Happy Birthday

Three ladies together...
Kind of like the month of my birth March,
In like a Lamb, Out like a Lion...
(as quoted by an dyslexic alcoholic family man/peace keeper.)

Here are some photos of CiCi's 2nd Birthday!!!

a future without breast cancer...

Recently Christina, CiCi and the SAHM Group joined together
with other Monctonians to raise awareness
and a little $ for The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation,

Christina walked in memory Nina Barlit.

Here are some photos of the event...

Godfather II

What can be better than the 1974 Oscar winner?,
For CiCi that answer is a visit from her 2 godfathers Nick and Phil.
The boys came and went in a blur but much fun was had by all.

Summer Fun

Summer loving had me a blast, Summer loving happened so fast
I met a girl crazy for me, Met a boy cute as can be
Summer days drifting away to, oh, oh, the summer nights...

Click here for new galleries on CiCi's page...

Under Protest

I was banished to my office and forced to update "our" site.
Despite my lack of enthusiasm,,, I give you THE UPDATES!!!

Ah, Spring!

Spring has sprung and so has our little one!
Not so little any more now that she is turning 19 months!
Time has moved so fast.. where to start?
Life is as hectic as ever but we're enjoying it tremendously.
Now that the good weather is here we're taking advantage of
the outdoors - going to the playground and out for bike rides.
Now that CiCi's vocabulary is exploding daily, we can't ignore
her requests for the "bicycle" or going down the "slide" "AGAIN!"
And so we fill our days with playgroups, crafts, music, reading at the library...
ahh, the life of a toddler today ...
As for Mom and Dad, Alan is doing well and it seems that we've
gotten the hemochromatosis under control.
I am enjoying being at home with Cléa, although Alan refers to my
days as "Martini Mondays"
Somebody has to do it...

Hereditary Hemochromatosis

HE-MO-CHROME-AH-TOE-SIS
HH is Canada's Most Common Genetic Disorder
It’s a crippling, potentially fatal condition caused by a defect of iron metabolism that leads to iron overload in vital organs, joints and tissues.
The complications are preventable if a diagnosis is made before the excess iron causes irreversible damage, and effective treatment exists.

So,,, how do you treat this iron overload disorder???
That’s a Good Question…

Medical science is an amazing thing that advances exponentially every year.
Well,,, in this case it turns out that old medicine is good medicine…
The only treatment is a Good Old Fashioned BLOOD LETTING.
The iron is removed by a blood letting weekly until the iron levels are close to normal.
Then a maintenance program begins of possibly lessening the frequency of treatments.
"Universal Health Care" At Work!!!....
We didn't have to wait long to get to know the medical system in Canada
I was recently diagnosed with this genetic condition.
Along with watching my intake of iron rich foods and limiting alcohol,
I now need weekly blood lettings to keep my iron in check.
Canada's cow population is not disappointed!
And the Moosehead brewery did send a letter of condolence!
I've posted a video of my doctor’s work… Please Enjoy.

Photos from The Ukrainian Exhibit

Ukrainian Exhibit at the Moncton Museum, click here for the gallery...
These galleries and many more are also on the SHUTTERstutter site,
check CiCi's page and Events and Archives.

Star Struck ! ! !

Meeting celebs runs in the family...

Those who follow the blog know that CiCi met Dan Aykroid.
During the early 80's teens rushed to the mall for chance to see the famous 80's heart throb Scott Baio, in this photo the pre-teen girl was thinking,,,
"Am I the future Mrs.Baio?"
Sadly, no,,, she is simply known as Christina Robichaud... ;-)

Ukrainian Exhibit in Moncton

There is no shortage of culture in Canada,
Especially if you are part Ukrainian...
I know what you are thinking,,, "Ukrainians in Moncton???"
Yup, they are here too. ;-)

Here's photo from The Moncton Times and Transcript covering the Ukrainian Wedding Exhibit at the Moncton Museum. The exhibit was organized by The Ukrainian Club of Moncton, "Ukrainian Weddings" is on display until April 6th.
Here is a direct link to the Moncton Times Article...
Want to learn more about Ukrainian Weddings,,, Click Here...

Keep Your Baby Safe!!!

After being a terrific dad for 15 months (I think it's 15, ask Christina),

Anyway, I have some solid advice for new parents,
so I drew up some flash cards.
Have a look here... Click Here...

Holy Updates Batman!!!

Look at all the updates Batman!!!

Lost Galleries and Christmas Photos... WOW!!!

~During the move to Canada some photos were lost and recently unearthed.~
Click here to be taken to Cléa's page to view these "LOST" memories!!!

Happy New Year!

Maybe you've heard, maybe you know...
Atlantic Canada has had a little snow!
Good thing we brought our snowblower, eh!
Alan's been out there both night and day...
And poor Buddy just looks out the door, then at me
wondering "you want me to go out there to pee?"

Merry Christmas

I thought I would bring some Christmas Cheer to everyone...
I call this one "THE MELTDOWN".

The POPCORN Files

My next post is dedicated to my sister Nancy,
She prompted me to write about what I love,,, POPCORN.

Americans consume about 17 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year.
The average American eats about 54 quarts.
It’s one of the most wholesome and economical foods available.

Popcorn is still the most popular food item purchased at your theater's concession stand.
Current sales in for unpopped popcorn are well over $1,000,000,000…

Most of the popcorn consumed throughout the world is grown in the United States.
Americans consume more popcorn than the citizens of any other country.

