Friday, September 29, 2006
How Can You Influence Your Team?
Innovative practices combined with true empowerment produces phenomenal results.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Rob's Leadership Journal
What is a good leader? A great leader? Someone you will follow no matter what. Someone you respect and will fight for. These people are in our lives you know who I am talking about. There is a leader in your life that you would go the distance for and you would for that person. What makes him a great leader? What will make you a great leader?
Leadership is a funny thing. The more you force the issue the less respect people have for and you. The less respect they have for you they will not fight for you or follow you. Leadership isn't about someone blindly following you and doing what they are told. Dogs do that. I want someone to hear what I say and see what I do and respect me enough that he will want to follow me. That is true leadership. A true leader is in the trenches showing his followers by doing. That is what we as leaders need to strive for.
He who seeks to keep his life will lose it, but whoever shall lose his life will preserve it.
Luke 17:33
I guess God had it right all along.
Leadership is a funny thing. The more you force the issue the less respect people have for and you. The less respect they have for you they will not fight for you or follow you. Leadership isn't about someone blindly following you and doing what they are told. Dogs do that. I want someone to hear what I say and see what I do and respect me enough that he will want to follow me. That is true leadership. A true leader is in the trenches showing his followers by doing. That is what we as leaders need to strive for.
He who seeks to keep his life will lose it, but whoever shall lose his life will preserve it.
Luke 17:33
I guess God had it right all along.
Monday, September 18, 2006
It's All Gone!
Well as some of you may know my branch was involved in a fundraiser for STARS air ambulance. We had a wing eating contest....see below and a silent auction. ALSO, I put my hair on th line. I told my staff that if we earned $2000 that I would shave my head, and if we raised the most out of all the ATB branches involved I would wax my legs.
We did very well at the fundraiser. Last year we raised $2000 and the winners did $12000. I felt my legs were safe. However, as we got further into the campaign I started to get worried. We ended with $7000 earned. The winners earned over $20,000. So my legs were safe, but my head was to be shaved. The picture above is the finished product. And you know what? I like it and think that I might just keep it for awhile.
Violent Confessions
With a bunch of little girls in the house you'd expect a little bit of fighting to happen in the house.
The other day Sammi, one of the little girls that Lana is babysitting came crying to Lana. "Sophie hit me with the baby", she sobbed. Suddenly Lana hears in a defiant voice from the living room. "No I didn't!! I hit you with this, and these", holding up her fist and then wiggling her fingers.
Today at supper we were talking. I told Sophie that tonight she had to sleep in her own bed. She said, "No, I wanna sleep with Mommy". Lana said that she had her sisters to sleep with. She said, "no they hurt me." Liz piped up, "Well, sometimes we don't hurt her."
Monday, September 11, 2006
Lest We Forget
I know that the web is going to be full of memorials, and blogs to this effect. However, I feel that with all the covereage it is recieving that I still wanted to acknowledge it.
Today is September 11, 2006. 5 years after the terrist attack on New York. The day the worlds thinking changed. Its affects have been far deeper then paying more at the pump, or having to wait longer for airlines. This was an attack on freedom, and just like the Nazi's during WW2 the terrorists will stop at nothing till their agenda is around the world. Today we need to stop and remember the freedom that we have and the people that are overseas fighting for that freedom. The left-media would love to trivalize the war that we are in and claim that it isn't necessary. However, this slaps all the soliders and people who have given their lives for their freedom in the face. We need to thank them for their sacrifice and for everything that they have done for us.
September 11, 2001. I was sitting in my English class when it was announced that someone had flew into a building. I remember my first thought that this must be a terrorist attack, but I didn't know for sure. As class ended and I was walking around campus and found out I was right. Little did I realize however how different things would be. Where were you when you found out? What were you doing? How has it affected you?
Today is September 11, 2006. 5 years after the terrist attack on New York. The day the worlds thinking changed. Its affects have been far deeper then paying more at the pump, or having to wait longer for airlines. This was an attack on freedom, and just like the Nazi's during WW2 the terrorists will stop at nothing till their agenda is around the world. Today we need to stop and remember the freedom that we have and the people that are overseas fighting for that freedom. The left-media would love to trivalize the war that we are in and claim that it isn't necessary. However, this slaps all the soliders and people who have given their lives for their freedom in the face. We need to thank them for their sacrifice and for everything that they have done for us.
September 11, 2001. I was sitting in my English class when it was announced that someone had flew into a building. I remember my first thought that this must be a terrorist attack, but I didn't know for sure. As class ended and I was walking around campus and found out I was right. Little did I realize however how different things would be. Where were you when you found out? What were you doing? How has it affected you?
