that difficult. But somehow the fry bread that gets made by the Blood Tribe is far better than other imposter fry breads that I have sampled. It's just better. Try to imagine what fry bread tastes like. Now imagine something better. You're not even close.<br />
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When we heard that the Native Association was holding a <i>free</i> berry soup and fry bread lunch at the university, we made plans immediately to be there. I had never had berry soup before, but it's made with Saskatoon berries, and as far as I'm concerned, there's never any need to do anything else with Saskatoon berries for as long as I live.<br />
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There were five or six girls hanging out dishing out the portions, and as we arrived a little late there wasn't anyone else dishing up. We took advantage of the opportunity to pester the girls about the soups and how they were made, and try to get them to give us the recipes, which they did not. Trish will be googling them to try and get you all a copy though.<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-small;">(Success! Recipe at the bottom...)</span><br />
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The girls indulged our questions and nagging conversation just fine, most likely because we had Grayson with us and he's too cute to refuse. I've found that if you want to get to know someone, showing a genuine (that part is important) interest in their culture can open doors to conversation that otherwise wouldn't be available. They even let Grayson go in the child-sized tipi for a picture, which, by the way they will be raffling off at the university soon.<br />
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So food. Fry bread and berry soup. Not only was good, but we got to know some people that otherwise we may have been to timid to approach. I'll approach almost anyone for fry bread.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Traditional Berry Soup</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 6 cups Saskatoon berries</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 1 cup sugar</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 8 cups water </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Optional:</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 1/3 cup flour</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 1 cup water</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add sugar and
berries, let water and sugar boil at medium heat for 20 minutes. Optional: To
thicken soup, gradually add the mixture of flour and water (no lumps).</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Stir the soup occasionally, making sure it doesn't stick to
the bottom of the pot. Additional sugar can be added to sweeten. Boil for at
least another 15 – 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
Serve hot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Recipe </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">retrieved</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> from </span><a href="http://galileo.org/stampedeschool/accessible/saskatoon_soup.htm" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://galileo.org/stampedeschool/accessible/saskatoon_soup.htm</a><span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">)</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Average cooking time: 40 – 60 minutes</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">And yes, berry soup goes excellent with fry bread. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i></span>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-10116540854874209942012-03-04T14:41:00.000-07:002012-03-04T14:42:09.643-07:00Cookies Are For SharingWe found ourselves without a plan the other night. We had to think of something, and <i>fast</i>.<br />
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It was around eight at night, and we've done pretty well so far. Granted, we don't always get the blog posts up (we're actually slightly behind right now) but we've managed to not screw up the schedule of meeting people for every day.<br />
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So we didn't want to wreck it on that night either. Like some kind of magician Trish whipped up a batch of chocolate chip cookies in less than half an hour, and we put the coats and boots on to head over to get to know the neighbors.<br />
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I know it's not exactly considered polite to just show up at the neighbor's house and expect them to indulge you in conversation, but we figured with the peace offering of a plate of cookies we should be able to gloss over those little rules of etiquette.<br />
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<br />
So we did get to know the neighbors. The ones that live across the street from us and we always nod at each other on the way to work. It wasn't an incredible experience where we shared all our innermost thoughts, but we did get some face time, a name, and next time we see them in the street, I expect that I'll be comfortable enough to strike up a conversation.<br />
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If any of our other neighbors are reading this, consider if fair warning: We plan on knowing all your names by the end of the year, so expect cookies, and expect them late at night without warning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i></span>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-49318734811903778012012-03-03T17:29:00.000-07:002012-03-03T17:29:53.166-07:00A Party to End All PartiesNobody can throw a party like Megan (Sugden) Toone.<br />
<br />
Ever since I was a wee little lad I can recall Megan throwing all sorts of themed parties. She has an incredible talent for taking the mundane and making it extraordinary. It's Friday. Wait, no it's not! It's MEXICAN THEMED BONFIRE PARTY DAY!<br />
<br />
Or: It's September 15. No it's not! It's HAVE A LUAU IN YOUR BACKYARD WITHOUT ANY ACTUAL HAWAIIANS PARTY DAY!<br />
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These are things that actually existed, and not just in the mind of a slightly quirky yet incredibly endearing woman. These things actually were created.<br />
<br />
