I tell you facebook has totally distracted me from my blog!! It's been almost 2 months! The reno's are done.....for now! What I mean is the kitchen, living room, and little ones bedrooms are finished. In the future we will redo the flooring in the little ones bedrooms and redo the upstairs bathroom....but that will be later. We had a marvelous summer, working hard around the place when we were here and playing hard when we weren't! Richard's dad came for 2 weeks and they got through a long to-do list including moving sheds and cutting down trees. They worked hard everyday, but seemed to enjoy it. I have a large garden that I tended and now am enjoying lots of veggies including beets, carrots, zucchini, lettuce, spaghetti squash, green onions, potatoes, peas, beans, and some other vegetable I have never seen that sounds like rutobaki (looks alien). I like having it big 'cause then I can give lots away....everyone who visits leaves with a zucchini!!! It has definitely been a learning experience. I planted my carrots too close together but didn't have the heart to choose which had to go. I didn't pick my peas or beans early enough (no one tells you when they're to be picked!) so I lost a lot of those.

I got to go away for a weekend in July with 2 friends to a B & B to scrapbook. We had a great time scrapping for 25 hours until 4 am one night and even getting some scrapbook shopping in! I did 18 pages of my mom's birthday book for her 70th. I am almost done!

In August we did go to the coast for 4 days to see Richard's dad and brother, but I did go out for lunch with 12 wonderful friends. It wasn't long enough, but I will take it over nothing. Then we went to Harrison Hot Springs for 2 days as Richard had been given a gift certificate from RCA last year that we needed to use. It was such a treat for the family to go to a nice hotel with 5 pools. We rented that 6 seater bike and rode all around town! Then from there we went to OK Falls for our annual Macauley family holiday - my kids' favorite! We had super weather and loved just hanging out by the pool, playing volleyball, and eating Tickleberry's ice cream! but they did make us walk a half hour every morning at 8:30! Our last little vacation was the church camp out which was poor weather, but we got lots of rook and rummy in! On the long weekend we took the kids to Calaway Park outside of Calgary. It's an amusement park and everyone had an excellent time! Jillian and Jules loved getting the little ones excited about the train, balloon ride, and log ride!! Fun!!

Now everyone is back in school....Jillian in grade 10, Jules in 8 and Jenn will start pre-school on the 19th. I already did a Big Cook with 2 friends on Wed. We had lost all of our freezer food while we were gone to BC. The power had shut off for some unknown reason. It was nice to have such a super clean fridge and we did manage to get the smell out! The girls are enjoying school. Jillian is in Competitive Ed. which is a higher form of PE. They are leaving today for an overnight hiking trip at Kananaskis. Her backpack was heavy! It was so funny because my neice is a beatician taking the acrylic nail course and needed models so both the girls now have these lovely acrylic nails, and Jillian is climbing mountains:) I'm going to be her day model next week sometime! Jules is loving being back with her friends and fashion! She's such a diva!

Things around the acreage are never dull! Jules found a drown squirrel in the sheep's water trough. Last night I had my sister, neice and friend for supper and we were talking about how we think the one sheep got porcupine quills above her eye. We all went to look and Myrna said they will sink in and infect, so Richard and Shelley held down this sheep (it was like wrestling it) and Myrna took pliers and puuled 7 or 8 quills out of her head. Then Richard took Detal and put it on with a cotton swab. While we were away 1 of our kittens died (think it ate rat poison, of which we have found all of it in the quonset) But we got 2 more. I have never really been a cat person, but they're kind of nice and love attention, but they all stay outside. We now have 4! It's so funny 'cause Bear has always chased cats. He still does for 2 of them, but the other 2 he has a new respect for as they swiped him good on the nose. Yesterday he saw one, ran like crazy after it, then at the last moment saw it was Max who just sat there and Bear swerved at the last moment around him. Then they do this circling thing!! Well I can see I'm on a rabbit trail (oh we lost our rabbit too) I need to start my day before the little ones are awake. Josh is so cute as he repeats everything Jenn says. Jenn is so anxious for school, counting down the days. I will try to post some pics this time! Enjoy!

