Pics

On my last entry, I eluded to the fact that Paul had to install some appliances, that was thanks to the incredible generosity of Jill and Aaron. They purchased new kitchen appliances for their home and handed down to us the ones that came with the home which were all less than 5 years old! Of course the floor looked like shit with the nice appliances so we also purchased new tile flooring from Home Depot and Paul & Aaron laid that down as well.

I also forgot to mention our new housemates Kiara, Chloe and Stratocaster...all 3 are rats. Kevin's teacher introduced her class to the rodents and Kevin fell in love and HAD to have 1... or 2. Kiara and Chloe grew quickly and when Brad added Strat we had to move them from the small aquarium to new digs. Paul, Brad and Kevin spent a week of summer vacation designing and building the Best Rat House Ever!

October Update

I have a few minutes here for an upate on the Hils/Mccrea/Alexander world so here it goes:
Paul: Working, driving Brad to and from his girlfriends house (Brad's girlfriend, not Paul's...I think), installing dishwasher, stove and fridge (with major help from Warren, Aaron and Hils brother-in-law, Jamie), hanging out with Kevin at the Hockey arena and of course, playing World of Warcraft. Still the best husband and father on this earth:)
Brad: Kickin ass at school (Yeah, we're so proud!), Obsessing over his girlfriend (lucky for him we love her, she's a great girl), playing guitar and getting ready for his big trip to France after X-mas. Brad's biggest news is that he just purchased the new Mac I-Touch and he's loving it!
Kevin: Playing World of Warcraft, Playing hockey for the first time in an organized league (kickeing ass), doing great in grade 7 at his new school, beating off the girls with a stick! Too bad that his hair is so long he can't see the girls.
Me: Working too much, spending most evenings at the gym (not that it helps), and hanging out with my amazing family (especially the nieces and nephews) and great friends. We had a great thanksgiving, spent most of the time painting my mother in laws new house but still had lots of laughs and as always, she fed us well.
Today, I am supervising an Electronics Waste Amnesty event that I developed and it's been incredibly successful so I've got to head back out there. Miss you all lots!

Vacations over:(

We've obviously been pretty busy, but it's been a great summer for us so far! Great vacation with the family at a cottage, lots of great
memories for sure!



Paul and I just returned from an awesome weekend visiting our friends in Montreal and that wraps up MY vacation time for summer 2007, Paul is off this week with the kids and of course don't go back to school until September.

I have my annual Baseball Championship coming up on Saturday...so far we're in 2nd last place. We lost 6 of our players at the end of last season so it's been a "transition season" for us. The last 3 play off games we lost 2 of them by one run...argh, but we one the 3rd one so not so bad.

We've just purchased a new computer which Paul is installing today, he and the boys have become obsessed with World of Warcraft (thanks Ted) so they are all very excited about our new 22" flat screen monior. Of course, Ted had to get the 28" before we got the 22" and now our screen just isn't big enough for the kids! LOL! I guess size does matter, eh?

Hope everyone else is enjoying the summer:)

Our Brilliant Children

Another school year done! Kevin graduated from his k-6 school last week and moves onto a middle school for grades 7 and 8. It was a beautiful, emotional (I'm such a sap) ceremony with all of Kevin's immediate family in attendance. Kevin had a year of emotional growth filled with challenges and many successes and he's looking forward to a new year at Ancaster Senior Public School.

Brad too had a challenging year but pulled off a 74% average so he's off to France in December. The deal was that he had contribute a lot financially and he had to have over 70% average in order to go to France. He had a tough time with Science (hmm, guess it's heriditary) but kicked a$$ in Media Arts with at 92%! He also did well in English with an 80% and careers with a 77%. He has been working many hours and has most of the trip paid for so we are extremely proud of him!

I finally got through hosting my first ever Environment Day for Halton and it seems to have been a success. We had over 1300 vehicles come through the event (they drop off tires, electronics, hazardous waste, reuse items) which is the highest number ever. There were no injuries or deaths so I was happy about that (lol) and the feedback has all been very positive.

