Hanging out. 

Hunter gatherers. 

What a GREAT weekend.

I love going on retreats. And this definately was a good one, we had a really awesome time.

The worship was really good, on Friday night one of the men from church came and spoke about his work with Canada Food for the Hungry International, which was really quite inspirational, he has some really touching stories from his travels in/through Africa. Then on Saturday night one of the older Snr High girls gave her testimony and spoke about the things that hurt us, that we keep hidden, it was very moving, and we had a great time of prayer afterwards. And we had a very simple time of worship this morning with communion. The Lords presence was tangible throughout all of our worship times, and touched so many people, the Lord truly is faithful..

We had a Dutch Blitz tournament yesterday, which was great fun (even though I SUCKED), and a scavenger hunt. We had been lent a speed boat, so the kids all went toobing & for rides round the lake. Some of us just sat round chatting in the warmth, it was great. I had the usual round of questions about the different words that the english use compared to the canadian, it was .... amusing. There was a team of people who cooked us wonderful meals, we never went hungry, snacks were none stop...HOORAY.

It was a class weekend.

Snr High Retreat

As in we're going in 1 hrs time, so we're away til Sunday.

I'm very excited, worship, wide games, and Dutch Blitz tournament...life doesn't get any better.

Getting stuff done

I always seem to forget that volunteering for things actually means I'm gonna end up with a big pile of things to do, so I am running around trying to get things organised for the womens retreat which is 2 weeks this coming Friday. I am actually enjoying all the prep work, and spending time with the other people involved, I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day.

We start back at Care Group tonight, but it is also the final of the Hockey World Cup between Canada and Finland, so I doubt that Lindsay & Derek will actually be too attentive to the group meeting, I think they will actually be screaming at the TV for the first half of the evening.

Summer definately seems to be over, and it doesn't even feel like it started properly. I have told God that I think that after that disappointment, He should at least not send so much snow this winter, cos I hate driving over here with the amount of snow that Saskatchewan gets.

WE'RE COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!

We're all booked, we will leave Saskatoon on the 21st of December and arrive in the UK on the 22nd. And we are staying in Teesside until the 8th of January.

woo hoo

Pretty ladies 

Aahhhh 

YAY....Karen & Jon (or Gair as I still call him) 

I am TERRIBLE

I forgot another wedding....more congratulations go out to the new Mr & Mrs J Gair!!!!!

Another wedding we missed.....POOO

One of my favourite places...Durham Cathedral 

I'm copying Si cos I'm bored

Last Cigarette:: A LONG time ago, thankfully....
Last Alcoholic Drink: At the weekend, had a Raspberry Smirnoff Twisted, was good.
Last Car Ride:: In our lovely Oldsmobile Alero
Last Kiss:: Five minutes ago, when L left for work
Last Good Cry:: A couple of weeks ago when I felt homesick
Last Library Book checked out: I can't remember, I think a Bernard Cornwell book, but it was a couple of monthes ago.
Last Book Read:: I'm saying 2 cos I love them...Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island & Notes from a Big Country.
Last Movie Rented:: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (cos we like that one)
Last Cuss Word Uttered:: probably crap, that or the s word, they're the only ones I actually use, tho I know I shouldn't.
Last Beverage Drank:: Water
Last Food Consumed:: A Smore
Last Crush: My boy
Last Phone Call:: The temp agency
Last TV Show Watched:: Canadian Idol
Last Shoes Worn:: my Vans
Last CD Played:: Coldplay
Last Item Bought:: Bounce
Last Download:: Not a clue
Last Annoyance: looking at flights on the internet
Last Disappointment:: that stupid King Arthur film
Last Thing Written:: temp job info
Last Key Used:: apartment key
Last Word Spoken:: 'bye' on the phone
Last Sleep:: Last night
Last IM:: what the chuff is that?
Last Ice Cream Eaten:: Strawberry Sundae
Last Time Amused:: whenever I listen to Chris Moyles on Radio 1, which is right now.
Last Time Wanting To Die:: When I think about heaven
Last Time In Love:: right now
Last Time Hugged:: when L went to work this morning
Last Time Scolded:: can't remember
Last Time Resentful:: ditto
Last Chair Sat In:: the one I'm in right now
Last Lipstick Used:: lipgloss
Last Underwear Worn:: that's private
Last Bra Worn:: DITTO
Last Shirt Worn:: the Charlatans T-shirt my bro gave me
Last Webpage Visited:: Radio 1 Chris Moyles show

What a big fat pile of POO!!!!

