Mothers

An unfortunate thing happened yesterday. A lady that I work with had her mother living with her for the past few months and over the christmas season her mother fell and broke her foot. Because her mother was quite old, she had to stay in the hospital and she was there for quite some time. Yesterday at 2:00 she received that news that her mother had passed away. She held it together at work for the last 2 and a half hours(she decided that she wanted to finish working the rest of the day). She said that she has been expecting this to happen for a week and she was prepared to say goodbye. She shed a few tears at work and we did with her. She said to me that even though her mother was old and it was her time to go that it is still hard because you only have one mom. Then she told me to go see my mom and give her the biggest hug. And that was all that I wanted to do.

I couldn't imagine life with out my mom. I feel like if I didn't have her then my whole world would just fall apart. She has given so much to all four of her kids and she loves us more than we can understand. She does so much for us even now. She is my best friend and I need her. When ever I need someone to turn to I know that she is always there. When I need support for something I know that she will always support my hopes and dreams. When I need someone to talk to she always has an open ear and an encouraging word. Mothers are the greatest blessing that God can give someone and I am thankful for mine everyday.

Mom, I love you.

Two Years

The Exciting Lives of Ian and Kristin

Last night my boss, John, gave Ian and me tickets to the Blazers game. He has season's tickets. We went, we watched, they won 6-4 against the Prince Albert Raiders. We bought a pop and a chocolate malt. We enjoy hockey, so we had a good night. And that is all the excitement in the lives of Ian and Kristin Groves. Woot!!!

Weather!

Working outside has its advantages. Fresh air, exercise, a really good tan.

Working outside has its disadvantages. Sun stroke, dehydration, sun burn, frostbite.

And lately, no work at all.

I can't work in anything colder than -5, because of the materials we work with.

Wednesday I was off because our work truck needed work. Transmission troubles.
Thursday had a high of -11.
Friday had a high of -13.
Today (Saturday), a projected high of -12.

Here's the forecast:




















As you can see, for the next week (up to Thursday) there is no day where the temperature is expected to get above -5.

I am going crazy. I have lots of things to do, but i have no motivation, and as the days go by it gets worse and worse.

The only reason i'm not freaking out about money is because i am on EI to fill in the gaps. That is really nice. Especially this week. Here's my list of things to do:

• Organize the computer room (bills and papers and junk are piled everywhere)
• Finish building lamps (like this one only cooler)
• Clean our bedroom

ok, there's not that much for me to do, but it's still something, instead of this....sitting here downloading episodes of corner gas and the office and playing little games.

and on top of it the dog is driving me crazy. he wants to go outside. until he gets outside. then he just stands there looking at me and alternating his feet in and out of the oh-so-cold snow. then he is so grateful to come back in, only to whine 5 minutes later and want to go out.

yes, yes, i've mastered the art of complaining. thanks for listening.

ian

Backup Your Blog!

A lot of people have been wondering how to backup their blogs without going to every single post and downloading/printing it. Some blog sites/programs have a way to do this and Blogger is no exception. The only problem is it is a little hard to find/do.

So here's a little help...


1. Just in Case

The first thing you need to do is backup your current template. If you've made any changes or customized anything and you don't back it up, you will have to do that all over again. So...
-Login
-Go to the Template Tab in your blog
-Highlight your whole template (click where the text is and press Ctrl-A)
-Copy it (Ctrl-C or right click the highlighted portion and click Copy)
-Open notepad or word or any text editor
-Paste the contents of your template here
-Save it somewhere you know you can get it back, like the Desktop
-Make sure you can close it and find it and open it without any problems.

2. A New Template

The only way for Blogger to show all of the posts in your blog is to change to a new template that they provided (after quite a bit of searching).
I can't post it right here because it is really long so here is a link: Click here for the template
So save that file or copy and paste it to a new file.

Now paste that whole thing into your template in place of everything else.

Now save the template.

Next, go to the Settings tab, and click on the Formatting link. The first option is to select the number of days or posts. Remember what this says so you can set it back. Set it to 999 posts. That's the maximum it will show, so if you have more, you may have to manually save the rest. Sorry.

Once you've done that, republish your whole blog. This may take a while.

3. Save Away!

Now view your blog! It will show all of your posts, starting with the most recent. You now have two options.

