People Watching In The Park

On Monday I left the house for an adventure. That was my first mistake. I believe it was stupid drivers day. To give a couple of examples: I stopped at a local nursery to pick up some ant killer cause we have some serious ants in our garden that need to be taken care of. As I was driving into the parking lot I noticed a girl walking towards her car with a load to fill up. We locked eyes so I know she saw me. Then I parked two stalls away from her (with no car between us) again I know she saw me because as I got out of the car our eyes met again. I started walking towards the store and had to walk behind her car to get to the stairs to the entrance. Again, not a big deal because I knew she had seen me. As I was just going across the back of her car she started it up. Not a big deal because I knew she had seen me and I wasn't startled. It's when she started backing up as I was still behind her car that I freaked out! Seriously? We had all that lead up and you didn't remember me? Yikes! After I left the nursery I noticed some other bad drivers but for the life of me I can't remember what they were now. Maybe it will come back to me. The one incident was enough to make we want to go home and not leave.

Yesterday the little guy I work with privately cancelled due to illness so I was able to spend the afternoon with my dad. B, my dad and I went out for lunch to the Bread Company. It was very yummy! After in which I met up with my dad at the park close to the base of Knox mountain. There is a boat launch there and it's very entertaining to watch people launch and take their boats out of the water there. As I arrived to the park I knew it was going to be an entertaining day at the park because I had to stop to allow a guy who was walking his boat, like a dog, cross the street. It was a kayak or a canoe and he was dragging it behind him with a rope. Allowing it to scrap against the pavement! Don't you want your boat to last? It's going to get wrecked strange man! (This is what I yelled internally but of course just watched in disbelief). Yep, gonna be a good people watching day! Seriously this park has got it going on. There's a lot of people watching to do. They always seem to have fun stuff set up for kids to be a part of. Yesterday there was a bouncy house and games set up everywhere. Last week there were your simple games blown up to gigantic size. Such as connect four, but now it stood as high as me instead of a table top size. It's always a fun day at this park.

Yesterday there was also a tai-chi group. I think that's what they're called. Where it looks like they're doing ti-kwon-do in slow motion? Anyways I really had to resist the urge of running through them or dodging through them like they were pylons. My dad helped me to resist that urge. But we laughed about how it would look and the reactions we would get from doing it. It was really fun to watch them because there was always one person who was doing their own thing. Just making up their own moves. So funny!

There was also the birds. The birds there are funny to watch. There are some that literally dive into the water head first and catch fish. It's quite amazing to watch. Then there are the seagulls that fight over a piece of hamburger one guy left on the beach. There goes your lunch dude! He laughed and was surprised that it would create such a ruckus amongst his bird friends.

Next time you come to town, or if you live in town, we are going to this park. We will get slurpees and go and enjoy our afternoon people watching. So much fun and very relaxing. The park has the right amount of sun vs shade so you're guaranteed to be comfortable.

Health update: (Warning this may be too much info)

Wow, today I'm emotional! It's so weird! Little stupid things seem to set off the waterworks and I'm not even sad. (No I'm not pregnant). My cycle just started yesterday. First time it's started on it's own without help for 8 months. I know tmi but seriously so exciting! I just started a new medication last month and it has helped clear my mind. I feel like my old self again. I'm actually happy and joyful! It's called Metformin and it's usually used as a diabetic drug (I don't have diabetes) and it also has a positive reaction for girls with PCOS due to the insulin resistance my body has, it helps my body regulate itself. I feel like our journey (although not an easy one by any means) has brought me closer to my loving father in heaven! I had a daydream the other day where I saw him holding me close. He knows my heart. He feels my pain. And he also knows what he's doing. Just an overwhelming peace came over me at that moment and I feel so rejuvenated. Is this too much info to share?

Until next time,

Michelle

Crib anyone?

