Me, hyper? Never. :D Thanks for this one Laura. :)

You Are an Iced Coffee

At your best, you are: hyper, modern, and athletic At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you're out with friends Your caffeine addiction level: medium

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Life never ceases to progress, the latest news as most of you probably already know (yeah, I guess Mark and B beat me to the punch, haha) , is that Martin and I starting courting last week. :D Hm, what to say about that..it's a very nice change, nuff said. :)

As for the rest of life, been keeping pretty busy with the same ol'. Trying to be more effective in my sewing, designs etc. Oh, and yeah I was going for Hollie Hobby with the hat Dor, so nice to know I succeeded. :D

Was supposed to take the kids skating yesterday, but thanks to everything being alone the lines of "the same ol' " are van is in the shop again. I'm not sure what's wrong with it now, but Mark said it was making some loud, clanking, unpleasant noises. Last time ( I don't believe I mentioned it) a belt that enables you to use the power steering fell off, thanks to having driven through deep snow, who knew? And who knew that the same belt also enables the battery to recharge? So yeah, thanks to Bench Mark we got some kinda belt shield put on so that we as Canadians can do what Canadians do best..drive through deep snow (with battery powered vehicles). So yeah, hopefully they'll have the new problem, whatever it is, fixed before 2:00 pm today so that I can pick it up for Belinda, then drop it off for Mark. All things considered yesterday seemed to iron out, because with skating off I was able to go to Teresa G's to help her with some prep for some company they were having. So that was handy, and skating will have to wait until next week or some time when our van randomly decides to work.

Been enjoying beautiful weather, and since I don't consider any post complete without a weather update I shall proceed to expound. :P Today is partly cloudy with a high of 3 C, and we're supposed to have highs of 8 C on Friday and Saturday. So yeah, the roads are nice and clear and hopefully our driveway will be too, before the ice on it kills someone. Perfect weather for walking to pick up a van. :D Yeah, spring seems to be is on it's way and I'm hoping it stays.

I may post some other of my baby dress pics, but I'll put that off for later..some time, day, or month.

Well, back to the drawing board.

Jode

Yahoo, blogger is working again, and I'll try to do a posty post soon, just not right now. :D

Hey guys, here are a few pictures I took earlier. Sorry they're not better quality. :D I was going to post a couple more, but they'll have to wait as blogger is being stupid. :)

This math lesson was thanks to the courtesy of Chris and slashdot, I hope you found it as informative as I did. :D

Home again, home again. 1 and 1/2 months, 6 weeks, or 41 days in sunny Albany. Now I'm back to snow,and a low of -13c. Still not too bad considering that it's February.

My trip home went pretty smoothly. Shawn, Tam (Dor and Amos camped out at Manda's) and I took off for the Montreal airport at the energetic time of 2am. Thankfully we managed not to be killed by the crazy Montreal drivers, phew, the way they drive makes every second include a "that was a close one". On my first flight I was pinned to the window of my window seat thanks to two French business guys with broad elbows. Needless to say, wasn't quite enough room to comfortably take a nap, but I was able to watch some Olympic Hockey and flip through various pointless channels whenever the guy took his elbow off of my controls long enough for me to make the switch. For the first two flights I took a nasty decongestant, the means to the end of preserving my hearing (yeah, I'm sick). But alas, by my third landing (they threw in a stop in Kelowna just to make my day) not much was helping my ears. By the time I landed in Vancouver my one ear was in a fish bowl and unwilling to clear. It did however clear that night when I was sleeping, and yes I was very thankful. On another traveling note, is it just me..or does it happen to anyone else that when traveling, whenever you put off getting food for the next stop you can't find any food? Pretty much all the next stop affords are chips, chocolate bars, and stale muffins at highly inflated prices, when the prior connections had 50 places to eat at. Okay, enough ranting. :)

So yeah, I'm back and totally wiped out from my cold, but I will recover all in time. My most profound pity goes out to everyone (especially little Mr. Amos) who has this cold and to everyone who will get it. Seems like quite a few people here are still recovering from the nagging cough that took on the titles of Bronchitis and Pneumonia, so I'm already feeling guilty because of the likelihood that I've come back just in time to share this latest treasure.

I've done a little sewing since I got home, but I forgot my notebook in Albany that had the list of questions and such that I need to answer on the Canadian side for our business, eh heh. So need to get Tam to send me the pages or something like that.

As for my actual visit too Albany, a lot of it (the details lot) has already turned into fog, so I'll simply touch on the highlight of how wonderful it was to be there with my sisters, brothers, brethren, nephews, niece and that we were around Amos long enough that he allowed us to hold him for long periods of time. :D Got to hang out, veg, listen to Lemony Snicket audio books, and work. I think all and all it was a pretty profitable visit.