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
An Oiler Season Preview
Sorry this was so long, I just got into it and had to go deeper.
The Oil have had, shall we say an interesting off season. Here is a season preview (Some of this review was taken from a great Oiler Blog found at http://lowetide.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_lowetide_archive.html
Goaltending:
Dwayne Roloson
Jussi Markannen
Jeff Deslauries
Devan Dubnyk
The backend hasn't looked so solid since the days of Curtis Joseph and Bob Essensa. Roloson proved in the playoffs that when given the opportunity that he can be the man. Jussi proved in the finals that when he needs to he can step up and fill the gaps. They will be a great duo. Expect Roli to get about 55-60 starts with Jussi filling in the rest. BIG upgrade from last years 3 headed circus.
Defence:
Jason Smith
Steve Staios
Dan Tjarnqvist
MA Bergeron
Matt Greene
Jan Hejda
Ladislav Smid
Danny Syvret
Tom Gilbert
Well, if the Oilers are weak anywhere its here. As everyone knows 2 days after the the cup final Chris Pronger asked for a trade. A few weeks later Lowe obliged sending him to the Ducks formerly known as Mighty. You can't just replace a guy like Pronger unless you get Niedermayer or Lidstrom. So we've had to make the best of it. Lowe first went out and got Dan Tjarnqvist. The Shaggy look alike was quietly the most reliable defenseman with the Wild last year. He played 20 minutes a game, played the PP and PK. He will be solid. Jan Hejda was another enigma that was picked up from the Sabers. He is a guy that Lowe has been targeting for awhile and said he is ready for the NHL. He is coming over as a 28 year old rookie so I don't know how much impact he will have, but if Lowe knows anything its defenceman. The final new addition to the blue line sees youngster and former 10th overall pick Ladislav Smid come to us in the Pronger trade. He has been playing in men’s leagues since he was 16 and appears ready for the big time. Those three join a solid, if not unspectacular group of Smith, Staios, Bergeron and Greene. The Oilers are looking to emulate the success that the Sabers and the Hurricanes had with their Generic Brand defenses last year. Look for a trade around January to shore up the backend. I've been hearing the name Brad Stuart ALOT the last month or so. Downgrade from last year, but LOTS of potential.
Center:
Shawn Horcoff
Jarret Stoll
Marty Reasoner
MA Pouliot
Robbie Schremp
Kyle Brodziak
Jonas Almtrop
Patrick Thoresen
Horcoff is a smart player. I'd say it is his main asset and because of it he is very often underrated even by guys like me who like him a lot. He turned a corner with his season in Sweden during the lockout and is more confident in scoring zones. Terrific passer, good speed, can make and take a pass. His willingness to work hard no matter the role and adapt as needed is another strength you don't see on paper. The numbers don't lie though; Shawn Horcoff is a high quality NHL player.
Jarret Stoll is another MacTavish type player whose intangibles include his FO circle % and work ethic. His plus shot was very valuable on the PP (11 goals last year) and there may be another gear. Good passer, still on a learning curve in terms of playing C in the NHL for this fan but he's a good option for some of the softer EV minutes on this team.
He is among the hardest working players this team has ever had. After being traded to the Bruins for stop gap Sergei Samsonov, Marty Reasoner is back. Reasoner is an example of a player who is more than the sum of his parts and having established himself as a terrific player in the secondary categories his natural ability in the offensive zone becomes more of a threat just because of ATOI. Soft hands, good speed, smart player. Marty Reasoner is the one C the Oilers have written in pen on their roster who's likely to have a better year in 06-07 than 05-06.
MA Pouliot was the Hamilton Bulldogs MVP last year and is ready for the NHL. He's a smooth playmaking center. Pouliot has some jam too and is an average skater. Good puck handler and an exceptional passer. Possesses a lot of confidence and impressed the coach in a late season "cup of coffee." However, what sets him apart from others vying for the 4th line role is his defensive awareness. During his 9 games with the team last year it was noted that the coaches were very surprised that he was as developed defensively as he was. If it wasn’t for a case of Mono right before the playoffs started you would have seen Pouliot in the starting lineup, not Rem Murray.
The loss of Peca will be felt come playoff time no doubt, but I believe that Reasoner will be able to pick up the slack left by the defensive center. Add to that Petr Sykora can play center and we are laughing. We are very strong at center, and I will say an upgrade from last year.
Left Wing:
Ryan Smyth
Petr Sykora
Raffi Torres
Ethan Moreau
JF Jaques
Brad Winchester
Ryan Smyth is so famous for his style of play he has become a reference-point himself, a hefty and worthy compliment. Smyth has a much better skill set than when he entered the NHL (or his 39-goal season). A terrific passer and a quality agitator, Smyth plays a smart game and does more good for his team than just on the ice (how on earth can someone like Marc-Antoine Pouliot not bust his butt when Ryan Smyth is working like a bugger?) He is the heart and soul of the Oilers and as Ryan goes the Oilers go.
