Snowflakes

Memoir Monday- No buses day

2008-12-15T23:04:00.002-06:00

Today it was -31 degrees Celsius and with the wind it felt like -41 degrees Celsius. That means the buses to schools don't run, and that is every kids dream during the winder months of school. The bus kids got a movie day at home and for the town kids that came to school to meant a fun gym and computer day.

Growing up I was a town kid- I lived across the street from the school so my mom always make me walk the 50 steps to school even if the buses weren't running and there were only 30 kids in the whole school.

There was one winter when I was in high school that was exceptionally warm for Saskatchewan. In the -30's but no windchill so the buses were still going. Some students were willing to do anything for a no school day because the buses were not running. So one day a few buses didn't run because someone had unplugged them so they wouldn't start. The rest of the week random buses didn't run because they were mysteriously unplugged. (I had nothing to do with the unplugging--just the story I heard in the gossip train).

Unfortunatly this did not result in a full blown no bus day when there was almost no one in school but it did mess up a lot of class schedules because a lot of students were missing.

As a teacher now I not sure how I feel about the snow days----yes it was fun to just hang out, make crafts and play in the gym today but now the whole week is bumped back another day and the weather does not look like its going to be any warmer tomorrow.....please buses run please!!!

Slice of Life Tuesdays

2008-12-09T14:58:00.002-06:00

It's finally looking like winter, the world outside my window is white.

Unfortunately the snow cannot be left untouched on the sidewalks and it is your job as a homeowner to shovel your sidewalk within 48 hours of snow or you can get fined.

Today it was beautiful out and I decided I would be a good neighbor and I shoveled all the houses on my part of the street. I shoveled mine and 4 other houses. It felt really good to help out my neighbors in this busy time of year! I know my arms are going to be feeling the pain of shoveling tomorrow.

Memoir Monday

2008-12-07T21:02:00.004-06:00

Winter Memories

The past few winters have been cold but there has not been much snow. When I was younger I remember walls and mountains of snow. Some mornings the snow would be drifted up our front door so high I wondered if we were ever going to get out of our house.

In school we would create these HUGE snow forts and houses. The one game I remember that we would play was "star trek". We made this space ship that had a bunch of different rooms and we even had one of those "beam" machines. If the teachers would have let us we would have stayed out and played in the snow all day.

I can't remember why but the one year they piled all the snow from the streets behind the school and they created this huge hill that went the whole length of the football field. It was the perfect hill for a snowball fight war. Of course it was frowned upon to throw snowballs---for good reason, they really hurt. But one day when the snow was not so icy Mr. Proznick joined in our snowball fight.

I have always wanted to write a story about there being a snowstorm at school and everyone gets trapped in the school for a weekend and what chaos would happen!! Maybe I'll still write it.

I grew up in a house with a flat roof which is very unpractical for the winter. The snow would pile and pile and get very heavy and sometimes it would cause our ceiling to dip and leak, so every winter a couple times a year we have to climb on the roof of the house and shovel the snow off of it. A couple winters ago my mom, my brother and I were on the roof shoveling snow and instead of using the ladder Adam and I jumped off the roof into our front lawn of fluff. We sunk right to the grass but it was awesome.

The snow lightly falls tonight and I think about all the good memories of snow and I can't wait to make more!!

Scrap Your Day- November

2008-12-02T16:18:00.004-06:00

A lazy Tuesday- slept in hung out at home sorting photos, shopping and finally getting a suit for my ring bearer. Curling game which we lost really bad but always have fun!!

JYC- December 2

2008-12-02T16:06:00.003-06:00

Winter is my favorite eason and I am obsessed with snowflakes. I love how the snow transfroms the brown dead ground into a magical fairytale world.

I love how silently it falls and it srunches as you walk on it. I love playing in the snow and just dancing as the snow fallas down on me.

It has been unually warm and so far we have had just a bit of snow. I'm praying it comes soon.

Snow gives me hope and makes me smile.

JYC- December 1

2008-12-01T15:47:00.002-06:00

Starting today, December 1st, I will keep a Christmas Journal. In it I will write something everyday to reflect on the holidays of the past, enjoy the holidays of the present and dream about the holidays of the future.

I am taking back my Christmas and making something with me own hands, my own words, my own heart and my own memories.

Journal Your Christmas

2008-11-26T07:38:00.004-06:00

My favorite time of year is just around the corner---Christmas! Every year I have great intentions of capturing and remembering the year in photos to scrapbook, but sadly I end up with a few or no pictures and no documentation. So this year I decided to take Shimelle Journal Your Christmas class (Check it out here http://www.shimelle.com/classes/389/journal-your-christmas. )

This year Christmas is going to be extra busy with the final details of the wedding coming into place so I thought it would be important to

really try and focus on the season of Christmas!

Today I hope to get my album put together and ready for December 1st!

Old Brick School

2008-11-19T15:34:00.001-06:00

The view out the front window of my house in my hometown changed today. For 22 years I looked out the front window and saw this old brick building with an orange door. A large crooked tree stood proudly to the left, its branches reaching way up high and then down to the ground.

My dad went to school there when he was a young boy--it was a one room school house at that time. I went to pre-school there with my friends- some of which I graduated with 14 years later. I took my piano lessons in the basement. My mom took us there to get our shots when we were just babies. I browsed for books in the Wheatland Library that once was in the back room. It held many bridal and baby showers in the seniors room. I also climbed that tree and sat on top of the old brick school many afternoons. It is a part of me, the town. It is a piece of history, today it is gone.

The building was used as the town office it the last years. The seniors were moved out to the restaurant on Main street, piano moved to the school then the new rink complex, the library is now in a much bigger room in the complex and eventually the town office found a new home as well. The building was old, hard to heat in the winter with the old boilers. Its doors were closed for many years now. Condemned---the basement was flooded and the building needed too much work to keep. It was unsafe to have in the elementary school playground, so it was decided that it would be knocked down.

Like anything in the small town things take time to get accomplished. The demo was supposed to happen this past summer but delays occurred and finally here in November the demo started. Today I was not subbing and went out to Aberdeen to do some more wedding stuff with my mom and in front of my house I watched as the walls and the bricks were tore down. It brought a tear to my eye and a sad feeling in my heart. I wish the building could have been saved and developed into a museum or something. Aberdeen is changing so much. The blocks around my house look so different...the church has been moved, the curling rink tore down and houses put in its place.

I left Aberdeen before the demo was complete. I know when I go back there on Sunday it will be gone and the view from the front window will never be the same and I can't say to people that I live in the house across from the old brick school anymore....

Slice of Life Tuesdays

2008-11-18T20:32:00.008-06:00

You take a deep breath

And you walk through the doors

It's the mornin of your very first day

You say hi to your friends

you ain't seen in a while

And try to stay out of everybody's way

It's your freshman year

And you're gonna be here for the next

4 years In this town

Hopin' one of those Senior boys

Will wink at you and say

'I haven't seen you around before'

Cuz when you're fifteen,

somebody tells you they love you

You're gonna believe them And when you're fifteen

Feelin' like there's nothin to figure out

Count to ten Take it in

This is life before you know who you're gonna be

Fifteen

You sit in class next to red-head Abigail

And soon enough you're best friends

Laughi'n at the other girls

Who they think they're so cool

We'll be out of here as soon as we can

And then you're on your very first date

And he's got a car And you're feelin like flyin

And you're momma's waitin up

And you're thinkin he's the one

And you're dancin around the room when the night ends

When the night ends

Cuz when you're fifteen, somebody tells you they love you

You're gonna believe them And when you're fifteen

And your first kiss makes your head spin around

But in your life you'll do things Greater than datin the boy on the football team

But I didn't know it at fifteen

When all you wanted Was to be wanted

Wish you could go back And tell yourself what you know now

Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday

But I realized some bigger dreams in life

And Abigail gave everything she had

To a boy who changed his mind

And we both cried

Cuz when you're fifteen, somebody tells you they love you

You're gonna believe them

And when you're fifteen

Don't forget to look before you fall

I've found time can heal most anything

And you just might who you're supposed to be I

didn't know who I was supposed to be at fifteen

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la...

You're very first day Take a deep breath girl

And take a deep breath as you walk through the doors

Driving in my car today to and from school I had this song blaring on my car stereo singing along.

It is interesting to be on the other side of the desk now as the teacher--I was in high school just a short 41/2 years ago. I see myself in those girls--awkward, scared, falling in love....

Today and lately I have been feeling like that fifteen year old girl who I thought I left behind. I have been taking lots of deep breaths and walking into something new. The tears fall too much like they did back then, my head is spinning with too many emotions.

But I made it through that fifteen and I know I can make it through this one. It's just hard trying to figure out who you are going to be....

My Stagette

2008-11-16T14:40:00.006-06:00

Last night was my stagette, today I just want to sleep. It was a fun low-key night filled with lots of food, drinks, and girls being girls.

We went salsa dancing in the afternoon and once we figured it out we all had a blast and looked pretty awesome dancing. (I have some blackmail videos lol)

The girls gave me a pretty crown and flower necklace to wear!

We went to my sister in laws and filled ourselfs with pizza and dessert!! So much food, but it was so awesome!!

We then went to this place called Bath Goddess were we spent 2 hours smelling oils to create a new smell to put in a product like body lotion or body mist etc. It was a blast and everyone came away with some awesome new bath stuff.

My friend Chany smelling away!

We spent the rest of the evening hanging out, visiting, playing guitar hero, telling old stories. It was great to have us all together for the night.

Thank you so much girls for EVERYTHING!!! I love you all.

Wedding Planning

2008-11-14T11:24:00.007-06:00

49 more days until Justin and I are married....still a lot to do!!

1. Buy wedding bands

2. Finish making wedding dress

3. Slideshow

4. marriage licence

5. Meet with minister to finalize ceremony

6. Finish writing vows

7. Start writing my secret speech

8. Make 1000 perogies

9. Wait for RSVP's!

10. make chocolates

11. Need caketopper

12. Pick music

13. Mail thank you cards from the shower

14. Scrapbook!!!

and the list goes on. Its a crazy time but lots of fun too.

Tomorrow is my stagette, I'm looking forward to hanging out with the ladies tomorrow day/night. It should be a fun time.

I had my shower a couple of weeks ago in Aberdeen at the Complex. Here are a few pics from the day.

Me in my ribbon and bow hat

The Gifts

The Guest table

The food

I can't thank everyone enough for coming out to my shower. So many ladies from the community and all the beautiful gifts---it was just amazing.
I am not one to be the center of attention so I had butterflies, and I cried when I said my thank you because I was just so overwhelmed and filled with joy and gratitude from everyone.
I have to find a way to put kleenex in my bouquet for the wedding day because there will be tears!!

More posts and photos of the upcoming day....so excited to spend the rest of my life with Justin.

Scrap Your Day- September and October

2008-11-11T13:43:00.005-06:00

I worked my butt off to catch up on my scrapbooking porjects today---I got my Scrap Your Day project caught up.
I really enjoy this project because it allows me to document the everyday, the little things in my life that make me me and its going to be a great keepsake to look at in a few years and see how I lived my life at 22. I would love to do this project again in a few years with a teaching job, married life, a kid or 2 and compare how I live my life.
For now here is my September and October 25ths.

