Reinventing chocolate (Calgary Herald, 30 Apr 2007, Page D12)

This would an Outrage!!!!!

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Reinventing chocolate
ADAM SATARIANO BLOOMBERG
Calgary Herald
30 Apr 2007

Would chocolate containing trans fats and sugar substitutes taste as sweet as the real thing? Hershey Co. and other candy makers say yes. The Chocolate Manufacturers Association, whose members include Hershey, Nestle SA and Archer Daniels Midland Co.,... read more...

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Darfur protesters call for boycott of Beijing Olympics (Calgary Herald, 30 Apr 2007, Page B2)

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Darfur protesters call for boycott of Beijing Olympics
JAMIE KOMARNICKI CALGARY HERALD
Calgary Herald
30 Apr 2007

As dozens of Calgarians gathered in downtown Calgary on Sunday to decry the situation in Darfur, a Calgary MP said China's controversial stance on the issue was no reason to call for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Deepak Obhrai, MP for... read more...

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This email was sent to you by a Calgary Herald Digital user. This service contains copyrighted material, trade marks and other proprietary information. Receipt of this email should not be interpreted as grant of any licences express or implied, to the intellectual property of CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.

This email was sent to you by NewspaperDirect, Inc (200-13111 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, Canada V6V 2J1, phone 1 604 278 4604) on behalf of Calgary Herald Digital.

2003-2007 Calgary Herald Digital. All rights reserved. Terms of Use  |  Privacy Statement

One Of My Favorite Things To Do

Hi Everyone... it's 10:30pm on Sunday evening. It's my time for the most part. Both Ryker and Reegan are in bed. Reegan is for sure asleep and Ryker is most likely trying his best to get to sleep.. he has problems with falling asleep. David is upstairs resting and I.. well I am down stairs on the couch wrapped up in the Afghan that my sister made for me. I have a great cup of tea. It's my usual Sunday night theme... I watch Desperate Housewife and then Brother's and Sister's. I usually end up eating some sort of chocolate. This time gives me a chance to think about our weekend... to reflect sort of speak.

It's a new week starting tomorrow, Once again I will work on being more patent, more understanding, more thoughtful, more giving, and more able to just laugh at the little stuff. I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead of you.

Oh and Colleen I hope you hear something wonderful this week!!!!

This was a big weekend at the Knight household. We started to get the pool ready for opening on May 7th. This is our first pool and the first year... so we really did not know how hard or easy it would be to uncover it etc., We also didn't know what to expect when we took the cover off. Would the water be clear and clean? Or would it be dirty and green coloured.

So Saturday morning David put the pump into the pool to drain the water off the top of the pool cover and we waited... and we waited..... I could not believe how long it took to get the little bit of water there was, off the top. Buy dinner time it was ready to be taken off. We all held our breath. Ryker was hoping the bottom would be full of warms and dirt. Reegan declared if there were worms at the bottom there was NO way she was EVER swimming in the pool again. But in the final moment as we slowing rolled the cover back, there before us shining in the sun was the most beautiful sight a pool owner could imagine. "Crystal Clear WATER!!!!!" What a relief, the pool people told us it would be clear but until you see it it's hard to believe.

Now we had to clean the cover and water bags, They were not so lucky and did not look as clean as the pool.

So now the kids anxiously await the opening and the heater to bring the pool water up to a more human tempter!!!!

FOI Update

I sent an e-mail to Bob our Coordinators regarding the rumors about an early batch of referrals and the time line. Here was his replay.

At the moment all we have are (presumably the same) rumours. We understand that there were an inordinate number of LIDs at the end of October and very beginning of November so from the progress-through-LID-days, things may appear to be very slow this and next month.
Bob

This Stresses Me Out

It pains me to hear about the atrocities that are happening in Darfur. When David and I started to consider were to adopt from two years ago our first chose was Dafur in the Sudan. We were very discouraged to find out that we would not be allowed to adopt from that country. In the end we choose China and have never regretted that decision.

I have recently learned that China is one of the Sudans top financial supporter for the war against the African Muslims. China contributes tones of money towards the oil over there and 80% of that oil money goes to fund the killings.

I pledge to not only raise my Chinese Daughter to understand her culture but to also learn from there mistakes and to make this world a better place.

Reegan At her Ballet Class

Reegan had a dress rehearsal a few weeks ago. Her Dance class this year will be mermaids. Reegan and her friend Emilee both got to wear there costumes for practise.

Thanks Heather for the Great Pictures

Whether you liked her or not she spoke her mind, she cared and felt deeply about what she believed in. I for one will miss her thoughts and feelings on the View!!!!