I put Petr Sykora at left wing for the heck of it. He can play all forward positions and probably will at some point this year. He reminds me of the old Spiderman theme song, the part where they sing "he arrives just in time." He kind of does. Not in an Anson Carter find your way to open ice way by finding space away from the check style, more of a seize the moment by driving to the net way. At least that's the way I've always seen him. He will be the replacement for Pronger on the point of the power play. He was (at least acted) like a VERY happy man at his introduction to the Oiler media, let’s hope that carries over to the season.
I believe Raffi Torres has not scratched the surface. He's still very raw as a player and a challenge to coach MacTavish on all kinds of levels. However his presence on the ice changes the dynamic (as seen in this year's playoffs) both offensively and physically. The man is dangerous. Playing on the 3rd line will put him more in his element and I believe he will be an even better player this year for it. Combining with Fernando and Marty they will make an elite banging line.
Ethan Moreau is a big, tough winger who loves to check his opponent and can chip in a few goals along the way. He's listed as the #4LW here but his ATOI at EV trails only Smyth (Raffi is about even with Ethan) and he spends 3:19 a night on the PK to lead all PK men. Another heart and soul type guy that is essential to the success of any team. He will be used in a babysitting role for the rookies that will ultimately play on the 4th line with him. He is very adept at that role as earlier in his career he took Ales Hemsky under his wing and babysat him for a couple years.
Left wing is one of the deepest positions that the Oilers have this year and they may deal someone from a postion of strength for a defencman, but for now I’ll say that it is an upgrade from last year.
Right Wing:
Ales Hemsky
Joffrey Lupul
Fernando Pisani
Alex Mikhnov
Toby Petersen
Yes. Ales Hemsky has style. Tremendous passer and can deke opposition players out of their jocks almost at will. Amazing skills with the puck, just silly good. Pass first to the extreme (is he in the Oates-Janney category? I'd stop short of putting him in that family). Elite calibre player whose upside is enormous. Impact player, win-an-end-of-season award player. He also just signed a long term 5 year deal with the team and is committed to them.
Joffrey Lupul comes from the pure scorer family of hockey players. There's a subcategory in that family for "quick release" guys best represented by the out-of-this-world Mike Bossy whose hand eye must have been off the charts. I'm not saying Lupul is Mike Bossy, but he has that kind of skill set. Put him with Hemsky and Sykora on the PP and he might score 40 this season.
Fernando Pisani might be the best NHL player no one knows about. It's a stretch because he just received a nice contract and was a finalist for the Conn Smyth trophey but still this is a player who had little on the resume 4 summers ago that would indicate he would be the player we saw this past season. Intelligent player in all areas with good speed and a tremendous work ethic. He has a terrific shot and seems to be in the slot waiting for the pass about as often as 1st liners. Outstanding positional winger. He may even see some time on a higher line.
Alex Mikhnov is a big man (6’5”) with more speed than expected and from appearances soft hands. We don't really know much about his ability to see the ice when his team doesn't have the puck or if he uses his body effectively. But he was on the 1st line for team Russia at the past World Championships and finished the tournament with 4-2-6 in 7 games. Mikhnov is also one of the reason that the Oilers felt it ok to let Sergei Samsonov walk. Time will only tell if he is the real deal.
Toby Petersen Is going to be a strong candidate for 14F this fall due to versatility. Good speed, hard worker, and as with many of these guys he's a little undersized and could probably score 15 goals on a team that found the right role for him. He was very good in the 2 games he saw action in, in the playoffs. He also can play any of the forward positions.
Right Wing is another strong position for the Oilers this year with a lot of scoring talent. We’ll call it an upgrade from last year.
Players In:
Joffrey Lupul
Ladislav Smid
Peter Sykora
Alex Mikhnov
Marty Reasoner
Jan Hejda
Dan Tjarnqvist
Patrick Thoresen
Players Out (Not including Deadline acquisitions):
Ty Conklin (Thank You God!!!)
Chris Pronger
MIke Peca
Todd Harvey
Radek Dvorak
George Laraque (What was Phoenix thinking?)
