Saturday

The weekend is finally here!! Unfortunately, Brenda has to work today and Brad has to work tonight (he works part time at the Keg) and poor Kevin is at his Mom's this weekend. But what about Paul? Paul gets to work today too-he gets to go shopping and clean the house. But I'm sure I will work in a break or 2 :)

We went and saw the new Bond movie last night-Casino Royale. It was, in my opinion, the best Bond movie yet. Daniel Craig was an excellent James Bond and I hope to see more Bond movies with him as 007. Brenda was not quite as enthusiastic about the movie, but she did enjoy it too. If you dont see it at the theatre, I would definately suggest renting it when it come out on video.

Post Christmas Post

Well its now the 28th...3 days after Christmas......That didnt take long. I finally got a bit of time to tidy the house-it look like a tornado hit it after Christmas morning. One more holiday to go until we fall back into our old grind. This year Brenda and I will be attending a party at the Best Western in Brantford like I said in an earlier post. We are really looking forward to it.

Its a Mardi Gras theme and I need to go shopping and buy some beeds. Lots and lots of beads.

Work has been a bit lonely since I am the only one thats there (can you say junior guy?) on the second floor but I finally got things caught up from the extra long weekend. All of my well laid plans seemed to have worked out so far, but the holidays arent over yet and you know what they say about the 'best laid plans of mice and men'.

We had a great Christmas here with all our family and friends. Kevin got a drum set and has been playing it whenever he gets the chance. Its my job to make room in the computer room for them-which is what I should be doing instead of typing away at the blog. Maybe its me with the blog addiction-not Brenda? Hmmmm......... Brad got himself a microphone and stand so he can record his acoustic guitar on the computer but I think he likes the drums better as he plays them when Kevin isnt. Although I think Brad's favourite gift was the 12 pack of Dr. Pepper he got. Brenda got an iPod and listens to it in the van so she doesnt have to listen to the 'music' that the boys and I enjoy. I received a framed print that I saw in a store in Limeridge mall back in the summer. It was a great surprise! Its a painting of a WW2 fighter plane which is right up my alley. I'd have 20 different ones if I could but they are so expensive and besides, I would need a bigger house to put them in........

All for now.........

Paul

HELP US!!!

I think we have a serious problem here with Brenda. She is addicted to blogging. Does anyone know where we can get some help for her?? I can't get at the computer anymore as she is hogging it all the time to compose and read blogs. The kids are crying for her but she says 'I'll be there in a minute'. I just dont know what to do anymore!!!

I want my wife back!!!

Please help us!!!!!

Christmas Eve Day

Well, the big day is right around the corner, I think we're all ready. Been busy shopping, wrapping (yo yo) and visiting, but we're all done now. We will be heading out in a few hours to one of my favourite Christmas traditions, the Christmas Eve church service with mom and dad and this year, Marilyn. We also attended church this morning, I love the Christmas hymns and our minister is really cool so we like to go whenever we get the chance. The kids are so thrilled that we're forcing them to go the church twice in one day...good thing we can bribe them with gifts this time of year. After church tonight we'll head back here to Hamilton and prepare for tomorrow. Scheduling around Chirstmas for "blended families" can be very challenging, I think we have it down to a fine art now. Tomorrow morning we get up very early and open gifts from Santa and each other. When we're finished that (10 mintues? lol) we head out for brunch with Paul's family at his mom's. Paul has one married sister and they have 2 wonderful boys ages 8 and 10 so it's a blast spending time with them. Around noon, we drop off Kevin to his mom (least favourite part) and Paul, Brad and I head out to London for Christmas dinner with the ex-husband's family. Okay, kind of wierd, but Rob has never been close to his famly and I adore most of them and have remaind very close to them, especially to my nieces and nephews. Over the years, Rob's brothers and Paul have formed very strong friendships so we really enjoy spending time with them. Finally, on Boxing Day, the real fun begins and the McCrea clan gather at mom and dad's for gifts and dinner...Obviously, my favourite time! I cannot wait to spend time with my sisters, their husbands and those amazing kids! Anyway, time to get beautified for this evenings events. I hope that all of you have an AMAZING Christmas!

