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!

You're 1, You little ball of fun!

Oh goodness gracious we have hit the 1 mark. So many things to say on so many levels but in this post I want to focus on you.

You are just a special treat to both me and your father. We (probably like most parents) think you are just the greatest in the world and guess what? You really are. You amaze us with your sense of discovery of the world. Your unconditional love for those that love you. Your contagious laughter. Your love of silliness, games and so much more.

This will probably be my last post of your little accomplishments for awhile. I have a private place I can interact with you. I really wanted to document your first year of life. Mainly cause I had so many questions towards others and I just figured if you had these same questions maybe you can take a little gander at this blog.

So what are you up to? Well you love your books. Really love them. In particular, Dr. Seuss (anything Dr. Seuss) and "Flip Flap Fly". I have just recently managed to smuggle a few new ones in as I am getting a little weary of the same books. Probably how you were a little weary of "Good night moon". But really you are starting to just love books. You will grab them flipping the pages, babbling to yourself as you look through the pictures/words. It is too cute!

You have officially started walking a few weeks ago. As your father said, you started off like a baby giraffe but you are getting quite sure of yourself as the days go by. And with that comes more action like ball pit jumping. shaking your "shakers", dancing to Raffi and Disney music and playing "ever so gently, in your 1 year old way" (sense sarcasm) with all your little friends on playdates.

And speaking of friends you have a number 1 friend in your household named Bentley. Most days he is trying his best to avoid your lovely pets. But other days he will play a little fetch with you, even to my disbelief let you take the ball out of his mouth. Such a good dog and such a good daughter. Really the best time of the day is meal time for both of you. Something that is going to get our puppy a little chubbier in the coming years.

Little one. Happy birthday! Seek happiness, Love and be loved and live a wonderful life. It really is just the beginning. The journey is yours and we can't wait to tag along for a little bit of it.

Love
XOXOX

Happy Mother's Day

My first mother's day. I really had no expectations and all expectations rolled up into one. But really what can a little 7 month old do for you?! Ha Ha.

She didn't have to do anything in all honesty. She was just present. She has put me in a club that I knew existed but didn't realize I would enjoy so much. The mom club. They are all out there. They have to be or you wouldn't exist.

Becoming a mom has made me have a greater understanding, appreciation and love for my mother. Kind of sad that it took me 36 years to realize this! :) But that is a pretty cool gift that my little one gave me.

What did I do? It started in the wee hours chatting about our little one with my partner. All while watching the northern lights. French toast and homemade bread for all. A dog walk. The first trip to the outdoor market for the summer. Cheese empanadas. Chocolate Croissants. And now settling in for a movie. Pretty darn good. Expectations fulfilled.

So happy mother's day to all the marvellous moms out there. You deserve it. And know that you are loved!

love

My Dog Bentley

I really love my dog. So very much. So much that I worry about how I may start to neglect my pup when the little one makes it's entrance in October. So many blogs, people, and even friends say that it will happen. And that just makes me too sad. I'm not aiming to keep up his walks in the first week of November. But I am hoping that we will be able to start them sometime when (or if) I get a handle of things...ha ha ha. And I think I need to cling to that delusion (if it is one) until I come to that realization first hand...so please don't shatter it! :)

In the meantime, I (we) are enjoying our dog time. It has become a habit that we take him to the dog park everyday for an hour. I love the dog park. Especially by the zoo as I find it has it's own unique beauty every season.

This is where Bentley and I will do our hill training. He will chase after squirrels, mice and even a deer has crossed his path. When that happens his natural instincts just take over. But over the last year and even months we have started to see a big change. He still may run away at times but the amount has substantially decreased. And the recall is 90% better than last year. We wonder if it's because we have started to walk together on these walks and he is better behaved. But it could also be that we are the longest he has probably had with one family. We are his people!

Just a few weeks ago I separated from the walk to go to the bathroom and was going to meet Mark and Bents at the car. Mark came up to me at the toilets and said that didn't work because Bentley would just stay smack dab in the middle of our ever extended walk away from each other. Funny guy!