Igor Ulanov
Possible Starting Line Up
Ryan Smyth - Shawn Horcoff - Ales Hemsky
Peter Sykora - Jarret Stoll - Joffrey Lupul
Raffi Torres - Marty Reasoner - Fernando Pisani
Ethan Moreau - MA Pouliot - Alex Mikhnov
Extras: Petersen, Schremp, Winchester, Jaques
Smith - Bergeron
Staios - Greene
Tjarnqvist - Smid
Extras: Hejda, Syvret
Dwayne Roloson
Jussi Markanen
The Oilers will make the playoffs this year, where is anyone’s guess, I’d say they could be as high as 5th and as low as 8th. But this is still a VERY good team with a minimum of 8 potential 20 goal scorers we are deep. The defence will have to be shored up if the rookies don’t step up but Lowe will take care of that.
The Oil have had, shall we say an interesting off season. Here is a season preview (Some of this review was taken from a great Oiler Blog found at http://lowetide.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_lowetide_archive.html
Goaltending:
Dwayne Roloson
Jussi Markannen
Jeff Deslauries
Devan Dubnyk
The backend hasn't looked so solid since the days of Curtis Joseph and Bob Essensa. Roloson proved in the playoffs that when given the opportunity that he can be the man. Jussi proved in the finals that when he needs to he can step up and fill the gaps. They will be a great duo. Expect Roli to get about 55-60 starts with Jussi filling in the rest. BIG upgrade from last years 3 headed circus.
Defence:
Jason Smith
Steve Staios
Dan Tjarnqvist
MA Bergeron
Matt Greene
Jan Hejda
Ladislav Smid
Danny Syvret
Tom Gilbert
Well, if the Oilers are weak anywhere its here. As everyone knows 2 days after the the cup final Chris Pronger asked for a trade. A few weeks later Lowe obliged sending him to the Ducks formerly known as Mighty. You can't just replace a guy like Pronger unless you get Niedermayer or Lidstrom. So we've had to make the best of it. Lowe first went out and got Dan Tjarnqvist. The Shaggy look alike was quietly the most reliable defenseman with the Wild last year. He played 20 minutes a game, played the PP and PK. He will be solid. Jan Hejda was another enigma that was picked up from the Sabers. He is a guy that Lowe has been targeting for awhile and said he is ready for the NHL. He is coming over as a 28 year old rookie so I don't know how much impact he will have, but if Lowe knows anything its defenceman. The final new addition to the blue line sees youngster and former 10th overall pick Ladislav Smid come to us in the Pronger trade. He has been playing in men’s leagues since he was 16 and appears ready for the big time. Those three join a solid, if not unspectacular group of Smith, Staios, Bergeron and Greene. The Oilers are looking to emulate the success that the Sabers and the Hurricanes had with their Generic Brand defenses last year. Look for a trade around January to shore up the backend. I've been hearing the name Brad Stuart ALOT the last month or so. Downgrade from last year, but LOTS of potential.
Center:
Shawn Horcoff
Jarret Stoll
Marty Reasoner
MA Pouliot
Robbie Schremp
Kyle Brodziak
Jonas Almtrop
Patrick Thoresen
Horcoff is a smart player. I'd say it is his main asset and because of it he is very often underrated even by guys like me who like him a lot. He turned a corner with his season in Sweden during the lockout and is more confident in scoring zones. Terrific passer, good speed, can make and take a pass. His willingness to work hard no matter the role and adapt as needed is another strength you don't see on paper. The numbers don't lie though; Shawn Horcoff is a high quality NHL player.
Jarret Stoll is another MacTavish type player whose intangibles include his FO circle % and work ethic. His plus shot was very valuable on the PP (11 goals last year) and there may be another gear. Good passer, still on a learning curve in terms of playing C in the NHL for this fan but he's a good option for some of the softer EV minutes on this team.
He is among the hardest working players this team has ever had. After being traded to the Bruins for stop gap Sergei Samsonov, Marty Reasoner is back. Reasoner is an example of a player who is more than the sum of his parts and having established himself as a terrific player in the secondary categories his natural ability in the offensive zone becomes more of a threat just because of ATOI. Soft hands, good speed, smart player. Marty Reasoner is the one C the Oilers have written in pen on their roster who's likely to have a better year in 06-07 than 05-06.
MA Pouliot was the Hamilton Bulldogs MVP last year and is ready for the NHL. He's a smooth playmaking center. Pouliot has some jam too and is an average skater. Good puck handler and an exceptional passer. Possesses a lot of confidence and impressed the coach in a late season "cup of coffee." However, what sets him apart from others vying for the 4th line role is his defensive awareness. During his 9 games with the team last year it was noted that the coaches were very surprised that he was as developed defensively as he was. If it wasn’t for a case of Mono right before the playoffs started you would have seen Pouliot in the starting lineup, not Rem Murray.
The loss of Peca will be felt come playoff time no doubt, but I believe that Reasoner will be able to pick up the slack left by the defensive center. Add to that Petr Sykora can play center and we are laughing. We are very strong at center, and I will say an upgrade from last year.
