oh the game of life...you can be tricky

remember that game? the game of life. i actually had never played it until i had met mark 10 years ago. crazy hey? the 10 years and the never playing the game. i always chose the route of university and although i feel in real life it is worth it...the game version i always seemed to be racked in debt with triplets and twins and a house falling apart. ha ha

well cut to these last three crazy months. right before leaving for new brunswick in january our hot water heater goes kaput. nothing like a cold shower in the cold winter months to realize that that needs to be fixed stat. so it was. pricey but having a hot shower/bath made it all okay.

then february comes along all stealthy...then kaboom. our toilet finally needs to be replaced. the slow drip outside the toilet fixed lead to a continuously running toilet inside the bowl. plenty of money being racked up on our water bill and something that i couldn't fix with my FaceTimeing dad lead to a plumber visit and a brand spanking new toilet. a nice toilet all the same.

march...what possibly could happen in march? well a cold drive home from work last week lead me to check my windows to see if they had been unrolled. nope. someone had smashed my rear passenger window and stole my diaper bag. on a lovely -20 degree day nonetheless. sigh. fixed the next day but seriously....at work??!!! and a diaper bag of all things??!!!

so there you have it. bad things happen in threes and that is three so bring on the good now! :) oh and i did go to university...thank goodness there are no triplet/twin combos!

love

February you were short and sweet

Oh love month how fast you sweep through our lives. A little month in review again.

• the first two weeks I was still in NB with my parents and the little lady. Lots of walks. Lots of family. Lots of eating. A bit of shopping. Lots of movies: La La Land, Hidden Figures, Passengers, Arrival, Lion, Edge of Seventeen, Sing, and I am sure a few more that have been forgotten. AND I finished a few more pages in my colouring book...something I hadn't done since the last visit! A wonderful visit for both of us
• had a few little troubles when we got back as the adjustment to jet lag was a bit hard on both of us. I feared that I may have had the early toddlerhood drama come upon me and I wasn't ready for the tantrums just yet. Let's just say Valentines Day was a little nerve wracking. The best present given to me was a child taken by her father to the library so I could sit in peace with a glass of wine. Plus the flowers were nice too (wink wink)
• after a week, she settled into a routine and the parents did too. A few dog walks that have become a little slower due to the growing independence of little miss. She only takes to the sled or the stroller for a short period of time and insists on walking the rest. Slightly time consuming but cute when the puddles entice her to play. The other day she walked probably close to a 1.5 km to 2 km as her mom dragged the sleigh behind. As we got to the car she took a look (knowing she hates the car seat more than anything right now) and climbed promptly in the sled and looked at me in a pleadingly to take her on another walk. 
• Just as I write the above I think of other fun little ditties that she does. Like this am she watched as I made her her cereal and shook her head repeatedly when I was about to poor the milk. So she had her cheerios milkless and would repeatedly dip her banana in the dry cereal to get the cereal to stick. Innovative and hilarious (at least to her parents).
• I have been working quite a bit of weekends this month (mainly to make up for the ones I took off when I was on vacay). But we did manage to sneak away as a family on family day no less. A walk in the morning and winter fest (or slush fest in the afternoon). We missed a bit of the events in the afternoon due to nap schedule but we did have some most excellent food truck food (mini doughnuts and poutine). 
• Dad and daughter have been having a blast cruising the city with trips to the swim pool, sea life cavern, library and even shovelling a bit of snow. Plus lots of dancing around the house. Wheels on the bus is hugely popular. And a few rap songs mixed in.
• And I have seen some of my favourite people (Casey and Jeaninne) which is always fun. Casey even babysat for me one afternoon so I could attend a work function. I heart my friends with all I have. 

in the news

• The academy awards just came and left. Huge controversy as the best picture was named La la Land but it was a mix up in the envelopes and it was Moonlight instead. Never saw the actual show as I was working but it sounded embarrassing. 
• Garth Brooks came and went. Played 9-10 shows. I'm not a particular fan of his but was pretty impressed with all that I heard he did in Edmonton. Plus a friend of mine saw Trisha Yearwood in Zara. That was cool for her!

i have been enjoying

• supernatural. 
• working out again. 
• wine and baileys (not together..ha)
• reading the last pittacus lorre book
• getting a bit more engaged in work as i have joined a committee 

that's about it of the month of February. Bring on March. Although I may be a little absent from social media as I decided that is what I am going to try to give up for lent. Facebook, instagram and snapchat! wish me luck!

love

a date with gam and a date with dad

what does a gam do with a little girl?

