This guy showed up a foot a way from our back door tonight!!!!! I am usually REALLY diligent about taking the cat food dish in after supper, but I was distracted tonight, and this little guy took advantage of the "buffet". He was SO gutsy! He didn't even care that I was taking pictures of him, in fact, I'm sure he was posing for a couple of them!

Here, get me from this side....
Now from this side....

Poser much????????? SO cute, but SO deadly!!

We need your prayers! We are not doing very well. I was fired by my one and only client today. She email fired me, and said that she felt we were no longer on the same page etc. I had been working with her for 9+months, on a regular basis. Today, Pete went, AGAIN, for the second time, to take his air brake test (written/computer) at the Motor Vehicle Branch. Again, he failed the 25 question test. You are allowed 5 wrong, and both times he has gotten 6 wrong. He took the actual course thru Fraser Valley College, and passed with flying colors, but the test at the MVB does NOT have any of those questions on their test! Stupid, I know! We tried to reason with the gal at the MVB, but she would not hear us out. Pete gets one more chance at this test, and if he fails a third time, he has to take the Fraser Valley Collage 2 day course all over again, and it comes out of HIS pocket. On top of all of this, Pete's boss phoned him, before he even took the test today, and yelled at him over the phone. Apparently, one of the "senior guys" at Pete's job, was charging up a motor home yesterday, and Pete noticed that the motor home was running. He brought it to this guys' attention, and the guy said he was charging it up. Well, I guess the motor home was left running ALL night, and this guy said that Pete was the one who did it! Pete's boss told him, that he is on REALLY thin ice right now. Pete needs to pass his air brake test in order to keep his job. Things are NOT looking good, and Pete is SUPER discouraged, thinking that maybe God doesn't want him at Fraserway RV. When he sells RV's he doesn't get any recognition, and then when something goes wrong, Pete always gets blamed for it. He feels like he can't win, with these guys. I've been praying all along, that if God wants him there, he will keep opening doors, and if He doesn't want Pete there, He will put up major road blocks. Right now, it looks like we are facing some road blocks. I am trying to be really encouraging to Pete and optimistic, but it's hard, because I feel like the man that I love is not being treated fairly. If you could just keep us in your prayers for the next few days and weeks, that would be so awesome.

So, Pete has sold ANOTHER RV, and has a split sale on anther one! That brings us to 5 1/2 all together, in just over a month! I am SO amazed at how God is working in Pete's life! At first I wasn't too sure of this company or this career move for Pete, but more and more, I am seeing that this IS God's plan for Pete. On another note, Pete had to do some more training at the head office on Monday. I guess a bunch of the guys were talking about their girlfriends/wives or what have you. They all started pulling pictures out of their wallets of "their gals" and knowing that Pete is a newlywed, they asked to see a picture of HIS wife. So, Pete pulls out a picture of me, and he said they were shocked at how pretty I was, and some of them said, "you get to go home to that?" "You LUCKY guy!" Makes me feel kind of special ;)

Stingl Easter '08

Yesterday we did the Stingl Easter gathering!

My sister-in-law put on an amazing meal, along with my mother-in-law
The grandparents (Pete's parents and mine)

The dad's relaxing before supper

My sister-in-law working hard Pete and his parents

Pete's daughter

The girls, playing UNO, but mostly giggling :)

Schellenberg Easter 08

Mmmmm.....Paska (Easter bread)

Cam, looking as beautiful as ever

Something struck mom as funny! LOL!

Paige showing me her eyeless chocolate dog...LOL!

Getting ready to do parafin hand wax treatments...ahhhh

The gang
My dad with the most adorable dog EVER! My sister's dog, GingerThe men doing what they do best, relaxing, while us women work in the kitchen! LOL!

Cam and Paige with their chocolate stashes

Coloring easter eggs

The finished product :)

Saturday, Pete and I went to the funeral of his friend, Phil. Phil was a big car guy, and the "funeral' was held at Mission Raceway Park, in one of the buildings there.

