a month in pictures

what pictures have i been taking lately....here is just a snippet of what i have been up to this month...atleast what i have taken pictures of

hanging with jimi at his place watching "role models"

annual superbowl party with our usual friends. this time much more refined at anita's place

 i may have got shunned into the corner cause i brought martha stewart magazines...

i have said this before but i must brag again that i really have great friends. i had to write the crne this day and mark was unable to get off work so casey took jimi to his leg appointment. looks like everything is healing nicely and they both seemed to have some fun.

markness cleanly shaven and cut from an errand day of ours. i really like errand days. especially when he is there to spend time with me. makes all the tedious boring stuff you do fun when you have someone to joke around with.

guess who is coming for dinner? jimi being a goof trying to get mark to drive him home after dinner

a walk with the girlies. i love that snowsuit and the person in it attempting to do the walking.

picture time!

happy valentine's day to me. definitely spoiled here. and to top it off i found out i got a job today!

i really don't know what to tell you. i took my cupcakes and ran. he he. spent valentine's day after supper with the girls cause we really haven't seen each other enough!

i got some valentines snuggles with these sweethearts

date with penny and time to bond with my lovely little honorary niece. sledding, eating cupcakes, singing to songs, and terrorizing the animals.

hockey date watching markness play hockey. he is such a blur. for some reason he just would not stand still. he he. this is me being a dork pretending not to watch but he was pretty rockin!

everyone needs a little kitty love now and again. 

Gramma Edey

To you.
I knew you for six years.
I came to know you,
Love you,
And more importantly like you.

You had opinions.
You had drive.
And what I enjoyed the most:
You had spunk.

You ate snails with me at Christmas time.
You were happy we were not serving green beans.
You disliked green beans.
We requested no green beans for our wedding reception.
And to have music for the church service.
We were happy to do it for you.

You had specific instructions on how to make toast.
This still gives me a chuckle
I remember my husband trying to perfect it.
I don't know if he ever did.
But he tried.
And it was endearing to watch you both.

You told endless stories from your childhood.
Your working life as a nurse.
My husbands childhood.
I enjoyed those stories the best.

We had dinners together.
You always asked me how I was.
How was school.
One time I replied it was horrible.
And to be truthful it was and I was not happy.
You responded:
"I'm sorry I asked."
This produced giggles.
All I really needed was to laugh.

I remember endless times.
On a chair.
Knitting.
Always knitting.
Sometimes our cat would visit.
You would pet him.

I know you were ready to go.
I am happy you got to go on your own terms.
I feel fortunate to have seen you.
To hold your hand and be present.

It was nice to have an honorary grandma for six years
You will be missed.
You will be remembered.
Your memories will live for a long time.

Love

gotta love her

i don't think its a secret how much i love beyonce. her songs are just what gets me to run that extra km or 2. love her. this is what i am loving in particular right now!

love

craft night revisited

we organized a revival of our craft nights.
something that we started when very few of us were married
where we would sit back
talk, banter, laugh and giggle
work on the endless projects we would bring
whether that was scrapbooking
cross stitiching
embrodering
quilting
we would eat sweets
sometimes we wouldn't do crafts at all
we would just talk, banter, laugh, and giggle
it was to have it again
i missed it

love

right now

at this very moment
i am nervous
ready to embark on new adventures
ready to see what the future has in store
i am nervous
but i am ready

love

Right now.

At this very important
I am happy
That is it
Love

let's talk campaign

let's talk about mental health and mental illness.

how do you take care of your mental self?
is it through:
reflection, speaking with friends, colleagues, partners.
exercising the body physically
exercising the mind through reading
exercising the spirit through church/yoga/retreats
do you have extracurricular activities that are a great release?
baking, crafting, watching movies, playing video games
do you meditate, listen to soothing music, or do you take a long bath?

have things gotten so hard that you have trouble getting out of bed
not getting to sleep at all
or your thoughts are just so disorganized?
are you experiencing feelings of lonliness and hopelessness?

or are you overwhelmed with the bussle of life
money, children, aging, unemployment
divorce, stress, separation, anxiety

just know that you are not alone
and there is NOTHING wrong with you
there is nothing to be ashamed of
everyone needs help sometimes

know there are people out there to help you
willing and able
to comfort
to listen
to provide you with steps to get better

the body gets sick and people are out there to help you get it better
the same happens to the mind
please seek out help!
http://www.cmha.ca/

The simple things.

So I was trying to think of something grateful this week. I decided on the simple things. Whether they are small gestures like a hug, or a peck on the cheek. Or small moments of time with special people doing errands, driving in the car, listening to music. Whatever they have been they have been special to me. And hopefully those in return.

Love

it is done

Be forewarned this is a vent post.

Ugh. The exam is over and done. You would think this would be a great relief. But I just feel a little icky. I can't talk about it much only to say that I think it was hard. I say think cause I looked at the questions at one point and didn't realize how I got to 120. And then when they called 'hour left' I was on question 140 wondering where all my time went. I did finish it all. And asking what others felt of it they said it was hard. And then I went onto the Facebook group for the exam and they too said it was hard. He he. Well I guess it was hard.

