We are the champions!

Here's a link to the Rivertown Sports site summarizing the play-offs (our team is the Black Dragons)


Here's a link to my blog where I detailed our playoff experience

And here's a picture of our winning team! (Yes, I know I look goofy :) But who can look good after playing almost two games worth of periods in the final game)

For everyone but mom... (sorry mom...)

So, check out www.stratfordfestival.ca/playon : anyone under 30 can get tickets for select performances at the Festival theatre for only $20. I think that Brian and I are going to see As You Like It on May 14 -- the musical score in it is composed by the BNL! Fun, eh?

My new Calculator

Hello all! Follow this link to see a picture of the calculator that I just bought at a rummage sale (75 cents, too!)

Bigger is better, right?

Steve

http://www.oldcalculatormuseum.com/comp16.html

Neat new thing...

I've proposed a column to a local newspaper here in Stratford, and the editor said about it, and I quote, "I did find your column well-written, informative and amusing."

The column is about answering people's trivia questions that have been bugging them, things that they've always wondered about. I love this kind of stuff, and have got around 10 books for reference.

The thing is, is that they don't have enough room in their little fledgeling paper for the column, so they'll be publishing it on their website!

As soon as I find more info, I'll pass on the website so you can see what's up.

JobsJobsJobsJobsJobsJobsJobsJobsJobsJobsJobsJobsJo-

Wow, when you see the word like that, it actually looks quite silly, rather than stressful.

Anyway, as I have only received three calls for teaching since the beginning of January, I have decided to apply for a maternity position at the Christian school, teaching a 1-2 class, from March Break till the end of June. I realise that it will take me out of the public and catholic system again, but I need to work. Please pray for conviction that this is what I should be doing, and that if it is, I will get the job.

Thanks!

Snow!!!

I'd just like all o'you to know that we've got about a foot of snow on the ground, nice wet, packy snow, 3 snowmen in the yard, one nearly completed igloo/snowfort, and one unbelievably big driveway....! [....my back, my back]

Why an angel sits upon the christmas tree

A long time ago, angels did sit on top of the traditional Christmas tree. This is the story of how the tradition started.

It was a long tough Christmas for Santa. The worlds population was increasing exponentially thusly increasing the amount of toys that had to be produced. To compound this the elves were on strike so Santa & Mrs. Claus were force to put in many hard, extra hours in the workshop to keep up the production of the toys.

Soon it was two days before Christmas and Santa still did not have enough toys. If that was not bad enough half of the reindeers had come down with food poisoning and were not fit to fly on Christmas Eve. Then to add to Santa's frazelled nerves and ever rising anger, Amnesty International came through the door to deliver a citation of poor working conditions on behalf of the Elves. At that moment a small, sweet angel came into Santa's workshop with the Christmas tree. She looked up at Santa with her small, innocent eyes and ask "Santa, where should I put the Christmas tree?"

And, well the rest is history.


Also, just to let you know, I have made additions to my Christmas list, just incase anyone who had my name was wondering what to get me.

What y'all (cept for Dave) missed...

So, Friday night's preformance was a train wreck, which is why I'm very thankful that Dave came to Sat night, because we have *never* sung anything so well! Some of the choir members who have been in for five years said that they haven't ever had a performance that was so together and powerful as Sat night was. The Amen was absolutely incredible, I think that I shall get shivers for the rest of my life when I hear that chorus. And we made Dr T cry. Not that that's anything special, but while we were singing the Amen, there was a portion for which he was doubled over his stand, not directing, not looking up at all, because he was absolutely sobbing. :) Sigh.

Anyhow. My Christmas list is rather late in coming, and I"m sorry to report that the only reason why I'm actually posting it tonight is because I'm supposed to be writing a paper. And I really don't want to do that. (surprise, surprise...)

Scrapbooking stuff:
-circle and oval cutters (you can get a set of them)
-corner punches
-nice scrapbooking stickers of various things and alphabets

a plane ticket to England

Any of the seasons of Due south on DVD

It's a wonderful Life on DVD

A sewing machine

An iron (yes mother, that does sound very domestic)

...and that's all that I can think of for now. I thought of some other things as I was going to sleep last night but I can't remember what they were... I'm sure I'll come up with others before this paper is finished... Tata!

Marya & Eric's Lists

Hello all...here they are.

Marya
-DVD Runaway Jury
-scrapbook supplies (a corner punch, a large circle punch or cutter, stickers and paper)
-"Ici" perfume
-fun socks
-anything else fun or interesting - sorry I'm not more specific

Eric
-MAG-Lite flashlight (the kind that takes D batteries)
-D batteries
-Lord of the Rings Return of the King extended version (4 discs)

I think that's all. Not feeling very wintery out here. All our snow got rained out yesterday, and another section of our fence blew over last night!

"Oh My God!"

Yes, we now know how much our child hears from the TV.

We were watching some Friends DVD a couple of nights ago, and Reuben started crying in bed. We got him up for a while, and he started playing with Thomas, while keeping an eye on the TV. Suddenly, he laughs, and exclaims, "Oh my God!" AAAH! Sarah and I are both amazed and shocked, but can't help but stifle some laughter. Reuben noticed this, and says it again. TV went off immediately, and we engaged in some redirecting play.

The next afternoon, after his nap, Reuben got up, and we had Friends playing. He saw the TV and immediately said, "Oh my God!" The TV went off again, but he repeated this phrase no less than fourteen times in a row.

He hasn't said it since, but we can no longer watch the DVDs while Reuben is awake (hence only being finished one disc) and has suddenly brought to our attention the importance of regulating what our darling little son watches already.