Phil's car

Saturday, I woke up with almost no voice and a slight fever. I was a trooper and went to Phil's funeral with Pete. We had to stand in the damp cold and rain, since it was standing room only. I'm sure this didn't help my cold at all. On Sunday, we were planning on going to church, but along with my sore throat, no voice and fever, I had a swollen right eye! Pete decided to take me to the walk in clinic, instead of church, and I was glad he did! The dr. gave me really strong antibiotics for my cold and antibiotic drops for my eye. He said I had a stye in my eye. Sunday, I pretty much slept. Same for Monday. Tuesday I started to feel a bit better, since the antibiotics started working. Today, I was feeling really good and went to work.

Tonight I got to go out for coffee with my friend Beth, who is in town for Easter with her family to celebrate Easter with her parents. Beth and I use to go to church together back in the day, and we remain friends :) It was awesome to see her and catch up.

Well, today was REALLY awesome! Pete sold ANOTHER RV today, and it was in the new, not used lot! Man, that guy just makes me SO proud. So, in case you are not keeping tabs, that's 3 RV's in one month! Unfortunately, the bosses there are not that appreciative of this fact, and all he's gotten is a "nice going" from the boss. Pete's new goal is to sell at least one RV a day! I say, "go for it". The other day when he sold one, another salesman who's been there for years, sold three in that one day. Of course HE got all sorts of praise for it. Next Monday, for three days, they are sending Pete so get his air brake course. It's in Abbotsford. Many of the newer units, have air brakes, and if you purchase one, you have to have this license. Pete needs this course to be able to show the RV's to clients and to move the units around the lot. He's looking forward to his air brake course :) This evening we took the girls to see "Horton Hears A Who." They loved it. We were not sure how much "J" would enjoy it, since she is 11. We were sure that "K" would enjoy it, as she is 7. It turns out, they both LOVED it, which was awesome! Somehow, I managed to lose my voice today, and I feel like poo. Tomorrow we're off to Pete's friends' funeral at 1pm. It's outdoors at Mission Raceway (don't ask), so I hope we will have sunshine, or at least not rain :)

I am SOOOOO proud of Pete! He called me about a half hour ago, to let me know that he JUST sold his second RV! That's TWO in one month! They had told him, when they hired him, that they didn't expect him to sell anything in the first three months. Well, I guess he proved them wrong, BIG TIME! I pray that the company will see what a great asset Pete is to them. I feel that God is truly blessing Pete, and this is the "season" for Pete. God is showing Pete His faithfulness, and I pray that He continues to bless Pete's life.

It's official!!!!!!!! My wonderful husband is officially licensed to sell vehicles!!!! I couldn't be prouder than Pete, as I am right now! About a month ago, Pete had to go to a two day course, here in Abbotsford, and take a test on the second day. In order to be able to sell any type of vehicle on any lot, you have to have a special license, and to take the test to get this license, you have to pay $400.00, go to the course, AND pass the test! Pete passed!!!! I am SO proud of him. He has totally embraced this new job, and all the responsibilities that go with it, including all the tests!! I should explain that the reason he looks mad in the picture, is because when he got there and signed in for the course, they said, "look here", and he looked, and that's when they took his picture, without warning him! Luckily WE all know how handsome he is, and what a wonderful smile he has. He has to renew this license EVERY year, and pay $150.00 each time he has to renew it. It's a money grab, if you ask me, but I guess he has no choice, as long he's in this industry. I'm just SO proud of him!!!

The other day, Pete and I went to Bellingham, to indulge in our new passion...antiquing! Pete was able to pick up a few vintage toys, and I added to my Piglet collection, with my THIRD Piglet PEZ dispenser! LOL!!! We were there over the dinner hour, and Pete said that dinner was MY choice, so, I picked Denny's! Mmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!

This drink actually looked better on the menu picture, than it actually tasted.

My yummy husband with his yummy Baily's coffee!