All I can say is that I am hoping and willing for just a pleasant 'P' pass when the mail comes. But as my mom says, there is not much that can be done now, and if it comes down to another undesirable letter I just write it again. BUT let's hope that doesn't occur. Lol.

Time to move on to bigger things and put this degree to use. So...no more vents or worries about this dreaded thing. I will erase it from my mind. Until 6-8 weeks time....he he

2 more days.

The big exam is coming fast. And over the last few days I have been feeling really good. I can sleep again and I am not nearly stressing like I was in the beginning of the week. What has changed?

I have been taking melatonin.
Stopped studying at night.
Booked a massage for the day before my exam. Just the thought has relaxing results.
See and talk to friends for multiple occasions. Super Bowl being the big one.
Went to a movie.
Running in this wonderful weather.
And writing about all that I am worried about and the forgetting about them as really there is nothing to worry about.

Love

i am really loving these two songs from glee right now! little songs that perk me right up!

a review in pictures

busy busy busy. it may not seem so to the outsider but i have been on a non-stop road of studying like a mad woman. then i go to a study group. then i come home and study more. it has become to be a little on the crazy side. so i promised myself and my husband that i would take a step back and relax just for tonight....then hopefully i stop writing crazy notes everywhere and dream about exam questions.

so what am i doing on here?? thought i would take a moment and review what i have been up to this month. but because i don't want to write anything down, i thought i would just post some pics...because frankly i am too tired to think! he he he.

happy new years to us. because it was gorgeous out we went skating.

this is mark's look out in the distance pose. 

had fun making heart shaped pancakes with a pancake pen i got for christmas

photo-booth fun at my grad

we can be classy.....

....and maybe not....

 our annual christmas celebration that has now become our new years celebration

jeaninne got our group picture...i took the action shots...here is us playing games...i think we got a little giddy at the end

 

 love this little guy. so easy going and this is not an insult although mark takes it as one: he looks like charlie brown with his round head and big eyes....CUTE!

 the ice cream cake i made for our anniversary....yummy!

but maybe i should have let it freeze a bit more as when i attempted to open it....

the chocolate oozed out....lol

 

someone got his cast wet...but gotta admit it was looking good...

recasted again and all is well in the world....

till next month!

love 

6 years

our anniversary came and went this year. six years. when we got married i still wanted to celebrate this anniversary. the date of the wedding was organized by people that had opening dates available and when family would be able to come. but the day that we became a couple, i think that is pretty special and a reason to celebrate.

however with all the hussle and bussle of last week it sadly wasn't the priority. we had company, my brother had surgery AND got discharged from the hospital, and mark is helping coach basketball. needless to say our nights and days are jam packed.

i had a small present made (which i think i am going to utilize again so must keep that underwraps) and i made tandoori chicken with homemade ice cream cake (i know, pinterest and me can get carried away). but by the time it was complete and cooked mark had to go back to school and coach. AND i think doing all that stuff may have just made us feel bad that we really didn't have the time to celebrate the way we wanted.

BUT if we do look at it another way. that week:

• we got to see my cousin and take her out to one of our new favourite restaurants that serves an amazing african buffet.
• we ate the ice cream cake many times through out the days AND really what is more fun than to have ice cream for breakfast?
• we appreciated the importance of being there for people that need us, and in return made sure to be there
• i realized that in the thick of a mess i have a person that i can depend on to help me out (i actually already knew it, but it was reconfirmed again)
• AND i lost the leftover meal that i made that day and for some reason neither of us knows where it is, so it may be a fun surprise to figure out where it ended up...hopefully it doesn't smell too bad at that point! he he he.

although i love celebrating the day we do have a lot of special time with each other. and that is something that i will appreciate all the more as these hussling days are likely to increase more than decrease as we get older.

love

A new love

For a girl who doesn't drink coffee I am really loving my biweekly dates at second cup that involve a hot chocolate or frozen hot chocolate and my crne study book.

Love

Imperfection

I think that sometimes in the most imperfect times one can really get a glimpse of perfection. My life can be a little messy and as organized as I try, right now it is slightly adventurous and disorganized. That being said, I have seen amazing strengths and bonds during these messy times.


Two of theses strengths are pretty special.

My Brother:
My brother had a slight mishap on Sunday. And by slight I mean bad. I am not the greatest with X-rays but even I can read his. He got into a hockey mishap and slammed into the boards resulting in a spiral fracture of both long bones in his right calf. Asking about spiral? Think about twisting a lid on a jar but that lid is my brothers bones. And these bones are not meant to twist so they break. Ouch.

So I walk into the ER see my poor little brother on the stretcher and just feel horrible. He has been through this before breaking his back 12 years earlier. How much can this one guy take. But what I saw was amazing strength. He did not weep or give himself a pity party (I can't see this writer doing the same). He took his pain meds, he listened to the doctor and just took everything a step at a time. Once the pain was under semi control I even saw him tell a few jokes and laugh a little.

