Day - 30

This whole month has been so busy!  I have no idea where the time went!  Last thing I remember is resolving to write here everyday, and then, a month later, I have only written a handful of times!  Sorry!

 I would like to share a funny moment that happened this weekend.  I decided it was time for another blanket on the couch, and opened up our ottoman coffee table... this is what happened and I had to grab my camera!

Also, being the domestic goddess that I am... I made my first homemade lasagne.  It turned out pretty well, considering I have a problem following recipes and I always wind up making lots of mistakes... I've learned for the next time what I like, and what I would change, so here's a photo of my first attempt!

I think it turned out pretty well considering! :)

Well off to clean up... hope you've enjoyed!

- E

Day - 22

Finally.  Done.  With.  Christmas.  Decorations.


I just finished packing up the Christmas decorations, and my life feels a little empty.  I love having holiday decorations out- no matter what the season!  It doesn't have to be much, but a little festivity really puts a smile on my face.

 

If you know me, you know that my favourite holiday is Halloween.  I have loved dressing up and spooky things all of my life.  Some of my favourite Halloween memories were dressing up and trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood and coming home with tonnes of candy.  My dad always made our Halloween costumes, we never bought those plastic masks and smock costumes that so many kids had- I was always truly lucky.  It really helps when your dad loves Halloween too!  One of my favourite things is a Halloween quilt that my dad made for me during my first year of University.  I love snuggling under it, and while some people don't appreciate it (some people probably think it's quite weird), I love it!

I just wanted to share my love of holidays and decorating... what are your favourite holidays?  How do you get festive?

Day - 18

I was just internetting (as I like to call it) and I found this wonderful comic from Natalie Dee. http://www.nataliedee.com/122810/i-plan-to-half-knit-quite-a-bit-this-winter.jpg  Check her out if you have a chance, she's hilarious...   

It pretty much sums up my knitting career.  I would love to knit, and actually complete something, but I always have something else that gets in the way.  This time, it was Christmas in general - oh and Thank You notes from the wedding. But I promise to finish something (someday) and hopefully be able to show off my knitting skills.  I am currently in the midst of the Harry Potter scarf project (which was supposed to be completed before I went to see the most recent movie).  I will take a picture and post it soon!

Well... I should go to sleep, I had a half sick day today, and hopefully, I will be well enough for work tomorrow.  :)

- E

Day - 16

Just got back from a tasty Sunday night family dinner.  It was delicious.  Going to go watch a movie before bed, and then it's back to the daily grind.  How is it that weekends are never long enough, and the work week is the longest ever!?  I really wish I could make a living doing what I love, which is creating things.  I am going to try and have a table at a local Christmas craft fair this year, but I really wish I could do what it is that I love every day.  I am super envious of those out there who can make a living with their craft- maybe one day I will be a part of that group!

Just a little something I made... more to come someday soon, I've recently ordered a bunch of new beads!

Day - 14

We've almost finished the bathroom, and I promise I will get back to blogging once that task is complete.  But I thought I'd mention a couple things:

1. I have officially started Christmas shopping for 2011.  Actually, I've made a good sized dent... I love Etsy!

2. My husband is the best!  Not only has he been doing a lot of the work in the bathroom, but it was -40 today and I got a flat tire.  Needless to say, he came to the Grocery store to change my tire... while he let me stay warm in his car!  He's the greatest... I am a really lucky girl!

Anyways, I thought I'd just pop on and let you know that I haven't forgotten, but rather, have been super busy!

- E

Day - 11

So I might have neglected my blog a little, I hope you don't mind.  We've been renovating our bathroom and I've been painting and helping with flooring and toilet connecting etc.  I might be able to do it on my own one day if I had to!  


Well, I don't have a lot to say tonight, except that I will be finished my book soon, and will give you a nice review of it... which is part of the reason I'm cutting this short so that I can finish the book!  But another one of my goals is to read the books I want to read, and to try to read Canadian books more often.  This is both of those things, The Birth House by Ami McKay.  I'm nearly done, and it's really good.  I am looking forward to bedtime so I can finish it!  Well, as I don't have much else to talk about tonight, I will leave you and go to my book!  :)  Goodnight!