We went to the cinema on Tuesday evening, and I got all excited because we went to see King Arthur. Now I LOVE this story, it's always fascinated me, so I was giddy going in..... I was NOT giddy when I came out, actually I was quite grumpy. Since WHEN???? was Arthur part Roman, and since WHEN could you have knights without a King to knight them, it's ridiculous. And to make it worse, it wasn't hollywood actors that butchered this story, it was British people, I have never felt so let down (by a film that is). BAHHHHH!@#?*#!@?*@ I could go on but I think you've heard enough of my rant on this.

More weddings

A BIG congratulations to John and Kat who got engaged at the weekend. We're very excited for you guys. I just spoke to John and he sounds very pleased with himself. Kat, I want to know what the ring is like, I am impressed that John actually managed to keep it a secret, but will be very impressed if the ring is as beautiful as he says!

Relaxing in the small amount of sun we had this weekend. 

Round the camp fire 

Our weekend camping (of a sort)

We had a GREAT weekend away in the motorhome. We only went to Pike Lake, which is just 1/2 hr away from where we live, but that made it even better because it meant longer there with less travelling.

Hey, I just realised how to write in colour!!!!!

So, anyway, yes the date on the pic below is wrong, I just messed up with the date settings.

We drove out on Friday straight from work, and met L's parents there (they had driven the BIG MOMMA motorhome there for us and set up). Kev and Luanne arrived just after us and we all had foil bag supper that Marlene had made (it tastes GREAT!). Saturday was a lazy day of a short stroll, naps and playing Dutch Blitz (YAY). Chris, Sue and Darren came over for supper that evening, we all ate steak ('cept Darren, he had his Smokies), then lit a fire and sat round that and caught up on everyones summer, twas great. Then everyone left around 11 o'clock, except Darren, then it was just 3. Sunday was an even sleepier day, Darren stayed until just after lunch. L & I spent the afternoon napping and watching movies due to the high winds and rain that descended on us, which also meant no fire that evening...DOH!!!!! Then the dreaded day arrived .... Monday .... we had to pack up and go home...it really is the end of the summer.... I REALLY DON'T WANT IT TO SNOW!!!!! Not looking forward to the winter at all.

Us in the motorhome 

Prayer would be good

I am feeling pretty overwhelmed with life in general right now. Which is weird because I did way more when I was living and working in Teesside, but somehow it seems more taxing when it's not just me I have to consider. But I am extremely excited about this autumn:
I am helping plan the Cornerstone Womens retreat, which is the first weekend in October, pray that God will move powerfully there.
We are both leaders in the Senior High youth group, and we are on retreat with them 17-19th of September, same prayer as above.
I am still going to my AWESOME ladies bible study group. I can not express how much God has blessed me through these women, I love this group dearly. The group would really appreciate prayer for God to really teach us, and draw us closer to Him.
We are in a church Care group (house/cell group), which L & I both are beginning to really feel happy and confident in, we are with a great bunch of people.

Lindsay & I are both considering going back to college to get some better qualifications, but the fees are a bit steep so we are trying to prayerfully consider which path God is wanting us to go down. But we both know we are gonna have to do something to get the kind of jobs we think we would actually be happy in, and it would also be useful if I could find some more permanent work while we save up, so we would really appreciate prayer for that.

Again, I am excited about this autumn and the possibility that we will be at home with my family at Christmas. I am feeling overwhelmed, but know that God will only give me as much as I can handle, and will hold my hand the entire time...Praise be to the Almighty God, our friend and saviour, GREAT IS THE LORD!!!

Wedding Pics

If anyone has photo's from Pete & Jeni's wedding PLEASE e-mail me them, can't wait to see them.

Well, we are going away tomorrow, we are spending the weekend at Pike Lake, which is only 1/2 hr away. L's parents are letting us use their BIG MOMA motorhome, so friends will be joining us during the course of the weekend.

Oh yeah......DOES ANYONE FROM THE UK ACTUALLY READ THIS (apart from Si & Debs)?????

More G-invites

I seem to have an endless supply of G-mail invites, so if anyone actually wants one, please let me know your full name and e-mail.

An amazing picture of the old Unger Farm house, where L's Dad was born. Courtesy of L's talented cousin Allison.

Change is good

Well, you will notice I have been fiddling. I was bored so I decided to mess about with my blog.

We haven't really done much recently. Linds is still plodding along at work and has worked 12 of the last 14 days. I am coming to the end of my time at the comapny I am at right now (which SUCKS cos it is a great company to work for). I went to see the Dr last week for my yearly physical exam (it's expected over here, like going to the Dentist for a check up), and he did some x-rays to see if he could find out why I keep getting sinus infections, so I'm waiting to hear the results from that.

