Reduce Challenge…Day 9

Posted in Environment on 04/09/2009 12:19 pm by Michelle

rolling-compsterWe are doing a 30 day ‘Reduce’ Challenge, the main idea is to become more eco-friendly. I got the idea from a news clip I saw on TV about a couple that is doing a 365 day challenge to reduce waste. They do not buy clothing; they make their own bread and yogurt; they even take there own containers to the grocery store to purchase meat.

To reduce waste, we have now purchased a compost, it is very slick. Once the activator is put in (that is a fancy word for manure), you simply add the food and give it a good spin. The main area we, well, Dirk and my niece Nicole, needs to improve on is actually composting – I seem to spend a little too much time sorting through the garbage – pulling out items to be recycled or composted. It is actually really gross. I even found a fork in the garbage – how did they think that was an item to be thrown out?!

BUT, with that being said, we have yet to throw out the household garbage, with all bins being less then half filled.

NOTE: For those that are partaking in the challenge, please post your comments below so I know how you are doing – maybe someone has a great idea to share.

 

Hey wait a minute Mr. Postman…

Posted in Family, Humour on 04/07/2009 03:08 pm by Michelle

This past Sunday, Dirk and I went over to Vancouver for the night. Since our usual dog sitter was unavailable, we drop our dog off at my mom’s place. Monday morning I called to see how she and our dog were getting along, here is our conversation;

Me: Hi Mom, how is everything going with Mya?

Mom: Good, she has been enjoying running from the front door to the back door barking at the passing neighbours.

Me: Yes, you definitely feel safe when she is in the house.

Mom: I know, I opened the front door on purpose so she could bark at the mail lady, she is a real bitch. I was in the my bedroom when she walked up the front step. She barely had the mail in the box when Mya started to bark, scared the shit right out of her. I was in the bedroom just killing myself laughing.

Me: Huh?

At this point I hung up and ran into the hotel bathroom to tell Dirk the story. That prompted a follow up phone call later, as we could still not understand how she came to hate the mail lady. We had questions; Did the mail lady fold her mail? Did she get the mail wet one too many times? We rarely see our mail lady, so how did this happen. Here is the condensed version of why…….she walks on my mom’s lawn.

 

Unknown Quote

Posted in Quote on 03/16/2009 05:34 pm by Michelle

“Life is too short for drama & petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, Love truly and forgive quickly”

Unknown

 

Holiday Season

Posted in Humour on 12/03/2008 12:41 pm by Michelle

“In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it ‘Christmas’ and went to church; the Jews called it ‘Hanukkah’ and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ or ‘Happy Hanukkah!’ or (to the atheists) ‘Look out for the wall!’”" – Dave Barry

 

Adventures in Babysitting

Posted in Family, Humour on 12/02/2008 04:17 pm by Michelle

This weekend Dirk and I decided that we would babysit our one-year-old nephew while his mom and dad enjoyed a night out. Yes – the kid is fine if you are wondering. But, we had a tense moment at bedtime with crying that lasted a little longer then we would have liked. After a brief strategy meeting, it was decided that we would not pick him up, but I would go in and rubbed his tummy – and viola he was asleep. Score one for us!!

I do have one funny story to share. While getting the little guy ready for bed, Dirk was having slight troubles with the pj’s. Upon my observation, I noted that he was trying to ram his toes into the heel of the pj’s. “You have the pj’s backwards” I state. Dirk then flipped the kid over.

 

What are you 3 years old?!

Posted in Humour on 11/17/2008 02:47 pm by Michelle

Our friends Autumn and Allan came for a visit, and had this cool duffel bag that could be wheeled or carried as a backpack. Yesterday we were at MEC and found something very close. As I was examining the bag – I needed to test the wheels. I rolled the bag back and fourth a few times – then over Dirk’s toes. He proceeded to kick me in the knee. “What the hell was that for? That hurt!!” I exclaim. “Yeah, well, so did rolling the bag into my toe.” Dirk replied. “Well you could of said that and I would have apologize for hurting you, you didn’t need to act like a three year old and kick me.” I stated.

Later that evening, Dirk grabbed me from behind a littler rougher then I would of like. I turned around and kicked him in the knee.

 

Shut up and drink the kool-aid!

Posted in Humour on 11/11/2008 04:53 pm by Michelle

As most of you know, Dirk and I have been living on Vancouver Island for the past year. This island is full of beauty that at times, takes my breath away. The ocean is only two blocks from our home, and across the water a short distance is the majestic mountains.

