Oh Chucky!

So in about 6 months my lovely husband is turning the big 3-0! That's an awesome thing all together, but he's got a grand plan and really wants to see it through.

He'd like an adult party at Chucky Cheese

"They serve beer there," he says with smile as if that's all the explanation he needs.

His love of a great ball room is clouding his judgement I think. But as this is a huge event in a person's life, I really want to make sure that his birthday party is as close to his wishes as possible.

The pizza should be easy enough - I can order in a bunch to be delivered, people can come and drink beers. We can have loud fun music - perhaps even great pop tunes from our childhood including Reece's Pieces and anything else that people can come up with. I can put out colouring books and crayons, pop on video games on the tv in the basement and we can have a blast.

The tricky part will be the ball room. Our house is really open concept so finding a way to have a ball room will be a little bit difficult. Also, how important will it be if the balls are all one size? What if I called upon all my friends and family and got as many balls as possible to fill say a blow up swimming pool. We can then throw James in and he can play to his hearts content! Or perhaps we could try and blow up thousands of balloons and do something with that as a pseudo ball room.

Only problem with a house party Chucky Cheese style would be the animatronics. I really don't think I can arrange something like that. But I might be able to convince someone to dress up like a giant mouse.

I can see the awesomeness now!

I know that his dream is actually going to Chucky Cheese so I will look into this option as well. Chucky Cheese is located within somewhat stumbling distance from our house. I say somewhat - as in Februrary it might not be a good option - but say in July/August on a warm night for sure.

So - the hours are good - Sunday through Thursday until 10pm and Friday and Saturday until 11. We could, by rights, go after the little munchkins are in bed.

The party packages actually look like they include a bunch of things - but they keep mentioning children. James really wants an adults only party so I'm not sure that they would be the same prices. They have two packages - Star and Super Star. $16.99 to $22.99 per child - but that only covers two slices per child. I don't think I'd be able to cover the complete cost of this for ALL our friends. Hmmm.....

I think this allows some questions. Maybe we could coordinate people to come and then pizza to be delivered after all the games? Lots to think about - but either way, I'm going to try and make his birthday one to remember!

That's Deelish!

A while ago my husband created a food website that was focused on different things that he's made. Feel free to visit it at www.deelish.ca.

I personally think my husband makes some of the best meals I've ever had. Sure we don't always agree in that I like creamy sauces, and he'd prefer more of a spicy barbecue type, but the foods he makes are amazing. I remember the first time I realized his prowess as a cook in the kitchen. He decided to make meatloaf. I was so skeptical. My mother (whom I LOVE dearly) tends to make a drier meatloaf with not a lot of flavour. It's pretty much just meat in a loaf form mixed with onions. Anyone that knows me knows that onions are NOT on my things to eat list. However my sister says it's her favourite thing my mother makes.

So when James said he wanted to make me meatloaf I really was worried about the results. He assured me that I'd like it. I went to the kitchener nad watched as he started to throw down. I didn't dare interrupt or say anything as I wanted to see how things came out. He put it all together and threw it in the crock pot. "The crock pot? that's not a loaf pan!" I thought to myself but I let him go at it. As it slowly cooked the scents and aromas really did peak my curiosity. Every time I walked past the pot I was drawn in by how it actually looked really good. I found myself salivating before it even hit my plate.

Once it had cooked for the desired time he took it out, cut it and put some on my plate and his. "Here goes nothing" I said as I cut into my first piece. When it hit my mouth I was shocked by how moist it was. So flavourful. I couldn't believe that this delicious meal was meatloaf!

Maybe I'm biased as for the most part we have the same like and dislikes when it comes to food, but he really is a great cook. Sure it takes some trial and error, and maybe he does cook only to his taste, but I love having a chef in the family!

17 and on your own

Recently my neice made a very big decision. She left on a Friday and never came home. Her parents were a little worried, but mostly annoyed at their daughter who was yet again off being irresponsible and not communicating. On Monday she brilliantly wrote on her facebook page "Going to see my parents - how do you think they'll take it when I tell them I moved out?"

Issue #1 - her parents are her friends on facebook
Issue #2 - she was posting this at 9:30am when she should be in school
Issue #3 - she had told her friends on the weekend that she was kicked out of the house

Unbeknownst to her - her mother was sick of her antics and had taken all of her clothes and all of her things and packed them in bags ready for her to go. This was the final straw in many episodes of broken promises, lies and missing curfew and not coming home. When she finally did come home, things did NOT go so well and she took her things and said that she'd never be back.