Well before I make this so long that it's daunting to read, I'll sign off. :)

Hope ya'll have a great Lord's day.

Jode

Here I am, posting to you from Manda's :) As you may have noticed, I've removed some dead blog links, if you believe any have been removed in error, please feel free to let me know. :D

So yeah, here I am. :D Staying the night and returning to Tam and Shawn's tomorrow. Gonna go do some fun things, like..quilt, and watch a movie, and talk, and eat Jolly Ranchers while drinking Earl Grey tea(that is now nearing the tempture of lukewarm bath water). :D

Tam and I have been sewing up a storm over the last couple of days. Working on a pile of baby dresses to sell on Ebay (DV). We thought Ebay would be a good way to test out the interest before we get a site hooked up and all that jazz (I'll see what I can do for posting pictures. Maybe Em will consent to be our beautiful little model and Manda our photographer, eh Manda, what do ya say? :D Other than that, we've gone to see a business couselor, and our appointment went really well. They're doing some research for us on what we need to have in order to sell textiles. We've already learned most of what we need to know (or at least a good start of it) about getting our LLC, permits, taxes, trademarks, and regulations. I still need to look into the Canadian side of things, but so far it seems ( I hope, I hope ) to be a pretty smooth process.

In other news, we're really looking forward to the arrival of our dearest Dor and Amos, who will hang out with us for days and days, and we'll all four of us be able to veg to the drama of Our Mutual Friend. Still missing B though, just another sign that we aren't living in a perfect world. :)

Well, off to quilting, talking, and my cold tea, just thought I'd stop for a minute to drop a note. If nothing else, it'll be a good record for myself in a few years when I look back and try to remember how on earth I spent my time in Albany.

Chow,

Jode

I'm It ("It" as in tagged, not "It" as in "Cousin It"[as though you were able to make that mistake])

4 jobs I've had in my life:

1. Cleaning at the dairy previously referred to by Manda and Tam. Of course I was only 5, so as to how much help I was, I'm not entirely sure. I do however remember scrubbing the walls with hot soaping water and almost being flattened by a cow. :D
2. Goatherdress, chicken tamer, and one of the egg ladies. Ok, I admit, the chickens weren't that wild, but can you blame me for trying to make it sound interesting? On the animal note I also fed calves and forked hay for my Uncle Dave.
3. Morning cook, for the Pantry Family Restaurant.
4. Jode of all Trades.

4 movies I could watch over and over:

1. Pride and Prejudice (A&E)
2. Our Mutual Friend (BBC)
3. Oliver Twist (also BBC, the newer version)
4. Les Miserables, Little Women, or something of that sort.

4 novels that should be made into movies:

1. Scottish Chiefs
2. The Woman in White
3. Northanger Abby
4. Mansfield Park ( I demand a remake!!)


4 places I've lived:

1. Grande Prarie (Grovedale), AB, Canada
2. Athabasca, AB, Canada
3. Fort Nelson, BC, Canada
4. PG, BC, Canada

4 TV shows I love to watch:

I don't regularly watch TV, but when I do have the opportunity (a rare day) I usually watch the more craft oriented shows, Jag, The National, or something else almost at random.

4 websites I visit daily:

1. http://keepittoyourself.blogspot.com/
2. http://baby.dohms.net/
3. http://www.occluded.blogspot.com/
4. http://www.ignorantly.blogspot.com/ (only to use my links. :P)

4 of my favourite foods:

1.Chicken Alfredo pizza from Romeo's - their crust is perfection (but their crust wasn't perfection last night)
2. Seafood pasta, with some kinda cheese sauce
3. Busy Salads
4. Apples, usually accompanied with some pb or
a slice of cheese

4 places I'd rather be right now:

Happy where I am. :D

4 people I tag:

Cheryl
Lyd T.
Irene
Cadet

Yup, I'm here in Albany and have been since last Tuesday evening. :D Everything is going great, cept that I am soo tried (that when reviewing this I found that I had written "tried" instead of "tired", I think I proved my point, eh?) right now, but who can I blame but myself? If you're looking for an update, check out Tam's blog

And now for a little more of an update. Yesterday was the Lord's day, and it was a very nice one. The temperture dropped which added a few difficulties to the day, but I think everyone handled those with lots of grace and ...warm mittens. After the fellowship meal, Ed, Hannah, Ethan, Tony, Shawn, Tam, Jen and Co. and myself took ourselves over to the Ang H's where we had an evening of visiting and lively discussion. Then upon returning home we proceeded to stay up late, thus the tired part.