Pete is really awesome with knowing what a good deal is or isn't. I of course have no clue in this department yet, but Pete is a good teacher. For instance, my Piglet Pez dispenser was $2.00, which I thought was a good deal. Pete said I should have bargained for cheaper. Pete has a way with people, and is able to charm the pants off them and get good deals ALL the time. Hence our brand new still in the plastic king size bed and mattress for $400.00!!!! So, I am learning from the best of the best :)

So, the renting saga continues!!!!! As many of you may or may not know, we live in an illegal 4plex. The complex is set up as a duplex, so there is one meter on one side of the complex and one meter on the other side, since legally, there can only be one residence (upstairs renters on each side) that pay that utilities. In December, our property was sold to a new owner, Dan, who is a retired school principle from North Vancouver. Since the time Pete and I started dating last summer, he/we have had constant trouble with the lady upstairs. She's a single mom in her 40's raising an 18 year old and a 16 year old. The trouble started when she was allowing her kids to have parties with their buds on the weekends.It escalated to the mom allowing her daughter's boyfriend to stay for night on a regular basis. Then as if THAT wasn't enough, Judy, the mom, moved her female friend in to live with her a while. In January, the gas was turned off the foirst time and Judy was 3 days late with rent. The landlord felt sorry for her, but had to give her an eviction notice. Next day she paid the rent AND the gas bill. Since that time, we have had nothing but problems with this lady. She steals/holds our mail (there is only one mailbox on our side), and they tromp around like a herd of elephants upstairs, not to mention for a while, they would mess around with the water, when we would take a shower! Immature, I know! She will NOT talk to us, and when we all happen to be in the driveway at the same time, she will not make eye contact with us. The final straw was yesterday, when Terasen gas, cut off the gas AGAIN, and put a lock on the meter. Pete called the landlord, and let him know that we now had NO heat OR hot water! The landlord told us that he was going to pay the bill himself, and would be coming out today to fix a few things for us, and to bring Judy her final eviction notice, and to give her the boot! Praise The Lord, for small miracles!!!!! Let's just hope that whomever moves in above us now will hopefully be quiet, Christian or decent people. If you know of anyone that might fit this description, let me know. The upstairs has 3 bedrooms,hardwood floors, and is a good size. Rent up there is eleven hundred/month PLUS utilities and comes with a parking spot on the driveway.

UPDATE: The landlord was JUST here, the gas is still not on. Teresan is coming today SOMETIME between noon and four pm. He showed me the "letter" that he is giving to the lady upstairs. It was SO lame, I asked him why didn't just invite her to a picnic while he's at it. He laughed so hard. So, basically here is what happens from here; he's giving her this "letter" and phoned her at her job 3 times already today, is GOING to her work, Jo-Jo's fish and chips, to have lunch and hand deliver her the "letter"(so she can't say she didn't get it). He is going to suggest to her that maybe this is not the place for her to be living, since she really can't afford it, and then he's going to "keep on her" until SHE gets frustrated enough to give her notice that she's moving out! Well, at least it's good to know that IF something should happen with Pete/I/landlord, we know his "style" and how he works. In the meantime, the landlord is putting the utilities in HIS name, so that he knows they will be paid. He feels REALLY bad that Pete and I have no hot water or heat, and wants to take us out for dinner and The Keg, one night of our choosing.

I am SO happy to have Pete home, and SO proud of him for passing his tests with flying colors!!!! He got an A- and that qualified him for a gold seal!!! He said that the training was REALLY intense and that classes got out at 3pm every day, but they had so much homework, that at times he was up until 2 am. studying! Obviously it paid off, because he got excellent marks! He is SO happy to be home and happy to be done.

So, last February, I started my own business, Senior Companions. I love being my own boss and making my own hours, especially since sometimes I am not feeling well. For the last 8 months, I have been working with a client at Bevan Lodge. She's a Christian lady with Parkinson's, who is in her 80's. For the most part, she's pretty easy going, but like most seniors, she says what's on her mind, whether it's how I'm wearing my hair, what clothes I'm wearing, my weight etc. I just try to take it in stride, since I know I'll probably be a senior one day. LOL!!! Up until February, I had been going in for a few hours three days a week. I cut back to two days a week in February, since both my dad and hubby have had some health problems. THIS month so far has NOT been so great for working at Bevan Lodge. There was a quarantine for 2.5 weeks at Bevan, because there was a flu outbreak. This meant that no "outsiders" were allowed in, and most of the clients were quarantined to their own floor only. That meant no work for me. Today was my first day back, and my client was SO happy to see me! I was glad to see her too, especially since she had a cheque for me :) So, what do I do for her? Well, pretty much everything the care aides are supposed to do for her. Toilet her, dress her, help her eat, give her meds, help her in/out of bed, in/out of wheelchair, help her with personal grooming. I just raised my prices, since it's a new year and what I was charging, was at the lower end, price wise. My client at Bevan is the only one I currently have. I am always looking for new clients, if you know of anyone who needs a senior companion, private care aide, please let me know :)