Left Wing:
Ryan Smyth
Petr Sykora
Raffi Torres
Ethan Moreau
JF Jaques
Brad Winchester
Ryan Smyth is so famous for his style of play he has become a reference-point himself, a hefty and worthy compliment. Smyth has a much better skill set than when he entered the NHL (or his 39-goal season). A terrific passer and a quality agitator, Smyth plays a smart game and does more good for his team than just on the ice (how on earth can someone like Marc-Antoine Pouliot not bust his butt when Ryan Smyth is working like a bugger?) He is the heart and soul of the Oilers and as Ryan goes the Oilers go.
I put Petr Sykora at left wing for the heck of it. He can play all forward positions and probably will at some point this year. He reminds me of the old Spiderman theme song, the part where they sing "he arrives just in time." He kind of does. Not in an Anson Carter find your way to open ice way by finding space away from the check style, more of a seize the moment by driving to the net way. At least that's the way I've always seen him. He will be the replacement for Pronger on the point of the power play. He was (at least acted) like a VERY happy man at his introduction to the Oiler media, let’s hope that carries over to the season.
I believe Raffi Torres has not scratched the surface. He's still very raw as a player and a challenge to coach MacTavish on all kinds of levels. However his presence on the ice changes the dynamic (as seen in this year's playoffs) both offensively and physically. The man is dangerous. Playing on the 3rd line will put him more in his element and I believe he will be an even better player this year for it. Combining with Fernando and Marty they will make an elite banging line.
Ethan Moreau is a big, tough winger who loves to check his opponent and can chip in a few goals along the way. He's listed as the #4LW here but his ATOI at EV trails only Smyth (Raffi is about even with Ethan) and he spends 3:19 a night on the PK to lead all PK men. Another heart and soul type guy that is essential to the success of any team. He will be used in a babysitting role for the rookies that will ultimately play on the 4th line with him. He is very adept at that role as earlier in his career he took Ales Hemsky under his wing and babysat him for a couple years.
Left wing is one of the deepest positions that the Oilers have this year and they may deal someone from a postion of strength for a defencman, but for now I’ll say that it is an upgrade from last year.
Right Wing:
Ales Hemsky
Joffrey Lupul
Fernando Pisani
Alex Mikhnov
Toby Petersen
Yes. Ales Hemsky has style. Tremendous passer and can deke opposition players out of their jocks almost at will. Amazing skills with the puck, just silly good. Pass first to the extreme (is he in the Oates-Janney category? I'd stop short of putting him in that family). Elite calibre player whose upside is enormous. Impact player, win-an-end-of-season award player. He also just signed a long term 5 year deal with the team and is committed to them.
Joffrey Lupul comes from the pure scorer family of hockey players. There's a subcategory in that family for "quick release" guys best represented by the out-of-this-world Mike Bossy whose hand eye must have been off the charts. I'm not saying Lupul is Mike Bossy, but he has that kind of skill set. Put him with Hemsky and Sykora on the PP and he might score 40 this season.
Fernando Pisani might be the best NHL player no one knows about. It's a stretch because he just received a nice contract and was a finalist for the Conn Smyth trophey but still this is a player who had little on the resume 4 summers ago that would indicate he would be the player we saw this past season. Intelligent player in all areas with good speed and a tremendous work ethic. He has a terrific shot and seems to be in the slot waiting for the pass about as often as 1st liners. Outstanding positional winger. He may even see some time on a higher line.
Alex Mikhnov is a big man (6’5”) with more speed than expected and from appearances soft hands. We don't really know much about his ability to see the ice when his team doesn't have the puck or if he uses his body effectively. But he was on the 1st line for team Russia at the past World Championships and finished the tournament with 4-2-6 in 7 games. Mikhnov is also one of the reason that the Oilers felt it ok to let Sergei Samsonov walk. Time will only tell if he is the real deal.
Toby Petersen Is going to be a strong candidate for 14F this fall due to versatility. Good speed, hard worker, and as with many of these guys he's a little undersized and could probably score 15 goals on a team that found the right role for him. He was very good in the 2 games he saw action in, in the playoffs. He also can play any of the forward positions.
Right Wing is another strong position for the Oilers this year with a lot of scoring talent. We’ll call it an upgrade from last year.
Players In:
Joffrey Lupul
Ladislav Smid
Peter Sykora
Alex Mikhnov
Marty Reasoner
Jan Hejda
Dan Tjarnqvist
Patrick Thoresen
Players Out (Not including Deadline acquisitions):
Ty Conklin (Thank You God!!!)
