Corn starch

I was cooking today and I grabbed the corn starch from the top shelf of the cupboard. And then I smiled. I thought of a moment not so long ago. With my parents.  At the end of December. 

Dad was making fun of my paper towel holder and how it takes so much space in the cupboard (it's one of the ones that hooks on top of the cupboard and hides your paper towels inside the cupboard). I told him he was wrong. He proceeded to tell me he could keep 2lbs of chocolate chips in his cupboard. Not to be outdone, I pulled open mine to show him my big bag of chocolate chips when....

Poof. Corn starch comes tumbling down. Poof again! It powders me, the counter, the cupboards, the floor, the sink....everywhere!

Dad took one look and was hysterical. Zingers coming out as I proclaimed, "mom placed the corn starch there." "It's a little persons trap," he replied. As I moved from my spot, he laughed harder noting the corn starch markings on the floor, outlining a person, just like police tape. Between fits of laughter he called my mother who came in denying my accusations (she is probably right) and at the same time grabbing her camera to take pictures like I am a celebrity and she is the paparazzi. 

I gasped, "I am going to go have a shower". Dad quipped, "Be careful. You may not be able to move after." 

That is what I am reminded of today with that box of corn starch, right by my paper towels.  Dad still stands by his opinion of my paper towel holder. And I still stand by mine. But I could be wrong on that too. At least a funny story came from it. And I will forever be reminded. 

Love

Olympics....I won't be seeing you anytime soon

So it turns out I am not an olympic skier. Shocking I know. 

I think the first clue would have been when I took a look at my ski jacket. The last ski pass on there was Fernie 2010. Whatever. I am a champ. I can conquer any mountain. I am a pretty good skier. I mean I have been doing it since I was 8. 

The next clue may have been that I thought about the last time I sharpened my skis. It probably wasn't good that I don't remember. But whatever. Sharpened skis don't mean anything.

Then it was overcast. And I couldn't really see in front of me. And my googles started to fog. Then ice. But who needs googles anyway? And my legs know skis. It's in my blood. He he. Okay so three things aren't looking good. 

I actually started to feel sick as it felt like a scary ride of bumps that could only be stopped by me. But I couldn't stop as how do you get off the top of the mountain without going down? Solution? Go to the other mountain. 

Eureka! No overcast. Gorgeous conditions. Two runs in. I am feeling great. Sickeness gone. Skiing up a storm. Look over at my partner. Wow. He is a great skier too. We are awesome. Who needs to sit and watch the Olympics, when you can perform like an Olympian in life?

Run three. Go in for the first turn. No edge in the ice. Slip, head first down the hill. Clunk your head. Oww. Skis stay on as you slide head first. You manage to stop. You get up. Shake it off. Your partner comes to your aid. You feel okay and proceed to ski down. Then something doesn't feel right in your one leg. You turn just a little...and ow. 

Okay time for the ski out. No biggie. Will try harder tomorrow. Grumble a little bit (or maybe a lot). Sit down for a lovely dinner. Get up to leave. Ooooooo dear. This leg is really hard to move now. "I think it's best we head home tomorrow, maybe we will go back in a month". 

He he. Now time to ice ice ice. Watching the Olympics isn't that bad. 

Love

Happy family day.

I love my family. I have said this many times over. And I think I have expressed this on this blog many times over as well. Well let's talk about my small little family as well. That would be my husband. And let's talk about his views.

Family is very important to him. Many think it is me, but I think he plays sometimes a bigger role influencing my view on family, than I on him. Or maybe we just enhance each other's? 

When I talk about visiting my parents he is the first to say do it. No questions asked. He actually will encourage it on times when I don't think to go. It's like he senses I need my mom and dad. He gets along with my brother too. I see so much endless support when it comes to those two. He was extraordinary when my brother broke his leg and has been a good head to lean on with more personal matters this year. 

Of course it's not just my family either. If his parents call for a favor, his usual reply is what time and when, without question. He adores them, a quality that is always nice to see in your partner. He makes himself available at important family events, helps host, asks what needs to be done and is there to do it. Calls his brother to check up on him. When it rained on his sisters wedding he drove the morning of to pick up umbrellas. And loves playing uncle to his little nephew. 

I think as you grow up in your family, you love them but you are always hanging out with the parents who embarass you and the little brother who bugs you all the time. Then you reach a point where that doesn't happen anymore. 