Subbing in Allan- Terry Fox Walk. More wedding planning and Learn Something New Class!

Saturday morning Justin and I hang out in bed. A cleaning day and more wedding planning!!

Slice of Life Tuesdays

2008-11-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

7:30 am - Babysitting day starts- Bradly and Tyler are awake and ready to play.

9:00 am- Bradly helps Justin put up my paintings

10:00 am- I am still in my PJ's--busy watching cartoons and playing legos with the boys.

10:01 am- "Ashley can we go to the movie store and rent a Wii game?" asked the boys

10:02 am- "You bet, I just need to get dressed and comb my hair and we can get going"

10:03 am- Boys upstairs start a pillow fight

10:03 am- Me downstairs getting ready for the days outings

10:05am- I hear a bang- what did those boys knock over....

10:06 am- Upstairs Bradly is holding his hand up to his mouth- half of his tooth is on the ground, his lip is bleeding

"What happened? Are you ok? Let me see Bradly!" I speak frantically

"Tyler pushed me and I hit my tooth on the floor"

I go grab a wet cloth to clean up the bit of blood on his lip and take a closer look at the tooth- It's half gone, a diagonal chip. A permanent tooth, half gone.

I grab the phone- "Hi Patti, it's Ashley here, we have had a little accident here, Bradly has chipped his tooth, who is your dentist?"

Patti calls to her dentist and then calls me back to say meet her there asap.

The chipped tooth goes in a container with some milk---I hope it can be saved. Two little boys are dressed in their winter coats, boots and hats and stuffed in the car--- off to the dentist.

why did this happen to me? Patti is going to think I'm a terrible babysitter, I...don't know if it can be fixed, I hope it can be fixed, I hope it doesn't cost much....oh crap.

Bradly's lip starts to swell as we wait at the dentist for him to get in.....He is brave, not a tear, not a complaint. Bradly stayed at the dentist with his mom and I took Tyler back to my place to wait---

1:00 doorbell rings- Bradly is back.

His tooth looks as good as new. They somehow reattached the chipped part and put a wire behind it...No chewing on the front tooth for a while and hopefully in a week things look good and the tooth doesn't die on him.

I'm glad he is okay....this is practice for when I have my own children. I know we will be taking them to emergency doctors and dentist appointments, somehow it seems easier when they are your own...I hope I'm not scared as a babysitter....

Scrapbooking

2008-11-10T21:58:00.005-06:00

Today I started another scrapbooking project- Stories In Hand.

I put together the skeleton of the book today and I'm hoping it helps me in finding those stories of my life because I'm having a really hard time writing...

Tomorrow I hope to catch up on my "Scrap your Day" project---I'm 2 months behind and if I don't catch up I'll be 4 months behind and it will be the new year.....

I'm also creating a scrapbook of the dress shopping adventures from wedding planning. I have the bridesmaids dress shopping pages almost done. I still have all my dresses to scrapbook and the process of the making of my dress--7 weeks to go and I'm still waiting on half on the lace. I hope it comes this weekend!! *fingers crossed*

Wish me luck in my scrapbooking adventures ----I feel a mess of paper, stickers and glue dots coming on!!

Memoir Monday- Loosing teeth

2008-11-10T17:09:00.002-06:00

Babysitting my little cousins today and we had a tooth accident(will share tomorrow in slice of life) and it got me thinking about teeth, the tooth fairy and the dentist. When I was younger and I had my first loose tooth I was very scared to actually pull it out of my mouth. I'm not sure if I thought there would be gushing blood, or if I would have a hole in my mouth that food would get stuck in but all i knew was that I did not want to pull it out. Not even the inticment of money from the tooth fairy would make me pull it out. (Who is this crazy lady who collects teeth anyways?) The tooth dangled by threads for a few days, I didn't even wiggle it with my tounge but I knew it was getting looser. One night while eating supper the tooth came loose and I swallowed it with my suppper. No blood was gushing out, my mouth didn't have a ginormous hole in it--I was fine and I did not even notice it was gone. When I finally noticed it was gone when I was done eating supper I was very upset. Now I did not have anything to give the tooth fairy...So I wrote a note to the tooth fairy instead about how I had swallowed my tooth and I was sorry I could not put it under my pillow for her. I awoke the next morning to a loonie under my pillow---I guess the tooth fairy understood my story and felt I deserved a loonie anyways even if I didn't leave her a tooth.

What I cannot change- Leann Rimes

2008-11-10T09:24:00.001-06:00

I know what makes me comfortable
And I know what makes me tick
And I when I need to get my way
I know how to pour it on thick

Cream and sugar in my coffee
Right away when I awake I face the day,
and pray to God I won’t make the same mistakes
All the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, yeah I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can Yeah

I don’t know my father Or my mother well enough
It seems like every time we talk
We can’t get passed the little stuff
The pain is self-inflicted
I know it’s not good for my health
But it’s easier to please the world
Then it is to please myself
All the rest is out of my hands

I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, yeah I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

Well I know I can’t care about how everyone else really feels
I have enough hurt of my own to heal

I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, yeah I will change
Whatever I,
whenever
I can

Sirens

2008-11-05T21:43:00.000-06:00

Laying in bed tonight me writing Justin reading the room is quiet except for pen scratches the turning of pages and the odd house sound. I enjoy the silence but it is broken tonight and past nights this week by the sounds of sirens- that sound always makes my heart skip a beat.
We hear them over and over tonight I hope everything is okay.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Slice of Life Tuesdays

2008-11-04T21:25:00.001-06:00

"Ticket number 57602"
We had that ticket on our table in front of us, Justin ripped it off and went up to the stage to collect our prize.
A few tickets later "57605"
We also had that ticket on our table and Justin went to collect our second raffle prize.
"Number 576508"
Again we had that number and Justin went up to get our third prize.

"Wow that table must have some horseshoes" the announcer for the prizes said.

We were pretty lucky tonight---maybe we should buy a lottery ticket?

Memoir Monday- Being a writer

2008-11-03T13:23:00.000-06:00

I have memories stored away in photographs, in the back of my mind and in the box of notebooks in a box in the closet, some of those memories haunt me, some make me laugh and others make me cry or smile. The one thing I'm positive about is that I am glad I took so many pictures and wrote down the moments in my life that mattered.

I remember my first notebook/journal. It was a blue doutang with loose leaf paper in it. I hid it in between the mattress on my bed. I wrote about the boys I had crushes on and the teachers who I liked and the teachers who I hated. I wrote about the fights I had with my parents and my friends. It documented my life in a time when NOTHING made any sense. I tried to make sense of my world by writing it down, asking questions. Not until now that I re read that faded, tattered doutang do I understand why that world was so hard.

10 years later I still keep a journal/notebook with pretty covers, and I continue to write about my relationships, family, friends. I document my life now as an adult, as a teacher, and soon to be wife. They will go into that box when I am finished and will be a place I can go to and look back at this part of my life.

I've been thinking a lot about being a writer. I have always had this calling to be a writer, but thinking back I remember more of the hurt and the criticism that comes with being a writer then the good. A poem of mine ripped apart by someone I loved, my personal thoughts read and used against me were just a couple of the hard times I went through as a writer. It is still hard to always be honest and truthful and to share my life, my stories, my words with everyone/anyone.
Writing has also helped me to say this things that wouldn't come out of my mouth, to help me express my thoughts and feelings and to help me become the person I am today.

I lost my words for a while, they are coming back to me in strange ways, I welcome them back into my life and hope to be sharing more with you soon. Writing is a part of my past, present and future.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 30

2008-10-01T21:25:00.000-06:00

Follow your heart

Learn Something New Everyday- September 29

2008-09-30T21:24:00.001-06:00

You will be fortunate in the opportuines presented to you

Learn Something New Everyday- September 28

2008-09-29T21:23:00.000-06:00

Be Spontaneous

Learn Something New Everyday- September 27

2008-09-28T21:22:00.000-06:00

Pay it forward

Learn Something New Everyday- September 26

2008-09-27T21:21:00.000-06:00

Live in the moment- Sing, Dance, Smile

Learn Something New Everyday- September 25

2008-09-26T21:20:00.000-06:00

I love ice cream too much

Learn Something New Everyday- September 24

2008-09-25T21:19:00.000-06:00

Face the challenge-- you are strong

Learn Something New Everyday- September 23

2008-09-24T21:18:00.000-06:00

Time Flies

Learn Something New Everyday- September 22

2008-09-23T21:16:00.000-06:00

Reflect

It's important to take the time and step back from your world and reflect

Learn Something New Everyday- September 21

2008-09-22T21:15:00.000-06:00

The moon affects my mood

Learn Something New Everyday- September 20

2008-09-21T21:14:00.000-06:00

Retail Therapy can cure anything

A bad day??----go shopping!

Learn Something New Everyday- September 19

2008-09-20T21:13:00.000-06:00

It's hard to stick to the list at Walmart

Even if I write up a grocery list---somehow other things find their way into my cart. lol

Learn Something New Everyday- September 18

2008-09-19T21:12:00.000-06:00

We are in this together

No matter what Justin is there for me and I will be there for him.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 17

2008-09-18T21:10:00.000-06:00

Measure before you buy....

Our fridge died in the middle of the day---emergency fridge hunt and what we thought would fit did not. So we had to cut the cupboard down so the fridge would fit.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 16

2008-09-17T20:57:00.000-06:00

I am a pro at multitasking!

This is how I get everything done in one day---talking on the phone while sweeping and cooking!!

Learn Something New Everyday- September 15

2008-09-16T20:55:00.000-06:00

I take more notice of the details in my life

Learn Something New Everyday- September 14

2008-09-15T20:00:00.003-06:00

A little planning goes a long way.

Justin and I make a weekly supper plan and grocerry list and it helps make the week go smoother and there is no figuring out at 5:00 what to eat for supper.

Memoir Monday- Grasshopper Invasion

2008-09-15T08:02:00.002-06:00

This past summer was unlike most Saskatchewan summers. It was virtually "bug" free. The mosquito population was down, we had a few flies in our house and the wasps were out for a bit but other then that it was a pleasant summer for "bugs". A while back one summer we weren't invaded by flies, misquotes or wasps, when you went outside you had to be careful about the invasion of grasshoppers that had taken over!

While the grasshopper didn't really harm you they did destroy gardens and fields that summer and were an annoyance when ever you walked outside. Walking through the grass on my front yard each step caused the grasshoppers to jump creating a wall of grasshoppers to walk into which usually creating screaming, running and hands flying which caused the grasshoppers to jump more.

They weren't just in the grass though. The grasshoppers took over the highway. The highways looked spotted with black dots as you drove along with dead and still living ready to jump "hoppers". The 27km drive to the city sounded like you were driving in a hail storm with all the grasshoppers that were jumping and smashing into the front of the car and on the windshield. Everyones car was a tint of green that summer.