1. Save it - Click File and then Save or Save Page As..., something like that. You will most likely want to have a seperate folder to save your blog, as it will have a folder for your pictures as well (it will only save the pictures that actually appear in the blog, so if you just have small versions on the blog and want big ones you'll have to do that by hand.
2. Print it - This will probably take a long time. File-> Print. Pretty basic.

When you're all done, just go back into Blogger, and re-paste your old template in place of this backup template. Then change your Settings->Formatting back to whatever it was. Feel free to save the backup template for future use!

There you have it. Any problems, leave a comment.

Annigiversary

It's our first anniversary! YAY! We made it a year!
Also, check out 372-WOOD. Finally, an update!

Too much work

Today while I was at work I was told that on wednesday (which is tomorrow), I would have to start work at 8:00 am, usually on wednesday I start at 11 and work until 7. But, we have to do some survey for the college of dental surgeons and I have to help fill things out with each client that gets their teeth cleaned, so I must be there all day.

Normally that would be okay, start at 8 and leave at 4:30 but on wednesday nights I usually assist because we book Darryl (the associate dentist whom I work with primarily) with two chairs for two assistants and tomorrow night is no different. That means that I am scheduled to work 8-6. But the way that things go, I will most likely be there until 6:30 or 7.

I really do like my job, its just that I am there WAAAAAY too often. I do work a normal 40 hour work week but the thing is is that I haven't taken any time off all year. An odd four day weekend is that most and I need a break. It seems that even though Christmas is coming soon, its not soon enough.

Then a funny little thing happened, John (the senior dentist who owns the joint) says to all the girls this morning, "Mondays are really busy, I think we should ask Kristin to come in on Mondays because we could really use her." So they had to ask me if I would. I just laughed and said, "No." They laughed too because everyone in that office knows that I would like to work less days if I could, not work 6 days a week in an office that is sucking all the life out of me!!!

I really can't wait to just become a CDA. Then I will no longer be on the bottom of the work ladder. It's really difficult to be there on the bottom and work harder and do more things than everyone else. Does this post make it seem like I am stressed out, because I am. In fact, the other night in my sleep (I do not remember this), I apparently yelled at Ian that I did not want to talk about work anymore. So I really should stop talking about it. It's just always on my mind!!!!

OK, I'm alright now.

I hope.

A New Addition to the Blamily

Ok so i tried to make up a blog-related word like Liz. It didn't work.

The newest addition to our Blog Family is minusFive. Check it out if you have absolutely nothing else to do. Seriously, make sure there is nothing else to do. Make sure you cleaned your andirons and washed your hair and everything.

ian

Christmas is Coming

I am so excited for christmas this year. Normally I am not excited about christmas until christmas eve. Even making presents last year for the last weeks before christmas didn't get me excited but this year I am stoked. I have started four gifts already and I love the ideas that we have for all the other gifts. I am excited about picking out lights and having them on my house all lit up.

On sunday, Ian and I and my parents went out to find a christmas tree. We pick them out a few weeks ahead of time so that you can see what they look like without all the snow on them. We will go get the tree on Dec 3. I like having the tree up all of december. Ian and I had a tree last year as well but it wasn't the same because we were not married yet so it didn't really feel like MY tree. It was just at his house.

I think that I am really excited because this is Ian and my first christmas as a married couple. We have already spent 2 christmas together but this year is different. After a christmas eve of opening gifts with my family, we get to sleep in our bed and wake up christmas morning and open each other gifts and then have a big breakfast all warm and cozy by the fire and by out beautiful tree.

I can't wait!!!!!! I am so very glad that I am full of christmas cheer this year. No more humbug.

Something Gross

Wanna hear something sickening??? Well I will tell you anyway. I have NOT SHAVED my legs in over three weeks, it may even been four now that I think about it. They feel so itchy and dry, they drive me insane.

Wanna know what the most disgusting thing is??? If you looked at my legs, you would never be able to tell that there was any hair on them. Not unless you stare at them from three inches away. Or if you felt them. Ew. Shudder.

Well, I'm gonna go get rid of some unwanted hair.

Dude, Where's My Car?

We took a little vacation this weekend to Tumbler Ridge...click here if you need to know where that is.

We left Thursday night, to get a jump on the 10-12 hour drive. No one likes to spend ALL day travelling. Well, i don't.