2 Days Till Christmas!!!!

We have a very busy day in front of us with some shopping and a ton of wrapping to do, but I have to say we are in pretty good shape. Its nice to be off work for a few days, however I am filling in the Fuel Coordinators job at work, which is a ton of responsibility. I think I may have to go in to work to make sure all of my delvieries came in. If they didnt, I'll have to make a few phone calls and pray. It would be very bad to put Steelmaking down. They tend to frown on things like that.

I can't believe the weather here at Christmas time-the 25th they are calling for a high of 6 and rain! Are we in England here or what? At least we dont have to shovel the rain.

Brad and Paige - even more trouble!

What do you think he's telling her? "...and then Paige, when your mom isn't looking..."

Kevin and Connor - trouble!

Oh, the beauty of having my children before my sisters had theirs...mine can teach theirs all kinds of new tricks!

Brenda's f****** Chemistry course

So, you may ask yourselves "why the heck is she taking a chemistry course? Is she curious about why she and Paul are so awesome together?" No, that will remain a mystery...

As most of you know, I am in the business of Waste Management (like Tony Soprano) with the Halton Region. Until about a year ago, our department was located in the beautiful Regional Headquarters building in Oakville. Due to the huge increase in staff at said building...and the fact we are the "Rowdies of the Region" we got the boot out of Headquarters up to the oh so beautiful "Landfill Site"...okay, okay, The Dump. At first, we were a little insulted and worried that we'd have difficulties assimilating to our new "environment"...new people and many new odours, but it's been a great year and I, personally, am quite pround of the work that Halton has put into our Landfill site and into creating a better environment.

Anyway, this new location has brought about many new opportunities for me and will continue to do so as new initiatives for increased diversion rates continue to be developed. In January, I will begin a new position as Program Co-ordinator with Waste Management covering a mat leave for a year. Currently, I am on the road most of the time monitoring and supervising waste collection servies so this will be a big change for me. In the next few years, we will be implementing an Energy from Waste program as well as a full green cart/organics program. There will most likely be a new transfer station and incinerator located at the landfill and many new programs...which means many new oppotunities for me. So, I figured that my degree in Sociology aint gonna get me too far in Environmental Services...and hence, back to school.

In January, I start to work toward my Environmental Engineering Certificate at Mohawk College, but before I do that, I had to complete a prep. Chemisty course. Considering that I only completed 1 grade 9 course in Science (which I had to do twice to pass), this has been quite the undertaking for me. I signed up 6 weeks late and had to do it via "distance ed" but IT'S DONE! and I just found out tonight that I passed, with a 77%! I can't believe it! Of course, I couldn't have done it without the help of my wonderful husband and children because I have been a freakin psychotic nutcase for the past 2 months while working on this course.

So now...Christmas begins for me and I AM SO EXCITED! We have Kevin Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and then he's off to his mom's, but we're loooking forward to a great time. We have Brad the whole time as this mono virus he has is very contageous and therefore pretty dangerous for his dad so they will celebrate a few weeks down the road.

I am loving the blogs from all you guys out West...had lunch with Marilyn today and she bragged about all of you the whole time! Anyway, I have some gift wrapping to do and I am bagged! I'll be back on soon...I hope.

Playing With Pictures

Do you know this woman? Does she look guilty?

The Very Next Day......

All of a sudden this blog thing becomes popular.....Brenda wants to add something which is understandable-since its called Paul and Brenda-not the Paul and Brenda and Brad blog. Oh well, I guess I will just have to share my new toy. Life here at 203 East 15th St. is getting back to normal now that Brenda has finished her CHEMISTRY exam. She has jumped into holiday mode and gone shopping. For those readers who dont know, Brad is recooperating well from his bout with the kissing disease. Lucky me I have a cold-I just love colds at Christmas.

I am very much looking forward to the next week or so with Christmas and New Years Eve coming up. Lots of time with family and friends This year for New Years Eve Brenda and I are going to the Best Western Hotel in Brantford for a dinner/dance with brunch on New Years Day with our friends from my work. It should be alot of fun.

Enough for now......

Paul

New blog

Well thanks to Ted's gentle prodding I have started a blog on the Hils-McCrea-Alexander family. The challenge will be in remembering to post now and again.

Wish me luck.