I got out one day to capture them on film. Interesting little creatures. I hope we never have another invasion again though.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 13

2008-09-14T19:58:00.000-06:00

Bubbles makes everything more fun

Moments of unplanned learning appeared twice today in the form of bubbles.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 12

2008-09-13T19:54:00.001-06:00

Change is necessary

Fall brings the change of seasons, the change of the leaves and it reminds me that not all change is bad.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 11

2008-09-12T19:51:00.001-06:00

I am grateful for morning

kisses and I love you's.

Every morning Justin and I kiss each other and say I Love You before he goes off to work, I really appreciate these moments we share together.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 10

2008-09-11T19:48:00.000-06:00

EXPLORE!

Babysitting was a challenge as he got into everything including the cupboards. While I was getting upset with him I found that he was trying to teach me to relax, have fun and EXPLORE!

Learn Something New Everyday- September 9

2008-09-10T19:46:00.000-06:00

You can never have enough books

I love the bookstore and as I felt guilt as I bought three more books today when I got home my bookshelf made me smiled and I thought to myself you can't have too much of a good thing.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 8

2008-09-09T19:44:00.002-06:00

I am beautiful and sexy

I am taking a dance class and it reminded me that yes I am beautiful and sexy. I need to tell myself that more.

Slice of Life Tuesdays

2008-09-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Guest list, invitations, DJ, ceremony, writing vows----our wedding to-do list never seems to get smaller no matter what I do.
Making a scrapbook, slideshow, all the flowers----maybe I created too many make at home projects for myself??
A phone call from my aunt to see when I am free to have a bridal shower---all my weekends are full.....
My head feels like it's spinning, but then Justin walks in the door and we kiss and all my worries melt away, beacause no matter how the day turns out I will get to spend the rest of my life with my soulmate.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 7

2008-09-08T19:40:00.000-06:00

Perseverance is the key to winning.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have taught us all that the underdogs can be the leaders.

Memoir Mondays - Leaf Angels

2008-09-08T06:00:00.002-06:00

Summer is over for another year, the sun setting earlier and earlier, the heat of the day is gone. As the summer ends and fall begins and the leaves begin to change color I think back to memories of early fall and routines at school. Every year we had our practice fire drill for the whole school to practice how to exit the school safely if there ever was a fire. Somehow in high school we stopped following the rules of lining up single file outside and waiting until we were able to go back inside.

We were in grade 12 and we exited the front of the school to the ditch across the street. The large trees had lost most of their leaves so the grass was covered in a beautiful gold colored leaves. My two girl-friends and I had an idea while we waited impaitently to return inside. We were going to make leaf angels. So we laid down on the layer of leaves and swished our legs and arms to create an angel pattern in the leaves just like you would do in the snow. Someone had a camera on them and captured the process and the finished product. Unfortunatly the wind blew the leaves and our angels were ruined. We had created something beautiful----I can't wait till more leaves fall off the trees this year so I can make leaf angels in my front yard.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 6

2008-09-07T10:43:00.000-06:00

Finding the perfect dress was easy- creating the guest list is the hard part.

Wedding planning is going well...except making the guest list. It is the hardest thing ever!

Learn Something New Everyday- September 5

2008-09-06T10:38:00.000-06:00

To do lists can wait until after cuddling

Justin and I both had Friday off and although our to-do list was long we spent the morning lounging in bed cuddling, talking and just being together before the rush of the day too over.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 4

2008-09-05T11:04:00.002-06:00

Traffic in Saskatoon is CRAZY!! Everything is backed up due to construction. It took me forever to get anywhere yesterday and I was getting very frustraed. The more mad I got the slower the traffic went. Next time I'll just relax and enjoy the time with my thoughts.

Road Rage does not make traffic move any faster.

Learn Something New Everyday- September 3

2008-09-04T10:59:00.003-06:00

Teaching is not what I do, it is who I am!

I was very nervous to start subbing, but being in the classroom is the most comfortable place for me to be. I realized that I am a great teacher and that teaching is my heart and soul.

Subbing Day 1

2008-09-03T17:49:00.002-06:00

Today was my first day of subbing. I was nervous but also excited. I hadn't formally been in front of a class since December. What if they threw things at me? or ran around the room all crazy?? I was thinking the absolute worst...I was forgetting how WONDERFUL children really are and how much they make me smile. By the time the first student had walked in my butterflies had settled down and the day went smoothly. Reflecting on my day there are a couple things I would have done differently but I will keep those in mind for next time. This is a learning experience. I'm looking forward to being back in the classroom soon!

Learn Something New Everyday- September 2

2008-09-03T11:02:00.000-06:00

Relaxing with a good book after a long day helps to clear my mind.

After a long day I was just exhausted so I curled up on the couch and enjoyed my book, no worries just me and the words.

Slice of Life Tuesdays

2008-09-02T20:19:00.000-06:00

The old cavalier is parked on the street, my new car sparkles in the sunshine with a touch of purple. The new car smell fills my lungs. The sounds of Theory of a Deadman pumps through the stereo early in the morning to wake me up.
The car pulls onto the street and it glides to the yield sign. I put the pedal to the metal and cruize to work singing at the top of my lungs, tapping my hand on the steering wheel.
I love my new ride...

Learn Something New Everyday- September 1

2008-09-02T19:17:00.000-06:00

For the month of September I am taking part in Shimelle's "Learn Something New Everyday" project.

Learn Something New is about learning from your world every day. The focus for this month is on our choice to be aware of our surroundings and able to document what learn from our lives.

I reflect on my life each day and scrapbook what I learned that day. This is my page from September 1st.

Keep swinging, you won't hit the ball if you stop trying.

This applies to everything in my life----Don't give up!!

Scrap your Day- July & August

2008-09-02T17:00:00.000-06:00

Along with my art deck I worked on my Scrap Your Day project- Which I TRULEY love!! For August I did some photoediting with my new photoshop program. I'm pretty new at it so the manipulation is pretty simple but I was very happy with myself.

Here is July

And Auguest

I can't wait until September 25th!!!

Art Deck Creations

2008-09-02T08:09:00.001-06:00

I don't always allow myself to be the artist I want to be. Sometimes I feel like my art is not apprciated, by myself and others. I also have fears about my art not being good enough. But in creating art I feel whole, at peace, centered. So after watching from afar for 10 weeks I decided to join WASSIMA ART DECK CHALLENGE hosted by these lovley ladies at Creative Chaos and Dream Big.

I pulled out the paint, papers, stickers and pens and worked hard this weekend to catch myself up to week 11. I got to week 10.Thanks ladies for this wonderful challenge that has brought art back into my life for fun.

Here are pictures of my cards

Memoir Monday- No longer a student

2008-09-01T17:37:00.003-06:00

This is the first September that I will not be returning to school as a student. I am now on the other side of the desk as a teacher. It felt strange this year not to get ready for another year of university- picking classes, buying textbooks and stocking up on paper.

I remember the start of University four years ago. I was afraid to start university and not be in my tiny bubble of high school. I was lucky to be starting University with a few of my high school classmates and we stuck close together at the start, meeting for lunch and study dates in the library. I loved that we could eat in the library. I loved the freedom. My favorite part was spending my breaks in the art galleries all over campus. I could have stayed in them for hours.

In university I learned to take chances and risks-something that I rarely did in high school. I pursued passions and dreams of mine. I wrote for the University newspaper "The Sheaf" for a year and I took two art classes. I struggled in both tasks- but looking back I learned a lot about myself and who I was. Writing for the paper really got me back into writing on a regular basis and my painting and sculpture class helped me realize I had an artist in me.

Four years later, another September is upon me and I'm now afraid that I no longer have that University bubble to turn to. It is time for me to enter a new one---it brings new challenges and risks that I look forward to tackling. I'm excited to learn more about myself and the world around me. The reality is that even if you are no longer a "student" by definition does not mean that you stop learning. It is important to continue to learn everyday.

Memoir Monday- Old Notebook Inspriation

2008-08-25T16:48:00.003-06:00

I fear change and the unknown in my life. I always have. Even if I was so prepared for the change, I still was scared to make it a reality. I don't handle change well. I create a lot of stress for myself related to the change. I think about it constantly, I cry, my neck and back tense up, I give myself headaches.

I remember the summer before I started University. I cried everyday. I created these terrible situations that I would play over in my head. I was afraid I was not going to do well in University. I was afraid I was not going to make any friends. Coming from a school of 500 people to a single class with 400 people in it was out of my comfort zone. Butterflies in my stomach were present on my first day, but I made it through. I made some great friends in my four years, I graduated with distinction, I became a teacher. While the ride wasn't perfect it was not as horrible as I thought it would be. You would have thought that I would start to believe in the good of change and a new opportunity, but the start of my internship the fear came back.

Internship was the make it or break it point in my road to becoming a teacher. It was the first time I had lived away from home and I was afraid to leave my security blanket of Aberdeen and my family and friends. I did not feel confident enough in myself as a teacher. But again I was proven wrong. I was welcomed with open arms into my new town and school and I found my place as a teacher very quickly and I impressed many people around me. Internship was a success.

Now I am done school with a degree on my wall. My fear of not finding a job for the fall has come true as school starts this week. I spent my summer stressing about it, and that didn't get me anywhere. I am on a couple sub lists and I should be getting phone calls sooner then later to start subbing. Justin tells me "Let time take its course- everything will work out in the end". I look back on all the changes and opportunities that I was afraid of and I see that things do really work out in the end. Sometimes they even work out better. I am trying to change myself and see that change is a good thing, change brings challenges that make you a better person.

Widom Teeth

2008-08-17T19:51:00.000-06:00

About 3 weeks ago I was having some extreme pain with my wisdom teeth. I went to the dentist and she said that I needed to have my wisdom teeth removed because 1) my mouth was too small for them to come in and 2) my bottom ones were coming in sideways. So she sent my x-rays off to the oral surgeon and I waited to hear from them. A few days later they called to make an appointment. The earliest they could get me in was June 2009. I took the appointment and asked if I could be put on a list that if anyone cancelled I could get in on short notice because I could not wait till June.

On Monday I got a phone call from the oral surgeon that there were two cancellations during the week and they were wondering if I was available to come in. It was now or June. The options were Wednesday at 2pm and Friday at 9am. I picked Friday because I didn't want to wait all day and it would just be over with as early as possible.

I was very nervous about it, I wanted to be sedated because I could not be awake while it was going on. I was not allowed to eat or drink for 8 hours before the surgery, so Thursday night I had supper and that was it until after my teeth were gone..

I got up early on Friday morning, showered, read the paper, and avoided the kitchen at all costs. I wanted some of my mom's banana bread so bad. My mom showed up just after 8 and we went downtown. Downtown at 8am is the best, very little traffic and lots of parking spots. We quickly found a spot and went up the elevator to the 6th floor. I walked into the office and went up to the receptionist to let her know I was here. She looked at me and said "Your appointment isn't until 2 pm today"

I shook my head saying "No, my appointment is at 9. I got a call on Monday saying there were two options Wednesday at 2 and Friday at 9"

"Well I'm sorry for the confusion. Can you come back today at 2?"

"I guess so" I replied.

My mom and I got back into the elevator and I was pissed off that my appointment was messed up because I was now very hungry and angry. I was all ready to have the surgery and now I was going to have to wait. 2 o'clock was so very far away. My mom and I did some shopping then went back to my place to make some soup and Jello. We spent the afternoon knitting and watching the Olympics.