Paul and dad spent this past weekend building us a new gate to the park out behind us and will be erecting a fence this evening. The gate looks fantastic and it even works! I'll have to post some pics when I get a chance.

Guess we've had a pretty busy and successful month, looking forward to our week away in a few weeks!

Disney...here we come...again

How do you get to Disney 3 times in 5 years? You need a VERY generous mother-in-law who loves to spend her money on her family! Paul's mom has offered to take us 4 as well as Paul's sister, her husband and 2 kids to Disney...again (she took us all in March of 2003). Paul's mom is selling the family home and moving into an apt in his sister's house so we have a lot of work to do to fix up this 50 year old duplex. If it sells, we get the trip (we're pretty sure it'll sell). Unfortunately, the rest of the family had to work around our schedule so we can't go until summer 2008, that just gives us lots of time to plan another amazing vacation. I am off to Ottawa next weekend (for work), then we are at a cottage with MY family for a week in July, then Paul & I go to Cuba with about 7 other couples and then Disney! I think we should buy some luggage!

What else is new? Well, Doug has obviously had a profound effect on Brad's life resulting in Brad's first piercing - his eyebrow! Actually, Brad went to see his dad last weekend and came home with it, I can't believe that it cost $100.00, or that Rob let Brad spend his own money on it...whatevah! Could be worse, right? The piercing actually looks really cool, I like it!

I have just completed my first "food detox" (that was fun!) and I am checking out the world of organic/wholesome foods...AND LOVING IT! I have dropped 10 lbs and it's just the beginning, a whole new world to me so any special recipes or advise is always welcome.

Paul had his car running the other night, I'm surprised you folks on the island didn't hear it!!!!! Problem with the carborater and no exhaust system, the neighbors not so thrilled:)

Kevin has decided that when he grows up, he's going to work in Disney, so he's just focusing on the trip, gonna be a long wait for that boy!

Happy Mama's Day!

Yet another awesome Mother's Day for me. I was very fortunate this year to have Kevin with us for the weekend, so that was my first gift. Then, a true milestone, Brad went out and bought me a Mother's Day gift with no reminder/threat/bullying, all on his own...that too was a gift. Usually, Paul has to champion the task of purchasing the gift and he's lucky if he gets both kids together to do so.

This morning, I received an awesome gift card to Shopper's Drug Mart from Kevin inside a BEAUTIFUL card! Now, when Heather and I go shopping today, I can point and laugh at her for having to PAY for her drug store purchases while I gleefully spend away! lol!

From Brad, a hilarious card with audio from my fav. movie "Bueller, Beuller" and an awesome Georgio Armani gift package. Inside a Georgio genuine leather purse, 2 lotions and the newest perfume "Armani Code", it's beautiful! I think he's growing up, I even got a hug!

Kind of makes all the sacrifice and crap that I put up with worth it, eh?

Off to mom and dad's to celebrate Kevin's birthday and to continue the Mother's Day festivities, a great weekend!

Update

Guess I'd better keep up. Busy around here these days, Brad is working on his science project, Kevin is obsessed with Hockey Playoffs, Paul is busy with a course in the eve and work and I am crazy busy at work. Seems like every time I turn around there's something new in the land of waste and the environment. My latest issues are the San Francisco ban on plastic grocery bags, the idea of extended producer responsibility, "take it back" programs, batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs. All of which I've had to research and write reports to our council on so it's been crazy...I have 20 hours of overtime in the past 2 weeks! I was in Peterborough last week for a meeting and I'm off to Barrie this coming week...it's not Banff or the UK like H&T but I'm getting there! We are off to a party tonight with friends, maybe we'll finally remember to bring a camera?

The Excitement Never Ends!

Wow, first the bomb, now visits to our site by famous Canadian personalities! Elvis Stojko paid a visit to our container station yesterday signing many autographs and posing for pics. I was busy doing my hair or something so I didn't make it out there, but very exciting times!