This is the big difference between Megan and me. Not the quirkiness. I have that too. And I'm also incredibly endearing. It's the making big plans into reality.<br />
<br />
I have many big plans. I have plans for a treehouse with a moat that is full of gasoline instead of water so I can light it on fire when the other kids attack. I have plans for a giant aquarium right above my stove that I can push a button and it will suck a fish right out of the tank and onto your frying pan. I have another plan for a car that has missiles and the headlights are your aiming system and your horn is the fire button so you can bright people, honk at them, and then make them explode. These things only have like a 50% chance of happening.<br />
<br />
But Megan always seems to come through on her plans. When she says she's going to do something, she doesn't just come through, she comes through with such a higher level of completion that you are expecting. If I had a business I would hire a billion Megans to work for me, then I would be Google.<br />
<br />
She had us over with several other couples for a formal Academy Awards Celebration Knight (AACK). We arrived in style dressed to the nines. Another guest (Tanner) wore a bow tie and this made me incredibly jealous, but I think we all did okay. I had a vest, and vests are snazzy.<br />
<br />
As we walk in the front door a flock of doves showered us in feathers as white as the purest mountain snows. Friendly forest animals unrolled a red carpet, keeping just inches in front of our steps with the unravelling. Perfumes from exotic lands greeted our noses as we entered the dining hall. Displayed in righteous glory sat a meal for kings. Nay, a meal that only kings would be fit to serve to the gods. We dined on food that could have only have been prepared by chefs who had exchanged their souls for the unholy ability to prepare a calibre of food beyond imagining. Then we watched the oscars on t.v.<br />
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You think I'm exaggerating. Check out the pictures.<br />
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Why do we look up to Megan? She taught us not only to do something, but to do it well. Not only do it well, but exceed expectations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtJd2QQ1GLQQEkHqOZMIyOy-jr5jZ97d7SfMLrT1N9eBUDSkcV0mAc6wqwcm9ulyyxwaG82KYZbb6aV_ZS9EsQrijNF5pALz9f7Hr-gQE9GUsGsREfZ10l-BWKLfOoT8d4LmR0aB7SQs/s1600/MegandMark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtJd2QQ1GLQQEkHqOZMIyOy-jr5jZ97d7SfMLrT1N9eBUDSkcV0mAc6wqwcm9ulyyxwaG82KYZbb6aV_ZS9EsQrijNF5pALz9f7Hr-gQE9GUsGsREfZ10l-BWKLfOoT8d4LmR0aB7SQs/s640/MegandMark.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Thank you for the fantastic night Megan! I don't think we will ever experience the Oscars like this again.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">First time to the blog? Click<b> </b></i><a href="http://knowallthepeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/know-all-people.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b> </b>to read more about our endeavor.</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815150465489904211.post-63638920300645069272012-03-02T09:59:00.002-07:002012-03-02T10:02:52.668-07:00Be An ExpertGrayson has been interested in the stars ever since he was old enough to look up. In fact, his very first word was star.<br />
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I've learned that if I'm in a hurry to keep his attention fixed on the ground if the stars are out, because if he gets a good look at a starry sky, it becomes imperative that we all stop what we are doing and look at a specific star. Somehow he knows if I fib when I say I can see the one he's pointing to.<br />
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We decided to head down to the Lethbridge Astronomy Society's open house. They bust out the telescopes and give a lecture once a month for anyone who wants to come. We figured we'd meet someone there.<br />
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We met a guy named Rod, who used to be the president of the organization, but is now taking a bit of a back seat to let others take on that role. He was more than courteous, and spent over an hour with us going through the basics of telescoping, and exactly what to buy for beginners (I'm gonna get one for Grayson). I could barely get a word in the entire time.<br />
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This is because Rod is <i>passionate beyond reason</i> about the stars. He just got back from a stargazing trip to New Mexico, and will be heading to Hawaii soon to get a better view of when Venus passes in front of the sun. He knew <i>everything</i> under the sun, and above it, about the stars. He obviously has spent thousands of hours gaining this type of knowledge on the subject. He not only was able to teach me about it, but could simplify it down so that even Grayson was left listening with rapt amazement.<br />
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I think that Rod is awesome. He is an expert, and that is something that I want to aspire to be. Everyone should be an expert on SOMETHING. It could be an instrument, it could be insects, or weight training, or art or history or whatever. Being an expert in something gives you a passion that you can share with other people.<br />
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Now when I say be an expert I don't mean read a wikipedia article, although those are really good and I think college professors are WAY too hard on poor old wikipedia. Learn everything about a topic. Experience everything about that topic. Know so much that people will want to listen to what you have to say.<br />
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I'm not really an expert on anything yet. I've kind of dabbled a little in almost everything. You could say I'm well-informed on almost every topic, yet an expert in none. I'm going to try and be little more like Rod, and get a mastery on something. Maybe cats. The internet people <i>love</i> cats.<br />
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<i style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></i>Ryley, Trish and Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09383541248589137537noreply@blogger.com1