• she reads her plenty of stories
• she feeds her goldfish crackers and fruit for snack and kd for lunch
• she takes her to see two big puffy white dogs who seem to love the little girl and follow her around the house
• she walks with her outside in the stroller
• she listens to music...raffi and muppets

what does a daughter do with her dad?

• they go skiing
• they have hot drinks with his brother, her uncle
• they have lunch overlooking the ski hill basking in the sunlight
• they soak in the cool air as they briskly make themselves down the mountains
• they enjoy the new brunswick getaway

sounds like both parties had a great time

love

Hello 2017 and Good bye January

Oh goodness...
I have been gone for awhile. I will try to blog a bit more as I always have things to say and thoughts to share with my older self. January tends to be my clean-up month. AND I am still not done all the clean-up that I want to do. But that is what I have been doing regardless. That and de-cluttering. Also getting my space bar fixed on my computer as it became a little difficult to blog without putting spaces in-between my words.

So what have we been up to in January

• winter walks, one including a snowshoe expedition. we have a small little sled that we have been able to truck our little 15 month old in. its been fantastic for dog walks too. love it. that and our little hand warmers has made dog walks fantastic so far. 
• hot dog roast in the outdoors. this was something i wanted to do over the holidays and we managed to make it happen on january 1st no less. it was a lovely fire in about -5 weather. the only mishap was slamming my front tooth in the shed door as i was getting hot dog sticks. it cracked but a visit to the dentist shows it is a small enamel fracture for now. AND i finally got feeling back in it so yay!
• sledding. that was a frosty day to say the least but fun with my friends and their kiddies. mine went down quite a few times, the last being somewhat a disaster as i feel like i bruised my rib....my oh my i am getting old!
• ice castle with the cousins and exploring the many little caverns, sliding down the slide, admiring the lights and watching the sun go down and seeing more beauty. plus an added pizza party at granny and granddad's was kind of awesome.
• another little relative get together in the party room at granny and granddad's place but this time even more kids, plus cousins. makes for an amazingly fun time
• adult time, hosting our annual "xmas/new years dinner". wonderful company. wonderful meal. laughs, games (telephone pictionary). always leaves me questioning why i don't do this more often!
• plenty of work this month to make up for the little bit of holiday i am taking at present (nb). so happy to be back at work. how i really missed it!
• little one is officially excelling in dayhome. she is happy to go and hang out with her little baby friend and watch all the big kids do big kid things. sometimes taking all that she is learned and doing it at home, like attempting to put on her shoes and going down the stairs on her bum. 

In the news

• the usa has a 46th president which seems to be headlining all our news right now. the next day the world did a women's march which was powerful to see. 
• jane fonda came to our province to protest the oil-sands. had some beliefs about it but didn't take time to hear both sides

things i have been enjoying 

• this is us, luke cage and my shonda rhimes shows!
• life with pets, storks
• stephen colbert opening monologues, seth myers closer look and cat and nat vblogs

That's it for the month of january!

I will see what I can come up with the rest of this month!

Our New Years wish

Sometimes you just can't control the future. So you live in the present. You enjoy life. You do things you love and spend time with those that you love. You see places. You love the job you do. That was us last year. And guess what we were happy. 

We were enjoying life.

Then one day before New Years in late 2014 we came before a New Years wish tree. And we both made a wish. 

Just for fun. On a whim. Cause we could. It was no big deal really. But we never shared it with each other. 

Until it happened. 

Yes. You came. We are still happy. We are still enjoying life. With you now. So happy New Years babe! Both babes. 

Of course we had to visit the tree again this year. But don't push your luck readers. A wish for continued love and happiness was all I need. 

I think it will come true!

Xoxox

Happy birthday to you my love

Well I'm a day late but we did spend the day together excusing me of my late blog post. 

We had a pretty good fun filled birthday for you. Started off at the dog park with the little one and big black beast as we walked the woods. We went to the New Years tree and made a wish, like we had the year before (a post on that tomorrow). Then we went ice skating at Victoria park. In between and after birthday cake was enjoyed, famosa pizza was gobbled down and presents unwrapped. 

Happy birthday partner, husband and love of mine. A lot has changed in the past year. One big change in particular that has changed the course of our relationship, our family, and our ways of doing day to day routines. 