Now we were back to Oral Surgeons office. I was okay until I got into room to watch the movie. My heart beat was going faster and faster, I was becoming very nervous. After the movie the nurse came in to put in my IV. This was the first time I had ever had an IV. I HATE needles, so I looked away took a deep breath and it wasn't that bad. I sat there were a while waiting for the doctor. He finally came in said a few things to me and gave me some drugs that knocked me right out.

I was out of it for a bit, I don't really remember going to the car or getting home. I had gauze in my mouth that was soaked with blood. We changed the gauze and I had to wait till it stopped bleeding so I could eat my soup. It was barley warm and it was gross but Justin said I wasn't allowed to have it any hotter. It was difficult to eat anything because my lip was still frozen and the soup and ice cream dripped down my chin. I should have enjoyed my frozen state because after the freezing went away the pain took over. I was starting to wonder why I had gotten my teeth out at all. My face was square and fat and my diet has been nothing but soup, jello, ice cream and yogurt. The pain killers are great but I wake up in the middle of the night in pain. I have the best fiance though who goes and gets me my pills and ice packs and whatever else I need.

Its Sunday now. I'm still eating soup, my face is still puffy and I am in a lot of pain. I just want to feel better. I don't think we will be going on our vacation anymore this week....I'm off to take more pain killers and get a new ice pack.

Car Shopping

2008-08-09T09:05:00.002-06:00

My 93 Cavalier still runs, is pretty good on gas, and still looks half decent if you look past the rust but that car has now become a commuter car for Justin out to the mine instead of his pathfinder which is nice for hauling stuff and fitting three hockey bags in it but not so good on gas. And in about a month or so I'll be driving all over the place for subbing and I need a good commuter car. We have been car shopping all summer, disagreeing on the style of car we both like. I fell in love with the 5 door cars like the caliber and the matrix but Justin was not a fan. I really liked the controls on the steering wheel in the caliber and the cooler in the glove box!!!! But they are cheep and overpopulating our city FAST!! We had a list of possible cars: Jetta, Malibu, Accura all of which would be great cars but we both were not in love with them.

My job for the summer is driving cars and lately I got behind the wheel of a Hyundai Elantra and really loved it. It had heated seats (sweet), volume and station controls on the steering wheel! (AWESOME), lots of storage compartments (YES) and just drove good.

So after the last time we went to a dealership to test drive a car, I really didn't want to go back. The salesman was rude, pushy and well RUDE! I wanted the leave as soon as we sat down with him. But this time was great, Glenn was the best cars salesman I have ever met. Just answered our questions straight up, was not pushy or rude, he was actually funny. So we took the Elantra for a spin and Justin really liked it too.

"Lots of power for a little car" he said smiling as he punched it on the highway.

We sat down with Glen when we got back and told him what we were looking for in one if it came in to give us a call. So hopefully in the next month we will be driving a new car!!

Mini-Golfing in the rain

2008-08-08T23:04:00.005-06:00

The lightening had started, but the rain was not falling yet as we set off to mini golf. Ryan said it wasn't going to rain on us, and I naively believed him.

We barley got finished the first hole before the rain started coming down. Just lightly at first, but by the 9th hole it was coming down pretty hard.

My perfect straight hair became an unruly mess and my jeans and shirt were soaked. It was fun though and I came in third. Ryan insisted that the rain affected his game too much. Ryan came in last!! But it's not about winning, but how you play the game!! :)

After we went to Wendy's and got Twisted Frosters which I highly recommend!! SO YUMMY!!

Here are some photos of our Rain Golf game---

Update

2008-08-01T20:38:00.003-06:00

My vein of gold journey has started off slow...morning pages were not completed this week at all, my body just did not want to wake up!

I did a couple Daily Walks which was fabulous, I am starting to love this city more.

I also completed my artist date at my favorite coffee shop. It's nice to just get out of the house with my notebook and enjoy a good carmal steamer and peice of pie!

I got a lot accomplished on my Narrative Timeline notes and this weekend I want to start writing out my narriative time line. I had a lot of trouble with my younger years so hopefully stuff coms to me as I write.

Wreck this jounral

Here are some pics of a few pages I have WRECKED!

Wedding Planning has started up again. I did an inventory of decorations today and counted 207 snowflakes! The hall will look like it is snowing inside! I hope anyways. We have a meeting with the minister next friday to discuss details for the service and officially set a time. I want to get started on making invitations ASAP!

We also have engagment pictures that night! I'm very excited!!

I got my wedding shoes---2 pairs! One dress pair and one pair of fuzzy boots to wear outside in the snow for pics!

I hope this is a productive weekend!!

Destructive Creativity

2008-07-27T10:55:00.004-06:00

Creative destruction is a term that refers to the act of making a physical change to an object, blank page or space. It is based on the premise that if you alter an object in some way, you are in fact participating in a creative experience (regardless of the outcome). The intent of creative destruction is to move beyond aesthetic judgements of whether a mark/alteration is good or bad, but instead to allow the mark to exist as documentation of a physical experience or as kind of expression. While the term “destruction” has historically had a negative connotation, in this context it is used to imply simply “alteration”.

A couple blogs that a read have inspired me to Wreck This Journal!

Everyday Snapshots and TwoWritingTeachers posted about their newest project/challenge to Wreck This Journal. A truley wonderful idea by Keri Smith that asks you to use Creative Destruction to alter this journal. You are NOT allowed to keep it clean and pretty, but rather encouraged and demanded to spill on it, rip it, drive over it!

I went to McNally yesterday and grabbed a copy myself to start wrecking. This is something I would never do. My notebooks and journals are nice and neat so this will be a challenge for me to create something like this. I'm looking forward to this project and I encourage others to start Wrecking thier own journals.

Creative Journey

2008-07-27T10:13:00.007-06:00

On my search for more creativity this summer I just started Julia Camerons A Vein of Gold after I completed her "The Artist's Way" book. I need to keep pushing myself to look deeper inside me and believe in my artist.

A quote from her book that really struck me:

"Art is made through a series of moments--choices--leading each to the next. Life is made in the same way." (p. 12).

I really want to merge my art and my life together.

Julia Cameron book outlines a few activities that are done on a regular basis.

#1 Morning Pages- 3 pages written by hand in a journal/notebook about anything that comes to your mind. It is not pretty writing, do not reread your morning pages, just write to get it out on paper.

#2 Artist Dates- Time spent alone to nurture your artist. Example: going to a museum, playing with pastels, buying stickers at the dollar store. It does not have to cost you anything, just time with creativity.

# 3 Creative Cluster- Build a group of people who you can go to for support and nurturing.

# 4 Daily Walks- 20 minute daily walk and one 1 hr long walk a week. During your walks Julia asks you to walk prayerfully and think of all the things you are grateful for. The task of walking prayerfully, listing and vocalizing gratitude is important for the process. What you are actually doing is gaining altitude so that you can see life from a higher perspective, where you are able to recognize many more choices.

# 5 Imagic Nation- Also on your walks her task for you is to enter our imagic-nation through walking asks us to “Think about what you’d like more of, what you’d like less of, what would make you happier, which things make you glad” (p. 37). Finally, Cameron suggests making a list of twenty things I would like to have manifest in my life—material, spiritual, intellectual, artistic.

Here is the start of my list...

calm and optimism related to my work

time for quiet reflection in each day

more connection to outdoor things—more time spent in the outdoors

a feeling of belonging in my community and culture

gratitude (mine, felt for other people and things)

daily reading

daily knitting.

A regular spiritual practice

A sense of balance

Comfort in showing my full self to the world

Strengthened connections to friends near & far

Start writing again

Travel, seeing new places, whether big trips (some day) or day trips (today!) – just to get out there on a regular basis and see more of the world

More long talks with mom

To wake up every morning excited about the day that’s ahead (not still exhausted, not reluctant to start the day, not anxious about what needs to get done)
Create a creative space
A belief in my talents
A new car

Today I start my journey to find my Vein of Gold and become closer to my inner self...

Scrap Your Day- May & June

2008-07-27T09:39:00.012-06:00

I have been participating in Scrap Your Day since April where on the 25th of the month you take pictures of your day and create a mini album. This is a fabulous project that documents MY life. I find a lot in my scrapbooking I document my friends or family and not myself, and this book is mostly about me and what I do everyday. It is really a lot of fun to see how you just spend an ordinary or special day.

Here are my pages from May, June and July.

May 25th Highlights

Sunday morning breakfast of bacon and eggs!! :)

Filling up the truck with gas, buying new furniture, shopping at home depot, Michael's and Sobeys.

An afternoon of watching Degrassi, painting, Tile Rummy and Writing.

June 25th Highlights

A cereal day for breakfast, with a look at my feet and a quote on the wall.

At work all day driving cars.

I got a new lap top and the house beside us went up for sale.

The rainbow above the trees after the rain and a late night to bed.

I'll hopefully get July's page done today. I have the house all to myself to crank the music and make a mess with paper, stickers and paint!

Slice of life Tuesdays- Chapter 14

2008-07-15T06:00:00.001-06:00

Justin and I grabbed a piece of gum.

"I haven't blown bubbles in forever" Justin said.

Each of us were trying to blow the biggest bubble. I was trying to blow a second bubble inside the first. Justin spitting and blowing tiny bubbles.

The orange piece of gum flew out of Justin's mouth and stuck to the dashboard for a second before it fell into my purse. Laughing so hard my stomach hurt I pick the gum out of my purse and say. "You are terrible at blowing bubbles! You have to flatten it on your tongue like this" I explain and show by sticking out my tongue.

He grabs another piece of gum and attempts to flatten his pieces. Justin sticks out his tongue and looks at his gum in the rear view mirror. I continue my bubble blowing lesson.

"Now hold the gum behind your teeth and push your tongue a bit"

Justin pushes the gum far with his tongue stretching the gum too thin.

"Don't push so much" I say. "Just a little bit then blow"

I blow a large bubble and it pops. Justin continues to work hard at the craft of bubble blowing. I pop another piece of gum into my mouth so I can create my bubble inside of a bubble. The sweet sugar and flavour filled my mouth. I chew quick trying to get the gum soft and ready. I position the gum and create the first bubble. I repositioned the leftover gum to push inside the first bubble. I push too low creating a second bubble below the first pushing the first up to touch my nose. I poke Justin to look at me because I am unable to talk. We continue blowing bubbles on the trip to breakfast when the orange, slobbery, wet mass flies from Justin's mouth on the dashboard again. We both couldn't stop laughing. We both agreed that maybe this lesson was done for the moment.

Lost and Found

2008-07-11T16:37:00.002-06:00

The clock on the wall finally hit 5pm. The work week was over. I finished up the last few documents for the week and turned off my computer. Only 15 minutes later and the office was already deserted. Just me and the buzzing sounds of the florescent lights. I grabbed my keys, jacket and purse to head home to sit on the couch with a glass of red wine and a good book. I smile at the thought of my Friday evening plans. The week had been busy with meetings and deadlines and news that my favourite uncle had been diagnosed with cancer.