I remember 17. I knew everything. I didn't need my parents telling me what to do. But at 17 I was in college - I was going to school, working, saving to pay for books and my camera and anything else I needed to start my career. I was planning for the future, even if I didn't know what the future would completely hold. I was going places. I hated living with my parents constant watching eyes and questions about where I was and what I did. But I never stayed away without calling first. Even if if was a lie that I was staying at "Julie's" when I was really going somewhere else - I at least had the decency to tell them that I wasn't coming home.

I feel really sympathetic on both sides. I know how hard this has been on my neices parents. They have three kids to worry about and all need attention. But how can you give attention to someone that fights you every step of the way unless it's negative attention?

My hubby and I have talked at length about the situation and sadly, we saw this coming. Honestly I thought she'd end up pregnant, not that she'd just move out. Ever since she was 13 she's been trying to make her stake in the world. Now she has that opportunity.

Funny thing is - as much as she's done to upset and hurt people - I cannot cut her out of my life. She is one of my favourite people and has always loved me. Skinny or fat, she's loved being with me for me. We have a bond and I think it comes from me only being 13 years older than her. Of anyone I remember everything she's gone through. Sure she's mad some really bad decisions and most of mine were mediocre in comparisan, but I know that she's truly in her heart of hearts a good person.

I refuse to cut her out and that's why I used facebook to contact her. I just wanted to know she was alive. She was out of the house a week before anyone even told me that she was gone. So I emailed and said "Can you just let me know that you are okay?" She wrote back and trusted me with her cell phone. I called her today and it was so good to hear her voice and be able to talk. It was like no time had passed. I can ask her questions and she answers honestly. Perhaps that's the problem she had with her parents - they didn't ask so she didn't tell.

James and I are starting to talk about the possibility of having our own family. I hope that I can learn from the mistakes of those around us and make a few less of our own. (I'm sure I'm jinxing myself here ;)) I hope that I can never stop asking questions and that together James and I can strike a balance with our kids so they are well rounded but also responsible.

All I can say is that I'm happy that I'll be able to have a relationship with my neice and that she's willing to start making efforts to mend some fences with her parents. They love her and she admitted to me that she loves and misses them. I hope we can all find a way to get beyond this situation as in 10 years - what's it going to matter that she moved out at 17 or 18 - she's still family and we will still love her.

Untitled - by me

feels like crushing
pain is coming
brain is breaking
definitely not faking
not going away
crushing will stay
no time to sleep
unable to tweak
as this gets tougher
must just suffer

Life as we know it

It's amazing how life has changed now that we have a dog. He's forcing us to be better. Take care of ourselves because we need to take care of him. He is a part of us, and we in turn are a part of him.

Sure he's not perfect - he's had a couple set backs - tried running away once or twice only to be caught shortly after, a few piddles on the floor at random moments. But he's so sweet and loving and affectionate that it's easy to forgive. There's something about his face as he looks at you "Walk? Are we going for a walk??" or "Is it bedtime yet? I'm tigered!" He has such a personality and he's been really great to have around. For those curious - the stinky farts are gone as he seems to have relaxed a lot more and is quickly getting used to the ebb and flow of the Hill-Harri(u)s house. He knows when it's time to just chill and loves when it's time to play. We're very happy to have him around.

One thing that has happened is that I don't see him as holding us back. If anything, he's encouraging us to do things that we want to do. If we want to go see the family, we bring him along as all the kids seem to really love him and he certainly loves them. Thinking about our summer vacation initially meant that we were going to go away without him, now we are thinking of ways that he can come too. We've even booked a cottage with some friends that is dog-friendly so we don't have to leave him alone.

Sure we cant get away with having him with us everywhere we go, but as he's befriended his cousin Chewy, he's going to try a sleepover in two weeks when we'll be away at a wedding. I'm a little nervous, but at the same time I'm certain he'll do well. He's very well behaved in the house and will probably love all the kid friendly attention he'll receive.

Due to a death in the family, our weeklong vacation to Ottawa is being changed as well. So now we are thinking of maybe a night there after the memorial service, and then day trips where we can bring our pooch with us. A few years ago I picked up the Daytripper Book for Southwestern Ontario and it has all sorts of great gems in and around our area. I think it will be great for us to get out and see our province from a fresh perspective, rather than just driving by on route to somewhere else.

In the next few weeks I hope to amass a list of great vacation ideas for right here in our beautiful province and share them with all my loyal readers. (All four of you - thanks!!!) Maybe I can inspire you to check out the sights and sounds of nearby places that you just may not have even known existed!