Last day of 2014

I love the holidays. And as we ended Mark's party last night (with wonderful friends and family, might I add) at one of his kind of restaurants (it's called MEAT of all things) our holiday season is coming soon to a close.

When this happens I start to feel a little blue. I find myself looking extra hard at the Christmas lights and willing them to imprint in my memory. Enjoying the snowmen and snow forts (with their extra festive appeal) a little more than I would on a cold blustery day in January. Smelling our Christmas tree and savoring the pine smell a little harder. It's silly really but it's what I do. 

I then look to the new year. What should my goals be. What should I strive to do, be, see, learn? 

This year I decided on nothing. I am just going to let be and live how I want and strive to do things that make me happy in a day. Maybe this is a goal/resolution in itself (ha ha). Or maybe I have learned quite a bit from what you have offered me, 2014! 

I know what it takes to be happy. I know it takes work. I know that just because you can doesn't mean you do. For a large chunk of the 2014 I did something that made me miserable. And letting go of that and realizing that happy things can come my way when I look for them, was not only a great relief but so self gratifying. 

I know that my family both on my side and husbands is there for me. I know I have wonderful friends and coworkers to talk to. I know I have a loving partner to depend on and who (like me) works really hard on our relationship to make it special and unique for both of us. I know when I come home I am coming home to our fur animals that only know how to greet with love, even if they were full of mischief during the day. I know my limitations but I know that I can continue to work on them and make them strengths. 

For what I know, I am grateful. 2014 was kind of an eye opener for me. I learned a lot. Found new happiness, appreciated old happiness. 

2015 you are welcomed with opened arms. I have zero expectations, resolutions or any other goal to make. I will just see what will be brought!

Happy new year!

Love

What my christmas meant to me

Christmas was a bit different for me this year. One is I didn't have to work (yay) so I could participate wholeheartedly into every bit of any activity that was available to be in. Also we went on a little vacation (mid-christmas) so I had to decide what I really wanted to do for my Christmas experience to make it special for both myself and others around me. Guess what? It was kind of fantastic. 

I had to forgo the baking this time around (slightly sad, but as Mark's Auntie Donna said, baking doesn't just need to be Christmas baking (so true, so january it is!) I also had to choose my Christmas movies with extra care as only a few selected would get chosen. Some of my traditions I let go of and just let the holidays take over. I can't say it enough it was lovely just for that. 

I shouldn't make it all snowflakes and poinsettias (har har). I did plenty of christmas shopping prior to leaving on our trip and may have done a bit of last minute to dos right before the 25. Something that at christmas time, I do not enjoy. Shocking but true, crowds and long lines make me antsy. But for the positive....

Here is what we did:

- walks around our neighborhood to see the glimpses of some of our favourite decorated houses. Bentley and I found one on Christmas Eve, it was incredible. I took Mark to it later on Christmas Day. Kind of like the candy cane keyhole, of our neighborhood. Love. 

- watched a few of my favourite movies. Home alone (yay I know, but it was what I grew up on), love actually (it just makes me feel warm watching that one) and a must, White Christmas (and yet again I cried when the general went down the stairs in his uniform, gets me again). 

- wrote Christmas cards. Ahhhh, the dying form of letter delivery. I enjoy getting mail every year from family and friends, sending me updates on their lives, delivering well wishes. So in return we do it. Although I cheat a little with a Christmas letter/picture that tells a small story. It is something that at this time I love to do....we will see how I feel in the upcoming years. 

- decorating our tree. With my insistence, we got a tree at the end of November. Plopped it in the tree stand and I watered it religiously for three days. And it was taking water like you wouldn't believe. Three to four times a day. Then on the third day I went to decorate the tree. And the needles started to fall. Kind of rain. I looked down and the tree skirt was drenched. Yes. Our stand sprung a leak and our tree died. We switched it up and found that although the branches rained when touched, the trunk continued to take up water, so decorating it began. And with the lights on, a few sprigs stuck in to sparkle, it was beautiful. That along with the lights that Mark strung outside (with such mastery) made it really feel like christmas. I would turn them on, make a hot chocolate and enjoy. Still makes me feel happy. 