Today we went to pets in the park. Mark has been working diligently on Bentley's retrieval skills. And through the carnival games Bents shone. From bobbing for hot dogs (got them all in less than 5 s flat in the deep tub), to retrieving treats from the sand and puzzle box, he was amazing. He still could use some work on the "kissing department" as we both put treats in our mouths to get him to kiss us (yes we are those people). And he really likes to do his own obstacle courses in nature, not any man made ones offered. But, hey, you have to have your own likes!

It hasn't been huge sailing with Bentley this year. He did have surgery in April. We aren't quite sure what he did but regardless he had a hole right by his left front leg. It got flushed, a drain got put in and stitches were used. Plus I doubled up on reinforcement with dressing supplies so he wouldn't feel the need to pull it out. He was not impressed. He fought the anesthetic x 2, the little gobber. Plus he was doped up for about three days after.
AND he is still horrible when it comes to cutting his nails. Plus I have become additionally traumatized as I hit his quick the last time I was able to cut one of his nails.

Bentley has celebrated one birthday with us making him three years old. Bone for a present plus toys to destroy and treats galore. I look back and am so happy we decided to get him. He has been a wonderful companion to have in our lives. AND I have become a crazy obsessed dog person. Something I swore I would never be. But he is worth becoming one!

Love him!

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! :)

And then there were five.

Just as Mark's holidays begin, congratulations 'best teacher in the Edmonton public school board,' my days off end. A stretch of six is in my future and working on Christmas Day. I don't know what to think or expect from that. But I will do my best to make amends with it. 

But celebrations are still to be had, because the Christmas season is here! Our last Christmas party was yesterday but starting this Sunday, family celebrations begin. An anniversary celebration for my inlaws, AND my parents coming on Christmas Eve. I will, WILL it to go by slowly after that! So pumped!

So come on Christmas I am ready. Presents wrapped. Baking complete. Dinner fixings bought. House cleaned. Music playlists made. Tree lit. Advent calendar on countdown. Let the festivities begin!

Love

I love a good weekend

Especially when it is spent with good friends. 

And when you get to see good music on top of it. 

Like the Dixie Chicks. 

Who were fantastic. Even if I was hoping for some sass. 

But seriously. Love the voice and the music

And then the fun weekend continues. 

With a birthday celebration for a special lady. 

Shopping, catching up and laughs were involved. 

Plus eating out and chatting some more. 

Then I return home to the falling (first) snowfall of the year. 

To watch rental movies with my husband. 

And to cosy up on the couch today and continue watching movies. 

Eat leftovers and have pie. 

Life is good. 

And needs to be savored. 

gotta love good

so i took a temporarily leave from facebook. no big deal. there were a lot of reasons. some trivial, others not so much. i will probably go back after awhile. we will see. but i think this means i will probably be writing more blog posts in the future. AND i like that idea as i have come to consider this as kind of like an online journal of events and things that come into my life.

but before i dismiss facebook altogether i saw this little video that seriously had me in tears. happy tears but tears all the same. i love seeing absolute, genuine goodness in the world. i literally have a physical reaction where i feel all warm and i get chills up my spine.

take a look if you haven't seen it already!


love

The big accomplishment.

Yesterday was my graduation party. I celebrated with my peers and friends at a hall, decorated beautifully in blue and purple. There were centerpieces, a DJ, a photobooth, and a candy bar. We had speeches from CARNA, our faculty, and our students. We had a full course dinner, with three different kinds of meat, perogies, potatoes, veggies galore and dessert. It was fantastic and we got to finally celebrate together and not by ourselves driving home from our last shift.

But what was I most excited about you may ask? I spent at least four hours in high heels (maybe 5-6??). The first time I have ever worn heels before in my life. Well atleast these kind of heels that have the spiky end. I walked in them, sat in them and even did some dancing in them until my little toes couldn't take it anymore.

I don't know how people do it, seriously. Sure there were perks, like making direct eye to eye contact with Mark, being one of the tall ones, and they sure were pretty shoes (ha ha ha). But the pain at the end of the night! And I wore the shoes that my bridesmaid's wore to my wedding. How could I subject them to that horror and pain (although I know in my heart that at least two of them didn't mind since they love and live in shoes like that). The other I am sorry but atleast we were smart enough to bring flip flops, unlike my smartness last night where i was barefoot.