Reegans First Soccar Game

Reegan was so excited to be starting soccer. She could barely get to sleep last night. I was so proud of her, she tried her very best and had a great time. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day. Way to Go Reegan #32

Our Spring Cleaning Begins

Our Weather was just wonderful today. It reached +18 and sunny, so we decided to do some spring cleaning. I washed the windows and Reegan washed the railing.

Our Sopranos Moment

Well the ducks came back and this time I was able to get a picture of them swimming in our pool. We hope once the pool is actually open that they will come back and visit!!!!

A Start to a Good Day

We had a very busy day today, It started off with a visit from my friend Brandi and her kids Drake and Chayce.

Well it's been almost 4 months but finally our stairs are finished!!!! They used to be carpeted but we decided to put new hardwood on them, as well as the rest of the main floor.

Now I can we can finish the trim and start on the kitchen!!!!!!

Things Just keep getting worse

Here's the reply I got from our coordinator's. You would think someone would have told us this seeing as they saw our passports when they did all the translations for the Chinese Government.

You must get new passports now. China will not issue a visa on a passport that has less than 6 months remaining before expiry. That is, if your passports expire in August, 2007, the Chinese embassy will not issue a visa.

So it seems we might have another little hitch in our adoption. Our first was finding out two months ago that all our home study paper work had expired and that we now needed to have it updated. In the end this turned out to be less stressful then I had anticipated.

Now it's our passports, they are due to expire this August, which we have know about but really didn't think it would be a problem because we had been told we would have our little girl well before August of this year. With the CCAA only doing two days worth of dossier last month, if they were to continue at that pase we would be travelling past our passports expiring date.

So you say to yourself ... Just go and get them renewed. I wish it was that easy. Not only do we have to submit our current passports to renew them, which could mean that if the CCAA did do more dossier's there would be a good chance that ours would come but we wouldn't be able to travel because we don't have our passports. Then there's the huge wait time right know for passports. Because you need a passport to travel to the US the wait time has increased.

I am sure this will all work out in the end.

So today I am having a really bad mother day with both my kids. But first for those who are not familiar with my family dynamics's let me fill you in. Our 12 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD ( for those not familiar with ODD it's Obstinate Defiance Disorder) He was officially diagnose in Grade two, both David and I had our suspicion seeing as David has it as well. but we really... really... wanted to tackle any behaviour problems with patents and the help from Child physiologist's. Bye the end of grade three Ryker was struggling so much with reading that we realized behaviour strategies were not going to be enough. So we made the decision to try and I stress TRY med's. I am not happy that he is on medication but I have to say that for him it makes the world of difference. I had to convince myself that Ryker being on med's for his condition was no different then if he had been diagnosed with a heart disease or diabetes, I certainly would not deprive my son of the medications he needed. But today, he got up late and he was unable to take his meds because they would not have time to wear off before bedtime.

When Ryker is not on his med's he is a totally different child. It's seems all the goodness that's in him is no were to be found. He argues about everything, even his look in his eyes change, they have tuns of attitude. By lunch time I have just about had it and can not take much more of it. Even though I know he has difficulties with the impulsivity, I still find it hard to be patent and understanding. I truly dislike being around him when he is behaving this way!!!!! As a mother I don't like feeling that way about either of my kids.

We just finished supper and I am upstairs writing this before my head pop's off from trying to contain my temper, even as I write this I can hear him downstairs bothering his sister instead of doing his homework.

Then there's Reegan, who when Ryker is acting up she goes into bad behaviour mode.

So Today has been a very un-enjoyable day to say the least!!!!!

A Pre-Teens Room

Honestly this is a first. It's taken him most of the day but we can finally see Ryker's bedroom floor. I was so amazed that I had to take a picture because this won't last. Good Job Ryker Man

Nothing to Interesting

Well we didn't do to much this weekend. We are still having some cool and raining weather. Reegan was having some fun with her digital camera and here are some of her pictures.

Eating Dirt and Warms at Swiss Chalet, and the always popular Self portrait.

Congradulations!!!!

Welcome MacLean Ervin:

A big CONGRATULATIONS, Serina, Kevin, Big sister Grace and now Big brother Fraser.

IT'S APPARENT THAT NOBODY HAS TOLD MOTHER NATURE ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING YET!!!!

So here's MY question. If you wake up and it suddenly looks like Christmas, does that mean I am entitled to go out and buy myself a Christmas Gift?

Ok I must be brain dead,,, mybe someone out there can help me. I have been trying for two days to figure out how to add my e-mail address to my blog. Like Sandra has on her's in Jazzie and Tally. But I just can not figure it out... HELP ... HELP... HELP if anyone is able to give my any suggestions I would be very thank-ful.

NEVER MIND!!! I MUST HAVE HAD A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP BECAUSE WHEN I GOT UP THIS MORNING I FIGURED IT OUT!!!!!!