Next weekend is a long weekend, so we're hoping to go somewhere, not sure where, but away anyway.

As of 3 weeks ago there should be a Mr & Mrs T Yau, and as of today there should be a Mr & Mrs P Hart, congrats to all. We are both gutted to have missed these weddings, but can't wait to see the photo's.

I love this picture! Thanks Cags for your magnificent photography skills! 

A blast from the past. March 1999 

A Chris Moyles and Comedy Dave classic

I'm listening to BBC Radio 1's Listen Again, because (as frequent readers know) I LOVE Chris Moyles breakfast show. Fridays was a classic, if you want to hear a grown man get thoroughly confused about nursery rhymes, please go to www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles click on Todays Show and then on Fri, and skip to 20:00 and listen from there....VERY FUNNY!!!! And if you want even more giggles just keep listening until the end of the show, as (for once) I really enjoyed Car Park Catchphrase...with a very amusing contestant. But you need to do this before Friday 27th August, as you can't hear it after then.

Union Jack 

Olympic amusement.

I'm beginning to enjoy watching the Olympics, and feel huge national pride (although we're not doing too great).
But tonight has actually been very funny, immediately after the 200m * 4 Mens Freestyle Relay, the Canadian team were interviewed and were on a complete downer, and on national TV the team leader said (among other things) 'I'm p****d off.... we were c**p.' I was stunned at his bluntness, but found it amusing. I think it was a shame that they seem to have forgotten about the fact that this was the finals, at least they got there.

I'm more looking forward to the athletics though, that is what really interests me, especially the 100m & 200m sprints. I am so pleased I will actually be able to watch it live, instead of watching a repeat in the evening.

GO UK!!!!

Family get-togethers suck (when we're not there)

My big bro & his wife and bairn are home visiting the family, which sucks big time cos we're not there to see them. But I did get to talk to Mum, Sue, Bob & Marie-Ann on Sunday which was class, and I could hear Ben gurgling in the background (aahhhh).

However, I am getting excited as we've started looking at flights to see when we can actually afford to visit home. We do think we will be able to visit sometime this coming winter, we're just not sure when...so we'll just have to wait and see...watch this space.

It's a dogs life.

Well, we're dog sitting this weekend. My friend has gone away with her hubby for their wedding anniversary, so we're looking after their dog. He's a cute little thing but a bit weird.We went over this evening and for the first 10 minutes he wouldn't come out of his kennel and just growled at us, then all of a sudden he comes out, eats, and comes looking for affection with his tail wagging.

So this should be fun, he loves playing with his rubber toy bone, and seems to just want Lindsay to wrestle with him for it constantly. It's like being at home, playing with Millie, except he doesn't shed as much and hasn't got the same high pitch yowl as her.

Broadway Bridge, S'toon 

Saskatchewan Scenes

Cheers to Joy for contributing these pictures.

Canoe at Waskesiu 

The Bessborough, S'toon 

Broadway Bridge, S'toon 

I am SO grateful that we have a loving God who is gracious to us.

I have had a great afternoon with a lady from work who is also a christian. We arranged to meet up at a coffee shop to have a natter, and we had a great time. We discussed differences in beliefs, how God has worked in our lives, how as a united world wide church are we 'spreading/showing' the Good News. It has just been a refreshing, encouraging and inspiring afternoon. I love how God leads us to people , and how that meeting can be such a blessing in so many ways.

I AM IN AWE AT HOW GOD WORKS...HE IS SO GREAT AND AMAZING! LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD!

For E-Lizabet (as David always called her)

One of my best buddies asked for views of Saskatoon so please see the piccy's below, watch this space for piccy's of Saskatchewan (which is mainly prairie land).

If anyone has any requests, please let me know...(sensible requests...PETE!!!)

View of the Delta Bessborough where Queen Elizabeth II stayed years ago, looking down 21st St East, in downtown Saskatoon 

View of downtown Saskatoon in early April 2004 

STUPID SINUS INFECTION

Yes, yes, for the 3rd time in 6 months I have again got a sinus infection, I am NOT a happy bunny.

We went to Rosthern for the weekend, and stayed with Marlene & Peter in their lovely big motorhome. Friday night, we drove to Hague to Uncle Henry & Aunt Linda's farm for a BBQ in honour of Noreen (L's cousin) who was home from Hong Kong. We had a really good time, and I loved getting to know Noreen, unfortunately we probably won't see her again until next summer.