Jacqui

WoW!!! 2 weeks have gone by and so much has been happening! We went to Canmore camping for 3 nights. It was beautiful! We went to the parade and then to the local playground to watch live marching bands, eat food, play games, and go to the petting zoo. The weather was gorgeous the whole time we were gone. Monday we went to Mt. Kidd RV Park in Kananaskis. It was probably the most beautiful campground we've ever stayed at. The 4 families coraled in 2 spots right under Mt. Kidd. The river flowed nearby. They had a small pool for the little kids and a hot tub for the big kids. we also enjoyed a show at the amphitheatre. Richard and Sheldon (friend from church) took Sheryl (friend's wife) and I plus Jillian and 2 others down the river in 3 dingy's. We got soaked! Richard fell out of the dingy (sp?) twice. Jillian had to bail once as we were heading towards a roadblock. She jumped out grabbed the dingy, holding on for dear life and then lost her grip. She yelled, "Dad!" who grabbed her B4 floating any further. Then she lost both her flip flops. It was a wild ride!! Another day Richard and Sheldon took some of us (10) hiking. We drove 2 trucks up to a rest stop. After about 30 minutes of hiking Sheryl and I decided we had enough and agreed to go back to the trucks and take them back to camp as the rest of the hikers wanted to hike back to camp. Sheryl and I wanted to go to Kananskis village to take in some shopping. After 2 more hours we got a call(thank the Lord for cell phones) from the guys saying they would meet us at the village, cause they had gotten lost. 15 minutes after that call we got another call saying they were at the golf course. "What?" Here they had no idea where they were, so they decided to go for a swim in the river. Richard and another boy rip off their shirt and into the water they jump....just then they heard, "Hey! I'm trying to drive this ball!" They were on the 16th hole of the golf course, but because of the huge willow trees, they didn't see the greens. The group decided to walk through the golf course. The marshal picked them up and led them across, this incredible 4 star course. We picked them up at the clubhouse. The campground was so wonderful we all decided to stay an extra day ..until Friday. We arrived home Friday night, unpacked, did laundry, shopped for groceries, and left Sat at 7:30 for Calgary to pick up Katelyn (Jillian's friend) from the Calgary airport. After picking up Katelyn, we headed into Calgary towards the stampede. Richard asked if I had a map, which I did not except for a little brochure with the stampede map on it. It was 10:30 at night and I said, "Let's just go down to the stampede, check out the parking and then find a Walmart parking lot to sleep. Obviously we were driving the motorhome.
We drove down to 12th Ave and I said, "Let's stop at this Esso and ask where the stampede is." I asked the man behind the counter where the stampede is. He said it was 2 blocks up. I then asked where a person would park. He kind of looked at me strange. I explained that we were in the motorhome and was wondering where we could park it. He said, "Look, I own this station and you can park behind this building near the garbage cans." I said, "Really!?" He said, "No problem." So we parked it.....well it was like being in the middle of a highway with all of the noise, but we didn't care! We then heard this popping noise and here the fireworks were starting and we had a great view right from the motorhome! Everyone slept well, except for me and then I woke up to hear a guy swearing at someone and then throwing up in the alley...but parking was free!! We got up at 7, had breakfast, (the Esso station had a Tim Horton's in it so I had my cofffee) and walked to the stampede at 8 because the stampede had free admission between 6 and 9. We first watched a live marching band play, then watched the stock Dog herding which is where these dogs race against time to herd 3 sheep in a figure 8 and then into a small pen, then watched the Super dogs, then waited 1 and a half hours for the Doodle Bop concert which was great, then watched the BMX show, and the Clydesdale team show, saw my friend Arlene who won 3rd in costuming a Clydesdale horse, then took Jenn and Josh on a merry-go-round ride which they absolutely loved, then went to Peter's for supper and headed home......What a full, glorious day! We unloaded the motorhome again, did more laundry and slep until 10 this morning. Richard's dad arrived in the early afternoon, we wrote up their to-do list and they were already in the field working. I'm arranging the inside, trying to get things organised as John and Arlene are coming to visit tomorrow. Well that's all of the news in the Fletcher Family. Jules will be home on Friday. She was feeling pretty homesick, but we haven't heard from her since last Friday....hope that means all is well. We've been praying really hard for her. We miss her too! I can't imagine what it will be like if they decide to leave home right after high school...like I did to my mother....hope that doesn't come around to bite me:)
Hoping all is well in your world,
Jacqui