My Sister and My Best friend

Hi everyone my sister was bugging me the other day and wanted to know if I put her on my blog.... Well here she is...

She is such a beautiful person inside and out!!!!!!! Love ya Deb

No means No!!

Here's a good question. Why is it when you say NO to your kids they don't think you are serious. I mean No means NO!!!! and yet they still put on those puppy dog eyes, and continue to ask you... again and... again. They seem to think if they ask sweeter and sweeter that I might change my mind. To be honest I suppose in the past I have given in... but on a scale of 1 to 10 I have only given in about 3 times. You would think they would understand that the odds are against them and to give up.

Gloomy Thursday's

Well we have had a snow fall warning since last night. So far just lots of rain with some snow mixed in. Even after my dance class this morning I still feel like I just want to crawl back into bed and snuggle in for the day.

Reegan had a good day with her grandmother. She's so great with Reegan. They made some crafts, painted and just plain had fun.

I had to get some paper work done for my husband's company today. I like to put that stuff off until the last minute. I drives David nut's, I can't help it, I just can't get motivated when it come's to certain tasks. I've tried to explain to him that I am a FREE spirit, he just laughs and tells me he doesn't buy it. ha ha ha

I have been thinking about our little one's room... Because Reegans room is the Disney princess's I really wanted to do Mulan for her baby sister. This is becoming quite the challenge, it appears there is NOTHING out there to decorate a bedroom in Mulan. No wall paper, stencils, etc.,

Tea For Two

As a stall tactic last night Reegan announced to her dad that she had arranged a Tea Party in her room for just daddy and herself. Of course she did this knowing full well that Daddy would NEVER say know even if it was her bedtime. She does have a little china tea set but decided to use these tulip petal she had collected.

Reegan's New Room

Well it's done. It's very pink and girly just the way Reegan wanted it. Makes me wish I could be a kid again. Once we get our referral picture I will start on the other room. I have talked to so many parents who are waiting for there little one and have had there baby's new room all done and they all sound so frustrated to just be waiting in a finished empty room... I plan to be very busy in those final weeks before we leave, and that way I hope it will fly by faster...

Homework Time

My son hates this time of the day. Each day he gets off the bus and after I have greeted and hugged him I have to ask the DREADED question "Do you have any homework?" To which his face changes from a some what relaxed expression to a more tense expression and he replies "Mother you ARE NOT suppose to ask me that" Poor Ryker will he every enjoy school????

We decide to go back to the ponds behind our property to see if the ducks have laid there eggs yet. Nothing so far, Reegan tried very hard to feed them some bread, but they are still so wild they wouldn't come over to get it.

Our Pool still tucked in for the winter... Only 20 more days until we open it!!! Of course that depends on Mother Nature????

We ran out time before the weather got bad this fall and David was unable to get the back fence panel up. Unfortunately someone decided to take advantage of our tardiness and drew this lovely picture on our shield.

We spent a lot of time outside today... It was another beautiful spring day. Reegan is turning out to be quite the artist. Here she does a VERY realistic picture of ME!!!!

A Busy Day

Reegan was showing me her magic trick. She's very good she can make one leg disappear!!!!

This picture was take last year at Reegans Mother's Day Tea at her preschool... It is one of my favorite pictures.

I Am So Thankful

My day started off as it usually does. Waking Ryker up at 6:00am and getting him on the bus. Then enjoying a nice cup of tea, showering and waking Reegan up for Preschool. I give my little girl a Big Kiss Good -bye and as I drive away on the news I hear that 33 young people have been killed in a senseless killing. Why ... Why... Why.... My day started off fine... the sun was shining all day and warm ... it was so warm outside. Reegan and I went for a bike ride and then ran into one of her friends who invited us to play for a bit. But Many miles away there are mother's and father... seeing and feeling very differently. I am so thankful for the day that I had today... I am so thankful that tomorrow I still can wake my kids up and get them off to school and give them hugs and kisses. I AM SO THANKFUL!!!!!

What are you thankful for???

The Count Down

So I have decided to count down until the CCAA put's out there next batch of referrals. We could be lucky this time and just make it.... So it's 24 days until the CCAA should post there next date of what Dossier's have been match. Here's hoping we make!!!!

What a Great Day

We had a wonderful Day today. The sun was warm and the breeze cool. Unfortunately David was building. Myself and the kids worked on the yard, I don't enjoy spring cleaning outside... It's still so mucky. We can wait to get our pool up and running . May 7th is the day we hope to open the pool but until then... here are some pictures of last year...

Reegans New Room

In preparations for Reegans Baby sister

coming we moved Reegan into the other

bedroom and let her help me with the

painting. She was so proud of herself.

Enjoy!!!!!