Wow - life is just a flying by .......

I can't believe it is the 24th of July already - vacation come and gone ~ back to the grind at work/s haha. Today is actually my 10 year anniversary at my main employment - wow 10 years, it's amazing to me all that has happened in my life since I came into Edmonton to work, and then also moved here. How my son has grown since starting here, he is now a young man and doing well in life, he does my heart good. Our moves, the changes in me and my life, outlook and friends ~ weddings, funerals, divorces and special births ~ 10 years - a decade of time and experiences.

My vacation was really nice, guess you appreciate things even more when it is 4 years since the last one haha. As I knew I would I loved getting on the road with the kids, Alex and his gf Sarah - and taking our first leg of the trip to Kelowna. My cousin Bonny had supper ready and waiting, just threw the steaks on the barby when we arrived, and we had a lovely evening visiting with her and her family. The next day we went to the Kelowna boardwalk - strolled in the sunshine, chatting, people watching ~ stopped to get a henna tatoo, have some lunch and visit. It was lovely - really had a good time visiting with my cousin Bonny, first time I have ever been out to visit her and already looking forward to the next time we can get out and spend some time there.

I really enjoyed going out and re-visiting BC, seeing my nieces and nephews (they are all growing so fast) and spending time with my sisters. We spent some time at Harrison Beach just out of Chilliwack - with sisters Amanda and Barbra and kids, the afternoon on the beach ~ my family all being beach babies (and me in the shade haha) had a great time building sand castles and playing in the water. My son Alex thinking he was going to start his summer color, did just so, with a fiery red at the end of the day - silly young man, so he was a bit sore for a few days until things stopped cooking, and much more respectful of the sun ha.

Went up to Bridal Falls one morning, a nice little hike and then the beauty of the falls - the kids (niece Hayley and nephew Austin) were so enthralled with the fact that they could drink right from the falls, haha though my little niece promptly told us she spit it out - she is only 4 and though ready to try was not so sure we were telling the truth that the water was fresh ha. So cute. I envy them living so close to all the natural beauty of the area.

Traveled into North Vancouver to spend some time with my sister Belinda and her family - we went to Grandville Island for the day, shopping, eating and walking - love Grandville and all the cute little shops there. Also spent some time shopping for gluten free stores and stuff, that was fun. My sister Belinda is very into understanding celiac disease, and wanted to make my trip as smooth as possible ~ and also get some education herself in case her tests come back positive. Groundwork so to speak haha. We started getting ready for my son's big party on Saturday. Had fun getting the yard decorated, went with a Hawiian theme - Belinda's ideas came to life before our eyes and I was very pleased with the effect. We had a great time, lots of food, family, and visiting.

Back we went to Chilliwack to finish off our trip ~ went on a steep and tiring hike up Tea pot hill - don't let the flowery name fool you, nothing tea pot about it haha - but the amazing view at the top was worth it, could see the valley ~ awesome. Then back down down down the trail, and then to the lake for the rest of the afternoon, my sister Barb and I took Austin and baby Carys and went off to bring Austin to his hockey practice - that was great, he puts on those skates and he gains about 3 years in maturity - how sure of himself and smooth he is on those skates, fun to watch when I wasn't running around after my little niece haha. And then back to the lake for supper and the evening with the rest of the crew.

On our way out on Tuesday morning, my sister Amanda decided she and Barb and the kids should come just out of town with us and we should all go to Othello Tunnels before we left for home. I wanted to get on the road, but I am so glad I let her talk us into the detour, not only did we get to spend a little more time with the kids and my two youngest sisters, but I really enjoyed soaking up more of the beautiful area, the tunnels and the white water running in the valley - just breathtaking. I decided I really need to start getting out more too and enjoying the wonders and sites of my own area - lots of beautiful places and spaces in and around the city too.

It was more than a little emotional to say good-bye, not sure when I will see them all again ~ even my little sister Amanda was a teary eyed as I was, she just moved out there, after living her whole life near me ~ and it was hard to leave my sisters all in BC, not knowing when I will be able to spend time with them again. I know my mom and I are really going to feel Amanda now being gone as well, makes me so sad ~ but I am comforted by the fact that she has a beautiful place in Chilliwack and she is happy to be there and starting a new adventure in life. I wish her and her honey Rob well.

And I am so so so glad to be home myself, nothing like a trip away to make you appreciate your space and routine in life I tell ya! I missed my bed, my couch, and even as weird as it sounds my fridge haha, yep my fridge.