The weekend has been an eventful one. Lets see, Friday...I can't really remember. Oh yeah now I remember. First thing in the morning I went for a walk with Mare Bear. (My awesome mother in law)! Than I came home and I had a nap. After I woke up I realized I was going to have the entire evening to myself since B was at a golf tournament that was going to go late. What to do with myself I asked. I'm going to go see the movie, "The Help". And I did. By myself. It was a nice little date. I bought the candy that I like, mint aero balls, and a soda and went and got comfy in a corner. I didn't realize that it's a 2 1/2 hour movie. If I had I would have positioned myself closer to the aisle (small bladder). Sure enough about an hour and a half into the movie I couldn't hold it any more and decided I would have to be rude and make the 4 older people in my aisle let me out. This was no easy feat. The one man didn't move at all and I ended up literally climbing over him. (Awkward as I bumped the seat infront of me and got a mean nasty glare). Sorry, he won't move! After I returned I stood at the back of the theatre and watched until a transition part in the movie. Before I returned to my seat I looked around to see if there was an easy assessable seat to have. I couldn't find one. So as soon as my transition part came in the movie I made my way back to my seat. Content and comfortable once again I was able to enjoy the movie. It was soo good! I really enjoyed it! I am now looking for a copy of the book because now I want to read it. I know this is a little backwards, most people read the book first and then watch the movie. But in this case I'm thinking it's best to do it backwards as I have gathered from what people have said. "The movie is good but the book is better!" Isn't this always the case? You just can't get all the details of the book squished into a tiny time frame.

Saturday marked going to camp day. Not camping day. We just went down to Green Bay Bible camp to see some friends who were staying there. We arrived shortly before noon (we had plans to go for lunch at 12:30). The four of them played crib while I watched (I had never played before so I wanted to watch to learn). After they played 2 rounds we went for lunch. We went and had yummy sushi! After lunch we stopped at starbucks and got some yummy drinks. I tried the blended lemonade thing with passion fruit. It was soo good! I told B that I have a new favourite. Thank goodness I get free starbucks gift cards so I can indulge in this guilty pleasure without the guilty debt.

When we got back to the camp I watched them play the tie breaker game. The boys ended up winning. While they played I played on the side just to see if I had properly understood the game. A while later B and I played one round of crib. It was my first official game. I was a little nervous and didn't know counting to 15 was going to be so difficult. Well on the second or third hand I had been dealt I had the most amazing hand! It got everyone's attention. In my hand I had a 3, a 8, three 5's and a Jack. I tossed the 3 and the 8. Then the deck was cut in half and the card that flipped over was a 5. At the end of the round I had a 28 point hand. Pretty big deal apparently. Funny thing is through the whole round I was like, I think I made the right choice in getting rid of the 3 and 8. I doubted myself a little and didn't realize how big of a deal it was. "Beginners luck" B chimed. Dave (our friend, the one that married us) said, you might just want to stop and get a lottery ticket on the way home...or skip that, just tell me the numbers you have in your head.

That brings us to today. Sunday. It's been a good day. B slept in. I was up by 7 because my body doesn't let me sleep in during the summer apparently. After a slow start to the day B started doing yard work. More yard work. And even more yard work. Than we made a quick trip to home depot and picked up a few things for the yard as well as a patio set! It was on 50% off and the type of style we have been looking for. We couldn't pass it up. So be bought it! I am excited to get it set up and possibly have a couple of dinners out on the deck before the summer is over.

Well, that brings me to the current moment and B's still working outside on the yard and I am about to get dinner started! (We're having tacos!)

Until next time

Michelle

Call Backs

A couple of days ago I got a call from my work. "You're coming back, FULL TIME" Woot!!!! I didn't know if I was going to get called back at all (seeing as at the beginning of the summer they didn't have enough kids signed up to call everyone back at that point) and now I've not only been called back but for full time! That's such great news!! I am so excited! I am however nervous because this means that there are many kids I haven't even met yet and so getting to know them and what makes them tick and what sets them off. I'm preparing myself for a very hard first couple of weeks (it's so hard for our kids to change their schedule so it takes some transition time). But I'm also so excited to return. I feel a little rusty but think I'll get right back into it once I'm there.