I hate seeing my brother vulnerable, probably just as much as he felt. But it just reinforced that I would do a lot for that pesky guy. The one that used to interrupt me when I was playing with my friends, bug me with games of copycat and beat me up a little when I could no longer beat him up. He is awesome. He has such a warm spirit, with so much love to give that you really can't help but give back to him.

And I got to see someone else in an extraordinary light as well:
My Husband:
I am slightly biased, I know. He he. I knew he was great taking care of me when I am sick but I saw a really cool bond between him and my bro. As soon as I called him to tell him about my brother, he was right over at the hospital. He jumped right in to make Jim comfortable, take off the skate on his left foot, and make sure the doctor was covering all the bases with X-rays. When the leg needed to get set and my brother was put under, they shooed all of out of the room but my husband settled into the back with no intention of leaving Jimi's side until it was absolutely necessary. Even discharged, He was helping him get dressed and making sure his computer gear was organized so that Jimi could access all the things he needed.

What can I say. I am a lucky lucky girl to have two incredible men in my life. I know the next few months are going to be tough on you Jimi. But know I love you. You are a hard worker and you are a strong person inside and out. And although there may be times you will be sick and tired of being housebound just know you can call on us. I will listen. And you know that you have a good friend in Mark. I don't know what happened in Vegas, but I like it. You guys have an amazing bond and I know Mark would do anything in his power to help you.


Crumby things happen. Downright horrible. And although I always prefer for nothing bad to happen at all, if it didn't I would not be able to see the strength in the human spirit of people who contribute so much to my life.

Little things and grateful

I feel quite boring. I study. And then some more and then some more. Ugh.

But with all of that there has been some happy moments.

Food: pasta dinners, frozen hot chocolate, and trying out some Asian fusion, fondue
Friends: study group laughs, games day/new years celebration, dessert and giving belated xmas gifts
Family: holding hands before one falls asleep, visits in the hospital with some smiles, laughs...always laughs, facetiming and miraculously talking to my dad for 45 minutes past his bedtime.
Misc: talk of future travels, homemade crafts, loving your current job, watching movies, warm winter weather continued.

Love

So I know this person...

So I know this person...
They had their first week back to work last week...
During that week their was a flu warning...
And someone this person knew had the flu...
And this someone that had the flu puked all over this person I know...
And this same person that I know went swimming with a group...
But this person I know forgot their swim trunks...
And they needed to assist someone out of the pool...
So this someone I know had to jump into the pool with their clothes on...
This person I know had a rough week...
From an outsiders perspective it can be funny to laugh about...
That is what I did with this someone I know...
They laughed in return...
But I am wishing for a better week, this week...

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

grateful post 2: all I need is a little help from my friends.

Tonight was something I really needed. My first official study group date with nursling Robyn. It was a great kick off to this weeks grateful post. This week has been a little daunting for me. It's my first week of no job (since I capped my vacation as over on Monday) and the panic has set in. Sometimes change just doesn't work for me and being unemployed is not something I am good at. But applying for jobs and waiting is not my strong suit either. And to top it all off with its January and I hate this month. Its my bluesy month when the Christmas high is over. What is a girl to do: Talk with ever supportive friends and family.

Who:
Robyn was most excellent at telling me what to expect, what I need to be prepared for and to embrace and do.
My parents ever encouraging and ever supportive. Always. Boosting me up when I need that extra boost.
Jeaninne for making me laugh and letting me express my fears.
Markness is most excellent to be there for my tears, give me a hug, and make me laugh and smile. Heart him so much especially during these times.
AND lastly
Myself. Tonight I just dug in my heals and started studying. Good start at embracing the new change in my life. I am feeling good, excited and ready, for the first time.

Love

grateful post 1

i was thinking about what i should do for my new years resolution. there is a lot of newness that is coming my way this year. some of it frightening and scary while other parts are exciting and adventurous. instead of going through the usual book reading, blogging, healthy eating, exercising mantra, i thought i would try something new.

atleast once a month (i would like to try once a week). i think i will write about the things in my life, whether it was actions, feelings, thoughts, people i have encountered and so forth that i am grateful for. that way, if i am feeling a little blue or anxious i can focus on the goodness out there!

lets face it a lot of bad things happen. AND i am not one of those girls to deny it. my life is not perfect and i love it for its messiness, as messy can be more fun and provide more learning and growth. i am not going to try to put on a display that everything is perfect but a little positive focus can be good. and i am sure i will do some venting every now and again!

so to start of the beginning of january i am grateful for:

skating rinks, running outside, talking with friends, fresh air, warm winter days, car washes, little baby snuggles, chocolate, popcorn, water fights, laughs with my partner, movie nights, kitty purrs, and the person that started this little mantra for me (my friend jeff) who quoted A.A. Milne on his facebook after expressing what he was grateful for: “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” 
love