Champion

I've always wanted to get 2nd place in the Olympic Ski Jump, but I'd have to be crazy. How does someone get to the point where they say...Let's strap on some skis and go down a super steep jump and see what happens? There must be some smaller jumps they try out first.

Lake Placid is an interesting place. Just walking around there makes you feel like a champion. It was absolutely breathtaking. The streets were full of bikers, hikers and just plain tourists. It felt like an outdoors playground. Every time I went outside I got giddy. It was gorgeous! I hope my girls gain the same appreciation for nature. To top it all off, Price Chopper was within walking distance from our hotel, and accepted coupons! Every couponer must go to Lake Placid.

Money Grows on Trees

I like free money. Who doesn't? That is why I get especially excited after a brutal couponing trip to have the cashier give me money back. This happened twice this week. At P&C, they gave me $3.42 and yesterday at TOPS, I got $1.10. I'm not exactly sure why it happens. Not all couponing trips end this way. It has something to do with using Food Stamps and coupons together. It must be a complex algorithm of buying the right products with the right coupons...if only I could figure it out, I could make millions.

There have been other times (without food stamps) the cashier had to hand over cash. The coupon amount exceeded the cost of the item. Result: cash in my pocket and free toothpaste!

Now to diverge, let me define a 'brutal couponing trip'. I most definitely had one yesterday. After story hour at the library (9-10am), we headed to the school so Brandon could watch the girls while I lifted weights. Bryn fell asleep on the way there, so Brandon was going to drive to Sauders and shop contingent on Bryn waking up. Elle fell asleep too, so Brandon just kind of hung out until I called him telling him I was done. When I got in the car, both girls were asleep. I thought...what a great opportunity! I'll just drive my sleeping girls the 20 minutes to a civilized town to do some grocery shopping! Just as we were leaving Seneca Falls, Elle woke up with a vengeance. Where was Dad???!!! She had been really excited to spend time with him and wakes up to find MOM driving the car??? That's just rude! Elle's screams quickly woke Bryn up and I had 2 screaming girls in the back seat. Elle wanted to talk to Dad, so I gave her the phone after I dialed Brandon's number. She didn't talk to Brandon, she kind of just screamed. While 'talking' to Brandon, she peed her pants, which turned her hysterical. Bryn was screaming too and was developing some sort of rash. Once at BJs, I changed Elle's pants and fed Bryn. Bryn's rash started to disappear. I had 2 happy girls again, but I was worn out. Somehow we managed through 3 stores and various potty breaks (I don't think I could have handled another hysteria)and we were home by 2 or 3 pm.

Then I got to shower!

Emotions

The Naturalization ceremony went on without a hitch...except for maybe one. After we did the "Oath", which was weird, a man sang the Star Spangled Banner. I've never been emotionally attached to this song, but I almost started crying. It wasn't because I was so glad to be a US citizen. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to become a citizen. But, during that song, I was overcome with the feeling that I had somehow betrayed Canada and it made me want to cry something I wasn't expecting.

I've been thinking a lot about this which has made me even more confused. My great grandfather was a US citizen as were his parents. My grandma was born in Wales. I have ancestors from Norway and various other parts of the world. So...how does becoming a US citizen invoke feelings of betraying Canada? Thoughts? Comments?

Oh Canada!

This will be my last post as only a Canadian Citizen. Soon, I will be an American. As far as I understand, Canada will always recognize me as Canadian, my homeland...for which I am grateful. But the US will only recognize me as American from here on out.

According to the US History and Civics Test study guide there are 3 benefits to becoming a US citizen. They are, in no particular order:
1. You can travel with a US passport, I guess that's a 'good' thing?
2. You can petition for relatives to come to the US and be permanent residents.
3. You can get a Federal Government job.

Also, my greatest 'right' will be to vote. I am mostly excited for that.

People have asked me why I've decided to become a citizen and I don't really know. I guess I don't see a reason not to. I plan on living in this country for the rest of my life. So, why not? Now, if I can just make it through 'the Oath'!

Waxy

Brandon and I endeavored on our first wax job yesterday. Brandon spent time online trying to figure out the best way to do it, and 'asked around'. So, we gave it a try and it seemed to work out alright. See for yourself!
We have spent a lot of time outdoors this week and I've loved it. The girls have too and we've even had a chance to use the Stanton Meadows playground without swearing 3 year olds around...now that's impressive!

Green floors

I'm trying to become more 'green'. Luckily for me, I have a fancy pants Chariot Cougar 2 so I can cart my girls pretty much anywhere within a 5 mile radius. This includes NYCC, Aldi, Walmart, P&C, Eckerd, Kinney, Real Deals (the best dollar store in the world) and more importantly..the Library! For distances under a mile I prefer using the stroller attachment, otherwise I hook up Zed(my bike). Why not save the environment and money?

Yesterday I washed my kitchen floor using a Mr. Clean sponge. It was disgusting! I didn't realize how much dirt was on the floor. Thanks to my favorite chloroform sponge...I have a sparkly white floor!

Elle is getting ready to go to see Ms. Mary at the library for story time. I need to distract her for another 3 hours until it's time to go...any ideas?