Today was nice, I offer no more details. The End.

Jode

Always hard to believe what can happen in a year, in a day, or even a moment. A year ago yesterday, and life hasn't been the same since. God gives and he takes away; the same year He took my dad but gave us Em and Amos. Ah yes, 2005 had its many rocks, but I'm sure it must have had its roses as well. I suppose the fewer roses there were among the stones the more fragrant their scent and the most thankful we were to have them.

Psa 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. (Dad reminded himself of this verse quite often when he was in pain, and it certain is true, thanks be to God. :) )
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Yesterday was also the 17th birthday of my cousin Clint, so a happy birthday to him, although I don't think he has my blog link. :)


Just about done packing for Albany ( :D :D :D) and wrapping some "must do's" up, so I had better get back to it.

Jode

As I lost a lot of detail/quality in the combo below I thought I would post them separately. :)

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Hidiho. Well it is now the end of December, fancy that. Just had a visit from Jord, Dor, Amos and Martin over the weekend. They arrived on Saturday and departed on Wednesday morning, but even burning the midnight oil and the candle on both ends didn't stop the time from flying. Visited about dozens of things, half of which I will likely never recall, but that still leaves the other half to both remember and muse over. :) Monday afternoon we girls went shopping, while Jord and Martin went to visit with Mike. That evening was spent at Rod and Milly's and Tuesday afternoon at Cheryl's. Now it's time to recoup by catching up on my sleep, duties, and can't forget to pack.

Had Mark's 40th birthday party on Saturday. Wow, I've known him for slightly more than half of my life. It was a nice party, good company, conversation, food and what more could be desired?

12 days to my trip Albany, woohoo! :D

Well, I would call this "the long and short of it", but I think "the short of it" is far more fitting. :D
Tata

Jode

A few recent pictures:


And I didn't even say cheese, what's with that?

"Oh, a picture of me??" After all of his attempts to get every shot, I think he earned it. :D



Note the stylish pockets.

Here you are Tam, finally the sling pictures . :D Forgot to cut the threads..oops.

Look, it's a camera! I thought I'd try to fit her in the sling the baby way (just for the fun of it).

Everything fit, but for a foot.

Worn two different toddler ways.
Baillie's very own computer invention. Who needs windows when you can draw your own screen? She now has about five flip pages tape to the top of a monitor, so she can flip sites.

Just a quick update from me tonight. I received my GED in the mail this week. I passed, woohoo! I was also quite happy with my marks, so there's another plus. :D Lord willingly do a real post in the not too distant future. :)

On the Christian Life
by
John Calvin

CHAPTER I.
"4. This is the place to address those who, having nothing of Christ but the name and sign, would yet be called Christians. How dare they boast of this sacred name? None have intercourse with Christ but those who have acquired the true knowledge of him from the Gospel. The Apostle denies that any man truly has learned Christ who has not learned to put off “the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and put on Christ,” (Eph. iv. 22.) They are convicted, therefore, of falsely and unjustly pretending a knowledge of Christ, whatever be the volubility and eloquence with which they can talk of the Gospel. Doctrine is not an affair of the tongue, but of the life; is not apprehended by the intellect and memory merely, like other branches of learning; but is received only when it possesses the whole soul, and finds its seat and habitation in the inmost recesses of the heart......"

CHAPTER II.
"1. ....The great point, then, is, that we are consecrated and dedicated to God, and, therefore, should not henceforth think, speak, design, or act, without a view to his glory. What he hath made sacred cannot, without signal insult to him, be applied to profane use. But if we are not our own, but the Lord’s, it is plain both what error is to be shunned, and to what end the actions of our lives ought to be directed. We are not our own; therefore, neither is our own reason or will to rule our acts and counsels. We are not our own; therefore, let us not make it our end to seek what may be agreeable to our carnal nature. We are not our own; therefore, as far as possible, let us forget ourselves and the things that are ours. On the other hand, we are God’s; let us, therefore, live and die to him (Rom. xiv. 8.) We are God’s; therefore, let his wisdom and will preside over all our actions. We are God’s; to him, then, as the only legitimate end, let every part of our life be directed"


"9. ......Lastly, if our success is not equal to our wish and hope, we shall, however, be kept from impatience and detestation of our condition, whatever it be, knowing that so to feel were to murmur against God, at whose pleasure riches and poverty, contempt and honours, are dispensed. In shorts he who leans on the divine blessing in the way which has been described, will not, in the pursuit of those things which men are wont most eagerly to desire, employ wicked arts which he knows would avail him nothing; nor when any thing prosperous befalls him will he impute it to himself and his own diligence, or industry, or fortune, instead of ascribing it to God as its author. If, while the affairs of others flourish, his make little progress, or even retrograde, he will bear his humble lot with greater equanimity and moderation than any irreligious man does the moderate success which only falls short of what he wished; for he has a solace in which he can rest more tranquilly than at the very summit of wealth or power, because he considers that his affairs are ordered by the Lord in the manner most conducive to his salvation. This, we see, is the way in which David was affected, who, while he follows God and gives up himself to his guidance, declares, “Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother,” (Ps. cxxxi. 1, 2.)"