The parking lot was eerie with one lone car left. My purple dodge calibar. It beeps as I push the unlock button on my keys. As I get closer it looks like my tire is flat. I curse to myself. Not another thing! As I get even closer I see that not only 1 tire is flat but all four. With slash marks in them.

"God Damit " I scream." Why me!? Who the hell would do that to my car.?!"

I reach inside my purse to grab my cell phone and try calling my Dad. Voice mail. Okay what about my brother.....voicemail. Shit. Justin is working nights tonight, I'll try him anyways just to cry.....voicemail.

I look down at my BlackBerry thinking of who else I could call and see the low battery light flashing and without notice the phone shuts off. Battery too low...Well I guess I'm walking now. Its not that far home and maybe I can catch a cab on my walk.

The early fall sun was setting behind the tall evergreen trees that lined the sidewalk of the building. I wish I had a sweater with me. My heels clicked on the sidewalk as I walked home. The residential area where my office was quiet, no traffic, no other pedestrians. As I walked my mind wandered back to my glass of wine and a good book. I would be home alone tonight and I needed that me time. I wondered why I didn't walk to work more often the scenery was beautiful. The large trees that lined the street canopied over the street creating a large umbrella. The trees were starting to loose their leaves as the seasons changed.

I was brought out of my daydream by the sound of rustling in the leaves that lay beneath the trees. I turn to look over my shoulder but I don't see anyone. I pick up the pace and tell myself I'm just hearing things. I hear the sound again and this time with a soft whine. I stop and turn around to watch the leaves. They start to move and out popped the head of a tiny grey kitten. I laughed at myself being afraid of a tiny kitten. I crouch down and call out to the kitten. Slowly it came to me and I took it in my arms. It was so soft and surprisingly tame. I checked to see if it had a tag. It did. Its name was Elmo and there was a phone number to call. Unfortunately my cell phone was dead so I would have to take him home with me. I held Elmo close to my chest like a baby stroking his back. He purred so loud and strong it tickled my neck.

We finally reached home and the second I opened the room Elmo jumped out of my arms and started exploring. We played tag for a bit through the living room and kitchen trying to catch him to get the phone number off his tag. I finally caught him and he began to cry. I grabbed a dish out of the cupboard and filled it was some water. I dialled the number and placed Elmo down. He got more water on the floor then in his mouth. The phone rang many times and then a man answered the phone clearly out of breath.
"Hello, Smith residence"
"Hi, My name is Victoria. While I was walking home tonight I found a cat hiding in the leaves and I think its yours"
"YOU HAVE ELMO??? Thank goodness we thought he was gone forever, we have been out looking in the neighbourhood all night. We can't thank you enough"
"Well he sort of found me. He is here safe I'm home now. My address is 65 Preston Ave if you would like to get him"
"We will be right there" and he hung up the phone.
Victoria poured herself a glass of wine, grabbed her book and her new friend and curled up on the couch. Elmo nested himself in Victoria's lap.
The doorbell rang at 65 Preston Ave and Victoria took Elmo to the door. There stood a man and a young girl. It looked like she had been crying. "Oh my Elmo" she cried out as she reached her arms out.
Victoria reluctantly handed the kitten over.
The father thanked her again and they left. Victoria watched her new friend go back to his home. She sighed. Closed the door and walked back to the couch, grabbed the cordless phone and dialled up her fiancé Justin. "Justin speaking" he answered.
Without even a hello Victoria asked "Can we get a kitten?"
Justin laughed on the other end. "A stuffed animal one for sure"
"No a real one, that purrs" Victoria explained.
Justin still laughing replied. "What are we going to name it?"
"Elmo the second" Victoria stated strongly.
"The second? How can we have a second without having a first" Justin questioned.
"Just because we can!" Victoria replied back.

The Closet

2008-07-11T16:31:00.003-06:00

Here is one of the creative writing short stories that I have been writing.

The alarm rings beside me for the second time. I don't want to get up, I have so much to do around the house I just want to stay in bed. I press the snooze button one more time. As I lay there in the comfort of my quilt staring at the ceiling going over my to-do list in my head I see a small light out of the corner of my eye. I sit up slowly and look at the direction of my closet. The crack at the bottom of the door is glowing an blue light. I wonder if I'm still dreaming and I pinch myself. Ouch that hurt, okay this is real. I wonder what is inside.
Carefully I pull open the closet door ready for something to jump out at me. I fling open the door and jump back. Nothing jumps out...I peek inside and there is a door on the back wall of my closet. The whole door is glowing. It is pounding like my heart, fast, thumpthump- thumpthump. I pinch myself to see if I'm really awake. Ouch it hurts, so this isn't a dream. I know this door wasn't here before. I have explored every inch of this closet trying to jam all my clothes inside of it. I stare at the door glowing and pounding, I can feel it drawing me near. I can smell the clean fresh smell of rain and the sweet smell of blooming flowers and ripe fruit. The smell is intoxicating and my heart relaxes as I breathe in deep.
As I step closer to the door it opens on its own. I am no longer afraid of what is on the other side. My feet seem to be moving towards the glowing light at the end of a long hall. As I move slowly down the hall the smells become stronger and I can hear the sound of water flowing. My feet move quicker towards the inviting smells, sounds and sights of this mystery room.
I round the corner and enter a small but luxurious room. The walls painted a light yellow are covered in paintings of ocean landscapes. The one wall has floor to ceiling windows that let in the rays of the early morning sunshine. The room contained a few pieces of furniture made of dark wood. A four post bed, covered in silk sheets and large pillows was placed in the center of the large room. A large wardrobe contained fairy tale princesses gowns in all colors of the rainbow. I strip from my pyjamas and reach for the purple gown. It fit like a glove. Spinning around and around laughing like a child I flop down onto the bed staring at the ceiling. Breathing it all in I think to myself. I must be dreaming.
The sound of footsteps on the wooden floor startle me to a seated position. Before me stood the most handsome man I had ever seen. His dark hair swept over his chocolate eyes that sparkled in the sun. His strong jaw line framed a large smile of perfectly white teeth. His muscles from his broad chest and large arms were visible through his tight suit.
"Hello my Princess" his deep voice washed over my ears.
"hhhii" I stutter back.
"Would you like to take a ride with me?" he motions to his white horse standing outside the windows.
I smile and nod my head. His hand reaches out to mine and we walk hand and hand.
"I hope this isn't a dream" I whisper to myself.
"Dreams do come true" Prince Charming whispers back.

Slice of life Tuesdays- Chapter 13

2008-07-08T07:32:00.002-06:00

The day had been going quick I was in a good mood because the sun was coming out and the rain

had stopped. I was on my way back to the shop in a standard Saturn ion. I'm just starting to

get comfortable driving standard so I was concentrating on shifting without staling. The car was beeping and the words novis essence go across the dashboard. I had no idea what that meant so I just kept on driving.

I'm in my own little world the light turns green I slowly take my foot off the clutch and give the car some gas and the car dies. I curse myself for staling and try to start it again. Now the car won't even start!! I look down and I am out of gas. I turn on my hazards and give

the shop a call for someone to come save me.

I already feel bad as the traffic behind me starts to pile up and I sit there just staring straight ahead. I watch this old man in a blue shirt with a rip up the whole side wearing a toque in July

and pants too small for him. He is pushing a cart full of plastic bottles. He gets to the other side of the street and then starts walking towards my car.

He starts yelling at me "put up your hood! Then people will know you are stuck."

"I have my lights on. This is not my car I don't know how to pop the hood." I reply quietly.

He goes off on how I have made such a lineup behind me. He gets behind my car and starts

pushing me into the middle of the intersection without telling me while traffic is coming. I quickly throw on the E-Brake to stop him and at this point I'm mad now. I am very grateful that he wants to help but I wanted to do things safely.

I tell him to stop pushing and wait for the traffic to stop.

Then he starts to yell again. "I'm going to call the police on you because you don't want to move your car. You are a terrible driver you should get off the road."

I felt like screaming back at him, telling him that if he would have asked if I needed his help to move my car I would have gladly accepted it but now I just want him to help me so that he will go away and stop bothering me.

He gives my car a push then just leaves me with it running beside it down and slight slope. I jump in and take it around the corner and he is gone. A few moments later Sheldon appeared with some gas. I was still pretty upset, going over the situation again and again. I felt bad enough myself that I was stalled I don't think it was necessary to be yelled at. But that's what you get on the road.

Slice of life Tuesdays- Chapter 12

2008-07-01T20:46:00.004-06:00

Noon on a Saturday afternoon. A sea of green gets on a bus to drive 2 hours to cheer on the 2007 Grey Cup Champions of the CFL---The Saskatchewan Rough Riders.

My brother planned a bus trip for the season opener of the Riders. Three months ago a bus was booked and 45 tickets were put on hold. It didn't take long to find people to come along the trip.

The trip to Regina flew by with cheers, talking and laughing. We stopped for a bite to eat on the side of the road and every car that passed us on the highway honked at our wall of green jerseys or body paint.

The game was everything a Rider fan could hope for. A sweet victory over the Edmonton Eskimos. The bus ride home was quieter, lots of sleeping exhausted from the heat and the game.

I predict another fabulous season for the Riders. and if I'm wrong I'll still be on the bandwagon along with many others who support them no matter what! Go GREEN!

Summer Goals

2008-07-01T20:40:00.000-06:00

1. Write everyday

2. Read everyday

3. Start running

4. Paint- EVERYTHING!!

5. Start wedding scrapbook

6. Take lots of pictures

7. Wear sunscreen

8. Work on my golf game

9. Learn something new

10. Knit 2 pieces

Wish You Well -Thousand Foot Crutch

2008-06-28T10:54:00.002-06:00

Sometimes love, feels like pain, and sometimes I wonder if it's all the same, sometimes life, feels just like rain, cause you never know, when it's gonna fall down on you

I wish you well, I wish you well, on this trip to find yourself, I wish you well, wish I could help, but I can't help you find yourself

Sometimes faith, feels like doubt, and sometimes I wonder if we'll even get out, sometimes life hurts just like now, but ya gotta know, it's all gonna
come back around

I wish you well, I wish you well, on this trip to find yourself, I wish you well, wish I could help, but I can't help you find yourself find yourself,
I can't help you find yourself, find yourself..

and we were sixteen at the time, nothing could ever change our minds, we were one step below invincible, and we always fought it, you've never been the same, you were so scared to make a name, then you threw it all away, and i wish you'd come back now.

I wish you well, I wish you well, on this trip to find yourself, I wish you well, wish I could help, but I can't help you find yourself, I wish you well,
I wish you well, on this trip to find yourself, I wish you well, wish I could help, but I can't help you find you
I wish you well, I wish you well, on this trip to find yourself, I wish you well, wish I could help, but I can't help you find yourself
find yourself,
I can't help you find yourself,
find yourself,
I can't help you find yourself...

This is one my new favourite songs!!!

Slice of life Tuesdays

2008-06-25T15:32:00.001-06:00

I was driving at work when my cell phone rang. It was Cheryl a fellow teacher. We chatted about my interview and how to keep a positive attitude about the job hunt. Then she asked if I could join her sonja and crystal for supper my choice. I picked avacado a new Mexican reasurant. When I got there I realized that it was an early birthday supper for me.