I had some time today to go to my friend Mike's site and read up on how he is doing on his own motorcycling trip down around the states and back, he is stuck in California right now with some bike troubles, I hope he gets on the road again soon. His blog has been like reading a really good novel, he is a great writer, you can almost see things when he describes the sites and sounds ~ the amazing information age eh?! Hard to even think what we would do without the internet ~ okay well I am off to actually do some work today, been an easy day ~ first day back and my employers are off to the Indy today - I hope they have a great weekend end enjoying the races, they not only deserve it - they need it.

And I hope all my friends and family have a great week too!!!!

I am humbled ....

by life ~ and the trials and tribulations that some who are so close to me are going through. I am awed by the miracles, some small some great that I have witnessed in the last months, and forever grateful for those moments in life that still can take my breath away ~ or for those simple things that just make me smile.

I am a bit preoccupied today ....

Little Devlin is going through a tough patch right now and it is a bit of a worry ~ they just feel so far away. I read on Sean's status today, that he is back on antibiotics, and they have stopped feeding him again and is scheduled for more tests. One step forward two steps back right now - such a little fighter that little one is ~ he makes my heart swell with wonder. Going to visit him really affected me, I have a deep sense of awe that I can't shake, and a deep calm ~ you really see how small you are and your problems are when you witness such a beautiful miracle ~ hard to explain. He really has filled some of the places of my heart that have been hollow lately, he is amazing.

How was your Canada day????

As my son was off in BC helping my little sister move there - I kept busy around the house, so much to do ~ yesterday I finally got up my bedroom curtains (have just had venitian blinds for years) and I can't believe the difference in the look. I love it ~ Went out to buy some bottled water also and thought I would slip into Linen n' Things to see if they had a curtain for in front of my washer and dryer set (the huge mirrored doors that were there can not go back up as the dryer is too big now and I walked out of the store a mighty bit poorer haha - bought a new pots and pans cookware set and a new bakeware set - I need to replace all this cooking stuff now that my way of eating has been changed - sounds weird I know - but even the smallest microorganism of gluten sets off a reaction - and after cooking with gluten heavy foods for years you can not get any cookware clean enough - crazy I know!

And as for my little sister, Rob and my son Alex. They are pulling a 14 ft trailer from Budget Rentals. They took it with their own truck to BC the first way on Monday, the load was impossibly heavy, I was a bit worried ~ they even had to go and change out the hitch and get some equalizer bars put on the load before they left on Monday - Ron (my mom's hubby and a truck driver) didn't like what they had. Anyway the load proved to be a bit much for their truck, because something went wrong, and their truck had to be left in Chilliwack because it needs repair and they had to rent another truck so that they can bring the trailer back, and pick up the remaining stuff here. So they had to rent a truck to bring back the rented trailer to Edmonton, they didn't end up leaving Chilliwack till about 6:30 BC time, traveled to just before Valemount ~ stopped at a Huskey just outside ~ met a very shaken woman who had just been caught at the end of the mudslide - Rob was going to push on anyway, but the highway police stopped them at Valemount told them the highway was closed, so they had to spend the night there. Said that they could continue on once the highway was cleared figured about noon today - but no - just before noon the highway and Mount Robison pass has been closed completely and they were turned back, so they have to head back to Kamloops and then take the Rogers Pass way ~ a good 16 hour driving day for them, lordy lordy it has been quite the trial this whole move, from start.

I will just be happy when they are home here safe with my son, and hope they have a safe drive back to BC. Won't be settled until they are back in Chilliwack.

Heart in my throat today ....

Well yesterday was a busy busy day - getting my sister Amanda and her man Rob all packed up for their move to BC today. They are on the road today, with my son going along to assist in their unpacking, with their crazy heavily truck and 14ft long trailer packed to the brim. My heart is in my throat for a number of reasons - first because of their trip, I hope they all stay safe and that their trip is smooth and uneventful, a bit more than nervous at the weight of the load and them traveling through the mountains. And two because my last sister who was here in Alberta is now moving to BC ~ that means all 4 (three of who I am still in regular contact) sisters will now be living in BC, and it seems so far away.