Last night B didn't get home from work until 5:30am. He had his live launch and I had just happened to wake up and heard him come in. I was very surprised that it was so late. I don't know if that means he gets today off. I would hope so! That's an almost 24 hour day for him...cause he went in to work at 8am the day before. Could you imagine doing that? Yikes!! I am eager for him to wake up but I know that won't happen for many hours yet. Poor guy. He works so hard!

Well I guess that's all there is to report for now. I'm just waking up so I'm sure I've missed something. Not too much to report these days.

Until later,

Michelle

All about Inigo

This last week Inigo found his swing as mentioned before. He is so funny. I will take his cage cover off in the morning and he will be on his swing. Not just on his swing but hunched as low as possible because he's still afraid of it. I am so proud of him trying to overcome his fears. The other day I witnessed him push the swing with his beak, but I guess that wasn't enough, so he pulled it as far as it would go and he let go and while it swang wildly he jumped on it and went for a ride. Such a funny little guy.

Now not every day is a good day with this little guy. The other day we came home to an empty cage. (He never leaves it so leaving the door open is not a risk really). However we came home to his cage being empty. We both (B and I) searched the house high and low. We had our flashlights out because the downstairs part that hasn't been finished yet doesn't have the lights hooked up. After an hour of searching, B finally found him. He had made his way downstairs, into the back room and was sitting in the corner on top of a carpet roll. He seemed a little freaked out and I brought him upstairs right away (he bit me a few times) and put him back in his cage. It's 3 days later and he's only left his home once (and that's because I spooked him by cleaning around him).

He's such a funny little guy. I'm so glad he's come into our lives. Silly to say I know, but he's brought me a lot of laughs. My sister keeps saying we should have named him Tony Hawk because he's always doing tricks. I told her we should have named him, The hawk! Drop the Tony...haha. Oh hind sight.

Little Inigo...welcome to the family!

Michelle

Beautiful Summer day

(One of the tulips from our garden)

Hello everyone. I don't have much to update on. I guess I could talk about yesterday. It was a good day. I started by waking up at 5:30am! What is that about body? It's summer time, don't you know you're allowed to sleep in. I think it's because I was anxious about going to daycamp and feared sleeping through my alarm. So I got ready and went to Daycamp for 8:45 and met with the little guy that I work with. I talked to his teacher and got settled in. We started the day off with 15 minutes of free time while we waited for everyone to show up. Than we went outside and played two games. Kick the can(which to B's amazement I had never played before) and then sardines. It was so much fun! Than we went back inside for a snack then we went back outside and played 5 or 6 rounds of capture the flag. SO AWESOME!!! We came back inside after and they had their choice to go build forts or to play with puppets, beads or colour. My client chose the puppets and created a puppet show! So cute! Than it was lunch time and my time to depart. It was such a good time and I'm so glad I was able to go!

Then I came home and I talked to my BF (best friend) from Brandon, Ruth ann. We talked for an hour and she told me her great news! (She's expecting in February). But Michelle you're suppose to get all crazy jealous and sad and pouty after hearing this news, right? It's weird in the last couple of days I've just had a real peace about the things going on. I've surrendered everything to my Father in heaven and I've joined a support group and it's doing wonders! I feel like my old self. My head isn't as cloudy and my thoughts are clear. It's been a long time since I've had this feeling! I'm actually feeling good!

After my phone call with my dear friend I went to the beach to catch up with my Dad and Sheila. It was a great visit! We sat and watched people put their boats in the water. They told me many funny stories of this from the day before. People are funny to watch when they're trying to take their boat out of the water. We also watched a bird dive into the water over and over and witnessed him actually catch fish. It was really neat. I can see why that's their favourite place to go to relax. Lots of people watching opportunity, it's quiet(not saturated in tourists), it's shady so you have the enjoyment of the sun but don't roast, and it had an amazing view of the lake. So many good things!