Chris Pronger
MIke Peca
Todd Harvey
Radek Dvorak
George Laraque (What was Phoenix thinking?)
Igor Ulanov
Possible Starting Line Up
Ryan Smyth - Shawn Horcoff - Ales Hemsky
Peter Sykora - Jarret Stoll - Joffrey Lupul
Raffi Torres - Marty Reasoner - Fernando Pisani
Ethan Moreau - MA Pouliot - Alex Mikhnov
Extras: Petersen, Schremp, Winchester, Jaques
Smith - Bergeron
Staios - Greene
Tjarnqvist - Smid
Extras: Hejda, Syvret
Dwayne Roloson
Jussi Markanen
The Oilers will make the playoffs this year, where is anyone’s guess, I’d say they could be as high as 5th and as low as 8th. But this is still a VERY good team with a minimum of 8 potential 20 goal scorers we are deep. The defence will have to be shored up if the rookies don’t step up but Lowe will take care of that.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Wingin It.....
I never want to see another chicken wing again for a LONG time. The branch hosted a wing eating contest in support of STARS air ambulance. I was the lone participant from the branch and had the full support of all the women.
We were divided into four heats of three with the top eater advancing to the finals from each group. I finished first in my group as I inhaled 25 wings in 2 minutes the first round. The finals I came up against a behemoth of a man who had consumed 27 the first round. I was already starting to feel the effects of the wings that I had eaten and didn't liek my chances. But the branches pride was at stake so I plowed forward. I finished 2nd eating 24 wings in another 2 minutes. Unfortunetly the winner scarffed down 34 the last round. I can't believe I ate 49 wings in 4 minutes. I feel sick again.
Overall the contest was a huge success gaining front page material for the local paper and making over $1157 for STARS.
Friday, August 11, 2006
New Arrivals...and a Departure
On July 22, 2006, Mick and Amy Barratt gave birth to twin boys! Nathaniel Paul and Samuel John, by emergency c-section. Two hours later Nathaniel Paul passed away, as Amy said he was "poorly", God decided to heal him instantly by taking him home.
For those of you who don't know about Amy and Mick, they are like siblings to me(Lana). When Amy was 16 and I was 13 we took her into our house and she was "adopted" into our family. She lived with us until she moved out on her own after high school, and she's my sister now!
Amy and Mick currently live in Leeds, west yorkshire, England, and are planning to move to Calgary in the next year or two. Yay!
Anyhow, back to the babies, Nathaniel Paul is on Amy's right arm. Their daughter's name is Hannah.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Death of a Cavalier
Well, as some of you know, and others have been hinted to, the Cavalier is no more.
I was driving up to Edmonton Tuesday night for a meeting on Wednesday. I was on highway 2 just driving by South Point Commons when I noticed the car acting weird looked down and noticed that the tempuraure gauge was getting to the 'red'zone. I pulled over into South Point and got to a Petro Can. I filled the resevoir with coolant as I have a leak and let it run till the temp gauge was saying it was ok. Then I drove off. It seemed to be driving ok after that. Then disaster. On Calgary Trail and 34th Ave in the middle lane I stalled. It would run when I was in park and neutral, but once I went to drive it would stall. That was the most embaressing thing that has ever happened to me while I sat there waiting for the towtruck to take me down the block to Canadian Tire. I left the car at Canadian Tire and Victoria (THANKS!) picked me up and took me on to my hotel.
The next day I got a call from Canadian Tire, the head gasket had blown. It was going to cost me more then $2000 to get it fixed. So I had a decision, I get it towed to Mike and Vics, where there is no extra parking, I get it towed to Mom and Dad's for a HUGE amount of money while it sits there and never gets fixed, I could call a charity to donate it to, or I could try to find someone in the shop at Canadian Tire to take it. I decided to give the last option a try and hung up (Can you really 'hang up' while on a cell? Isn't more like close?) the phone and went back to my meeting.
I got a call a few hours later saying there was a guy who take the car and take care of the bill. Thankfully there was someone who lives in Rimbey at the meeting with me and was able to give me a ride home, on the way I picked my stuff up from the car and signed it over to the new owner.
So after that trip I'm out a car and the towing cost of $60.00. But thank the Lord, it could have cost alot more. I guess this means I get to ride or walk to work again. =)
I was driving up to Edmonton Tuesday night for a meeting on Wednesday. I was on highway 2 just driving by South Point Commons when I noticed the car acting weird looked down and noticed that the tempuraure gauge was getting to the 'red'zone. I pulled over into South Point and got to a Petro Can. I filled the resevoir with coolant as I have a leak and let it run till the temp gauge was saying it was ok. Then I drove off. It seemed to be driving ok after that. Then disaster. On Calgary Trail and 34th Ave in the middle lane I stalled. It would run when I was in park and neutral, but once I went to drive it would stall. That was the most embaressing thing that has ever happened to me while I sat there waiting for the towtruck to take me down the block to Canadian Tire. I left the car at Canadian Tire and Victoria (THANKS!) picked me up and took me on to my hotel.