It makes me sad, you know that they have to do what makes them happy ~ and they all seem to gravitate to the coast for some reason ~ we all originated from here not BC but the mountains and ocean calls them I guess. Myself I am an Alberta girl, true I like the mountains fine enough, to visit, but in my heart I am a prairie girl, I love the flat open spaces and being able to see fields and rolling hills for miles and miles when you hit a high spot in the terrain. I like having 4 definite seasons, even like the snow on occasion haha, I know come deep winter when it seems like it will never end I may be retracting those words, but now with the sun shining brightly outside and the green grass a-swaying I can say that I like my seasons, all of them.

It also just makes me sad for that is less family at holiday time, means all my sons Aunts and cousins are in BC (on my side of the family - really the side he sees) ~ and that now with the rise in gas prices, and the expense of living we won't get to see them on a yearly basis ~ and that will make them seem even farther away.

So I am in a very thoughtful mood today, as my youngest sister heads West to join the others ~ I will miss having her close, and hope that we don't lose touch ~ and wish her all the happiness in the next step for her adventure called life.

Take care all,
cheers

Tuesday again?!! haha

HHHHmmmm see I haven't updated my blog for a bit now, must remedy that right now. Course not like anything huge has happened but like I said my blog is not only a connection to some cyber friends I have out there, who one day it would be awesome to meet, some good friends, but also a running tally for myself on how life goes by.

I went and took a trip to see my friend Kelly-Ann and her sweet little premmie last weekend, it was basically a there and back trip ~ but I am oh so glad I was able to spend a few precious hours with little Devlin ~ who as of today is up to 3 pds 1 ounce and growing. He was a tiny little miracle, his little little fingers, little toes, soft little fringe of eyelashs just finally growing. He is going through alot and it is hard to see the little guy hooked up to tubes and machines, but he is growing and getting a little stronger everyday ~ I sure wish we lived closer to one another, they seem so far away right now. I was just awed by his tiny little person, and very humbled about life in general. And I so am missing my friend Kelly-Ann, I wish we could melt the miles away ~ it's hard to support friends the way you want to when they move away. And I miss our spontaneous nights going out to supper, or going to the comedy club, or kicking up our heals a bit. Here is a recent photo daddy Sean posted up of mom and dad with sweet little Devlin ~ got to love Facebook I have been able to see him progress and grow, such a sweet little miracle that one.

I am in a pretty fabulous mood today, went out on a date last night ~ yes those of you who know me well will be gasping in shock haha, yes yes I did. And I had a great time ~ it was with a guy I have known for a number of years, so this will be the start of a rekindled relationship?! I do think so ~ but I will take things day by day and see how it goes. Both of us work all the time, and don't have much spare time to give to anyone ~ but our history and knowing exactly where the ball is at may just work in our favor I think. Time will tell.

I haven't seen much of my scrapbooking gals lately, going through a big withdrawl ~ but going to see them this Friday for a crop so at least we can touch base a bit then ~ a little reconnecting time in order.

Life is finally evening out a bit ~ and maybe even taking an upward turn and getting a bit exciting in the process haha - I can use it.

Hope you all have a lovely week!
cheers

A little creating time ...

I just did four 8x8 layouts of my mom's ceremony in December to add to my gift album I am doing up for my grandparents ~ almost completed and should be ready to travel with me to BC this summer ~ thought I would share the wedding layouts :-)

Monday Monday Monday .....

and back at work today ~ feels a bit strange, but all good.

It's been a bit of a quieter day today, not too busy just steady ~ so gives me the opportunity to check into a couple sites, and run in here. Want to go and check out some more blogs today ~ there is a never ending supply of inspiration out there, really makes me wish I didn't have to work to pay the bills haha, so I could sit home and just create.

Should be a smooth week this week, I don't have alot planned in the way of going out ~ a bunch of my scrapbooking cropping friends are heading off to a crop retreat this weekend coming up. :-( I decided that vacation has to rule precident for now, so I could not join them ~ but so looking forward to getting to BC in the summer, I haven't been to BC for 4 years now, and haven't seen some of my family there since then.

Feels a bit weird to really have no big plans for the next while ~ I have been on the go so much the last while that I have to re-learn what to do with down time ~ lots has been piling up at home to do so that will keep me busy for awhile, and now that the weather is getting so nice I really need to look at getting out more and getting some exercise ~ maybe start a regular walking schedule and once completely healed maybe use that gym membership I pay for monthly hahahaaha ~ my kid would be so surprised hee hee.

Well ladies I want to wish you all a very good day, and have fun whatever you get up to.

cheers