Then a storm rolled in. And what a doozy! There was thunder and lightening for over 4 hours. It was pretty! There was one rumble of thunder that shook the house and apparently a lot of people had flickering electricity. The lightening brightened up the room many times. So bright and many forks. It was cool!

While the storm proceeded I had the evening to myself. I came home and surfed the net and watched SoYouThinkYouCanDance finale and I'm really looking forward to tonight where they reveal the winner. My gut says it's going to be Melanie, but we'll have to wait and see. I hope it's her, she reminds me so much of my sister in law and I just think she's so cute. I also watched America's got talent. I wasn't surprised who got through and who was eliminated. I am, however, thankful for PVR cause I was able to watch both shows in the time it would take to watch one by passing all the commercials! Such a luxury!

Then B came home (he had been at a work summer party for staff only). We had a great visit and then headed to bed. By the time my head hit the pillow I'm sure I was already asleep. I had been up for almost 20 hours. (That's a long time!)

That's about all that's going on in my life today...well yesterday. I'm looking forward to see what today brings.

Until next time,

Michelle

Swinging on a swing

Today I am feeling hopeful :) We had an awesome anniversary yesterday. We went for an hour and a half massage. Following our massage we went for dinner at a really nice restaurant where we both shared some appetizers (our appetites weren't that large). We shared some mussels, a caesar salad with salmon, some tostitos and then had a lovely dessert of white and chocolate mousse. Soo very yummy. Than we decided to come home and rent a movie on the apple TV. My choice ended up not being the best choice. It was a terrible movie that just kept going and going and we both lost interest within the first 20 minutes. We were both hoping it would turn around and become good but to no avail. It was an Adam Sandler movie so we thought it was a safe choice in being funny. Nope. I was wrong! The movie title is "Funny Guys". Yeah deceiving for sure! It was not funny! Anyways it kind of gave us an excuse to not pay attention to the movie and talk to one another instead.

Today B took the car with him to work. I'm kind of wishing that I had driven him to work because I'm feeling a little stuck at home today. I wouldn't mind going and getting a little social today. I guess I'll socialize with my very strange and crazy bird.

Inigo update: He found his swing! He's always known about it but has been scared to try it out. Well the other day I noticed him perched up on the side of the cage with one foot on the swing and he was pushing it. I knew it would only be a matter of time before he actually went on it. Well yesterday B yelled out, "LOOK" and I looked at his finger which pointed at Inigo's cage and he was swinging on his swing like it was no big deal. He seemed quite content. It was actually really cute.

Here is a link to a song that I heard the other day, it brought me some joy and a few tears. I know it's an older song, but it has a message for me today and hopefully it may bring you some sort of comfort to you too.

http://youtu.be/vaEEEPU2MgA

(just copy and paste in your web browser)

Until Next time,

Michelle

2 years signed sealed delivered...onto year 3!

Today we celebrate! 2 years of marriage and it's been awesome! We've had a rough road in the last year but I believe it's made us stronger and even more devoted to one another. We joked a lot about how the first year seemed to be more focused on trying to "fix" or "change" the other person and how the second year we realized we had to change ourselves. It's been a year of growing and maturing and leaning on one another. I am looking forward to what year 3 brings.

Today we are going to celebrate by skipping church and sleeping in, than having a quick lunch and then going to go for massages at the Cove. I'm very much looking forward to that. It's actually become a tradition for us. We did this on the day after our wedding in which I promptly fell asleep many times. Than we went last year on our anniversary to another place because we had left our planning to the last minute. Than we will go again today followed by a nice dinner at the restaurant there. It should be a great time and I'm excited to celebrate with my amazing hubby!

Well until next time.

Happy August 7th everyone!