Yes. You are a dad. And a pretty good one at that. You are master at putting her to sleep...something that seems to be a work in progress for me. You have fun with the baby exercises...especially when it comes to getting burps and other unmentionables relieved from her tummy. And just general hanging out, you both seem to have a pretty good time. You hate to see her crying or upset which tugs a little at my heart strings. All in all its been pretty wonderful to watch. You are pretty intent to try to figure out and help her with her little problems already. She is going to be lucky to have you as she slowly grows. 

And in terms of us partner of mine. We have been through a lot. Tremendous amount of good, fun, and happy times this year. Road trips, dog walks, summer festival fun, winter treks with the dog, bike rides, market time, dinners out, nights in. I love you very much. By choice as people are keen on telling me. ;) Sure there has been small times of hard, sleep deprived, or hungry states that may lead to mini battles where no one remains victorious. In the end it becomes resolved and we are are victorious. 

Wishing you a wonderful birthday and year ahead. 

Love

I love...

A warmish winter day

A dog walk in the park

Little one in tow bundled warm and tight

And seeing a friend from pre-child

Talking and catching up

Then home

Feeling warm 

With a hot cup of apple cider

That's what I love

Oh Christmas tree

You have already provided me with so many memories and stories . And Christmas has just begun. 

We came across you in a family lot with our tiny family of three. We circled around until I came across you standing there oh so proud. Mark took a look at you and cut you down with ease.

It was a wonderful afternoon. Quiet air, cool but with sun. We trekked, I carried little c and Mark carried you in the little red sleigh. Hot chocolate waiting for us with candy canes. The afternoon was quite perfect. 

Then controversy arose that evening when we brought you home. You couldn't fit in our home. So we lobbed your top. We sat you up in our living room and I was unsure about you. You were kind of sparse from what I'm used to. 

You see Christmas tree I come from a family that imported our tree directly from where Christmas trees are a business. My grandfathers business to be specific. Every year a tree would be in our mail. Crazy I know. And those trees tend to have a bit more bulk to them. I started klinging to the old memories. I know. Wrong. And it's not your fault. 

So the decorating began. Mark actually participated this year! And you looked okay. But old memories kept creeping back into my head. Then you did something in defiance. You decided to fall.

 

 

Wrong move Christmas tree. I was not happy. You took down our ornaments. You splashed water everywhere. Pine cones fell from your branches to the floor. And you even decided to drop some sap. Naughty naughty!!!

 

1130 at night we hoisted you up. But you left this family of three anything but happy. Mark downstairs constructing wood to stabilize you. Me holding the tree up as the little one screamed at us all from her car seat. It was no ones finest hour. 

 

But the next day came around. I took a look at you as the sun lit up our room. You looked a bit rattled up with ornaments on your back and falling off your branches. It was time to give you another try. I took out our homemade ornaments. Hung them up. Restrung the ribbon. Lit up the lights and put on the topper. 

 

And guess what Christmas tree? You are quite pretty. You have a uniqueness about you. You are different. But I think the family you chose (and vice versa) is too. 

 

You stand proud and tall. You are not dry. You kind of have an incorporation of both me and Mark. I kind of love you. I light you up and stare at you with glee and warmth. Cause you really do represented Christmas.

So thank you Christmas tree. You have given me more memories in this little week than I could imagine. Some of them are not mine or Mark's finest but then others have been more than incredible. And I think we will be looking at your brothers and sisters in the coming years.

 

Love 

Happy birthday to me

Well. I think it's safe to say that birthday week has gotten a little harder to have when there is a little one. So I think it's time to say goodbye to the week and be grateful for the little celebrations that happen in the day and may even happen during the week. But to not make a big to do. It's been fun!!! And my day was packed with celebrations that really what more does a girl need?

In the morning us girls stayed in and watched a little movie called how to train a dragon. Kind of a favourite of mine. We chilled as I wrote thank you notes and xmas cards.

Not before Mark woke me up to unwrap some birthday presents. Very spoiled with some lovely gifts. 

Well wishes via text and FaceTime came throughout the day. An edible arrangement from my sil and family arrived just before lunch. Yummy. Plus wonderful presents from my parents. 

And drumroll please....Dinner! At the Wildflower grill. A most fantastic restaurant. The babe was nothing but chill the entire time sleeping in her car seat (happy birthday to me!!!). 

And the restaurant was so fantastic in service. The hostess said that she was so surprised how good little c was and that she usually takes the babies and circles the restaurant to let the parents eat! Hello, I will be going there again for that statement alone. Ha ha. 

And the food was amazing. So rich but so good. I'm still salivating from it. Lobster crepe, bison tenderloin and red velvet cheesecake. Plus little something they would bring to our table in between dishes. It's a new fav for sure. 