You realize your parents aren't embarrassing they are really interesting. And your siblings are pretty cool in their own right. You gain a greater appreciation of them and cherish the moments you have with them.  Let's face it. You want to spend time with them! Maybe even making memories that are to be treasured more. 

That's what my little family has taught me. It's been a fun journey so far with my little family. And hopefully the memories with our little family continue to grow with laughter and love and experience.  And with our bigger families too!

Happy family day!

Love

Oh canada

I kind of love you. You are a fabulous country. There is so much to do around you. You have wonderful parks. You have fantastic aspects of nature. And you have amazing people. I am sorry I don't say that I appreciate you more often. You really should be thanked more.

Every two years I feel a great pride for you. I see people that belong to your country show acts of kindness, athleticism, pride and joy. Funny thing is this happens on a daily occurrence in our country. And not just in sports. But to see it on a international stage just makes me proud.

I love that we have people that will forfeit their opportunity in a race for the better person. And that person medal. I love that another will come to the aid of another country so that they can finish the race. I love seeing two sisters hold hands while on the podium. And I love that our passports open a beer fridge! And I loved this article as it made me laugh as I felt more pride. Because we can be good and can win at times too. Not always the most important in my eyes but nice!

The Olympics does something for me. I normally don't care about sports. But speedskating, figure skating and yes even hockey is on constant stream in our home. I find my self watching snowboard competitions with fascination and with one eye open I will catch the skeleton and luge. I FaceTime my mother and we watch and comment on the Olympics together. Seeing if we can out do each other with the latest olympic gossip, trivia or unknown fact. 

Oh olympics. I have had such fun times. Calgary 88 my great Aunt Elizabeth came down as we saw Elizabeth Manley skate to silver. I vowed I would be her...for two years. Barcelona, 92, I was tumbling around the basement practicing layouts and back handsprings, perfecting my splits just like Shannon Miller. Lillehammer, 94, I watched my dad quote Jean-Luc Brassard, "I love to fly" in his gold medal win. In Atlanta 96 I was home alone for two weeks (for the first time) as I screamed and laughed to Donovan Bailey winning the gold in the 100 m sprint. So many memories. 

Cut to spending Valentines Day with Mark in 2010 watching Vancouver in a small mountain town at Boston Pizza...eating a heart shaped pizza no less and seeing Alex Bilodeau hug his brother after his gold medal win. His brother, having cerebral palsy, touched my heart about how great this win was for him and his family. And I have great fondness for London 2012 as we honeymooned and watched Jamaica win the 100 m sprint with Usian Bolt. 

Canada and the Olympics you have brought me and my family together. You have made me feel proud. And I kind of love you!

Love

Good friend

I got to spend today with three of my favourite people in the whole world. Two are small and cute and one is a girl i really could not live without. That's right little P, baby M and my favourite redhead (non related...although we still question that), Jeaninne.

Quite a nice afternoon. It was a short visit. Jeaninne was taking the girls to west ed and I had to get some errands done as I am going to be working a long stretch starting tomorrow. So we met up and I went to the under water aquarium with them. Touched the stingrays, anemones, and starfish with little P. Watched the sharks eat, along with the sea turtles. And even saw some nemos!  Lovely short visit. 

It got me thinking about my friends. I am truly blessed. I probably have some of the best girlfriends around. I will talk about others later but just a little glimpse at Jeaninne. 

One of the greatest things about this girl is ability to be happy and joyful about all those around her. She is never spiteful. She is honest and always there to listen and encourage. And she is so genuinely happy for all her friends milestones and events. She is probably the most empathetic person I know. She hates that she can be emotional at times and cares so much. I think that is one of her greatest gifts. 

I remember when I got engaged. I think she was more excited than I was (and I was pretty excited). And I can't even go into how involved she became in the wedding, amazing. She was slideshow coordinator, house host, provided car rental, and just all around there. 

I am just so happy she is in my life. I don't ever want to take that friendship for granted. 

Just grateful. 

Love

A little Christmas in February.

I cannot get over that it is February already. Where has the time gone? It had gone from hot to cold from warm to down right freezing today. I hate it when the weather does that. I start to get a little to hopeful that maybe, just maybe, spring will come a little earlier than normal. He he. 

But this was a nice surprise in this crazy weather. I let my amaryllis continue to grow this year and cut off the dead stems and what did I get. A bigger and taller one than the initial flower that came. Sure is pretty!

Love