Michelle

A walk in the park

It's FRIDAY! I am excited. I love Friday's. Even in the summer. It means B's going to be off work for 2 days!

Today I am tired. I think I may have a nap since we have company coming over this evening and I don't want to be a lame hostess. Last night I had the car and B had to go to work in the evening. So when he was done I had to go pick him up. I had gotten a text from him shortly before midnight saying, it's going really well, gonna be done soon. Woot! I was so excited for an early night. My excitement was premature. I didn't get word to come and get him until 2:30am.

This morning I had a morning visit with some really close friends and that was awesome! I really enjoyed talking with them. Than I went for a great walk with B's mom. She is so easy to talk to and such a great lady! I love her dearly! After our walk we were sweating quite a bit so we stopped for a fruit smoothie and it was very yummy!

My tummy is really upset today. (It's from the medication I'm on). I hope this side effect disappears quickly! It's suppose to. That's the rumour anyways.

Well until next time!

Michelle

Happy 2 years...almost

This coming weekend marks many important events. One event is a little more dear to my heart than the others, not to take away from the importance from the others it's just that our wedding anniversary, celebrating 2 years of marriage, is on Sunday! I am excited! I have yet to write my two love letters to B. One that I was suppose to write last year (I don't feel bad cause he hasn't done his yet either) and then the second one for this year. This is to put in our box. If you weren't at our wedding you might be like, what the heck is your box? Well it's a box that B's Dad made for us. We put a bottle of wine in there and a love letter. And each year on our anniversary we are to open to it and drink the wine and read our letters from each other. It's also for a time in our marriage, if it gets really tough and we want to throw in the towel, to open it and drink some wine and read our letters from each other reminding ourselves where we have come from. So yeah, that's what that's all about. I am excited for Sunday to come. B has a couple of things up his sleeve and as we all know I LOVE surprises! (This is the box, we nailed it shut just after we put our letters in on our wedding day)

Some of the other things that are going on this weekend is my niece's dedication is on Saturday. That should be a lot of fun and I'm very much looking forward to time with family where we all get together and watch two people (that we love so much) dedicate their daughter! Gonna be a gooder! It's also so awesome having them in town (they live in Halifax). We don't get to see them very often so when the opportunity comes I want to soak up the time, even though I'm sure I don't seem so engaged...I don't know why but I still become shy around some of my in-laws.

Also on Friday we have a couple of friends coming to stay with us. That should also be fun because we haven't seen them in a year or so. It should be fun catching up with each other. That I think wraps up our weekend to come in a nutshell. Not too much but a lot!

Update on health: I'm feeling much better. I have a new medication which makes me run for the washroom every once and a while, but since I've had that same experience when I encounter dairy it's not the worse thing in the world. I do have to say that the breakouts of dry patches on my skin (especially on my face) have not been a welcoming side effect. I wish that would go away. But it's going to be worth it if it (the medication) helps my body to regulate and come back to "normal". It's been a rough ride but I'm on the happy side of emotions these days. So I'm brave enough to say that things are good and looking up :)

Until next time,

Michelle

Cupcakes that make me feel Sheepish

Last week my Aunt came over shortly after my cousin (her daughter) had just left. I was surprised by this visit because it was out of the ordinary. She asked me if L (my cousin) was here and I told her that she had just left. That's whenshe looked relieved and said, "Good". I was a bit shocked by this reaction. She said I have afavour to ask of you. You know your cousin is moving to New Zealand in a week and I want to throw her a goodbye party. I also want to ask you to make 4 dozen cupcakes that look like sheep. I was excited and yet a bit worried. I didn't know how to make sheep cupcakes. I usually do flowers and squiggles...nothing that needs to resemble anything. So I searched it online and came up with a cute little design changing it a little bit to suit the supplies I could find and my own little twists on it. This is what I came up with. It was a lot of fun, a lot of work and totally worth it.

I am going to miss my cousin a lot! We hang out every Monday evening to watch the Bachelorette. Great bonding time.