- E

Day - 7

Finally Friday!  Thank goodness!  It has been a long week of trying to get out of holiday mode and back to regular life.  This hasn't been achieved very well.  I have managed to get to work on time every day this week (except Wednesday when I had to scrape the inside of all of my windows in my car in order to drive safely), and I have eaten breakfast at home every day this week, but the lunches are something to be improved on.  I am trying (so hard) to bring a lunch to work everyday, but I always manage to not get there.  I have tried everything from packing it the night before, to waking up a half hour earlier to even deliberately not packing something and planning on coming home... I have the hardest time not buying lunch!  I just love the idea of someone else making my lunch for me (fresh).  I don't know where I got this idea, I always had a packed lunch when I went to school.  I had my purple lunch bag, freezer pack and my half of a bologna sandwich (with mustard and until about the 6th grade, butter), with a juice box, apple and often a pudding too, and I was content.  It was predictable but I looked forward to it every day.  Why is it that I cannot just love it again?  Maybe it's the lunch bag?  I don't have one... I just take my lunch in my tote bag with my book or whatever else I'm carrying back and forth.  Maybe it's the ice pack.  The mini fridge at work freezes everything and I can't stand cold bread, maybe the ice pack kept it just cold enough to be salmonella-free but not freeze the bread?  I love juice boxes, so I know that's not it... in fact, I don't care how I get my juice or water, that has no effect on the enjoyment of my lunch.  The apple, on the other hand, makes me hungry.  I love apples, but as soon as I'm done it, I want to eat everything!!  I don't get pudding (often) as it contains a lot of milk and I'm (sometimes) lactose sensitive... but it can't be that.  I guess I will never know.  My lunch box has been gone for a long time (I think that happened around the time that we had duct taped it 5 times and the zipper finally broke).  The ice pack had to be retired after it was put in a plastic baggie due to leaking potentially harmful liquid all over the aforementioned purple lunch box.  Maybe it was the combination of those key elements, or maybe that it was the wonderful lady who made those lunches for me every morning.  If only I lived closer to home, maybe Mom would pack me a lunch to see if that was the element that is missing.  Whatever it is, I need to figure out a solution.  Buying your lunch out is expensive, often not so nutritious and ridiculous.  When you live in a small enough town, you get remembered.  My order has already been memorized at 2 local haunts, I really can't keep making such a wonderful impression!


- E

Day - 6

Chewing a stick at Kusawa

So today, I can't stay on for long.  We're in the middle of a bathroom renovation, and it's my turn to wash the drywall dust off of the floor... yippee!  I just wanted to write a little something.  Today, I want to introduce you to Juno.  She's a pretty funny little dog, full of energy, love and cuddles.  She is always so excited to see us when we get home from work, which is something I always forgot about with the dogs we used to have when I was growing up.  I don't know if it was because I was so young then, but I really appreciate that she waits for me to come home all day and then can barely contain her excitement when I walk through the door!  I love my little Junebug... she really makes our house a home!

Practically a Sears portrait!

She truly has the hardest life... EVER

 TGIFT (Thank God It's Friday Tomorrow!)

- E

Day - 5

Ok, so I kind of slacked off tonight and maybe almost forgot to write my little blog.  So, I'm going to make it really short.  I really love 80's music!  It might seem a little ridiculous (which it is) but who can resist "Jesse's Girl", "Thriller" or "(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight"?  I just watched Hot Tub Time Machine, and it made me realize what gloriously cheesy wonderful music the 80's gave us.  That and if you've ever seen the movie, you'll recall the parade of spandex that was the ski hills!  Wonderful!  Anyways, that's all for tonight!  I will make sure to listen to my favourite 80's tunes tomorrow... what are your favourites?  Comment if you are actually reading this!


- E

Day - 4

Officially back to work today.  Nothing brings out my desire to create more than having to go back to work.  I have been thinking about crafts for my Girl Guides, and trying to figure out how to get the requirements for their program done while making it fun.  I have devised a few fun activities and I will post them once I've figured it out officially. I also decided that it's the time to start crocheting and knitting a little stock-pile of baby hats for all of those new little people who are making their debut in the next little while.  Off the top of my head, I can think of 4 little babies on the way... which makes me hope to someday have a baby too... not quite sure when I'll be ready for that, but someday.


So, I'm going to keep this one short and sweet, but the moral of my story today is that I want to create and I'm full of ideas, but there just aren't enough hours in a day!  


-E

Day - 3

Today, the last day of my extended Christmas break, has found me thinking about how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life.  Not only do I have a wonderful husband, a faithful four-legged friend, an amazing sister and fantastic parents, but I also have a remarkable extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and my adopted family - the friends I just can't live without.  It is my friends who have my thoughts today, because despite the fact that I live on the other side of the country from them, we maintain these wonderful connections and it doesn't take any time to catch back up after a break.  