The meal was wonderful. I love sweet potato fries. We also shared a fantastic browie for dessert.

The girls gave me a chicken cookbook which is amazing because I Love chicken.

thanks for the great evening ladies!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Memoir Mondays #4- Graduation

2008-06-23T12:56:00.000-06:00

***I have not had a chance to post in a couple of weeks. My life has been a little too busy. I was just thinking about grad so I couldn't pass this one up!***

June 11, 2004

Thirteen years of education was being celebrated in the small town of Aberdeen. The twenty-eight grads, some who had been together since the first day of Kindergarten were about to end thier routine of coming to that building with the same purpose in mind to venture out and take on new challenges, new paths. Highschool was over.

The planning of the actual ceremony went as usual. The girls did most of the planning and work as the boys sat back and watched it happen. Helping with the heavy lifting and the decision on the meal. Somedays it felt like planning a wedding for 13 different brides. We all argued over the songs and the speakers and the decorations. Things that today probably not to many people remember. I take that into consideration as I plan for my own wedding.

I spent the whole year writing about things being the "last time". The last first day of school, the last school dance, the last football game, the last final. There were a lot of lasts that year but one very important begining. The begining of our futures. I was planning on going into Arts and Science to take my prerequistes to get into the college of Education. I worried so much about going to University. I worried I was going to fail, and that I wasn't going to make any new friends and that it wasn't going to be like high school. I was wrong about 2 out of those 3. I did not fail, I did fantastic. I made some great new friends. But I was right about how un high school like it was.

I remember sitting on the stage at grad looking out into the crowd and looking around at my classmates. I was very proud of all of us. We had overcome HUGE challenges and obstacles in our young lives. We had made memories, shared laughs and tears that will be stuck in my head forever. When a few of us get together now we pull out the memories and laugh even harder now.

Four years later a lot has changed. Many people are getting married, some have babies, others have traveled the world, some no one knows where they are. Our lives took us away from each other so we don't see or talk to each other everyday like we once used to. But I know that if I ever needed one of them, I could call and they would be there.

Some of the girls at the banquet

Josh and I walking into the ceremony

Eating supper with our McDonalds bibs!!

Rain delays test driving family supper and wii!

2008-06-16T13:06:00.001-06:00

This weekend was supposed to be when we resided the house. The weather was not in our favor. Rain stopped us from starting anything until Sunday. The old shutters came off and old paint was scraped and the trim got a first cost of paint. I hope we can find more time soon but next 4 weekends are booked!
On Friday we test drove a dodge caliber that I really liked driving at my job. Justin was not overly impressed with the car and we were both not impressed with the very pushy salesman. I know that is his job but he wanted us to make a decision right now and we wanted to go home and have a chance to talk about it. Buying a car is a big decision and we will not be going back to buy that car from him!
For fathers day we hosted supper for both of our moms and dads and a couple of our siblings that could make it. We cooked a roast on the bbq which was amazing and we had fantastic desserts. It is still kinds wired for me to see my parents leave my house but I really like having all the family over for good food wine and visiting.
Friday night we played wii at a friends place and fell in love. So at 730 the next morning we called walmart to see if they had any in stock. They had 2 so we raced over there and bought one. My arms are killing me from all the sports games. There is even a figure skating game! It was a great way to pass the time on a rainy Saturday night.
The weekend was not productive in terms of renovations but it was fun and that's what weekends are all about!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Driving

2008-06-04T15:44:00.001-06:00

My new job is driving around picking up cars to bring back to get inspected. I get to drive some nice cars and its a good test drive on my hunt for a new car.
This driving can be kind of stressful with traffic and contruction. Today on my way back to the shop I was behind and to the left of this truck hauling large triangular shapes that I think are used for roofing. They stuckout far on the right side and he got to close to the sidewalk and hit a streetlight post. The head of the light came crashing down; I slamed on my brakes as the lamp hit the pavement and shattered glass everywhere. It made my heart stop for a second. I carefully made it 1 more block back to the shop.
Driving is not the job for me. I don't know how semi drivers taxi cabs drivers and bus drivers do it everyday. I would rather be the passenger and enjoy the view.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 10

2008-06-04T06:16:00.003-06:00

**better late then never right??**

Another Tuesday night bowling in Aberdeen, another night of bringing a box and bag or two of stuff still in my room there. Last night it was a very quick summer clothes grab from the last closet with clothes in it. I knew I had more than 2 pairs of Capri and I found all the rest of them which was great because I have had NO luck with Capri shopping this summer so far. There is one problem, my new house, my new room is shared with my fiance Justin. At the present moment the closets are split 50/50. I have the right side and he has the left. We also put a bar in our other smaller closet that just had shelves in it for our pants which is pretty much 50/50. I have now run into a problem. My summer clothes have no where to go!

In my old room I had a closet and 2 large dressers, all of which were full. Now sharing a couple small closets and a small dresser just isn't the same. I know the best solution would be to go threw the clothes and throw some away...but that is never any fun. Unfortunately I think that may be my only solution. Who really needs a tank top in EVERY color! lol

Memoir Mondays #3- Food For Thought

2008-06-02T19:45:00.001-06:00

Saturday mornings before our family would be off to the city for shopping my mom would meet her friends at the only restaurant in town. Halfway down main street a small building, faded siding and a small deck on the front with orange metal table and chairs. Cars and trucks parked on both sides of the street, bikes may on the grass beside the restaurant as many stopped in as routine for their daily dose of town gossip. I would usually go with my mom Saturday mornings for my Cinnamon bun and chocolate milk breakfast. I would sit there listening to the conversation, watching the other tables as the place filled up to capacity. I remember when coffee went up from $1 to $1.25, it was quite a commotion. I remember many family bike rides to the coffee shop for ice cream- half maple walnut and half cherry cheese cake in a dish. No cone for me.

The Pope family took over the restaurant and it was renamed Gordie's Eatery and Catering. The walls were painted and the floor replaced with yellow and blue tile. Saturday morning coffee continued and I sometimes went but my friends and I had our own coffee meeting time after school. We would try and sit at the table where there was a cut out into the kitchen where we could talk with Gordie and give him our orders through there. We had many favorites; he made the BEST poutine ever, whenever he had chicken lemon rice soup on the whole school came down at lunch. He would tell us the night before so we could be the first there. Chicken quessedilla were a top choice for me and the ultimate: Deep Fried Pickles. I know it sounds terrible but Dallas and I would devour these boiling hot, greasy, sticks of pickle coated in a batter dipped in the "special" sauce.

The restaurant got a slush puppie machine one summer which for a small town was the equivalent to a 7-11 Slurpee machine. The sweet/sour colored ice drinks were a favorite for all. Rainbow tongues and teeth appeared after you had one and if you had more then 2 blue slush puppies in one day your insides turned blue. If you bought a medium one you got a sucker to go with it. I don't know how my teeth didn't rot off that summer with my consumption of slush puppies and ice cream.

The coffee shop was were many plans were made and stories and secrets were told. It was not fine dining. It was small town burgers and fries, endless cups of coffee, gossip central. It closed a few years ago and is now the senior centre. Everytime I drive by I think back to all the laughs shared and memories made of growing up in a small town.

Bloging from my phone

2008-05-29T07:43:00.000-06:00

I just got a black berry phone it rocks!!! Now I can blog anywhere
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 9

2008-05-26T20:31:00.002-06:00

Today was the celebration of four years of University completed. I now have a Bachelor of Education Degree!!

Phone calls and messages of congrats from everyone today, my mom, dad, Aunt Cheryl and Justin came to the ceremony. We got to TCU Place and it was pretty much chaos, no one knew what was going on. The doors finally opened and we rushed in like cattle, grads were sent behind the stage where more confusion arose on where to stand and how to sign in and how to hold or wear the sash thing. It was great to see some of the Gamma people I had been in class with.

We finally got into our order. I was second last for the B.Ed, # 224. I had tears in my eyes in the holding area just thinking about this being the end of a crazy four years.
We walked down the hallway and took our seats in the full auditorium, I couldn't find my family in the stands with all the faces. The ceremony was very formal and I felt silly wearing that gown and we were all sweating, my hands were making the card I was holding wet. The people were walking across the stage quickly and it was our rows turn to get ready to stand in line. I was getting more nervous. It was my turn to walk up to the Dean have her say my name, then I walked over to the chancellor shook her hand and finally over to the President of the University and he handed me my diploma. I wanted to jump for joy I was so happy.
3 1/2 hours later it was all over, Justin and I bought matching frames to hang in our office and we took a few pictures outside and went and had supper.

It was a long day, but it was an important one that I am very proud to say that I am now a University of Saskatchewan Graduate.

Congrats to all my fellow classmates!

Justin and I after the ceremony

Memoir Mondays #2- Now and Then Special Place

2008-05-26T13:05:00.001-06:00

It was my second home, I could see the large grey Quonset shaped building from my bedroom window, the shingles needed replacing and a new paint job inside and out, the back door didn't really close or lock. It was not the prettiest building in the town, but when winter season came the town gathered nightly to drink coffee, visit and watch some hockey. Small towns in Saskatchewan are fueled by hockey, everyone ate, drank and slept hockey, everyone except for me.

I was a figure skater.

I raced through my backyard everyday after school with my skate bag bouncing on the back of my legs as I ran to public skating on my lesson.s When I started skating there were at least 10 older girls who I looked up to and many other my age who I skated with. They quickly all quit to play girls hockey and it was Rachelle and I then just me...I wouldn't be trading in my pick and skirts for a stick and a puck. I was often the only figure skaters at public skating. It was dangerous avoiding pucks from the shiny game on the other side and as the game went on I had less and less ice.

Our rink had natural ice, it was hard and looked like glass, still wet from the Zamboni. I would skate over to the music room and play the newest cd I had bought. Stroking around the boards marked up fro pucks and age, the birds flew from rafter to rafter near the ceiling. The cold winter wind blew through the windows on the side. My hair flying behind me as I picked up speed. The sounds of my blades cutting into the ice was hypnotic and rhythmic. Seat would form on my forehead and neck and make my hair curly. I would breath in deep , the smell of the ice- my favorite smell, truly indescribable.

This old barn had so much character and brought me so much joy growing up. It was were I spent most of my free time in winter- a rink rat I called myself. It was falling apart as time went on, not beg enough for a tournament and natural ice made our season very short. The town finally raised enough money an now have a huge multi million dollar complex for skating curling, dance, bowling, the library etc. They turned the old rink into a horse riding arena. My skating career was done by the time they built the new rink but I taught other how to skate and have been to a few public skates. It is beautiful, great ice, well lit, better sound system but it is missing that smell...