Needless to say, golfing was a big part of the weekend, Linds really enjoyed it. Wes and Daniel came for a night, we had a great time with them, Daniel played 9 holes of golf the afternoon they arrived, then played 4 rounds of crazy golf the next day, that boy is obsessed!

This summer hasn't been as hot and sunny as last year, but compared the the english summers, I think it's been pretty good, and there is still all of August to come.....loads of time.

Luxury motorhomes

Marlene & Peter (L's parents) have traded in their old 1996 33' motorhome, for a luxury 2002 36' motorhome (well, I think it is a luxury motorhome). This thing is NICE!!! It has 2 slideouts (you push a button and part of the wall slides out further, only when stationary tho). It really is a moving house: nice kitchen with all the mod cons, kitchen table & chairs, a 2 seater leather love seat, a 3 seater sofa bed, nice bathroom, queen size bed, 2 TV's, VCR, satellite and LOADS of storage. And we're going away with them next weekend...CLASS IN A GLASS! You could NOT drive this thing on British roads my friends, this thing is a monster.

Outside view of the luxury motorhome. 

Daniel getting comfy in the luxury motorhome. 

Weird (short) weekend

This weekend is gonna be pants as Lindsay has to work today, so really our weekend has to be crammed in to tomorrow. But the weather has been good today, so I have been sunbathing while he isn't here.

However, next weekend is a long weekend as Monday 2nd August is a bank holiday here, and we both have Friday off, so 4 day weekend...CRACKIN'!

Super Sundays

I LOVED yesterday, it was a GREAT Sunday. Sunday is my favourite day of the week anyway, but yesterday was just CLASS. We had a great preacher from Canada Food For The Hungry, who talked about the missionary work they do, but who also preached an awesome sermon.
Then we went downtown to the river bank to watch the speed racing and eat yummy food, although it was a bit hot 30+oC. Then we went over to Dawn & Dereks for a BBQ, to hang out with a group of friends and to watch Calender Girls (and bask in their air conditioning), the boys weren't too keen at first on the film, but all agreed at the end how good it was. I did feel a little homesick seeing the beautiful Yorkshire countryside though. It really was a wonderful day.

The Boy watching the racing 

Speed boat racing in Saskatoon 

The heat is on

Well I got my wish, looks like today will be a scorcher, but maybe just a bit too hot, it's forecast as getting as high as 35oC. I am so pleased that the church has air conditioning, at least we'll be cool during the wedding and reception.

Tired (but the good kind)

I started a new temping job yesterday afternoon and had my first full normal working day today. It was a really good day, but I feel pretty tired now, although it feels good to actually have done a decent days work, and know that there will be some money coming in. I seem to get on well with the other women in the office, and have been invited to go out for lunch with them tomorrow for someone's B'day. It's a relief to have some work.

I'm hoping the good weather lasts for the weekend, it would be nice as we have a friends wedding on Saturday, then we were hoping to go to 'A Taste Of Saskatchewan' on Sunday. It is a food festival based down on the river bank, it's great, good food, good weather and the 'River Roar', which is speed boat racing.

What am I gonna do now.

It looks like more work is coming through for me, which is great, and will do my purse a lot of good.

My problem now is that I am worried about when I will get the opportunity to listen to Radio 1's Chris Moyles show. It is a problem cos 'the boy' doesn't like listening to it, so I usually listen to it once he's gone to work, but now I'm gonna be working when he is! I know that it isn't exactly crucial to listen to it, but it lessens my homesickness listening to it... oh well, I'll think of something.

Me and the resident bear in Waskasui 

Our 1st wedding anniversary 

Experimenting

Lindsay spotted that I could put pics on here, that I had been too chicken to try, so here is a picture the weekend of our 1st anniversary.

What a weekend

Last Thursday (1st July) was Canada Day, which is a bank holiday for everyone over here. So Lindsay got Friday off so that we could go up to Candle Lake for the weekend. Wednesday (30th June) was Daniels 4th B'day, so had B'day cake and pressies with him Wednesday night, then travelled up north to the lake on Thursday morning, watched Linds and Pa in law play Slow Pitch ball (like baseball), then Wes & Diane & Boys arrived so had more pressies and B'day cake again....IT WAS GREAT...love B'day cake! Later that evening Me, Linds & Peter went down to the lake shore to watch the Canada Day fireworks display, and got half eaten to death by mosquitoes.
The rest of the weekend was taken up with golf for the boys (including Daniel...he even has his own golf bag & clubs), eating, walks, eating, games, eating, and crazy golf...loads of fun. Plus got to have lots of cuddles with Steven who is only 3 months old, loved it, he is very cute.