The next day I got a call from Canadian Tire, the head gasket had blown. It was going to cost me more then $2000 to get it fixed. So I had a decision, I get it towed to Mike and Vics, where there is no extra parking, I get it towed to Mom and Dad's for a HUGE amount of money while it sits there and never gets fixed, I could call a charity to donate it to, or I could try to find someone in the shop at Canadian Tire to take it. I decided to give the last option a try and hung up (Can you really 'hang up' while on a cell? Isn't more like close?) the phone and went back to my meeting.
I got a call a few hours later saying there was a guy who take the car and take care of the bill. Thankfully there was someone who lives in Rimbey at the meeting with me and was able to give me a ride home, on the way I picked my stuff up from the car and signed it over to the new owner.
So after that trip I'm out a car and the towing cost of $60.00. But thank the Lord, it could have cost alot more. I guess this means I get to ride or walk to work again. =)
Test Time.....
Try to guess the Alberta towns/cities that these clues are leading you to answer in the comments box....
1. Rooster Race
2. Cheap Hotel
3. Dolly Parton
4. Ice Water
5. Splendid Money
6. Not Against the Law
7. A Foot in the Meadow
8. Pharmacy Cap
9. Scottish Stronghold
10. Corn
11. What you do to grain
12. Tall Meadow
13. An Auto elevator
14. Colored Animal
15. Crowning of the Queen
16. Edge of the Honey Maker
17. Hilltop Home
18. Anti War Creek
19. Cutlass Supreme
20. 212 degrees Farenheit
Have Fun....
1. Rooster Race
2. Cheap Hotel
3. Dolly Parton
4. Ice Water
5. Splendid Money
6. Not Against the Law
7. A Foot in the Meadow
8. Pharmacy Cap
9. Scottish Stronghold
10. Corn
11. What you do to grain
12. Tall Meadow
13. An Auto elevator
14. Colored Animal
15. Crowning of the Queen
16. Edge of the Honey Maker
17. Hilltop Home
18. Anti War Creek
19. Cutlass Supreme
20. 212 degrees Farenheit
Have Fun....
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
The Joy of it all.....
10 Things That Give Rob Joy.....In no particular order (except the first 2)
1. Coming home from work and seeing Lana whether she is reading on the couch, sleeping in bed, or making supper, nothing makes me happier.
2. How excited the girls get when I come home from work. Emma leads the rush as
they scream,"Daddy's home!!" And come and hug me.
3. A worship service led properly.
4. Winning. I doesn't matter at what, I just like winning.
5. Being looked to for advice, or leadership.
6. Listening to the rain hit the roof while I lay back in bed cuddled with Lana.
7. Being together as the entire Hutchinson family and the bedlum that ensues.
8. Making great trades in my online hockey league.
9. The Oilers winning.
10. The Flames Losing. I might like this more then #9. =)
Interview with a Princess
Here is my interview with Elizabeth.....sorry it's so late.
Disclaimr....Elizabeth is ruled by emotion (really? =) and as such alot of these answers might be tainted with how she was feeling right at that moment.
Favorite Colour.....Pink
Favorite Sport......Beach Ball Soccer
Favorite Music......Veggie Rocks
Favorite Toy........Littlest Pet Shop
Favorite Holiday....Christmas
Favorite TV Show....Spongebob
Favorite Movie......Toy Story
Favorite thing to do with Mom.....Make Crafts
Favorite thing to do with Dad.....Play Intendo (Nintendo)
Favorite thing about winter....Snow
Favorite thing about summer....butterflies
Favorite thing to do at Grandma and Grandpa Hutch's....Trampoline
Favorite thing to do at Grandma and Grandpa Berg's.....Go to the park
Favorite Dog....Lady
Favorite thing to do with Emma....Play on the computer
Favorite thing to do with Sophie....Babysit her
Who is your best friend...Kaylen
Favorite food....Strawberries
Favorite drink...Juice
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
things that make Lana happy
1. A really good story.(Written, spoken, film, or in my imagination)
2. Time alone with my Robert.
3. Sleeping kids.
4. When something I have been working on for a long time suddenly pays off.
5. the smell of coffee in the morning.
6. Hot bath...scented candles...bath oils...a mushy romance novel...time to marinate.
7. Happy kids
8. Painted fingernails.
9. Long walks.
10.Sleeping.
