Beautiful Berg Lake

A wonderful hike that I had on my bucket list is complete. Mark did it last year before our wedding and I remember feeling a tinge of jealousy as I had really wanted to do it. Well it came for me this weekend!

I was lucky enough to have some time off so we packed the car for an undetermined destination. Mark checked online the night before and it looked like the majority of hikes that we wanted were booked up (Berg Lake included). We got to Mt Robson and on a whim decided to check out if there were any cancellations. There weren't but they had spots reserved for walk ons! Yippee!

Camped in Mt Robson one night. Had a hot dog roast, drank a bit and snacked on sweets, saw critters. Loveliness.

 

The next day we were off. Not before my hiking boots started to fall apart. Luckily they could make one more round, but I think they have found their end on this trip. Any who, we saw gorgeous lakes. A stop at McKinney for a washroom break and under the shelter at Whitehorn for coldmeat sandwhiches. The only thing that annoyed me was the massive amount of bugs that seemed to be only attracted to us. Horseflies, deer flies and mosquitoes. Yuck! 

 
Once we left Whitehorn we made the ascent up to Emperor falls. Probably the hardest but there was a beautiful reward up top. Reason? Did I mention that it was 28 degrees and it was hot hot. At the top was an unbelievable waterfall. No bugs. And an amazing cold spray. Mark and I would just stand as close as we could and get sprayed (drenched) when the wind hit the fall in the right way. It was by far the biggest highlight I have ever had on a hike. Everything for me in that moment was perfect.

Next we trekked up to our campsite named after the waterfall, Emperor falls. We had a nice site with a bench and table. Right by the lake. We ate, played cards and read.

The next morning was a short trek to Berg lake where we had the view of the multiple glaciers. Took a day hike to Robson pass, and tobbaggon falls. Had a bit of a nap and played multiple games of crib where there was an undeniable winner. But she is ever so gracious and doesn't like to gloat. He he. Talked with quite a few hikers in the heated shelter (lovely when it started to rain).

We were potentially going to stay another night but because we aren't really the day hiker kind of people and it was a little rainy we took the 22km trip down. Left at 8 and got to the bottom at 3. Not going to lie. The last three km I was not in a happy place and contemplated the possibility of getting helicoptered out. A little ridiculous I know but the feet and hips were feeling quite a powerful burn. Good thing I have a good partner to cheer me on and keep me happy. When we saw the end I may have tempted a foot race but clearly Mark was the winner as I had nothing.

 

Then home again. Not before a stop in Jasper for famosa pizza. Yum. 

Fun times. 

Love

Work week over

It started off as a pretty rough work week. Nothing really in particular. I just was a bit over emotional, *wink wink*. 

But it really perked up near the end of the week. I managed to do a couple of firsts in my work and was kind of proud of myself overall. Also was pleasantly surprised again at the excellent teamwork that occurs in the profession I chose. It's one of a kind and am eternally grateful to all the help I receive. The understanding and compassion, the listening to my concerns and lead me in the direction to find answers help me so much in gaining confidence and understanding of the workings of my environment.

And my ever understanding husband who listens and gives a twinkling laugh. Helping me not to take everything so seriously and perking me up. You are amazingly awesome!

Now the work week is over and we are off for a little mini vacation. Just driving and seeing where the car takes us!

Love

Happy anniversary to us!

I got spoiled.

Badly. 

I have a pretty cool husband. 

I go to work. 

And I come home to a wonderful surprise. 

He made me dinner. 

Not just any dinner. 

He recreated the dinner he made for me on one of our first dates. 

That is pretty spectacular. 

He also got me flowers. 

From the colours of our wedding. 

And similar styles of the wedding. 

And cupcakes may have been involved. 

One lucky wife. 

Happy one year my love. 

Thank you for another fabulous year of love and adventures. 

Positivity

Mark said something to me the other day that I truly appreciate and am doing my best to take to heart.  He said more over than not it is very easy for people to be negative, to complain and to see the bad. He admitted that he is a victim too. 

He thinks that is takes a great deal of skill but completely worthwhile to see the positivity in things. Lots of times people may get trapped in ruts with regards to their work and or school that they cannot get past those negative emotions to focus on the good that they are doing everyday. 