Perhaps I should get a sitcom on CBC about my amazing job? lol!

Spring Here?

Wow...no posts for 10 days a none for 18 days before that-now 2 posts in one day. We need to get more consistent with this blog thing.

The nice weather has finally arrived-still a bit cold (high of 8 degrees today) but the sunny skies more than makes up for the lack of temperature. Things are just rolling along fine here in the Hils-McCrea-Alexander household. We haven't had to worry about open houses and things like moldy attics.

I went to the doctors for my 3 month check up and all is well with my levels and QPCR tests. The doctor says I just need to worry about dying from old age.

Been out in the garage the past few nights and getting it all cleaned up after a winter of just throwing crap inside since its not heated. Soon it will be time to work on the car again and I vow this year to be driving it some cruise nights. My trusty best friend and mechanic Zolt, went and broke his leg 3 weeks ago so it looks like I'll have to go it alone. Not much left to do really. Run all the plug wires, assemble the exhaust and a few other minor tasks and we are ready for combustion. Looking forward to it.

All for now.....gotta go finish up cleaning the garage.

Paul

Bomb Scare

That's right, just when you thought you were safe at work...

Yesterday, a pipe bomb was discovered at the container station at our Landfill Site, where my wonderful office is located. The container station is where residents go to drop off household garbage and recycling and is located about 2 football fields away from my office. Unfortunately some boneheads are unaware that pipe bombs are not recyclable and dumped the bomb in one of the containers! The bomb did not go off at that time, instead one of our staff noticed it in the bin and called 911. We had the EMS, Fire department and the bomb sqaud on site all afternoon (nice eye candy ladies!) while they decided how to save us all. They actually used a robot (chickenshits) to relocate the bomb to a "safe" area, then burried the bomb and KABOOM detonated it with a loud BANG! I've attached some pics of the excitement and we were on the 6 o'clock news last night (not that anyone noticed and called to see if I was alive)! I really should be demanding danger pay!

Avoiding Work

Guess it's been a while since we posted and I know that you're all desparate to know what's happening in our very exciting lives! The biggest news, our dog tried to off herself with a tin can last night. She has this odd obsession with garbage and recycling (kind of like me, I guess) and is often found rummaging through our blue boxes. Last night while Paul and I were trying to off ourselves at the gym, Brad hears Maggie (the Environmentally friendly dog) crying in the kitchen, when he gets downstairs he sees blood coming from Maggies mouth and her tongue and mouth caught on the sharp edges of a tin can. Brad bravely removes the can from poor Maggie's mouth and gave her some water. After it had stopped bleeding, she went around the house licking everything for the rest of the night! Although recycling is good for the environment, not so much for curious dogs.

Pics of Stuff

The pics are our new hutch and table and chairs for our dining room. Also a picture of sexy Brenda with her 'hot new ride'. And finally the picture of Commander Cody dressed in his new pirate garb.

New Stuff

Well, it's been a great week at our place! We purchased and installed new laminate flooring (thank-you brother-in-law from Paul's family) in our dining room, purchased a new dining room set (table, chairs and buffet), fixed our broken dryer and purchased A NEW (to me) SUV! I am now the proud owner (okay, the bank owns it) of a 2004 Midnight Blue Hyundai Sante Fe! We got a great deal trading in my old car (97 cavalier) and the Hyundai is everything I was looking for and "Paul approved". I really am so lucky that Paul knows EVERYTHING about automobiles, it makes such an expensive purchase much less stressful and I feel confident with my new ride. We were even lucky with the warranty, it has 7 years on the powertrain and 5 on everything else so I still have years left on it for me. I'll take some pics and post them when I get a chance.

I also made a very big decision over the weekend to drop the Environmental Engineering course and pursue a field of study that I am better suited for. The chem stuff was truly tearing me up inside, the burden of running this family was falling on Paul and I wasn't really participating in our life or in the lives of our boys. Every evening and weekend was spent on homework, leaving me no time with my boys and no time for me (ie; the gym).