2. Time alone with my Robert.
3. Sleeping kids.
4. When something I have been working on for a long time suddenly pays off.
5. the smell of coffee in the morning.
6. Hot bath...scented candles...bath oils...a mushy romance novel...time to marinate.
7. Happy kids
8. Painted fingernails.
9. Long walks.
10.Sleeping.
Talking with Soph
Last night Soph and I were cuddling in bed, and I whisperred "Jesus loves you"to her.
"Jesus is in Heafen" She replied.
"Yes"
Jesus is infisible, He's in heafen"
"Yes, honey, He is" I said, stroking her hair. She looks up at me thoughtfully.
"I miss Jesus."
"So do I, honey, so do I", I say, as I wonder if she remembers Him."One day we will go to heaven and Jesus will make everything all better."
"Yes" She agrees solemnly. Thinking a little further, she adds," with Daddy and Emma and Lizabeth"
"Yes"
The name Sophia means wisdom, and it suits her.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Elizabeth's Word of the Day
Elizabeth's word of the day......Splendid.
Emma, Elizabeth and I (Rob) were playing Mario Kart. After the race in which Liz finished 2nd Emma pointed out that fact to her and she said, "Oh, Splendid."
Friday, July 14, 2006
from emma
this morneing emma and liz woched tv we woched family and... pooh. then emma played computer emma played reader rabbit hte end. to Auntie Kath.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
things i know at age 28
1. the most important thing in life is loving Jesus.
2. having a family makes you far richer than having money ever could.
3. every diet scientificly proven to make you thin has an equal and opposite diet to prove it wrong.
4. we musn't blame God for allowing wars and genocide to happen, because that would take the blame away from the evil men who were actually responsible.
5. chocolate is good for you.
6. you can have anything you want in the world as long as you are willing to sacrifice everything else to get it.
7. sex is good for you.
8. if my children grow up to know one thing, i hope it is Jesus. if they know Jesus, i have done my job.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The Interview with Emma
Over the next 3 days I will interview my 3 daughters and give you their responses. Here were Emmas.
What is your favorite Colour? Red and Purple
What is your favorite sport? Baseball
What is your favorite game? Nintendo
What is you favorite Nintendo game? Mario Kart, Mario Golf and Sonic
What is your favorite music? God and Jesus music (worship) and Veggie Rocks
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and my birthday.
Why? Presents
What is you favorite TV show? Lloyd in Space
What is your favorite movie? Larry Boy and Buzz Lightyear
What is your favorite thing to do with Mom? Play throw me on the bed.
What is your favorite thing to do with Dad? Watch sports
What is your favorite sports team? The Oilers, the BlueJays and the Green Guys (Roughriders)
What is your favorite thing about winter? Making snowmen and snowball fights
What is your favorite thing about summer? The prety flowers
What's your favorite thing to do at Grandma and Grandpa Hutch's? The Trampoline
What's your favorite thing to do at Grandma and Grandpa Bergs? Her toys
Who is your favorite Dog? Lady
Why? She listens to me.
What is your favorite subjects in school? Centers and Recess.
What do you love about Liz? We play together
What do you love about Soph? She's cute.
What is your favorite animal? Shark
What are you scared of? Waspes, bees and lightning
When you grow up what do you wanna do? Be a teacher for kindergarten
How many kids will you have when you grow up? 4 girls 3 boys
What is your favorite book? Go Dog Go
Who are your best friends? Kaylen and Tiqvah
Why do you love our new van? We can put a DVD player in it.
What do you hate to do most? Clean up.
How old do you have to be before you can have earings? 13
Before you can use makeup? 21
Before you can get married? 22
Before you have kids? 23
Which aunt and uncle will have kids first? Vinj and Kath
Who is your scariest aunt or uncle? Mike
Who is your funnest aunt or uncle? Mel
Who is the funneist? Grandpa Berg
What is your favorite food? Cake
What is your favorite healthy food? Banana's and Cucumber
What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk.
What does it mean when you rub Daddy's beard. I'm safe.
Lana is 28!
Well, we had Lana's birthday last night. There weren't alot of people here, but we had a good time none the less. Mom H and Lana's parents were here to celebrate with her. Mom and Dad got her a set of knives. I told Mom a couple months ago to get her a knife, she was a little scepticle that Lana would like it, but took my advice. Lana was so excited about it. She hasn't liked our knives since we got them as a wedding present which is a long time to use knives that you feel don't work.
We had a TON of food, and lots left over. Mom stayed a little and visted. After everyone left we watched 'Hotel Rwanda' which isn't exactly a party type movie, but a great one in spite of the sombre nature of the movie.
By the way, she doesn't look 28, she looks like she's 20 and I robbed the cradle.
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