- Christmas Eve. A little hectic with no reason to dwell and get into. But we went to church. And when we went I was happy. Great sermon, great story and they ended with my favourite carol, silent night. It always makes me tear up a little when I hear it. And we had candles which makes the carol more powerful. 

- Christmas morning. We woke up, and immediately took the dog for an am walk. Cool air, cold but not too cold. We facetimed my parents on the walk and wished well wishes, talked of parties, and presents, gave thanks and laughed. Jimi had successfully surprised my mom and we gave small giggles of all that was occurring without her knowing. Then Mark and I spent some time alone and unwrapped our stockings, taking pics and laughing. Bentley was given his big gift, a Dino bone, as we were not going to be around to entertain him. We then headed to Wendy and David's. Met with Lawrence, we unwrapped our presents, (the boys played with their toys) and we ate croissants. Joined in the afternoon by granddad, Donna, Abbey, and Margaret we ate a wonderful meal, played games, ate again, while outside snow fell softly (seriously, I can't make this stuff up!). 

It was a fantastic ending to our Christmas, (even though it was continued with more fun the next day with the Edey cousins and a rousing, gift exchange of trades and unwrapping...who knew baking sheets and drinking cups were hot commodities - ;) )

Great holiday, great fun, great people, makes for an enormous heart. 

Happy new year

Love

Late at night

I like to turn on the lights of the Christmas tree and sit and look and smell all things Christmas. 

Love

List of updates

I've been a bad blogger of late and I think it may continue sadly. I know it's the same ol, same ol...busy. But quite a few happy things came from this busyness. 

1. I got a new job. Still keeping my casual job as I continue to love that immensely but I got a temp position in another form of nursing that I think I could also fall in love with as it brings me back to my 'elves' days. Plus the people seem pretty amazing and friendly to work with. Not to mention super helpful! 

2. Christmas and winter decorations are up. And the house looks festive. Christmas presents are almost complete. Cards will be out (but slightly late as we are going away...more on that). And baking is to come. 

Sadly our Christmas tree took a bit of a turn with slight dehydration as we didn't realize our tree stand had a leak till three days of tree. It's a tad dry. But it is still pretty with the lights on and I got burlap ribbon so it goes with the old rustic feel of the poor tree. 

Other news is the amaryllis and paper whites have been planted. No movement yet on the amaryllis but the paper whites are just starting to bloom. And that just makes me happy. 

3. I starting running again. We have had a few nice winter days so I popped my spikes on, and put on my winter attire and Bentley and I went for a run in the river valley/dog park. I think he enjoys it as much as I. And he makes for a wicked fast pace bunny. Goal for 2015: keep up with my dog. 

4. My birthday has come and gone. I was very resistant this year to do the birthday week but for some reason my wonderful partner wanted me to have it more. And he definitely made it truly special cause he is just pretty swell overall. 

Went out for dinner with some of my fav. people in the whole world. And a very cool restaurant too. Three boars. Loved it. Great food and service. 

On the big day I worked but Mark came by and delivered cupcakes to my work. And then my dear friend Robyn also brought me the same. I guess everyone knows my love. And plenty of well wishes from all the lovelies in my life. 

I thought it would be over but Mark insisted on keeping it alive. He cleaned the kitchen (dishes and all), stocked the fridge on Friday night. And to top it off  made me, my brother, Wendy and David a most excellent brunch of my favourite french toast that I think he has officially mastered. Love. 

My heart is full. 

5. Finally. We are going to Jamaica. Eek. In a few short days. A big family gathering with a purpose. Looking forward to visiting, relaxation, sun and pool. Hence why a few Christmas things may be late...but they shall arrive a little after Christmas I'm sure!

I guess winter can have happy surprises too!

Love