I like it when he says things like that to me. As I too can get stuck in the funk of life even when there are spectacular things around me. So I am going to practice a little positivity right now and tell you one positive aspect of my job, as I felt it today. 

I work shift work. And more often than not they are evening shifts. I don't mind evening shifts but I have noticed while mark works I don't see him for quite a few days. However while he is on summer holidays it had been fabulous. We get up. We hang out. We go do greenhouses, libraries, shopping or go to festivals when they are not crowded. When the sun is shining and the day is bright. I have to say, I find it very fantastic. 

Thanks for the positivity lesson hun!

Love

Familiness

I love family dinners.

It is one of my favorite things to do on a weekend evening.  

And it's a double bonus when you get to do it twice on a weekend. 

This weekend was one of my glorious weekends off. 

And not only did we have family dinner on Sunday evening. 

But we had a family lunch on Saturday afternoon. 

I love to be there. 

I love to listen to the going ons of everyone's days,

Weeks, months

I love to watch the interactions of people. 

Additional double bonus was seeing two special visitors.

All the way from Guelph. 

One that we have only seen once before. 

And my has he grown. 

He has become chatty. 

He likes to move around.  

He likes to play games. 

And he enjoys listening to his granny sing. 

Good times had these past two family dinners. 

Love

Musical madness

I love Anita.

There are many reasons that I do. 

One is that she enjoys musicals as much as me. 

She watched the movie les miserables 

and loved the story as much as I. 

She also agreed (and wanted to) see the play when it came to our city. 

She enjoyed getting dressed up like I. 

She knew fun facts that I didn't. 

She didn't get annoyed when I lip synced to the play. 

And she said it was one of her favourite musicals. 

And loved it as much as I. 

Not only that but she wants to follow the loveliness to the original city. 

And watch a lot of plays. 

Another adventure begins. 

What I did this week

We went from all this rain to all this hot. And I am loving it (and at times loving the air conditioning).

This week I managed to go for a long run and finally find the river valley. It took me about 6km to get there and I really only wanted to run 12 so I turned around to go back but I found it. One of my longer runs I may take the plunge and go farther. It was pretty nice. But you could feel all the heat off the vegetation. Yikes.

Mark has been busier than ever working on his landscaping and I have to say it is looking pretty fab. Very impressed. So much dirt is on our driveway right now and he mentioned the other day that roofers that are coming may need it.  Sooooo. The race is on. He he. 

We also had a chance to take some cooking lessons tonight. We got it as a Christmas gift from Mark's parents and redeemed it for a Caribbean cook off. Jerk chicken, kale, beef patties, and Johnny cakes. Anything but healthy and all delish. Loads of fun. 

Since we were in the downtown area we paid a visit to our old home and the parents. They weren't around when we got there initially so of course "we" had to say hi to the dog. And by "we" I mean Mark. And then "we" had to walk the dog. I think they were both very happy with the reunion. Had a little chat and some laughs with Wendy and David and back home again. 

Summers really are grand. 

Love

Summer nights

Tonight Mark and I decided to take a walk to the convenience store a few blocks away for ice cream. 

It was my idea. We have worked pretty hard this weekend on out little projects and deserved a sweet treat. 

The dog sitting was over and I realized this was the first walk we had taken without the dog. And I noted that. 

Mark replied after, "We may have to start taking just 'couple walks'. I have noticed that people do that around the neighborhood."

"Really?" I replied. It got us thinking. 

We don't have a wedding to plan. We don't have summer jobs to fill up our time during our breaks from school. We don't have school to worry about or exams to study. We have just come to the realization that this is the first time in our lives where there is nothing that is needed to be completed on a set date. 

We get to relax. Have fun. 

We get to take walks at night. 

Grateful. 