A girl couldn't have asked for a better day. Special, fantastic and a little low key too. Love.

Heart full. 

It happened again

Our traditional Christmas-but we are all to busy-so let's celebrate in the new year-party. This year it was hosted at our house. Eek. Very exciting for both of us. And slightly nerve wracking. Let me just say our parents taught us well and they seemed to have passed along their dinner hosting skills effectively. 

First I cleaned the house the day before and set the table, got the dinnerware ready, punch bowl out and laid out all the cups needed. Mom taught me that one as she said it is just a few things you don't have to worry about the day of. Mom will sometimes go as far as prep all the veggies and appetizers the day before and put them in pots, in the fridge. I didn't do that...maybe next time (wink wink). 

The veggies were for the next day. In the late morning, early afternoon I did the peeling and chopping and got them ready and left the kitchen. That way both Mark and I could each have the kitchen to ourselves. Kept it simple and tasty. Mark did the meat and from that, cause we prepped so good I had time to do that last minute grocery trip that always seems to be needed for us. Not experts yet! Ha ha. 

Right before, appies out, punch done (with a big ice block, that David taught us to do), beef and chicken in the oven and everything boiling almost ready to go. And like any supper, have it ready a half an hour later than the actual time you said for people to come. It works. Trust me. 

The rest was perfect cause it was perfect company. I love those dinners. Even if some of us don't see each other for a year (sad I know). But we always seem to have fun. Games, good conversations, lots of laughter and full bellies. Heart full!

May have to try again next year. 

Love

Ya' mon

Since Christmas has been put away for another year, I finished some January/Post-Christmas baking, and it is 10pm, the house is clean, the pets are sleeping and Mark is out....Let's talk about Jamaica! Our wonderful pre-Christmas vacation with the family.





One of Mark's cousin's was getting married and invited all the Edey crew....and guess what...WE ALL CAME! :) It was lovely. Warm weather, warm rain, rainbows and so much more.

I thought I might have trouble posting about it as quite possibly it would be later in the month....turns out I was right. Luckily I wrote a few notes everyday of the things that I enjoyed. So here it is in a nut shell (in no particular order)

Drinks

Who doesn't love a slushy fun, alcoholic beverage???!! Especially when you are at an all inclusive. AND when they have even more fun names???!! Some of the choices I had were: Bahama mamas, kiss and tells, piña colada and rum punch (Mark enjoyed those for one night only). Bob marleys (the lovely green, red, and yellow drink) and the lovely banana drink called the ambassadors reef...yummy!

Water

We stayed at the Rose Hall Hilton Spa and Resort and were lucky to enjoy not only a lap pool but a lazy river with waterslides. Now my husband may have at times got into little water fight wars with some 7 year olds (and I quote from one little girl, "The smart people spray others with the jets.")...but I digress.





The lazy river was loads of fun, managing to get every single family member in there.
Lots of fun moments had there, Mark may have tried to splash his mother....sigh....poor mom. My favourite moment was when Mark's granddad and his auntie Sandra went in. Sandra wearing her glasses, and granddad wearing his hearing aids realized a waterfall was ahead...one covered her eyes, the other his ears...so I covered my mouth to join the trend (hear no, see no, say no....)




The ocean was slightly smaller than most but I enjoyed listening to the waves, feeling the breeze and smelling the salty air. My favourite spot was reading under an umbrella and falling asleep to the waves crashing against the rocks. Lots of beautiful look outs to see the sun rise and set, to walk around at night and day. Plus the swimming was fun too as I LOVE LOVE LOVE warm ocean water!

The hot tubs were fantastic when it rained a little harder than it should on a tropical vacation. It made everything all right as we soaked in the hot water with a drink in hand and the jets pounding into our backs.

Food

Let's just list the food shall we cause it was all delicious. All had at the hotel as well. YUMMY!
We had:
jerk chicken, jerk pork, paella, shrimp soup, mahi mahi with fruit salsa, festival (deep fried delicious dough), pumpkin rice
fresh fruit including mangos, passion fruit, star fruit, papaya, coconuts, and Mark's favourite, sugar cane (probably not a fruit)
Desserts of coconut macaroons, coconut cake, mango cheesecake, banana cream puffs, mango mousse, chocolate cake
Set up for everyone during certain nights was pasta stations, stir fry stations, smoothie stations, appetizer type food and an ice cream station. Can it get better?