The end is near!!!! at least of the reno's!! This could possibly be Dennis' last day. I can hardly believe this is happening! There are a few things left like painting trim and doors, but the saw should be leaving my living room today! I wish I could relish in the feeling, but we are leaving tomorrow to go camping at Canmore for 6 days with 4 families from the church, so I am preparing for that! Plus Richard and I have to help with catering tonight. It's a fundraiser the school does and they are in desperate need of assistance. Richard is still working hard at school. Yesterday they had a marathon staff meeting from 11:30 -5:00 preparing for next year already! We took Jules to the Edmonton airport yesterday. She flew to Abbotsford and will be going to California on the Gleanings missions trip until July 11th and then returning the 13th. She's excited to be going with her friend Rebecca. Richard's dad is coming out to visit next weekend and Jillian's friend Kaitlyn is coming to visit from the 8th - 17th. I'm doing a music camp the week of the 23rd. Oh and going on a scrapbook weekend with 4 other ladies to a B & B on the 13th weekend.
Let's see what's been happening! Oh you know you're on the farm when your dog comes in the house squinting and foaming at the mouth with an indescribable smell!!!! SKUNK!! He got hit good and close! The smell was beyond skunk...it was terrible! Of course it happens at 10:38 Sunday night...so on the internet we go and find out that peroxide, baking soda, and dishwasher detergent works well....yes I know about the tomato juice, but Bear is white and we like him that way! He has been outside for the last 4 days and isn't too happy, but the cat is enjoying free reign in the house!...only when you put your nose up close to him do you know he's encountered skunk.
My garden is coming along...things are sprouting!! I can hardly wait to actually eat something from it! Oh Richard is on hiw way home and we have to take a load to the dump....our 5th dump!!
Talk to you soon! ...whoever you are!!!:)
Jacqui

It's Tuesday again and another wild week has gone by! Sharon and Jenn Robinson were here for one night and we had a great time crafting until 2 am! They left Wed morning and I went to the Dr for my eye. It was swollen shut and super red. He thought I had pink eye which I said it was not and so he gave me some allergy drops. Wed. night I was looking closely into my eye and realized my contact was still in my eye!!! I thought it had fallen out and I guess it got lodged above my eyeball. Finally Thursday brought some relief as I switched from wearing contacts to not etc. We were planning my mom's 70th surprise birthday party and I was working on 56 party favors! I had to sub in Red Deer on Friday morning. Friday afternoon I figured out what I would do for the party favors with Sheryl. She then drove me to Sylvan to drop Jules off for the huge YC conference in Edmonton. Over 17, 000 youth were gathering to hear such bands as Toby Mac and Delirous and others I don't really know. Off to the store to get photos and glue dots and then home to start those favors. We were also roofing our house and so there was a crew here to prepare for that. Sat. morning Richard and I were up early...he roofing and me making fudge to put into the little party baskets. 5 recipes later and 4 hours I was finished and then it was the feeding of the 15 roofers....snack, lunch, afternoon snack and then dinner!! We were done by 5:30 and exhausted! I still had prep to do for my class Monday (paper bag album) and then to bed at 11. Sunday morning I woke up to Richard saying, "Jacqui, you gotta help me...the sheep are out!" I'm like, what in the world do I wear for sheep herding? I put on a turtleneck and left with Richard in the truck. We went up the road and then saw them in our neighbors yard among the cattle. These are the neighbors to the south of us whom we have never met. I told Richard I was staying in the truck! We soon met Gordon and Joyce who have been there over 50 years. They are in their late 60s or 70's. We walked to the pen and these mother cows were mooing like crazy...super loud!! Joyce told me to wait while she went into the pen and then I saw her waving her arms and yelling SHOOO!!! I walked towards her and here was Bandit (our little black sheep) lying down scared out of it's mind! The guys came over and we got Bandit under the fence and I said, "There was another one!" I stayed with Bandit while they ran to where the cows were gathered. All I heard was "She's dead!" Then I saw Richard carry this 75 pound animal towards the truck and then the cows came back towards me and were not happy! There was only this tiny barbed wire separating me from these huge animals. So here I was saying...come on Bandit, come on! Finally Richard came to me and then carried Bandit (100 pounds) to the truck to where I saw Freckles (the white sheep) still alive. It was like he was faking being dead and then when they pulled his legs he stood up! Gord and Joyce told RIchard that they needed a warm bath and time will tell if they'd make it. So I went to church with Jenn and Josh and Richard stayed behind to tend the sheep. He even annointed them with oil. That afternoon me and my 3 sisters went to the Black Knight Inn to decorate for mom's party. We had black and white balloons, with the centrepieces being a red rose in a vase with a picture of mom in a gold frame. There were 7 tables and there was a different picture for each decade. the guests started arriving around 5. There was about 48 people that came...mostly family from Edmonton and Calgary. Cousins I hadn't seen in years!! At 5:45 she walked into the lobby and we were all in the hall and ccame out to yell, "Surprise!" She was absolutely shocked! SHe thought we were going to the Inn for supper with the immediate family and had no idea what was going on! We then had an incredible roast beef and salmon buffet dinner with great desserts. For entertainment we had a 20 question test on May and her life. It was fun to go through the answers! Then we had a slied show of 75 pictures of her life to the song 'Lifesong' by Casting Crowns. Then we had video footage of many of the trade people she knows. It was hilarious. Lori and I had gone around and videotaper birthday greetings from Matt at the Paint Store and Kelly at Windsor Plywood and Christa at Curves and Phil at Sears and Val at the drug store, etc. all of these people whom she has gotten to know so well b/c of her apartments. Then we ended off with an open mike. the whole evening went so well...I'm glad it's over though...I hate being secretive and having to remember what I say b/c it wasn't always the truth!! By the way the sheep are still alive: however they haven't baa'd since Sunday so we have a call into our vet down the road to see if that is a problem. Bandit is limping a little and has a bulge from his stomach. So that's life on the Fletcher Farm. Did I say that Richard built a new pen for the sheep last Friday as well...never a dull moment here. Last night he was hauling garbage to the dump (our old roof shingles) while I was visiting with Dennis' wife, Lisa. This weekend we are looking forward to seeing Betty Klassen as she is in Edmonton for a wedding and then stopping here for a few days before heading to Calgary. Richard and I will be in Surrey for graduation on the 17th of June. I'm trying to get us there for Friday's banquet, but that's not for sure yet. It's 6pm and Richard and the girls should be home any time!
Jacqui