I regress...thanks all for a wonderful party last night and fantastic end of school. it may have finally hit that i won't be going back to G-Mac again (or atleast for a awhile, never stop learning right?). AND the new beginnings are soon to come!

love

Christmas in Stanley part 2

The rules for this day:

1. Watch White Christmas and sing 'sisters, sisters' out loud. Optional is a dance number.
2. Spot three deer when driving and note the beauty of nature
3. Visit a great aunt and sample sweets
4. Brag to husband about the amount of buttertarts that have been consumed
5. Workout...tomorrow
6. Eat lobster gifted by a generous aunt and uncle (thanks Keith and Cheryl)
7. Put air in flat tires and note that your husband may have been right, you should really learn how to change a flat.
8. Laugh with family. Love with family.

What shall tomorrow bring?
Love

Christmas in Stanley part 1

The rules for today:

1. Eat a buttertart for breakfast followed by dad's blueberry pancakes and mom's fruit salad
2. Wrap the final bit of presents while watching The Family Stone
3. Hang out in pajamas for the morning and through out the day
4. Bug the cat for just a tiny bit, enough that he still loves you and may reward you with a cuddle (it has yet to happen)
5. Have aunts and uncles over for some Christmas love and food

Reward:
A fantastic holiday day.
Love

Christmas

The presents are bought and wrapped
The decorations are up in the house
The lights are strung on the balcony
The music is playing in the background
The movies are waiting to be watched
The goodies are waiting to be eaten
The Christmas spirit is everywhere
I think tomorrow is a good time to go to my 'second' home and celebrate
I heart you Christmas time!

Love

The end is near.

Three more shifts and I will no longer have the word student in my signature. Not yet a registered nurse either as more studying needs to occur for that. What will it be? Graduate nurse. Wow. It seems so surreal. The first three years seemed to fly. But the last one was long and tiring. Anytime you make me do as many papers as I did it will always seem long. He he. Needless to say I am pretty pumped.

This last course, my preceptorship, I have been pretty silent on. Maybe it's because I really don't want to jinx it. But I can honestly say I love it. It is in my future to do this. I have had so many unbelievable opportunities that other clinicals were never able to provide. I had the privilege to be part of people's lives and be in there homes. I have also had the opportunity to contemplate and think about various topics that I had to learn in theory. Boundaries, empowerment, providing teaching and understanding, death and dying, not to mention more skills and opportunities to do in clinical. I have laughed and listened to fantastic stories that people lead in their lives. These are skills that I will take to my next place but as a paid employee. Eek.

It has been quite a magnificent journey. And this is just the beginning. I have met friends and patients, colleagues, mentors, and teachers that have altered my perceptions, and thoughts for what I can only hope is better. Can I ask for any more?

Here is to the next stage as a GN.

Love

do you hear what i hear?

i have already said that i have been slightly unmotivated since november 1st.
school papers may play a role but i think it is something stronger, a bigger force that can not be controlled or held back...

"what?" you ask

its none other than....

CHRISTMAS

yes, that is right. it has come upon us.
i cannot wait to decorate.
i have already been found perusing websites for christmas gifts for family and friends.
i saw my first christmas commercial last monday, such a welcome site.
not to mention the first christmas tree decorated on friday, i may have squealed in delight.
 the season is upon us.
it snowed and gave us (yes, treacherous roads)
but also a winter wonderland
where sleigh-bells ring and  
frosty the snowmen are being built left, right and center.

i just must reign in my christmas spirit slightly so that i can finish this term with a bang and finally enjoy the holidays like they were meant to be enjoyed, good ol' fashioned work and no more homework! eek!

till the next holiday post as i am sure i have many!
love

the last post for awhile

so this will sadly but happily be my last post for a bit. things are starting to get slightly hectic and i really can't think i am going to have much more time to write this lengthy blog till we get back from our fabulous trip.