When we hit Clinton, it started to snow. It snowed and snowed until just before Quesnel, and then it was really nice, and then i was really tired so we stopped and slept at a rest stop.

We woke up and it was snowing, and we left. We hit Prince George and it was again quite nice. We got to Tumbler Ridge just before 10:30 am on Friday.

Friday afternoon it started to snow. Just a little at first, and then the full on blizzard.

This picture was taken Saturday morning at about 10:30am:


As you can see, we've got about 2 feet of snow in less than 24 hours. It still hasn't stopped, though it was forecasted to stop today. That large white object in the middle of the screen is our car...


Needless to say, we are a little choked. We're not sure what's going to happen. We were supposed to be leaving here Monday, but apparently the Pine Pass is closed, which is pretty much the only way out of here.


On the plus side, Dewie is having a blast! He loves running around chasing snowballs when we're shovelling or biting my dad's boots when he's walking. We throw him in the middle of the yard and he burrows himself out. It's awesome.

So we're supposed to be back monday, to work tuesday...but who knows if that is going to happen. Pray for a heat wave i guess.

ian

The Little Mermaid

Disney's The Little Mermaid has been my favorite movie ever since I was 5 years old. When it first came out, my family did not have a VCR but my best friend at the time did. And they owned the movie!!!! So I would watch it every time I went over there.

Ten years later they brought it out on VHS again because Disney does this with their big movies every ten years or so. Anyhow, my wonderful mother bought the movie for me at the age of 15 because by this time, we were with the times and technology and actually had a VCR. Then a very tragic thing happened. Someone borrowed my movie and NEVER RETURNED IT!!! I was still crushed about this until today....

You may be asking, "What is so special about today?" Well I will tell you. Today...is...the...day...that...

THE LITTLE MERMAID CAME OUT ON DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alas, I have no money at the moment. But I get paid on thursday. And on thursday I will again own The Little Mermaid.

Ariel, I love you!!!

remember me?

Lately it's not too often that i (i being Ian) write on this blog. or on any blog for that matter. but tonight i have a special subject in mind.

there have been so many posts (or at least it seems that way to me) on this blog about me. ian's great, i miss ian, etc. but we've neglected to focus on the other, more important half of this little family.

she's the only one i want to wake up with. the only one i want to fall asleep with. she puts up with my disorder, though we all know it drives her crazy. she makes me dinner even after she's had a long day at work. she cleans up after me. she gets up with me a 6am even on the days that she works at 11, just to make my lunch because she knows i won't have time to. on her days off she does the laundry, so i have clean clothes to wear for the rest of the week. without her i would be lost.

of all of the uncertain things in the world...money, jobs, homes, there is one thing that i am certain of. at night, when i go to bed, it will be with her. and in the morning, she'll be there. for the rest of our lives.

there is no one else that i love more than kristin tamara groves. my life with her gets better and better with every day that passes.

i love you kristin. more than you'll ever know.

Sleeping Alone

Everyone told me that after being married for a while, you have a hard time sleeping without your spouse beside you. Well, Ian went to Lilloet on wednesday for two nights. That first night was the first time that that has been true for me. There has been three other times that either Ian or me have had to go out of town and sleep alone, and each time I wished I was with Ian but I still fell asleep really well. But this time was different. I missed him.

I missed his really warm body next to mine, keeping me from freezing ( i have been very cold the last few nights). I missed his long, comforting arms wrapped around me. I missed his sweet, deep voice talking to me about everything and anything. I missed his gorgeous brown eyes staring into mine. I especially missed his kisses. He loves kissing my neck and shoulders before we go to sleep. He always gives me little kisses on my cheek and lips. I really miss the way that he makes me feel absolutely adored. I miss my husband!

It makes me very happy that in the short nine months that we have been married, it is evident that our love is growing for each other. It pleases me that when my husband is gone I cannot sleep. I feel so blessed. I am filled with such joy!

Hair Color

Angelica and I spent 3 and a half hours today dying my hair. She did foils with blonde and copper highlights and then did a dark blonde/light blond color all over. It looks really red today because the of the copper tones but the will get more golden as the days pass. She did a really good job and she is very good at her job. Everyone was impressed. It looks EVEN better in person. You should come visit me and see for yourself. Thank you Angelica, you are awesome!!! (I recommend her to everyone for all your hairdressing needs).