Now when I look out my old bedroom window and see horses coming in and out of it I feel all these memories and moments of time spent in their on the ice. As I grew I learned many lessons inside those walls on and off the ice. I learned grace and power on the ice through my skating lessons. It is a passion that still burns inside me today, although I don't practice anymore whenever I get back on the ice that fire burns inside me to jump and spin. I founded many friendships, Rachelle and I spent many Monday and Thursday afternoons skating round and round together telling each other the highs and lows of our day, the ice was cathartic and the connection we built was strong. Many of my coaches were great role models and also good friends that I could go and talk to. The younger skaters that I taught all looked up to me on and off the ice and I felt pride at the end of the season when those who could not stand on their own where now the fastest in my group. I also made friendships off the ice with the caretakers. I was the official hot chocolate taster, and new 5cent candy eater. They were kind and generous to open the rink early when competition was getting close and always warned me about the cracks in the ice when March came around. I sometime had to stand up for myself and the use of the ice to those who thought figure skating was a waste of precious ice time. It was not always easy, but I knew in my heart that it was important to me and no one was going to take that away.

Growing up in a small town with the rink in my backyard and with my hockey loving dad and brothers it was no question that I was going to skate and that the rink would be a big part of my life. I was always the girly-girl so figure skating was natural for me before we had a dance club in Aberdeen. Today the rink in the winter is still a big part of my life as I teach skating and when I'm off watching Justin play hockey. Aberdeen's rink holds a special place in my heart and it holds a lot of special memories for many of the people that live in the town. No matter how amazing our new rink is with all its technology and glamour, the old cold barn behind my house will forever be the best rink ever.

Teaching Certificate

2008-05-22T11:31:00.003-06:00

I FINALLY got my teaching certificate today!!! This has been a very long 3 week wait that is finally over---now one more step, I need to send in my sub application and just wait for the official word that I am on the sub list!
I was getting pretty pouty about all of this waiting, I was getting really whinny. So crossing my fingers that this last step goes quick and I can be out subbing for the month of June!!!!
^_^

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 8

2008-05-20T21:33:00.000-06:00

The days seem to blend together lately. I gret up eat breakfast check out things online, work-out, shower get dressed and work on my never ending to-do list.

Sending out resumes for jobs, waiting for phone calls from resumes I've already submited, constant cleaning of the house, writing, reading, running errands, making gifts, buying gifts, wedding planning....the list goes on.

I enjoy having this time to myself, but I feel like I'm on pins and needles waiting to get a call saying that someone wants to meet me to see if they want me to teach in thier school. I can't wait until this nervous time is over and I can really relax and enjoy spending the afternoon in my nest chair curled up with a book or painting something.

Tonight was week 3 of bowling out in Aberdeen. Half done already and I don't think I'm improving at all, maybe even getting worse. My wrists are week and I let the ball drop off to the side and into the gutter it goes. Oh well, it's all in fun and it's nice to hang out with my mom.

This is my life right now, checking off the to-do list, and a lot of waiting and wondering....

Memoir Mondays #1- Now and Then Friendship

2008-05-19T20:30:00.000-06:00

We have known each other since diapers, and plan on becoming old ladies together who go for coffee everyday and talk about the old days. We have shared a million memories in our short 21 years and I know more are to come.

Dallas was like the sister I never had. We shared everything, clothes, secrets, lip gloss and boys! :P How that sneaky boy got between us momentarily I'll never know (but that's a whole other story). Through all the high school drama, and the life now after with jobs and responsibilities she is still the first person I call to share any kind of news. We spent many hours on the phone talking a mile a minute or in each others bedrooms painting nails and combing each others hair. Telling each other the latest on our crush, or complaining about the teachers at school. Our friendship was strong, and we may not have always agreed on everything but we never really fought about anything. We were there for each other through and through.

Dallas moved almost next door to me, there is a house in between us. You could see us running back and forth our neighbors lawn all summer long getting cookies, watching movies, riding bikes and playing basketball. Life was very simple back then.

There are so many memories from dance competition and taping up Stephanie too tight, girl guide camp, Dallas getting hit in the head by a hockey puck, graduation, and spice-girl imitations, birthday pub-crawls and so many more.

Dallas was there when I first met Justin at the Poker Tournament, and she was the first person I called after Justin and I had our first date, and our first kiss. I am very excited to have her stand beside me on my wedding day to be my Maid of Honor.
This is my friend Dallas, trailer trash, sporty spice, dancer! I love you dear!

Book Club

2008-05-16T07:25:00.000-06:00

Great wine, good appetizers and FANTASTIC cupcakes were eaten at Shauna Foster's Book Club on Wednesday when we went to discuss Sharon Butala's Girl In Saskatoon. All of us ladies had very high hopes for this book and sought it out after the one and only major book store sold out of it two times, and other stores were also selling out. I ended up getting my copy off Amazon. I was excited to get into this piece of historical fiction placed in the city I am currently living, but after only a few pages what I thought the book was about and what the book was really about it became a chore to finish it.

Most of us in book club tried to push through and finish it, hoping that it would pull together in the end, but it did not happen. The disappointment and some anger came from many of the ladies at the book club including myself.

There were gaps in the narrative, which really parallel Butala's connection with the main character of her story Alex. They were never really friends, just simply went to the same school. She had never really hung out with her or remembered anything really specific. Her book really isn't about Alex, but more about the connections between Sharon and Alex's similar origin, they were both in drama club and Sharon had a summer job where Alex would have a future job as a nurse. The story seemed to be more about Sharon and her life, comparing her life to that of Alex's along the way.

The part of the book that is really wonderful was the description of the time about living in Saskatoon, and all the description of how life was for girls/women in that time. The book left many ties still undone and so many unanswered questions. I thought that this story would have better been told as a fiction story, take the idea of Alex's death and make it a fiction story rather then filling a true story with maybes and assumptions.

Shauna picked the next book: Marley and Me by John Gorgan. I picked it up that night and

have had a hard time putting it down and in the first 5 chapters I have already shed some tears. I'm looking forward to this book much more, something fun and heartwarming.

I can't wait till the next meeting to see what the rest of the ladies have to say!

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 7

2008-05-13T20:00:00.001-06:00

Justins new position at work and different hours changed a lot of things in our routine. He doesn't get home till 6:30, so I am now the cook. He also gets up way too early for me so we are hopefully getting into bed by 9:00-9:30 and reading. I have really missed cooking suppers with Justin- he cooked the meat and I did the veggies and salads. But I have enjoyed cooking new things on my own and having supper ready so we can eat when he gets home. The next 3 weeks Justin is back to his regular 8 hour shift and home at 4:30 which means we are cooking together again.
Somehow we manage not to burn anything or boil anything over while we dance around the kitchen and give kisses in between stirs! It is really the most enjoyable part of my dad, where we get the low-down on each others days and plan for the evening and work in harmony each person knowing exactly what to do.
I know this fun cooking time will come to an end soon so I'm enjoying every moment of it and hope it returns again soon.

Map of Me

2008-05-06T17:01:00.003-06:00

Start with my toes, curled and callused, nails painted the colours of the rainbow. Tapping to the music.

Bruises on my shins and on my knees, walking into tables and falling from a jump. I am such a klutz There were kisses from spring grass and autumn leaves that took away some of the pain.
Strong legs, muscular from years of my passion to skate. There are traces of lips and fingertips, lingering and soft.

The curve of my hips sway back and forth as I walk. I sometimes curse them as I struggle into a pair of pants. The ideal place to hands to rest while dancing, pull me closer and closer.

My stomach tells stories of nights spent on the bathroom floor that summer I turned 19. Move fast from here, it hurts. Pass over the middle, I'll be back, tonight I will take the long way home.

My shoulder hold the wight of the world, all my fears and a sleepy head. Tension released as be rubs lotion on my back. My neck like a princess swan reserved for his kisses, often draped in a necklace.

My head in constant conflict with my heart. It holds lyrics, poems, useless trivia, phone numbers, directions, movies how to's and how not to's: love, make cookies, play piano. All of it in flies for future reference.

My hair finally touches my shoulders sometimes curly, but often straight. I've always had bangs forever and over. Shades of purple and red peek out from the dark brown. I was blond for a bit, not my thing. I love when he runs his fingers through it.

My eyes changing from shades of blue to shades of green sparkling in the sunlight. My vision is blurred without my glasses but I dream clean, beautiful images at night. My eyes are wells ready to overflow with tears at any moment, happy or sad.

I scrunch my nose at things I don't like. There are smells of fresh chocolate chip cookies, the ice at the rink, sweaty dance shoes. Frequent nose bleeds when the weather turns cold and dry.

My lips covered in Lip Smackers. My tongue often stuck behind my teeth, often very quiet, but my lips speak words, sentences of longing, questions, happy, sad. Pillow talk about our day and the deep unanswerable questions. I sing loudly in my car and in the shower. My lips touching his, we kiss in odd numbers, every morning and every night.

Down my arms to my hands. Usually interlocked in his like puzzle pieces, his ring on my finger. Don't crack your knuckles my mom always said. My hands have filled a lot of notebooks. Paint under my nails, palms hurt from swinging a bit. My hands knit scarves and make supper. My hands run through his hair and down his strong back squeezing him close. Our hearts beating in sync.

My heart hold the most stories. It was many scars from being dangled by a strong then dropped shattered in a million pieces. Finally found my soul mate and the pieces became whole. My heart guides me, it is where I go for advice. My heart sometimes feels to big inside my tiny chest and often feels like bursting with joy or heartache.

***There is more to this map, but I just can't write anymore, but I wanted to share...

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 6

2008-05-06T13:41:00.002-06:00

Yesterday just got away from me and I didn't get to write me slice, so here it is now, just a little late.

How come they never tell you about the lengthy and complicated process it is going to be to get your teaching certificate when it is all said and done?? I waited very impatiently for a week for my last mark to be posted so I could order my transcripts and have them sent off to teacher services so they could process my application, send me back my certificate number so I could send off my sub application form. That's what I thought was going to happen, so after waiting for my last mark I started to order these transcripts but read in the fine print that my transcripts will not indicated that I have obtained my Education Degree until after convocation. THAT IS 3 WEEKS AWAY!! I cannot wait another three weeks....I called Teacher Services, they told me that I should send these transcripts and then send another after my convocation. My frustration is building. I just want to get into the classroom, I spent four year in University with my eyes and heart set on this goal and now that I have the education I'm playing a waiting game to get a piece of paper with a number on it.

So I'll play this waiting game, unfortunatly because I want nothing more then to be in that classroom watching students learn and grow. I will be there soon! :)

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 5

2008-04-29T09:59:00.004-06:00

I am a small town girl---Forever and Ever!

I have officially lived in "the city" aka Saskatoon for four months now. I loved being 10 minutes away from the University and the Tim Horton's just around the corner and the shopping malls, but as much as I love the connivance of living here, I don't love it.

Today I went on a biking adventure to the University to return a book to the library, drop off a parcel at Sears that was too big and relax at a coffee shop to write. This was my first big biking tour that went beyond the park beside our house. Biking in the city is WAY different when you have to deal with the traffic. I miss driving all over the road in my small town. Speaking of traffic that is one thing I really dislike about the city, the traffic noise. Sometimes at night I can hear the cars out on the streets and the big semis. Most of all I hate the smell that all the cars make, biking through the exhaust was disgusting. Where is my fresh town air? Well it wasn't always "fresh" especially when they were cleaning out the barns, secretly I don't mind that smell.