 

Today, January 3, 2011, had me thinking about my beautiful goddaughter and her family (long story, but I've known them forever, or at least since I was 7).  You see, today is my goddaughter's 9th birthday.  I remember when she was born, I was so excited to be an "Auntie".  She's been a special part of my life for the past 9 years.  She has shared some of the biggest moments of my life with me.  She was there when I graduated high school, university, moved to Edmonton, moved to Whitehorse, got engaged and when I got married.  She had a special role in our wedding, she was my Junior Bridesmaid (too old to be the flower girl, but too young to be a bridesmaid).  I am so proud to be her "Auntie".  When we called her tonight, she was over the moon to tell us about her gifts and her special day.  It made me a little sad, feeling that I've missed out on so many of her big events.  When I spoke to her mom, she unknowingly made me feel better.  You see, I was the subject of her first school project this year.  She told her whole class about how she was such a part of my wedding, and it made me feel at ease - maybe I am there for her when I can be in my own little way.  

I also spent a large part of today thinking about another dear friend (we've been friends since 8th grade) and her small family.  Today her youngest daughter is celebrating her 9th week of life.  She has been through so much in these 9 weeks, more than most people go through in a lifetime.  It has been difficult watching my friend and her family go through these ordeals, especially from afar.  Today, the 9th week, marks a celebration in their lives.  This tiny baby has been removed from her ventilator and her parents are finally going to get the chance to hold their daughter (the first time in 8 weeks, since her heart surgery).  I am so proud of my friend for holding it together the way that she is.  I haven't had much of a chance to talk to her since the baby was born, but I have been keeping their whole family in my thoughts and prayers.  I can't wait to meet this little fighter, she is definitely a strong little girl.


That's it for today!  Happy Birthday J!  Keep fighting baby D!


- E

Day - 2

So... now to start the blogging.  I think that I will do a little intro/about me for the first few days in order to get comfortable with this new endeavour.  I have seen a lot of people doing these sort of things on Facebook, and quite frankly, find them rather annoying to see in my daily feed.  While they offer a nice insight to the people who are my "Friends" on Facebook, I often don't need to see 14 different updates from one person on my homepage.  I figure, if I put this here, then you have the choice to look away.  So, here goes.  


15 Interesting Facts:

1. I hate the cold, but I love scarves, hats and mittens!
2. My favourite weather is that warm, southern Ontario rain, especially at night.
3. I want to go to Europe so bad!  After studying it for 5 years, I want to actually see it!
4. My favourite colour is orange.
5. I love to write in Sharpie markers.
6. My favourite movie is 13 Going on 30.  
7. If I could pick an era to live in, it would be the 1940's.
8. I really want to learn how to play the guitar, but it hurts so bad!
9. My favourite candy is a Kit Kat.  
10. My favourite meal is brunch... there are just so many tasty options!
11. I am a Girl Guide Leader and am helping with a Brownie group too!
12. I often feel like an outsider, but I've learned to live with it!
13. I'm really good at word puzzles.
14. I (not so) secretly love to watch whole seasons of tv shows in a weekend.  I can do other things (like laundry and cleaning) at the same time and when I'm done I feel like I accomplished so many things!
15. I would love to be a children's book author someday.  Books were such a big part of my childhood!

Well... that's it for today!


- E

Day - 1

10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2- 1 - Happy 2011!!

I can't believe it's 2011 already! I have been so busy this past year that I have decided to make a few resolutions for this upcoming year.

1. Keep in touch more.

2. Be more healthy.

3. Be a better friend.

4. Try to do more creative things.

5. Spend money less frivolously.

6. Learn something new.

7. Procrastinate less.

8. Keep the house in a 'visitable' state consistently.

9. Reduce my clutter.

10. Try out blogging!

If you think 10 things might be a little ambitious, you're right. I would like to do all of these things, and in all honesty, I think I can do them. It will take some work, but I'm willing to put in the effort in order to make my life less scattered and hopefully, more enjoyable.

I am going to try to post something on here everyday. It might be a review on a book I've read, a recipe I've tried out, an update on a home renovation, a photo of Juno or maybe something thoughtful and insightful, but whatever it is, I hope to be able to maintain this. I have never been good at keeping a journal so this will be a little difficult for me, but I think I'm up to the challenge!

I don't know that I will have any followers, but if you are reading this, and want to make a comment, that would be great. I know that even if I don't have an audience, I will try to keep writing, if not for you, then for me!

- E