So, I dropped out of the course and I'm investigating the marketing and promotion courses offered at the local colleges. I have been advised for a long time now by my supervisor and other co-workers that promotion/education/communication is a true strength for me, so "go with your strenths", right? I'll keep ya'll posted on my future educational endeavors...if you have any advise on this, my ears (eyes?) are open.

So, this may be one of our last blogs as we'll have to sell the computer (along with everything else we own) to pay for all of our purchases! Take care:)

Wild 3 Days Without Whats Her Name

Well its Wednesday February 14th-Valentines Day-and wheres Brenda? Up at the sunny Hockley Valley Resort for a Garbage Symposium where the 'whos who' of garbage will be. Wheres Paul? He's at home (too much snow to go anwhere and the dumb car is dead for the moment anyways) inside recooperating from shoveling 50 cm's of snow (love those north east winds off the lake) from the driveway. "Ahhhh muffin....." Brenda would say if she were here.....but alas, she is no where to be seen. She cant even call me as her cell has no signal there.

But I am choosing to look at the bright side of things. I think I'll order pizza (to hell with Weight Watchers today), drink beer and play on the computer. Maybe if I feel guilty I'll do a load of laundry or 2. Brad has decided to brave the snowy conditions to go to a friends house as school is cancelled. Warren is supposed to come up and help me install a light in the dining room but if they dont plow our street, he'll have to bring snow shoes. I hope the pizza delivery guy has a 4 wheel drive......

Wild Weekend Without What's-his-name

Well, here it is, the weekend of my loved one's annual Ice Fishing Trip...otherwise known as "bunch of drunk, old guys who think they're "all that" freezing their balls off catching (not so much) fish." I'm sure they're having the time of their lives, although I hear that they recieved 40 cm of snow last night, may have to shovel a bit to find the ice.

So, what do the poor, lonely wives do while their soul mates are away? Tonight we all got together for dinner and a movie, but that's not the story the guys will hear, it'll be much juicier for them.

Tomorrow, we celebrate dad's retirement from the work force and the official start of "what can I do to help out my poor children around their homes?". We will be attending a brunch at Tucker's Market Place, an amazing buffet...not so great for the weight watchers plan, I'm sure there will be lots fruit, right?lol! We have a great gift for dad and I'm looking forward to seeing my cousins, sisters and all my neices and nephews:)

After brunch? I will spend the rest of the weekend doing homework, trying to understand Nomaclature, ions and covalent bonds...exciting eh?

Anyway, freezing my ass off down here in the computer room...I don't know how Paul does it every night! Ah Paul, I do miss him, especially when it's -19 in Hamilton right now! Guess I'll have to call Rico the Pool Guy for warmth tonight!

The Truth About Brenda and Paul

Hello everyone. It's Brad here. Over the last few months, I've noticed Mom and Paul spending a lot more time on the computer and a lot less time giving their two sons all the love and affection they work so hard to earn every day. I didin't really think much of it at first; I simply turned a blind eye and played guitar. But recently, this has become a problem.
I'm quite concerned with everything Paul has been saying. When he says "I'm working on mh 69 Chevy today" what really happens is Paul disappears in to the garage for hours at a time and emerges, covered in grease and smelling like an exhaust pipe. He's had the car for years now, and it still doesn't run! When mom says she's "studying", she neglects to tell you that she goes in to the dining room and submereges herself in books. And if need anything at all, you better hope that she's on a study break. And when they're not studying or working or trying to make their ugly old car (which, let's be honest, looks like something God accidently sneezed out) look good, they're blogging. So, next time you see a new blog posted by Mom or Paul, please, try to leave them a comment suggesting that they "toss a ball around" or "teach Brad how to ride a bike". I need to take those training wheels off eventually....Anyways, I hope everyone else is having a good time with their families. I'll pop on here every once in a while (if Paul ever gets off the computer). Bye!