CHAPTER III.
"1. ........How powerfully should it soften the bitterness of the cross, to think that the more we are afflicted with adversity, the surer we are made of our fellowship with Christ; by communion with whom our sufferings are not only blessed to us, but tend greatly to the furtherance of our salvation."

"2. ...Though in tranquillity they flatter themselves with the idea of greater constancy and patience, yet, humbled by adversity, they learn the deception. Believers, I say, warned by such proofs of their diseases, make progress in humility, and, divesting themselves of a depraved confidence in the flesh, betake themselves to the grace of God, and, when they have so betaken themselves, experience the presence of the divine power, in which is ample protection."

" 7. ......For why? If, while conscious of our innocence, we are deprived of our substance by the wickedness of man, we are, no doubt, humanly speaking, reduced to poverty; but in truth our riches in heaven are increased: if driven from our homes we have a more welcome reception into the family of God; if vexed and despised, we are more firmly rooted in Christ; if stigmatised by disgrace and ignominy, we have a higher place in the kingdom of God; and if we are slain, entrance is thereby given us to eternal life. The Lord having set such a price upon us, let us be ashamed to estimate ourselves at less than the shadowy and evanescent allurements of the present life."

"9. .......But we have nothing to do with that iron philosophy which our Lord and Master condemned—not only in word, but also by his own example. For he both grieved and shed tears for his own and others’ woes. Nor did he teach his disciples differently: “Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice,” (John xvi. 20.) And lest any one should regard this as vicious, he expressly declares, “Blessed are they that mourn,” (Matth. v. 4.) And no wonder. If all tears are condemned, what shall we think of our Lord himself, whose "sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground?” (Luke xxii. 44; Matth. xxvi. 38.) If every kind of fear is a mark of unbelief, what place shall we assign to the dread which, it is said, in no slight degree amazed him; if all sadness is condemned, how shall we justify him when he confesses, 'My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death?'"

CHAPTER IV.
"1. ......Hence our stupidity; our minds being dazzled with the glare of wealth, power, and honours, that they can see no farther. The heart also, engrossed with avarice, ambition, and lust, is weighed down and cannot rise above them. In short, the whole soul, ensnared by the allurements of the flesh, seeks its happiness on the earth. To meet this disease, the Lord makes his people sensible of the vanity of the present life, by a constant proof of its miseries. Thus, that they may not promise themselves deep and lasting peace in it, he often allows them to be assailed by war, tumult, or rapine, or to be disturbed by other injuries. That they may not long with too much eagerness after fleeting and fading riches, or rest in those which they already possess, he reduces them to want, or, at least, restricts them to a moderate allowance, at one time by exile, at another by sterility, at another by fire, or by other means....."

"3. Still the contempt which believers should train themselves to feel for the present life, must not be of a kind to beget hatred of it or ingratitude to God. This life, though abounding in all kinds of wretchedness, is justly classed among divine blessings which are not to be despised. Wherefore, if we do not recognize the kindness of God in it, we are chargeable with no little ingratitude towards him. To believers, especially, it ought to be a proof of divine benevolence, since it is wholly destined to promote their salvation..... "

"4. ........We ought never, indeed, to regard it with hatred, except in so far as it keeps us subject to sin; and even this hatred ought not to be directed against life itself. At all events, we must stand so affected towards it in regard to weariness or hatred as, while longing for its termination, to be ready at the Lord’s will to continue in it, keeping far from everything like murmuring and impatience. For it is as if the Lord had assigned us a post, which we must maintain till he recalls us........"