Time is flying by...do I always say that? The past 2 weeks have been a blur...and especially today as I am having contact issues, can't wear them and lost my glasses last year when we moved...so everything is blurry, but this too could be ok as I cna't see all of the dust now:) We had a wild weekend in Calgary at the Nationals for volleyball. Jillian lest Friday with a teammate and we were to leave Sat. afternoon until we got a call from Dennis (one of our reno guys saying he was ging to finish) YEAH!!!! He was here 2 hours and he got the call to go back on the oil patch. He was so close to finishing, basically just had the kicks to do, so Richard asked for a quick lesson. dennis left around 1 and Richard worked until 5 to finish the kicks....he did a good job too! then we had to clean up a little, pack the van and GO! It was also Richard's birthday (47!) We arrived in Calgary around 8:45 stopped at Peter's for a drive thru birthday dinner and then to the hotel. The little ones were elated and so excited to be 'camping out'. Jillian had a 7:00 am game, so Richard and I got up early and went to watch her game while Jules stayed with the little ones to sleep in. They lost the first match, then played again and won that match. We ran into Judy and Erin Steunenberg who were there for VB also. Actually we saw a lot of people like Darrell Steeves, Rachel Birak, and some other girls from Jillian's VB teams in the past. In the afternoon Jules and I went shopping (first to Ikea to return stuff) and then to Chinook shopping Centre, while the rest of the clan went to the hotel to swim and sleep. We enjoyed pizza in our room and watched some TV and then to sleep! Praise God the girls didn't have to play until 11 Monday morning. The girls beat the team and were heading into the medal round. They then had a tough game against a Calgary team, but they were playing awesome and beat that team...all of a sudden the girls were into the gold medal round. They easily beat the team 25-10, but then struggled in the 2nd game and lost and into the 3rd game just came up short; however they received a silver medal and over 200 teams went home with nothing, so we are happy! There was about 280 teams from across Canada. The games were played in and around the U of C at 7 different venues. It was incredible seeing all of the people. We got home around 8 and here we are Tuesday morning which feels like Monday morning. We are so close to finishing....oh how I want the saw out of my living room!! We have a bit of the floor to finish, some painting, one more light and the front windows to put in when they arrive...another long story! But today Sharon and Jenn Robinson are coming to visit us. They were in Edmonton on the weekend and are stopping in on their way home. I already have a craft we're going to do!!! Oh I hear the little ones waking up! They slept in today...they were exhausted from the weekend also!!!
jacqui