-Ever-learning parents....

Dave's Christmas list

Well Everyone, here's my Christmas list so far. I'll add to it as I go:

Get Fuzzy
Zits
(two cartoon books)

The Watchmen
(by Alan Moore {it's a graphic novel})

The Emperor's New Groove (On DVD)

Beethoven's Last Night
(Trans Siberian Orchestera CD)

Best of the Muppet Show (DVD)

The Princess Bride (DVD)

Pirates of the Carribean (DVD)



Look on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca and and you'll probably be able to find them for cheap

I'll add more as I think of them

So this afternoon, we have a three hour rehersal with the orchestra, and then have an hour break for supper/relaxing/getting ready and then we have another two hour practice and then the concert at 8. Busy afternoon/evening! I gather that no one else besides Dave is going to be coming to the concerts this weekend, so if there are no objections I'll see if there's anyone around here who wants a free ticket. Highly unlikely at this point in the game, but I'll see who I can convince to come that doesn't already have a ticket.

Mom, when you try to post, try clicking on the name of the blog that's right beside the plus sign, it's in blue and underlined. Once you get to the new screen, click on "Create a new post" (it's a blue button on the left side of the screen). And you'll have to be patient, because for some reason the new post screen is always the slowest to load up on any computer I've been on.

Have a good day, y'all.

Noah says, "Ho-Ho-Ho!"

Today Reuben and I went to do the groceries and outside the store was a very large air inflated ... Noah. This large, red-clad Noah says, "Ho-Ho-Ho." Poor Reuben. Life as a two year old can be so confusing. Christmas lists for the family of four. Reuben -anything thomas the train related would definately be loved (ex. pillow cases, underwear, t-shirts) - underwear (Bob the Builder, Franklin, Thomas) -baby board books perhaps bible related would be good -music for the music lover - For the Kids II - Raffi (Raffi in concert with the Rise and Shine Band) - Sesame Street Platinum - One Elephant, Deux Elephant, Sharon, Lois and Bram Nadine -Fitted crib sheets (with deep pockets) -striped tights (they are so cute!) - Bible board books Sarah - large square paper punch - around 2.5 to 3 inches big - paper cutter (like the one Marya got last year) - Picture frames 5x7 I am collecting wedding photos of family -parents, grandparents, siblings. - The Post-pregnancy Handbook by Sylvia Brown - "Natural Alternatives to Vaccination" zoltan rona md -"Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child" Janet Zand, Rachel Walton, Bob Roundtree Steve - a relatively recent OED (oxford english dictionary) - superbright LED compact flashlight - Graphic Novels (you can get'em used on Amazon.ca)-"Daredevil Visionaries" and "Ronin" by Frank Miller (or pretty much anything by him, Sarah can tell you if I have it or not) - In the spirit of rediscovering Pierre Burton, "The National Dream: The Great Railway." A nice Good-bye at the end Sarah and Steve

Nadine's First Tooth!!!!

That's right! Yesterday, Nadine cut her first tooth! And she doesn't seem to be finding the whole process all that unenjoyable either, which is nice. She's also just started eating banana mush, and is soooooo excited about eating--waving her arms about, and squealing. Our little girl is growing up!

PS. Has anybody checked the "Van Breda" profile yet? : )

Hey - It's Marya

I don't know if I'm doing this right...we just learned about this yesterday. We'll see. I think I need to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!!! I know you're at work today, but try to enjoy it somehow. I hope you win your game tonight!

So we're doing our Christmas on Tuesday, right? And we'll see everyone in two weeks, right? That'll be fun. I just handed in my reports, so a huge weight is gone! (the vice principal said that she can watch the weight just float right off the people who hand them in!)

Have a great day, all. We'll see you soon!

I'm in a safety training video!!!

Well, I've made my debut in the fast pace, high rolling industry of safety videos!

You can check out my performance by clicking on the link below and then click on preview title

A box will come up and you can enter in my e-mail (since i've registered it to preview videos) and you can see me in a safety video. davidv@safetyontheweb.com

Here's the link

http://www.safetyontheweb.com/productsDetail.asp?mmID=1832&mtID1=&mtID2=&mtID3=&mtDesc=


P.s I haven't seen a christmas list yet!! (ofcourse I'm just as guilty as the rest of you :) )

So, the Redeemer Choir sang yesterday at a Rememberance Day Service at the Canadian Warplane Herritage Museum: It's gotta be the largest crowd that I've ever sang in front of. There were over 1,300 people there- some estimates were up to 1400 or 1500. CH News Crew was there, but while we were probably broadcast live on tv, we didn't make it to the news. But it still went pretty well, I think. I still have to check the Spec yet today to see if we made it into the newspaper.
That's my story.

Is this I?

Just checking to see if my proper name comes up when I post this...

Thank-you Dave....

Yes......thank you so much for your detailed instructions, DAVE, and your creativity is inspiring, DAVE.

-Steve



(it was me! i'm the creative one! i just forgot to sign my name! even after all my instructions! please like me...)

Blogging IDs

Hello all. So, I have attempted to give us all the ability to sign in under our own name, but I'm not too sure how it will work. I sent an email inviting everyone but Dave to join in, unless Dave, you want your own sign in name as well.... it's up to you, you can invite yourself. Just go to "Settings" and then "members" and click invite, and enter your email Addy. As I said, let me know if it didn't work for you. You'll have to create a blogging account, but apparently it's not too difficult to do. I've got complete faith that you're all more than up to the challenge. ;)