While driving over one mountain to my inlaws home for dinner, I notice the sign that stated ‘Salmon Run’. I have heard how amazing this event was, I promply told my husband we needed to stop. This event really pointed out that I am a complete city girl and had no clue what it really was.

It started out okay – seeing the salmon swimming and frolicking in the shallow slow moving water. I then started to notice a dead salmon here or there. We walked a little further, and two more dead salmon, then another and another. WTF, I think. Then the smell started to bother me. Dirk then states: “Hey, look at that one, he is settling in to die.” WTF, I think again.

So here is the thing: The males fight for the right to fertilize the female eggs. The females batter their bodies as they dig holes to lay eggs. After they are spent, their carcasses lie rotting along the riverbanks, providing food for scavenging birds and bears.

Yeah, apparently they all drink kool-aid after sex rather then just have a healthy cigarette.

 

Wedding Thanks

Posted in Family, Wedding on 10/22/2008 07:00 pm by Dirk

It’s been said that the best judge of a person is their friends. By that measure Michelle and I must be doing something right.

The wedding was a resounding success, both in that a legal union was formed, and that everyone had fun while it did. It’s a shame you can’t get married every year. What a good time. So many of your very favorite people in one place to have a big party, and a big party in which you are the guest of honor. Good food, tender sentiments, love, laughter, and drunken late night dancing. It’s a concoction I’d like to cook up more often.

I was most pleased about a few things:

Everyone had a good time. You are, after all, throwing an expensive party for your loved ones. You want them to have a good time. Thanks and congratulations are expected, but the frequency and fervency of those expressed to me assured me that everyone did indeed have fun.

I wanted a good group hanging in until the very end of the wedding. Getting drinks in bulk at last call. Calling cabs as the staff is turning up the lights and shoving you out the door. Mission accomplished.

The vows were singled out by many as a favorite part of the day. That makes both of us happy. We were a little nervous about the idea of writing our own. We had decided that Michelle would go first to reduce her chances of crying. Even as we came to that arrangement I knew I was doomed to be the one that would struggle. Although I did not disappoint in that area I am please that I managed to get a laugh out of the crowd and make almost every woman cry. The crying was not that hard, but it’s not easy to work a laugh into your wedding vows.

We had a room filled with so many great people who we love for different reasons. Some of whom know one another, but really a lot of islands of people with no specific connection to one another except for Michelle and I. I really hoped to mix those spheres of people up and have some of our groups of friends recognize the beauty in the others. So many people related stories of the wedding that involved telling me how great so and so was, or how much they laughed sitting at their table. That pleased both Michelle and I greatly.

Thanks to everyone who managed to attend. Lots of love from Michelle and Dirk.

Wisdom from the crowd

We had put little cards on the tables at dinner so people could answer a few questions we came up with. I was surprised how many were filled out. They ranged from heartfelt, to funny, to strange. Here they are though. [Editor's comments in square brackets.] Read the rest of this entry »

 

Wedding Photos

Posted in Family, Wedding on 10/22/2008 07:00 pm by Dirk

You can check out the wedding photos here.

All images copyright Lisa Petkau.

 

Michelles Vows

Posted in Family, Wedding on 10/22/2008 07:00 pm by Dirk

I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH….

ENOUGH TO DO ANYTHING FOR YOU,
GIVE MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY HEART TO YOU,

ENOUGH TO WANT TO PROTECT YOU,
CARE FOR YOU, GUIDE YOU, HOLD YOU, COMFORT YOU, LISTEN TO YOU, AND CRY WITH YOU,

ENOUGH TO BE SILLY AROUND YOU, NEVER HAVE TO HIDE ANYTHING FROM YOU, AND BE MYSELF WITH YOU,

I LOVE YOU ENOUGH TO SHARE ALL OF MY SENTIMENTS, DREAMS, GOALS, FEARS, HOPES, AND WORRIES WITH YOU,

ENOUGH TO CHERISH YOUR FRIENDSHIP, ADORE YOUR PERSONALITY, RESPECT YOUR VALUES, AND SEE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE,

I LOVE YOU ENOUGH TO FIGHT FOR YOU, COMPROMISE FOR YOU, AND SACRIFICE MYSELF FOR YOU,

ENOUGH TO BELIEVE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP, TO STAND BY IT THROUGH THE WORST OF TIMES, AND TO NEVER GIVE UP ON US,

ENOUGH TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH YOU, BE THERE FOR YOU, WHEN YOU NEED OR WANT ME, I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE YOU, OR LIVE WITHOUT YOU,

I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH.

 
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