Brad

New Weekend

Today flew by as I was designated to drive Ann and Warren to the airport fo thier trip to the islands. They are going to have a great time! I'm very jealous.

Its been a very busy few weeks since our last post. Brenda started her second chemistry course last week and they cancelled my course due to lack of enrollment. I cant believe that no one else is interested in learning Employment Standards and Human Rights Law. It sounded very exciting! Well maybe not THAT exciting.....

On my last post, I had mentioned getting my 69 Chev running but alas, we ran out of time. But we are very close and if we get some warm weather I may make a dash out to the garage and finish the job.

This weekend should be good. We have a gathering of friends tonight-a games night-which we are looking forward too. But poor Brenda has to work tomorrow. I will be taking the boys skating and to my Mom's for dinner where Brenda will join us. Then on Sunday we are going to Jill's to go skating with Ethan and then dinner. And then??!!?? Back to work on Monday. I need a vacation.......Maybe I can talk Brenda in going to Disney World again??? Better buy some lottery tickets :)

Yay Its Friday!!

Another week gone by. For some strange reason, the whole family is downstairs hanging out in the computer room. Brenda is playing with her new Ipod. Kevin is playing Runescape. Brad is strumming the guitar and attempting to sing now and again. I think the dog and one of the cats are around here someplace too.

We just read Ted's post on Wikpedia and liked his story of when Connor asked if 2 balloons filled with hydrogen and 1 filled with oxygen would it make water? What a question for a 7 year old. Thats amazing. Our kids have questions that are asked but they usually dont go so deep in the scientific areas. Most questions revolve around music, hockey or computers-or garbage if you are talking to Brenda. Perhaps some day when the kids get a bit older they will be discussing quantum physics at the breakfast table. Who knows what the future holds?

Busy weekend here at the Hils-McCrea-Alexander residence as usual. I am very excited as tomorrow my best friend Zolt is coming over and we are going to set the valves on the 396 cubic inch engine we have been installing over the past year. After the valves, we drop the distributor in, run the plug wires and start it up! It will be very loud as the exhaust is not hooked up but thats music to my ears!! Saturday evening we are going to my cousin Sandi's wedding. Open bar and since its my family-its my turn to drink!!!

Brenda is all ready to go back to school on Wenesday. She gets to take more chemistry!! It should be a bit easier this time as she is still in 'chemistry mode' and this time she will be in a class instead of distance ed. This is her second step towards her Evironmental Sciences Certificate. I'm starting a course in 2 weeks as well-not as exciting as Evironmental Chem but fun all the same. I get to study Employment Standards and Human Rights Law. A bit dry but very relavent to my job. This course takes me a step closer to my Ontario Management Development Certificate.

Thats about all thats new now. I'm going to try an figure out this Filezilla program Doug got me to download :)

Strange Weather

I cant get over this weather. Dare I complain that winter seems to be absent here in southern Ontario? I have to admit that its nice to go outside and not have to shovel snow and clean off the van before I go to work.....but it just seems wrong. I had plans to go ice fishing at the end of the month but there is no ice on the lakes. By the looks of the forecast-if it turns cold next week-it wont be long enough to get enough thickness. Whos kidding who. I dont go ice fishing to actually go fishing :) Thats not the main reason anyways.

I heard news from the Brunt family tonight but there is no posting about it. I dont want to steal their sunshine so I wont type a word further about it other than to say that Brenda is very excited about the news.

Ted.....I tried watching Arrested Development last night but Brenda kicked me off the TV and I dont have any decent software installed to watch it on the computer. Can you make a suggestion what program would be good to watch DVD's? I hate Windows Media Player and Realplayer doesnt work either. I tried the Div-X player but I had codec problems and I'm not sure which one to download to make it work. I did managed to get about 20 minutes of watching on the TV in before she threatened me with physical violence.

How could such a sweet and beautiful woman be like that??