Hey! Today is my.....birthday!! I am happy because my dishwasher has now been installed and I am starting to paint the crown mouldings! This is a good day! It has been 5 weeks without a functioning kitchen with only one meal out....Jules' birthday supper. Tonight we are going out for dinner to celebrate!..then back home to paint and stain! I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! Last week and end was crazy! I subbed for 2 days at Koinonia...Wed. and Fri. Dennis came on Thursday to start putting cabinets up. My mom sat the kids on Fri. and answered questions Dennis had and when I got home some changes needed to be made. Dennis was coming back Sat. morning and so mom and I left for Edmonton to Ikea and the dollar store and Wal-Mart for Jules' party Sat. also. We got home at midnight and Richard and I were up at 7:40 to build the Ikea boxes. Off to Red Deer for Jules' party at 10 to paint at the Hot Pot Studio, back to the acreage for a weiner roast and survivor games and most were gone by 4. 4:30 we went to get Jules' birthday gift...2 female lambs! Back to organize the kitchen cabinets and to bed by midnight! Sunday mom and I had Jillian up to Ponoka by 8:30 am for a VB tourny. Their last game was at 8:45 and they came in 2nd! Meanwhile mom and I made another trip to Ikea to take things back. Monday brought many tears as there seemed to be no end to the reno and no one around, but then Dennis came to adjust cupboaards and Joe arrived in the evening to put the island counter top on. Things are humming now! Good thing because I leave at 6 am on Sat. for Calgary for VB provincials until Sunday afternoon.
I wrote the above and then had to leave and it is only now that I am returning; however Bear is barking like crazy and someone is at my door!
Jacqui

I am bloggin between laundry and housework. The weekend was packed!!! Sat. We left early, took the kids to their cousins, and mom and I went to Red Deer for errands and pick up some things for the family birthday party for Sat. night. Jules turned 13 on Thursday and Jenn turned 4 on Sunday. The party was at 6 and mom and I got to her house at 5:05. I'm thinking of going into business now called "Party in and Hour!" What do you think? Mom and I had the burgers, salad, veggies and dip, and all the pharaphenalia whipped up by 6! 22 people (that's the number in our family now) came and we had a nice party. The funniest thing was that we had a brutal snow blizzard Wed - Fri and so we had to shovel the deck to get to the BBQ!
3 guys were helping Richard with our reno on Sat. so he didn't arrive to the party until cake time; however now the island is roughed in and we now have a sink! Praise the Lord! The drywall is up and the mudding is done. Tonight Joe is stippling the ceiling, then we can paint in the next few days....yeah!!!
Sunday was the family hockey tourny in Olds. 7 family members were on the team and the rest of us were cheerleaders. We played so well the first game and were ahead by one until the last minute of play and they scored! We enjoyed a brunch at Smitty's, sung Happy Birthday to Jenn as she opened her princess presents, then had a nap at a friends in Olds. They let 14 of us crash at their house between games(mom and I went shopping in Airdrie) The 5:30 game was super fun! The rules are that there has to be 2 female skaters on the ice at all times and once a person has scored they can't score again until everyone has scored. Grandpa got the first goal in the first 48 seconds of the game, then more goals came over the 3 periods. Well the last 4 minutes of the 3rd period only Joe and Christy hadn't gotten goals. Then Christy scored and it was only Joe! Everyone was cheering so the pressure was on! They made him stay on the ice for the last 3 minutes of the game and then there was a penalty. One of they guys on the onther team hated the fact that Lori could skate circles around him and his ego! He hooked her a good one...she has a welt to prove it. Penalty's are served with penalty shots. Since Lori already had her goal, Joe was the one to take the shot! There was less than a minute in the game and just before this Joe had lost his legs (they just gave out on him becasue he was so tired) He looked like a fainting goat! But he got up to take the shot and WooHOo!! He scored!! It was a fun way to end the tourny! We got home around 9 and we were tired! Today is a gorgeous day...hopefully the snow will not return for at least 6 months!
Jenn is playing in her Cinderella dress and headband. She looks so cute...wonder how I will get that off? Anyways we will talk soon!
Bless you!
Jacqui