One more sleep until my wonderful husband comes home!!!!! I received a one line email from him today, saying that he loves me and misses me, and that he's been VERY busy with the schooling. We're both still praying about if God wants him to be with this company or not. There are just so many "interesting" ways they do things there, some of which I am not very comfortable with or confident about. It just seems to ME, that if you are a new employee, you shouldn't be having to spend hundreds of dollars, to be able to be employed with a company. That just seems very odd to me. It seems to me, that Pete is continually having to shell out money for this, that and the other, to be able to be employed with this company. I could be wrong in my thinking and my feelings, but something about this company is just not sitting well with me. Sure, they are a "Christian" company, and a lot of company's I know of personally, hide behind the whole "Christian" facade. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY grateful to God, for this employment opportunity for Pete, I just have an uneasy feeling about this particular company. I'm usually bang on, when I have a bad feeling about things/people/circumstances. I am praying with all of my heart, that I am wrong about this. They will be sending Pete to Ohio for a week in the summer, for more schooling and training. I really didn't know that there is SO much training needed, in order to be an RV salesman. These three days that Pete is gone, they are cramming six months of information and training into 3 days!! Pete has to take a test at the end of every day, for the three days he is there. I am just looking forward to Pete walking in the door tomorrow evening....I miss him terribly. Absence DOES make the heart grow fonder! :) The sweet thing is, is that Thursday is Pete's day off, so, we can sleep in and spend time together before he goes back to work on Friday.

It's not often, that you go to Walmart, and your cashier is crying. That's what just happened to me. I pulled my cart up to the till and my cashier was crying. I asked her if she was okay, and she told me it has been a rough week for her, because her younger brother had just died. I asked her why Walmart did not give her some much needed time off, but she said she would rather work, because it is a nice distraction. How can you comfort someone in the one to two minutes that you are at a till? I told her that I was really sorry about her brother and that I would be praying for her. What else can a person say or do? I truly wanted to reach over the till and give her a hug, but seeing that it would have been inappropriate, I didn't. I felt so badly for her. She is one of the nicest cashiers at Walmart, and I usually make a point of going thru her till, if I am not in a hurry, and use the self serve check out. I still feel horrible, that there wasn't more I could do for her, and that my words were probably not too comforting to her at this time.

Well, today's the day I have been dreading all week! Pete leaves at 5:30 tonight. Luckily we have managed to get in some quality time together this week. We took Jessica and Kaitlyn out for dinner on Thursday evening, and broke the news to them, that we were married. They took the news pretty well, and were happy to know that they will be coming to the summer ceremony. Friday night, Pete and I went to see the movie Jumper, since we had free tickets. It was very unbelievable, but not bad, for a free movie. Yesterday after Pete got off work, he took me out for dinner to Boston Pizza, which was SO yummy!!!! The evening took us to our friends' place for a surprise birthday party. Today, it's over to my parents for a little visit, and lunch with them at the Dragon Fort! YUMMY! At 1pm. today, our landlord is taking us out for coffee to discuss the upstairs people, and what we will be doing about that situation. We really don't want to move, but it's getting really out of hand with them, so pretty much THEY move or WE move, and we've been here longer, and the landlord likes us better than them, so I think it will be a no brain er. I'm planning to keep as busy as posible while Pete is away, and might take my sister's suggestion of renting some movies that I wanted to see, that Pete didn't really want to see. Luckily I work Monday and Wednesday, which only leaves Tuesday, and I'll probably spend that day hang'n at my parents place. Hope you all have agood week!