You know it's crazy but I've just seen my first week in Regina fly by.  There is so much going on and without sounding too narcissistic, my presence here seems to evoke some crazy hysteria and I find myself torn as I can't spend time with everyone.  Last night, as I ditched my brother Joey for the third night in a row -- this time to watch a movie with my much scarier sister (partly due to her crazy overly-emotional and pregnant state and yet partly not) he proclaimed, "errrrrr permanently ditched," and it pulled at the heartstrings. So I found myself, for the 7th night straight, staying up to the wee hours of the morning trying to give him some time - which wasn't hard -- we had started watching Arrested Development while they were in Toronto and now we are nearing the end of season three and it is so funny... we keep (sadly and yet hilariously) finding parallels between the characters in the show and members of our insane family.   The crux is that I am exhausted.  E-X-H-A-U-S-T-E-D.  

This morning I'm hiding in the basement trying to enjoy a morning to myself.  I have to pay a few bills and upload a few pictures to flickr (I started a July 2008 set that will be continually updated as soon as I get into a groove here) and I felt it was time to update my blog as a lot has been happening so here we go!

I arrived here in the city that rhymes with fun via airplane... the original plan had been to drive but a last minute seat sale (after fees hardly a deal) changed that plan as three days in a car versus 3 hours on a plane is not a hard decision to make.  I watched the movie Definitely Maybe on the plane and thought it was a super cute film.  Me liked.  We arrived the day before my nephew Harrison's birthday so there was much to do.  He turned 5.  I think 5 is a big deal, it is sort of a milestone -- that shift from little person to school-aged person.  I should mention that at the end of June he had a practice kindergarten day and LOVED it.  My sister said he was the last kid to leave.  Anyhow, continuing with my tale...

Harry and I have a special bond.  He loves me and I love him, pretty simple.  It does seem to grate on everyone's nerves though as we both turn into silly monkeys when together and I can see how some people (non fun ones - haha) could find us irritating but I don't care, I am "Super Auntie," and will continue to spoil him as much as possible while I am here. 

We had a little family party for him on the actual day.  He got spoiled -- a Wii, about 8 Wii games (including the super fun Wii Mario Kart that auntie has only played once and sucked hardcore at) and lots more.  He is really into Webkinz (auntie doesn't get this) and now has 4 of them -- I was sad as he named them cute things, for example, the cow is "Cowie" and the monkey is "Monkey Dunkey".  I was hoping he'd name 2 of them Taco and Burrito... which brings us back to his pregnant mother.

T

My sister is pregnant again.  As a matter of fact, she is well into her 7th month and has a big baby bump that she begrudgingly lets me touch and talk to.  She has had crazy Mexican cravings with this child (another boy by the way) and has eaten at Taco del Mar (both locations) so often that the staff there now greet her warmly and with much enthusiasm!!  Being the jackass that I am, I have proposed that the baby be named, Taco, which everyone minus my sister thinks is highly amusing.  I have been teasing her mercilessly. Haha - so evil!   I am hardly the only one that has funny name suggestions... my mother, being a Beatle loving hippie wants him named George (George & Harrison) and Geoff's sister has proposed the name Ford (Harrison & Ford).  As long as T & G avoid naming their baby things like Sunbeam, Earthling, Zucchini, etc... I am sure he'll be welcomed into the fold without too much harassment.

This past weekend was spent at my sister-in-laws babysitting my super cute niece, Ashley.

If in procreating I can be assured of a child as sweet and well-mannered as this 20 month old, I will apply to Neil immediately and begin the  baby-making process (eww, was that too much information?).  Alas, I know it is not that simple nor painless for that matter (my biggest problem) and thus will continue to take joy and fulfillment from my niece and nephew(s).   My sister-in-law was out braving the crazy weather at Craven and I was braving uncharted territory being alone with an toddler.  I more than survived, I really enjoyed my weekend bonding with my niece.  I learned a few things: One, I am probably ready to have kids (my heart says yes but my brain and body scream 'are you crazy!!!').  Two: I dislike Mr. Potato Head. I had always wanted a Mr. Potato Head when I was a kid.  It is one of Ashley's favourite toys and I watched her assemble it about 700 times over the weekend and now I have no desire to ever see Mr. Potato Head ever again - haha!  Three:  My niece is incredibly smart.  Ashley is just starting to talk and I could only make out a few words but she was always able to communicate to me her pleasure or displeasure.  I even bravely took her out for supper to Houston Pizza with me one night and she was super!  No tantrums with auntie and that is really impressive as I don't see her very often and so in some respects, I am very much a stranger to her.  She was such a good little girl!  

So now are you thinking, 'well, that doesn't sound too crazy?'  On top of all of this -- Tess (with my help) is hosting a wedding shower for our friend Linda.  We are also doing the decorating for her wedding next weekend and between making favours, shower invites and games, etc we are slowly losing our minds at the enormity of it all.  This wedding is not your typical wedding either as it has 2 ceremonies.  One Hindu and one traditional.  Personally, I think it will be very neat to behold but getting there is another thing.  Tess, being pregnant, has run into snag after snag with getting her dresses made (one is a sari!!).  Her bridesmaid dress is done but the sari people royally screwed her over and if I could, I would go wring these ladies necks as they were so completely unprofessional.  Here's the gist:  Tess gets the name of a sari maker, meets with the ladies and they agree to make it -- she gives them the material.  Three months later on July 2nd (wedding July 26th), they call her and say that they are too busy and won't have time to make it.  How completely unprofessional -- why take it on if they cannot finish it and why keep her material for THREE MONTHS thus pretty much ensuring she is screwed!!   Anyhow, my mom is now making the sari and this is going to be interesting. Fingers crossed.

This weekend is Harry's kid birthday party (Mario theme) and the wedding shower is Sunday.  Tess and I have 4 separate lists that we are going to attempt to conquer this afternoon.  Wish us luck!

btw -- check out my newest photoshopped creation for Harry`s birthday party.  Pretty Awesome.