Tours

On our second night we took the Rose Hall Manor ghost tour. Throughout the tour there were wandering ghosts haunting the place. They managed to scare me as a few jumped out and I may have grabbed strangers in fright. Others, (Mark's granddad) chatted with the said ghosts telling them that they have "scrubbed all the blood out". The whole house was quite huge with fabric wallpaper and beautiful furniture.

Another tour was one I did with Mark and his cousin Abbey. The adventure tour of zip-lining and tube rides. Done through Chukka tours and I must say some of the best tour guides I have had. Safe but fun and entertaining as I found myself laughing quite a bit.
Our tubing guide was called "Shrek" who everyone seemed to hassle, but who seemed able to give it back quite easily. Apparently it rained at the hotel that day but we had some lovely sun where we were so we jumped in the water, swung on the rope swing and enjoyed the morning.
Zip-lining may have given Mark and I a little bit of a hyperventilating attack. But we had to play it cool for Abbey (haha). Once we got a hang of it, it was super fun. The guides again were fantastic. And Mark had fun hassling them as they sure hassled him!

Entertainment

Reggae music, bar dancing (on the stage, just because we could), BINGO playing, card games, reading books, working out at the gym, some golfing, others enjoying the spa, water aerobics, sailing adventures, steel drums and so much more.

And most importantly...what this whole thing was about: Spending time with Family 

Watching two wonderful people get married, and just prior seeing a rainbow in the horizon (that has to be good luck, doesn't it?!)



Dancing with a little one, playing games with the little one, exploring with the little one, swimming with the little one and lazy river cruising with the little one.
Celebrating an 89 birthday at a fancy restaurant with plenty of family around to sing happy birthday.

Long talks with family whether it was in a hotel room with siblings and parents, at the bar with cousins amongst drinks, chatting over lunch, supper or by the pool. It involved reminiscing about times past sometimes prior to the oldest cousin being born, or when the last cousin was born. Some had hilarity, others seriousness. Regardless what they were, those were my favourite moments because I got a glimpse into all these family members past and how they became the people they are today.





It was a wonderful vacation. I am so glad/fortunate/happy I could be part of it. More weddings should have been in the tropics....:)

love
p.s. pics don't really give a glimpse to all the family members. but I really don't know who would object to their pics online to the world so I did a select few of people, that I think would be okay with it! :)

Snowshoeing on a snow day

When winter seems to be upon us for eternity. 

And the Christmas blues might set in. 

The best thing a person can do is go for a long walk with her partner and dog

The better thing to do is go snowshoeing. 

While snow is softly falling. 

Making slight swishing sounds as it hits the ground. 

And exploring new areas unexplored by all of us. 

It makes for a perfect winter day. 

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

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

It's winter

There is snow outside

It gets dark pretty fast now

My mittens are out

My boots are warm and cozy

I get excited this time of year

But this year I am putting my christmas excitement on hold

Instead I am trying and willing myself to enjoy winter

So far it's working 

I think at least half the reason I am enjoying it is Bentley 

He forces us to take an hour walk everyday

Even in the bitter cold

But I get to see and hear stillness 

I am surrounded by nature

I see the sun rise and set

I enjoy it

Grateful that we got our little, "big" puppy!

Love

Autumn has ended and the snow has come

And now winter is upon us. 

At least there is no wasps. 

Love

Lost mittens

As we walked our dog down a grassy path

A path that I frequent regularly now that we have a dog

Mark spotted a mitten

Did you drop a mitten recently, Tracey?

Nope, I replied

Just making sure as this could have been yours. 

This has been a year of lost mittens. 

One in November, in Jasper

One in a movie theater in Edmonton 

One in the work parking lot in St. Albert 

And finally one just recently in a building in Stony Plain

Could it be that the winter was this long?

Or that I am this absent minded?

Regardless thank you to my husband for keeping a look out on the orphan mittens. 

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

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

This is what I know

I love Christmas, as most people know. 

I feel it's officially time to celebrate as even hotels are doing it. 

Outdoor lights are an essential thing to have. 

Especially when there is an epic amount of snow outside. 

I also know that I don't think it is in my capabilities to decorate the trees outside. 

As it was an epic fail the first time I tried. 

The lights froze and got stiff. 

They tangled up and started to unplug as I flailed them onto a tree. 

And because I wasn't tall enough I used a rake to move them up. 

But that resulted in branches breaking. 

Thus resulting in the first Christmas activity that I have not enjoyed. 

Let's just say there were tears and lights strewn on our living room floor. 

But a husband was there to assure that he will attempt on his own. 

A Christmas present for me.