I'm still scared to venture very far from my home or to place I'm not familiar with alone. I want to go check out the trails along the river, I've never been on them. Saskatoon is really a beautiful city down by the river. I miss seeing the sunset and seeing the stars in the sky clearly. The buildings and city lights make these two things hard.

I remember biking out in Aberdeen and hearing the sounds of nature, the birds, crickets, the wind, but all I heard on my ride today was honking horns and reeving engines.

Overall the bike adventure was great, I checked out a new coffee shop that I want to go back to and spent a great afternoon enjoying the sun and getting some exercise. I hope that this summer I can go on more adventures with my bike and find new and exciting things about Saskatoon. Justin and I plan to move out of the Saskatoon to an acreage but I think our home will be Saskatoon for awhile so I should start acting like a "city gurl" but I will never forget my small town roots.

Scrap Your Day Challenge

2008-04-28T10:42:00.009-06:00

On the 25th of every month I will be participating in Shimelle wonderful scrapbooking project where you take pictures of your day and create a lovely mini book that documents the "everyday" things in your life for a year.

I have been away from scrapbooking for awhile, but I'm trying to get back into all my hobbies and crafts and this challenge just spoke to me. So on Friday I took my camera with me on my daily adventures and snapped away and created a great first entry into my book.

I have not done any scrapbooking in a long time so I was truly out of practice. But I really enjoyed making these 2 little pages.

After I was all done taking pictures for the day it was hard to decide which pictures to use and where to place them. They are in no particular order I guess, just a general mishmash of my day.

Journaling in my scrapbook is something that I fail to do. I want to go through all the pages I have in my bigger scrapbook and journal on them. I know it is the most important part!

In the top right hand corner of the second page, these are the photos that are underneath the computer picture in a flip book format. I have never done this before but I LOVE IT!!! What a great way to have more pictures on a layout.

This was my day on the 25th of April 2008. I'm looking forward to capturing my days as the year goes on and seeing my habits and what changes.

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 4

2008-04-22T10:50:00.005-06:00

Tonight many people gathered to remember and celebrate the life of Mr. Sheldon Proznick. He was taken from this world April 17, 2008 so suddenly. He was a son, brother, husband, father, teacher, mentor, coach and inspiration. Sheldon Proznick was a lover of life and he spread this love of life to everyone he met.

Mr. Proznick was my gr 8. teacher in 1999/2000, where more lessons of life were learnt then historic facts and where more laughs were shared then math equations completed and where memories were made, and kept forever in our hearts.

Mr. Proznick would be found patrolling the hallways of Aberdeen school , taking away hats, but always with a smile on his face and whistling a tune. Mr. Proznick acknowledged everyone and always asked how we all were. He was always there to help a student with a math problem or personal problem and he would have done anything for his fellow colleges.

Mr. Proznick was passionate about many things; his family, golfing, the Boston Bruins, hockey, and teaching. He was an inspiration to me to become a teacher myself. I went to him for words of encouragement and advice when I was applying for the college of education just over 2 years ago. We sat and chatted a long time about teaching, school and life.

Tonight at the prayers many people from all parts of his life shared their stories of how Sheldon had touched their lives. The church was full of heartbroken people who have been touched by him in so many different ways.

I know he is in a better place now looking down upon all of us, golfing on the finest greens ever, drinking scotch and whistling.

Mr. Proznick you have had a huge impact on my life through your stories, advice and words of wisdom. You were a fantastic teacher and I am grateful to have had the pleasure to be in one of your classes. You will be greatly missed by many. Thank you

Writing Group

2008-04-17T08:10:00.002-06:00

Last night was the second meeting of my writing group. We spent the first part of our meeting just talking about writing in our lives and how we felt writing the activties from last week were for us and how we felt writing at home the past week. I have been making writing a habit for me so writng everyday comes easier for me now. The other women some of them struggled with the idea of writing everyday and where to start. I think my morning pages really help get me started in the day and the fact that I am a "student" that I have the time right now and I don't have a family so my free time is more then others. But even then I still have to schedule time to sit and right and justify it in my head why I should be writing and not cleaning or doing laundry---both of which need to get done. Somehow I have realized that by spending 10 mins writing in her, my notebook, whereever I am helping myself and that there will always be time for the cleaning, laundry but if I let the moment pass on a chance to write its gone.
Last night we each shared something that we wrote from our homework. It got pretty emotional and tears were flowing. I never thought I would be able to read something so personal aloud to really a group of strangers. But it was a lot of fun and the women are all so supportive and caring. I'm really glad I joined this group. It's given me a reason to put the pen to the paper and to open my mind to new ideas.
Thanks Ladies!

I remember...

2008-04-17T08:06:00.004-06:00

I remember when my transportation was my bike and we would ride all day and all night

now I drive everywhere.

I remember when being a teacher was just a dream

but not it is a reality

I remember dressing like the Spice Girls

and now laughing at the picture of us

I remember my dial-up Internet, so slow....

and now its lightening speed

I remember a time when things were easier, simpler

and now life just seems so complicated

Senryu- Human Hiaku

2008-04-16T09:18:00.003-06:00

blank paper awaits

for inspirational words

to spill from the pen

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 3

2008-04-15T17:17:00.000-06:00

My study break today turned into a mini shopping spree for summer clothes. I was in the process of putting away my winter clothes to make room for my summer clothes the other night when I made a bigger pile of clothes to go to the Salvation Army then went into my closet. Although it's not quite warm enough for me yet to be pulling out the shorts and skirts my debit card thought I could use some new summer things. I still had a gift card from Old Navy from last summer that I had not used yet so I took my shopping adventure there.

I walked in and was hit by the huge amount of bathing suits. I would also like a new bathing suit to add to my collection of 5 I already own. I skimmed the bathing suit section finding a purple 2 piece which I regret that I did not buy. And whoever said that one piece bathing suits were lame or for "swimmers" was dearly mistaken the one piece bathing suits showed more skin then the 2 piece bathing suits!

I roamed the store in search of jean shorts, a skirt and possibly a top. I went to the change room with 15+ items. Trying each item on and spinning in front of the mirror, I honestly could just go try on clothes all day and not buy a thing! After my mini fashion show for myself I left the change room with a pair of jean shorts, a jean skirt and 2 tops.

I was about to head to the till when I saw the shoes! How could I have missed the shoes before. I tried on a pair of red wedges and fell in love. Yes I have 3 pairs of red shoes but not red wedges. (Just don't tell Justin!)

I'm going to "break in" my new shoes around the house! and get back to studying.

Couplet poem- Knitting

2008-04-15T11:35:00.006-06:00

Two sticks and some string
Knit 1, Purl 1 I can make anything.

Scarves, hats and mitts
make wonderful gifts.

Two Voices- Love

2008-04-14T09:59:00.005-06:00

loving you loving you

is what I was born to do

comes easy

Loving you Loving you

completes me completes me

You are my You are my

soulmate

best friend

lover

everything

Our Love Our Love

is powerful

magical

Forever Forever

***I cannot write in two colums for this two voices poem, so i hope the different fonts to show the different voices.

Recipe Poem

2008-04-14T09:29:00.007-06:00

Two writing teachers have started another challenge. A poetry challenge. I love poetry and I try to write poems in my journal but I often don't like them. I was not going to participate in this challenge because I really should be focusing on school and studying, but I couldn't pass it up. I'm a few days behind so I'm going to try and catch up today. Here is my first poem

How to procrastinate studying for finals

Ingredients

1 turned off alarm

4 favorite DVDs

1 pail of ice cream

3 trips to the mall

Directions

Turn off your alarm and sleep in till noon, wasting half of your studying day.

Stay in your pj's and pop in DVD number 1.

Start consuming the pail of ice cream (add any topping you desire- Carmel sauce is my favorite)

When DVD 1 ends go to the mall to try try on as many shoes as possible, then return to the couch for DVD # 2.

Repeat this process, until you are shopped out and your eyes are burning from the T.V.

After 1 day you will have 0$ in your bank account, sore tummy, and red eyes and finals still did not disappear.

***Repeat recipe every day for a month or just crack those books- It will be over soon and Summer will be here!

Book Club

2008-04-10T07:53:00.006-06:00

Last night I attended my first "Shauna Foster's Book Club" (SFBC) where we discussed Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer and ate fabulous cupcakes by Cakes G'lore. I was one of the newbies there last night so I was a little nervous but everyone was very friendly and welcoming.
It was a very interesting discussion and I was intrigued by what others thought about the book as a piece of literature and as well discussing the characters actions.

I really enjoyed the book and the movie as well. It did jump around, which most people don't like but I really enjoyed the style of the book. Krakauer style of writing in this book is similar to that of a magazine article which this book sprang from.

The book tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man from a well-to-do family who, after graduating from college, donated all of the money in his bank account to charity, changed his name to "Alexander Supertramp," and began a journey in the American West. Nearly two years later, McCandless was found dead in the Alaska wilderness. In the book, Krakauer draws parallels between his own experiences and motivations and those of McCandless.

We discussed many things in book club about why we thought Christopher would have gone away and not contacted anyone in his family and if any of us have ever thought of packing it all up and leaving. Everyone agreed that they would not be able to leave their family and especially not live in the wilderness. I also agree--I want to travel and I would love to back pack and live in tents and hostels. But I would not burn my money and I would phone or send messages back home to my family to let them know I was okay.

I really liked what one lady said last night about how she could relate to Chris not so much in a literal way but on the level where she was so focused on a goal like he was and nothing was going to stop her.
After our discussion Shauna drew for some prizes, Cd's and books and tickets. I didn't win anything. :( I have not been lucky with draws lately. Shauna had picked someone from the group to pick the next book for us to read. The next book is "The Girl In Saskatoon" by Sharon Butala.
It's a true story set right here in this city writen by a local author about the unsolved murder of Alexandra Wiwcharuk.
I'm looking forward to reading it. It's all sold out in the city already but I have my name on the list when they get more in.

In the meantime I'm still working on the Harry Potter books and I should crack open some textbooks and study.

Slice of Life Tuesdays- Chapter 2

2008-04-08T08:09:00.004-06:00

Day 1 of being finished classes at University, Day 1 of studying for my last set of finals.

Studying means I find as many other activities/chores/excuses not to study! This morning I slowly got up had breakfast and went for a quick run on the elliptical. Talked to my friend Staci on the phone then took bottles to Sarcan. I went downtown to return a dress I bought on Saturday and ended up wandering around there for an hour trying on clothes but buying nothing. Finally making it back home to eat lunch, popped in a movie and curled up on the couch and started to write my take home essay final for my art class. I wrote about a page, still have to write 3 more! I really should go study in the library away from TLC's 10 years Younger and What Not to Wear and my more exciting books and crafts. Everyone deserves a day off right!?

My mind is not focused today, the sunshine outside is calling my name to get my bike out of the shed and take it for a spin. I wish things were drier here, I really don't want mud all the way up my back. I really don't understand why I ever though that was fun when I was younger. I have this itch to get into my flower bed...I planted my first ever flower garden last summer. It was a trial run and now I think I know what I am doing and I can't wait to get back out there in the dirt. Summer is not coming fast enough!!