One cup of plain, air popped popcorn has about 19 calories.
One cup of plain popcorn popped in oil has about 54 calories.

Each kernel contains a small drop of water stored inside a circle of soft starch.
(That's why popcorn needs to contain 13.5 percent to 14 percent moisture.)
As the kernel heats up, the water begins to expand, and pressure builds against the hard starch.
Eventually, this hard surface gives way, causing the popcorn to explode.
As it explodes,
the soft starch inside the popcorn becomes inflated and bursts,
turning the kernel inside out.
The steam inside the kernel is released, and the popcorn is POPPED!

Once popped,,, it’s a little piece of heaven… enjoy.

Click here for MY super terrific POPCORN page...

When you are finished there, have a look at POPCORN.org

Christmas Kickoff

'Twas two days before Christmas
the "morning after", you see
not a Robichaud stirred except Me and CiCi
The start of the festivities were well under way
The "Robichaud Christmas Dance Party" was the hit of the day
Though some were not there and that made us sad,
For those that did make it,
Oh what fun they did have!
The dancing and laughing lasted into the 'morn
And the parties won't end 'til the New Year once more
So for now we nap and rest up you see,
and add this Christmas Dance Party to our fond memories!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Here is a little snap of my two babies...

Try to guess who was more difficult.
Maybe next week I'll post the photos that didn't' make the cut. ;-)

Celeb Sighting "Dan Aykroyd"

Look who showed up in Moncton!
Mr. GhostBuster himself!
Great guy! Three Hours in line with CiCi in a Liquor store, no less - well worth it.
And an autographed "behind" - we'll let you guess whose...

Staff Christmas Party

I'll let the cartoon tell the tale... ;-) nuff said...

We're Official!

Well, after 3 months of living here we are finally official.
We changed our Driver's Licenses and Plates/Registrations.
This now feels more permanent...
What, transporting 16,000 lbs. of personal belongings wasn't enough?
Let's just say "Service NB" and the "MA DMV" are like night and day!

They smiled and were honestly there to help...
We might be in The Twilight Zone...

The Great Wall of REXTON

The next time the Google Earth satellites pass over Rexton the gleaming sheen of the manufactured stone wall will be recorded for posterity.

The Great Wall of REXTON can be seen here...

It will be a long winter waiting for the grand opening of the new Robichaud Party House...

SPAM,,, they got me...

Spam is one of those pesky things that you simply have to deal when you have e-mail.
The spam generators always try to fool you by using little tricks of the trade like “How’s it going pal…”
You think it might be your friend and you open it to find “Buy this hot stock ticket now”,,, and you delete it…
The subjects are always bad and you can sniff them out a mile away.
Well, a few days ago they got me… I can’t believe it but they finally fooled me.
The tag was so good and innocent looking that it had to be real. (see photo)


This must be a serious new worthy article, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS…
What news organization dug deep and exposed this tragedy of epic proportions?
Is the modeling industry is so spiteful and malicious that they are forcing out a young girl who is clearly well suited for the job???
How will it turn out, will she need to find a new career as a flotation device?
Who knows…

Without a moment to spare I had to find out the rest of the story,,, how does this poor girls saga turn out.?.

So,,, of course I opened it… (see photo)



Yup,,, SPAM…

The lesson learned,
Sometimes the sensational headline is just junk.
So disappointing…

A day in the Life of Cléa...

CiCi is adjusting to life in Canada with nothing but smiles!
She's almost walking... stands up and hangs out but hasn't made the leap to go forward - its so much faster to chase Buddy on her knees!

We installed her new car seat - in "Cowmooflage" print - trés chic!
She loved facing forward and giggled all the way on her maiden voyage.
As the sniffle season is upon us she went and had her first flu vaccine.
Didn't flinch, not a tear... we have a tough one.. well, she is Ukrainian-Canadian... what else would you expect...?

Winter

Winter has officially arrived according to the snow on the ground!
We go our first few centimeters on Sunday
and it's snowing again right now!
Good thing we brought the snowblower...
Global warming???
Now we just need to put on our snowsuits and get out there!

Remembrance Day

Learn about Remembrance Day in Canada...

Our new life in Canada

Our new life in Canada, here are some "tidbits" to share.

1) there is no shortage of beer - as demonstrated in the last post

2) everyone here is very friendly and polite - shocking to a Bostonian

-The techs even take off their shoes for service calls....-

3) "stay at home mom" is definitely a hard job - but, I love every minute of it!

I think of everyone we left behind and do miss you all.
Currently I'm missing my talented hairdresser Michael!
Is it crazy to fly back and forth to get my hair done?

CANADA = BAD HABITS

***Television and Beer***
Canada brings out the bad habits in all of us...

New Blog = New Problem...

Well it seems Blogger has glitches,,,
I can't post photos until they fix the glitch.
Here's to technology... cheers.

The Common Cold...

Looks like Christina is the next recipient of the common cold.
Is CiCi next??? A little runny nose tells me YES...
So far little baby is doing better than crabby mommy... ;-)
Waaaa Waaaa Waaaa...

Here is an animated version of the photo... ;-)

TOWN MEETING

CiCi meets the locals...

When asked how she enjoyed her play date,,,
She simply packed a diaper to the limits and laughed.
Ahhhh, the simple pleasures in life...