Love. 

summer: are you coming my way?

i think so. this week it has been slowly escalating to hot hot hot. and i am loving it. and when i need a break from loving it. i hop down to my beloved basement where everything is cool and refreshing! fabulous!

anyhoo...mark is officially on summer break! whooo hooo! i don't think he could feel any better right now. we spent our first official holiday day (well mine was just the weekend off but regardless) at the St. Albert Farmer's Market. so i have never been. HUGENESS and LOVELY! apparently it is one of the biggest outdoor markets in Western Canada. and it lived up to it. plenty of lovely food and other delights. we got ourselves some tasty delights including lovely cinnamon buns, green onion cakes and pasta! yum! definite carbo loading if you ask me!

then mark went to work on his big landscaping project. i on the other hand lazed around (i.e. napped) and then attempted to do some sanding projects. a little frustrated with my project as i don't think it will be what i would like it to be (and it turns out it is a lot more work than i though) but i have to wait and see. future posts on both yard and mine later when all is completed.

speaking of beautiful projects. mark's uncle john made us the most fabulous-ly beautiful bookcase. i don't think we could have imagined it being any better than it is. it is fantastic. wendy, david, and john all joked asking if it was enough space for us. and yes it is. and it is full! as well as our bookcase upstairs. what can i say. i married a husband with a book addiction. i think there are worse things in the world?

i am kind of in half marathon training right now as well. but not doing as well as i should as my motivation is in other places and although there are places to run, i do miss the beloved river valley...that is presently very wet (although with the sun, probably drying out). jimi and i were suppose to do the colour me rad in Calgary today and i was quite pumped about it...unfortunately do to all the floods Calgary had other worries to think about than a little five km race.

AND lets just say that all of southern Alberta is doing a great job in handling this massive disaster...and on top of that the amount of generosity i have seen from Albertans, Canadians and people world wide have once again astounded me. its pretty awesome to see. and to be able to see it again on social media...really shows the positivity of these kinds outlets!

i think that covers it all for me. here are a few pics that i haven't posted this month.

a fire-pit in the summer. is there anything better? it makes for an easy but great meal of hotdogs, banana boats, and cherry pies and mixes in with mark's favourite pastime of making fires.

sibling love on this lovely evening of food.

graduation day with my fellow nurslings!

all dolled up for the lovely occasion. our next stop? home depot of course!

 the grass is back and wilder than ever! and yes it grew once again.

 

 i think mark is in heaven right now as he not only has his yard to play around in but he has "his" dog. we are dog sitting while wendy and david are on vacation. i am assured that this is only temporary. ;)

 i saw my long lost friend jeff who i hadn't seen since may and really didn't even get a chance to talk to all that much! so lovely. and yes this is jeaninne protecting her hair from getting wet as she didn't want to "frizz" out.

lovely friends

 "let's go thrift shopping," i said

"it is the perfect day to do it as it is rainy," i said later

"holy it is really wet," i said even later

"remember the whitemud flood that we got stuck in, in 2004, i think we better go home cause i think its going to happen again," i said lastly

he he. yes jeaninne and i went shopping and i guess some of the roads did flood but not really where we were, all was safe! but we did see this die hard fat franks guy selling hot dogs. we just had to stop and see him. cause really...in torrential downpours he deserved our business!

 ahhh hot dogs so worth it!

 

 no finds for us...but one lucky lady found a cute little toy!

till next time...

love  

convocated

today was my convocation day. i never went to my last one. i don't really regret it as i didn't know many in my faculty (and it being a huge one) didn't feel like i was missing out amongst the massive numbers. but after attending mark's graduation and enjoying all the ceremonial aspects i decided that i was going to attend mine.

and i did. with my husband. who diligently took pictures of me and my friends. who waved at me from the audience and who facetimed my parents so that they could watch me receive my BSc degree in nursing. that's right my parents attended my graduation from new brunswick. lucky lucky me!

it was a wonderful morning. the first day of summer and the first day of no rain this week. and it was a happy day. the school journey is officially over for a while...the learning has just begun.

It's just the beginning.

I must say. When we were first moved in I was massively overwhelmed. Not the unpacking part. But the part where you start to convert the show homey look into your personal look. You know the one. When people walk into your home and know its yours and your partners. 

The challenge for me has been trying to merge Mark's minimalism with my bold, bright and just a tad excessive. Not to mention my incessant need for urgency to finish it all up. And really all we have is time. 

It's kind of funny as it reminds me of how I started to plan the wedding with billions of things going through my head of what needed to be done. And dear dear Mark reining me in and stating one step at a time. 

So the process has begun. And I have lists and projects to fill my summer months. Plus I have amazing friends that know a thing or two of what to do and where to look. It shall be fun and let's hope not to expensive. Ha ha. 

Love

The joys to be young

I got to hang out with one of my dear friends and her three year old daughter. This is what I learned from her today. 