All Is Good

I PASSED MY TEST!!!! I got 90%! You need 80% to pass. My instructor was the most wonderful, sweet woman and made me feel so comfortable and I knew all of my stuff.

I am soooooo happy!!!

90 %!!!!!!!

Nervous!!!

I have several things to be nervous about in the next few days:

1) I have to go to the doctor today at 11:15 because I have been feeling sick for too many weeks now. I hate going to the doctor!!!

2) My boss is leaving at noon today and so I have to be the only one up at the front for four and a half hours!!! It should be alright I suppose, she is putting the answering machine on, so all I really have to do is take people's money and book them appointments. Not so bad I guess, but still, there is always the chance that something that is out of my control arises!!!

3) My practical evaluation at NAIT is this saturday at 1-5pm. I've been studying quite a bit and I still do not feel prepared for this and I am still very nervous that I am not going to pass for a secong time!!!

I will be just fine though. I know that God is looking out for me and that I can trust in Him to help me with my nerves. *deep breath* and I'm feeling better... kind of...

My Nephew is the Avatar

Justin recently got Ian and me hooked on this show, The Avatar- The Last Airbender. It is a fantastic show. I highly recommend it.

Anyhow, the other day I was sitting here studying for my test that is coming up in edmonton this saturday, when I got distracted by the computer. (like i am right now, i was studying and now i am blogging) I was looking at pictures of Hunter and came across this one of him in the bathtub. I looked at the picture and thought to myself, "If Hunter had a blue arrow tattoo on his head, he would look just like Aang(the avatar)." So I took the liberty of drawing a blue arrow on Hunter and now he is the avatar!!! I have a picture of Aang to use as an example.

A Thank You

YAY!!!!
Thank you Justin and Liz for our NEW DVD PLAYER!!!!!
The picture is oh-so clear and it is much better than our old one. AND...the remote works!!!! Hooray for no subtitles. You two make the best big brother and sister-in-law EVER!!!! Always caring for us, giving us your hand-me-downs, and making sure that we are watched out for. I don't even know how to thank you enough. Well, I will try by spending every monday with your cuter than ever son!!!
Thanks again!!
I love you guys sooooo much.


P.S. Phill and Rebekah, if you read this blog, you guys are awesome too, my thanking J & E was not to make is seem like I love them more. I love you both just as much!!!!

Updates on the House and Life

Ian and I were scolded yesterday for not blogging since beginning of July, so here I am.

We have started alot of project here in the Groves' house. We painted the bathroom and the bathroom ceiling because it was an awful Lime Green!!! So that is all painted but due to tape pulling paint off the walls mishaps, there are still a few touch ups that I need to do.

Our bedroom still isn't completely finished, we are doing the japanese theme as you may remember, and we are making the ceiling look like a rice paper door affect. We bought hand made tissue paper that looks like rice paper and pushpinned that into the ceiling, now we have bought wood beams and Ian has cut a few, I just have to prime and paint them black.

In our living room, I have started measuring and drwaing lines because one wall I am going to paint 10 x 10 squares of different shades of brown/tans. And Ian has taken down our old small mantle and is now in the process of making a larger one that extends further.

This past week project was our basement. It was just FULL of boxes every where, and camping stuff everywhere, and winter stuff everywhere. There was a shelf in corner of one side of my basement, so I orginized all the camping and winter stuff on to that shelf, then I took apart all the boxes (these were from moving) and I put them under the stairs, out of the way and out of sight. Then Ian came home from work early (it was my day off) and decided to build me some shelves for a pantry beside my new little deep freeze. So we went to home depot and bought some suplies and Ian built a shelf. It looks wonderful!!! Now I have some room to store lots of food. Right now it is somewhat empty but I will get it full of wonderful things!!!

OK, that's the house. Now for Ian and me. In the beginning of June, Ian got a promotion in his job, which also meant a nice little raise. The guy who was running the truck decided to move, and so Ian got put in charge and learned lots of new things and now all of the people Continuous Gutters are happy because Ian is very good at what he does and they all respect him. I am so proud of my baby.

Nothing is really new with me, work is same old, same old. I am studying right now though because I have my practical evaluation retake on Sept 9, and there is no way I am letting myself fail this one.

So that is pretty much what is going on. Oh, other than Justin and Elizabeth got a new dining room table and gave their old one to us and WE LOVE IT!!! Thanks Liz!!!...and Justin.