CHAPTER V.
"3. Have done, then, with that inhuman philosophy which, in allowing no use of the creatures but for necessity, not only maliciously deprives us of the lawful fruit of the divine beneficence, but cannot be realised without depriving man of all his senses, and reducing him to a block. But, on the other hand, let us with no less care guard against the lusts of the flesh, which, if not kept in order, break through all bounds, and are, as I have said, advocated by those who, under pretence of liberty, allow themselves every sort of license. First one restraint is imposed when we hold that the object of creating all things was to teach us to know their author, and feel grateful for his indulgence. Where is the gratitude if you so gorge or stupify yourself with feasting and wine as to be unfit for offices of piety, or the duties of your calling? Where the recognition of God, if the flesh, boiling forth in lust through excessive indulgences infects the mind with its impurity, so as to lose the discernment of’ honour and rectitude? Where thankfulness to God for clothing, if on account of sumptuous raiment we both admire ourselves and disdain others? if, from a love of show and splendour, we pave the way for immodesty? Where our recognition of God, if the glare of these things captivates our minds? For many are so devoted to luxury in all their senses that their mind lies buried: many are so delighted with marble, gold, and pictures, that they become marble-hearted—are changed as it were into metal, and made like painted figures. The kitchen, with its savoury smells, so engrosses them that they have no spiritual savour. The same thing may be seen in other matters. Wherefore, it is plain that there is here great necessity for curbing licentious abuse, and conforming to the rule of Paul, “make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof,” (Rom. xiii. 14.) Where too much liberty is given to them, they break forth without measure or restraint."

"5. Another rule is, that those in narrow and slender circumstances should learn to bear their wants patiently, that they may not become immoderately desirous of things, the moderate use of which implies no small progress in the school of Christ. For in addition to the many other vices which accompany a longing for earthly good, he who is impatient under poverty almost always betrays the contrary disease in abundance. By this I mean, that he who is ashamed of a sordid garment will be vain-glorious of a splendid one; he who not contented with a slender, feels annoyed at the want of a more luxurious supper, will intemperately abuse his luxury if he obtains it; he who has a difficulty, and is dissatisfied in submitting to a private and humble condition, will be unable to refrain from pride if he attain to honour. Let it be the aim of all who have any unfeigned desire for piety to learn, after the example of the Apostle, “both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need,” (Philip. iv. 12.)..........."

"6. ...........Hence, he only who directs his life to this end will have it properly framed; because free from the impulse of rashness, he will not attempt more than his calling justifies, knowing that it is unlawful to overleap the prescribed bounds. He who is obscure will not decline to cultivate a private life, that he may not desert the post at which God has placed him. Again, in all our cares, toils, annoyances, and other burdens, it will be no small alleviation to know that all these are under the superintendence of God. The magistrate will more willingly perform his office, and the father of a family confine himself to his proper sphere. Every one in his particular mode of life will, without repining, suffer its inconveniences, cares, uneasiness, and anxiety, persuaded that God has laid on the burden. This, too, will afford admirable consolation, that in following your proper calling, no work will be so mean and sordid as not to have a splendour and value in the eye of God."

Thanks Tam, I fixed the link. :)

No-fault forgiveness is fatal . Interesting article.

Hey ya'll,

Here for a bit of a "real" post. The problem with being here is that once I'm here I can't remember what I was going to say. Yes, you're right, I complain about this far too much so I will just endeavor to do my best at being newsy. :D

As you can tell by some of the pics below, I finally finished piecing and basting my quilt and have finally moved onto quilting it. It's a nice change, as cutting has always been my least favorite part of the process.

I took my GED on Saturday. I believe I failed (haha, keep reading as these 4 words can be misleading when taken out of context) to mention that I've been studying for it for the last while. I think it went pretty well, although I won't know if I actually obtained my GED for 3 or 4 weeks. I guess that's because they not only get all of the test batteries from Victoria, but they also send them back there for marking. It was a very long test as I took it all in one day. They normally schedule it over two days, but for some reason they choose to make you take all 7 and 1/2 hours of tests in a day, with another 30 minutes tacked on for a lunch break. Although in retrospect, it was better to just get it over with.

So what's next? I'm not entirely sure, and it something I'm going to need to put a lot of thought into. I planning on doing more sewing, and see if a net based clothing and other thing business with Tam is flyable, as it's something I would enjoy.

Other than that, we've been enjoying lovely fall type weather for the last week. I'm not saying that I totally hate snow or something, but I know that when it comes I'll have more than my share of it. I had better enjoy the brown grass and mildly crisp air while I can. :)

Belinda has started teaching the kids Latin, which is neat. It's been rubbing off enough that I've picked up a bit of vocabulary. I find it interesting how Latin uses its pronouns. They have it so that the I, we, they etc. is actually comprehended by a sound in the actual word. I would give you an example, but I only know how to pronounce them, not type them. I hear them from a distance and don't look at the teacher manual, sorry. :D

Okay, well I'm off.

Jode