Playgrounds are really fun. I don't know when they stopped being as exciting. Possibly it was about the time when i didn't enjoy the slide as just a slide or the swing as just a swing. It was when the equipment had other purposes to the made up games we would make to make it even MORE fun. 

When leaving the playground it is the end of the world. It is the biggest problem and in fairness it is a big problem as you don't get to control when you want to leave. Poor little bug. I feel your pain. 

Finally having to leave that playground and feeling very upset I am reminded of what my dad used to say when I longed to be a grown up and make grown up decisions and be rid of being told what to do. "One day, Tracey, you will make those decisions and you will long to be a child.  Cherish being young."

Dad you were right. 

Love

dadders, its dad's day!

wishing you a stupendous day!

love

A little escapism.

Just had two days off and during that time took a little run around the neighborhood. Must admit I did get lost a bit but enjoyed some of the trails. And my favourite song right now is this one. Don't know many people got to see this show as it did get cancelled but loved it. Might have to do with it being about broadway. He he. Been singing it in my head for the past three days. 

Now on to my day two of six.

Love

Hard nights

I am reminded of something. 

When things get hard at work. 

And at times they really do. 

The staff remind me how great they are. 

I can lean on them, ask questions, get answers, 

and more important than anything else, 

I can laugh with them. 

Sometimes you really need to laugh. 

It helps you get through some of the hardest situations. 

Some instances tonight had me laughing all the way home. 

Love to laugh.

Love

It's officially been a week

Everything that is needed has been unpacked and looking pretty good. I have to admit that we went pretty hard with the move. So hard that I was pretty physically exhausted and waiting for the weekend of nothing. But it seems that both of us just can't sit still even if we tried. Lol.

Saturday was looking for potential gardening things to landscape. Mow the lawn and weed the garden for Mark. For me, fix up the basement, set up my desk and make storage shelves. Side note: My scrapbook stuff is set up and ready to go....eek! Then a little rest. Organize papers, make some steak, attempt a fire and settle in for a movie. Sigh. 

Sunday was grocery shopping day. Then off to check out the local market. Yay for green onion cakes, kettle corn, and cheese bread. But boo for no fat franks, teehee. Then a family dinner with some lovely people. Sounds just like what a weekend should be for our first week in our home. 

Love

We are in and settled.

Some other things that I know. 

Dishwashers are fantastic appliances. The press of a button and a half an hour everyday of my time is gone. BONUS. Mark does the dishes now. 

Unpacking is hard work. Especially when you try to accomplish it in a day. 

And things happen. Especially when you move from room to room organizing everything. One may get distracted and after the third load of laundry, may start to look for their cell phone. Then realize that the dryer is making a clunking sound. Sigh. 

Moving can be expensive. Refer to the above. 

A sectional and television have proven to be the best buys. Because the books are packed and we need to relax somehow. 

Parents are fantastic people to FaceTime to show the daily progress of the house. And get the house advice. 

Finally. A cat finally enjoys the space that there is no need to escape outside. As of now. 

Love. 

The adventure continues...

Well we are officially in our new home. 

With the most incredible help from David, Wendy, Donna, Jeaninne, DJ, Anita, Fraser, Rob, Matt, Garet, Jimi, and Cassie we have everything at our new place, minus a few odds and ends. And I truly mean incredible. We couldn't have done any of it without them. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

And how do we feel after all this? Exhausted. Happy. Excited. And ready to make this home a home. 

Now must go to bed. Have to work tomorrow morning. 

Love

Life

And a new home. 

This is what I know

This is what I know. 

I am not good at moving. 

It is hard work. 

It is dirty. 

The place is disorganized. 

Their is lots of dust. 

All our stuff is in boxes. 

This is also what I know. 

Mark is good at moving. 

He is a hard worker. 

He knows how to pack. 

He can roll with the dirtiness. 

And lastly I know. 

This will be over in less than a week. 

We will get to decide where to put all of our stuff. 

We will have a place of our own. 

We will have our own home. 

Love

A little bit of family time.

On our last family dinner (before the big move) with my brother and his girlfriend Cassie we had a bit of dessert brought by them. 

Jimi says, "Aren't we going to use the same plates?" 

I start to laugh. 

Mark and Cassie look at the congealed cheese remaining from our dinner and reply no. 