first off i have to say that i celebrated this last weekend with a fabulous bang! my ladies and i headed to a spa for some glorious treatments. really, living a life of leisure does seem pretty fab at times. we started the morning lounging in our robes in hanging beds, drinking sparkling wine. then off to get some treatments (mine was a hot stone massage, facial and pedicure).

after that we headed to julios where we had quite a few bulldogs...more than a few. it got a little rowdy and ridiculous i am sure! :) the end was a sweet surprise and i feel the need to gloat about a pretty special guy.

anita had previously given mark a pretty rough time about how messy the car was. this was a big deal as mark agreed to be the designated driver for all of us (and this is no exaggeration) the car could only fit two passengers (even though it is a 5 passenger car). needless to say as we were at the bar anita continued the texts about her expectations of the chauffeur (all joking of course). well he sure came through...mark pulled up in a suit, hand delivering roses, with cheese, crackers, fruit and non alcoholic champagne in the clean car. he really is a keeper. sigh.....

OKAY that is all the mush i promise!!

overall i have to say that this process of planning a wedding has been pretty amazing. not so much the planning part (unless its crafty, he he) but to see all the people that you truly love and adore come together to show their support, love and help you every step of the way. i don't know what i could of done without so many of you. not only our immediate families, and friends but extended family and even co-workers! we both are tremendously blessed and lucky and hope to return the favor for all of you in our own little way!

so that is it. next is the big day. and the honeymoon. let the final celebrations begin! :)
love

the end of a "school year"

well we have both now officially finished our school years as of today. i know mine was awhile back but i feel it is cause for celebration as mark has officially finished his first year of teaching. woooo hoooo!! congratulations, hon.

i know that i have said that my year has been a tough one plenty of times. i think of the first semester and wonder how i got through it. BUT then i look at mark. i was in a fit of tears many times, mark was there for me on more than one occasion to listen to my tears, offer me cupcakes and tell me i am going to be okay. yet during all of this he was going through his own changes.

he worked harder than anyone i have ever seen, pushing himself to be better for his kids. AND i know his kids will have gotten a reward from it. both mark and his kids were lucky to have each other! AND if that was not cause for celebration his continuing contract was! so proud of you mark for all the hard work you have done!

this will definitely be a summer of well deserved rest, relaxation, partying and celebrating. i have to say mark deserves it....and so do i! *wink wink*

love

Birthday love

Birthday week continues...let me count the ways. We left off on my actual birthday. The mini celebration consisted of skyping my parents, Indian food, presents and five pieces of cheesecake (individual size I must say since my parents tend to think I am capable of eating that much, he he he).

Then Monday comes along. What could possibly happen you ask? Well left over birthday food and cake! Something that continued on for Tuesday! He he! Love it! Then Wednesday I got a lovely present in the mail, furthering my week (Mark eat your heart out).

And now it's Thursday and I am sitting here eating some birthday chocolates from my mom. Ha ha!

Hope your week is going well!
Love

birthday wishes

i have been kind of bad with regards to sending out birthday wishes on this blog this year. last year i was on top of it! he he he. but considering i do wish the lovely people in my life a very happy birthday in person, and usually through other mediums i figure it is okay...

however...since today i happen to think about writing on the blog i would like to wish my momsie a very happy happy birthday! love you lots and hope you have a wonderful day! check out my countdown...i will be seeing you soon! :)

love

i am feeling it...

so i know halloween has yet to come, but i am starting to feel a little christmas like!! yes, i know, much to early for these feelings BUT:

• i am officially half way done the semester as of today. the hard part has yet to come but after all that is christmas joy so how can i not look forward to that???
• i will be visiting my family on said holidays. my mom already has our rooms ready. i had to laugh when she told me that, but after i started to get excited...even though it was on october 19th
• it is getting that slight chill in the air. the chill i love during the holidays but absolutely hate during the january, february, march, april, may (???) months
• i am starting to think of christmas presents....eeekkkk!!!!

i know its a little crazy but i just can't help myself. to focus i probably should buy some pumpkins and have a carving contest to concentrate on the actual holiday in front of us. or eat three boxes of chocolates (oh wait....).

have a good night!
love

happy anniversary markness!

here it is!

love