Feeling at that exact moment that Al Robertson was talking at us Jimi and I both look at each other and say "save your fork".

Laughter ensued. 

Love those little family moments and grateful for the reminder of fun family times. 

This is my life...

A sea of boxes....

Day off part two

Because I didn't want to jinx it
Because I couldn't say it the whole six days
Because I needed it to be true so I patiently waited
Work was okay, pretty good, this rotation week.

It feels good to be done and good overall.

Love

To my mom

Wishing you a most stupendous day. I love you. Happy mom's day! A few little pics of my special mom and family

Love

Day 7

Last day and it was savored....

Day 6

On the sixth day off what is a girl to do. 

Well considering it was crazy windy last night and I had a pretty horrible sleep I was just glad it was my day off. So I had a post nap after I got up to say good bye to Mark.

Then I went to a massage appointment. Lovely. 

Then I went to the park to pay a little visit to long lost little P and Jeaninne. We checked out the new target and I have to admit I got a little excited to decorate the home and make it officially marks and mine. 

Once home again we had a perogy dinner and I made cinnamon buns for the second time this week. I love life right now!

Love

Day 5

And lucky me. I had the day off in the city that had the national high temperature today. And what did I attempt to do on the hottest day thus far. Run. May have been a bad idea. But I did it and half marathon training begins again!

Next up was to register online for my RN status. Pay my fees and await the mail for the official news. Next up was do a little kijji surfing for any good deals that may arise...and finally continue a bit of packing. Then off to the respite!

Ahh. Days off are really fantastic. Sometimes mundane as I really don't do that much, although in my head it seems that I do. But I really do love them and must appreciate the sense of non work related stuff I do...although it is on the back of mind and creeps up on me as the days get closer. He he.

Love

Day 4

When one finds a cat one must find the owner. Even if you have named the cat and envisioned him living with you in your new home. Even though he is a cuddler and slept and played with you in the morning. Yes. A owner must be found and found he was. And very happy.

Then one must deal with the other kitty in your life as he decides to see how much we love him by making a run for it. We proved our love looking for him and realizing he may have been in the yard the whole time. Sigh.

Then the day becomes a day of rest. Soaking in heat, vegging, napping, little pack and a little clean. Dinner with the brother and his girlfriend outside in the setting sun. And a movie at night. Life is lovely.

Love

Day 3. And a little late

This is what happens on a third day of a week off.

- respond to kijji ads to find items that a house may need. And with those responses you get a sectional sofa, and seed potatoes. Sometimes it doesn't all pan out as the person with the gardening tools doesn't answer her door and the neighbor double parks behind our car as we were apparently in her spot and she is angry at us and wants to call bylaw....I regress. All resolved and we were out of there.
- prepare for a margarita party since cinco de mayo is around the corner. Clean, prepare food, and finally drink and have fun with all my fantastic friends. And it was a wonderful spring evening to celebrate on our patio.
- say hello to a little baby kitten that crashed our party. Try to lead him back to his home but realize he is a social cat. Take him in name him white socks and strategize a plan to find his home today as our white wonder is an only cat...although for the time being he is getting used to having a new annoying acquaintance.
Love

Day 2

Day off the second. What is a person to do. Savor it. Go to the Italian bakery. Do some odd errands. And then clean. Pack and clean some more. Phew. After all that I think homemade cinnamon buns are in order. And because they are so good I may have two, or three, or four. He he. After that one must finish the laundry. When all the household chores are done another reward must be order. So off to see Iron Man III. Ahhh days off are grand.

Love

Day 1

This is going to be a week of gratefulness. Yes. I made it through my first official week at work without buddy shifting! He he.

And today is day one of seven days off! And it is spring outside! Really if I am honest I started my days off last night redeeming keg gift cards...lobster tails anyone!

But onto today:

I made a couple of phone calls to start my day.
- signed up for a half marathon
- signed up for CPR
- signed up for a couples cooking class to make Caribbean food. Yum!
- signed up for a pension plan

I unfortunately attended a funeral of one of my friend's father. But I have to say I was glad to be there for her and it was a wonderful tribute and "celebration" after. And in turns of gratefulness you take note of the special moments you have with people and how they really need to be treasured.

Lastly I went for a run. A lovely spring run. And the training commences once again as a half marathon is not to far behind. Hope my body can take it!