Musings on Music

So being on holidays has definitely had some decent perks. I have managed to sleep quite a bit, imcluding naps yesterday afternoon and sleeping in until nearly 11:30 this morning! But besides that I just had some time to explore my musical interests. Most recently my love of the Beatles.

Now I've always been a fan of the Beatles but I downloaded the entire box set today, and as I sit here listening to all the songs I love and some I've never even heard before I'm struck by how much I truly adore much of the music that came out of the 50's, 60's, and 70's. It was just such a different time. In any case, since I have nothing better to do I thought I would share the lyrics to one of my all time favourite Beatles songs.

Blackbird

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life you were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

I just listen to this song and I fall in love with the Beatles all over again. The list of songs I love by them is long and it's been very interesting sitting here and simply enjoying the music.

Anyways, must be off.

So this is Christmas...

And we have done not much! It's been blissful!

Except for today of course which involved Brad and I getting up at 5:30 to drive in to Red Deer to do some Boxing Day shopping. Let me tell you we got some great deals and none of the stores we went in to were really busy or packed. I got a new laptop, Brad got a nice surroundsound system, and between the two of us we got a few other things.

Overall though the holidays have been rather jolly so far. We came down to Three Hills on Christmas Eve Day and went straight over to Uncle Phil's for dinner and some family time. It was crazy fun and we played this amazing game called "Catch Phrase". Christmas Day saw us sleeping in more than we normally do when we celebrate with the Cottell side of the board. But we opened all our presents and were satisfied just before noon. Shortly thereafter we went over and spent Christmas night dinner with the Mackenzies. Brad attempted to teach me a little Rook and I may just play it again. It's got lots of confusing rules though.

I got several items I had been wanting for a while. Mainly I got IKEA gift cards (which may go toward the purchase of the matching dresser to our bedroom set) and some books. The most special of these being "Always Looking Up" which is the latest by Michael J. Fox who is my hero. I also got a very special gift from my amazing husband. He got me my very own Kitchen Aid! I just about fell off my chair. I had told him I wanted one when we were shopping a while back and I promised that if he got it for me I would make him cookies. So last night I mixed up a batch of Sugar cookies and I can't wait to play with the machine some more and create all sorts of wonderful goodies and meals!

I'd like to send a huge hug to all my family I couldn't be with over the holidays. It's been tough being away this year but we've still had a wonderful holiday.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year everyone. I love you!

Escape into the night, everybody run now break into another time...

I suppose I should start with an update of general life. My last post was about problems with my co-worker. I must admit that things on that front are going not too bad. She just returned from a three week holiday in India and I have to admit that I was ready for her to come back. It's nothing like someone going away for you to really appreciate what they do.

It's not to say all the problems are gone but, I've learned there are worse co-workers! The one I was with was hired November 1st and fired by November 22nd! Who texts when they are supposed to be working with children?! SERIOUSLY!? Anyways, all in all I am glad she's back and I am going to try really hard to work things out with her so we can be a team. Not only for the two of us but for the children that we care for everyday.

Brad is doing well. He's been off for a while. Some poor grades in one of his classes meant he had to withdraw from the class as well as his six week field placement. Needless to say it was a very heavy blow. We've had time to adjust and he has now registered to re-take the class and his field placement in next semester. This means pushing all his other classes into next year, but we knew that this was a possibility when we moved to Edmonton. This means, however, that for the last few weeks he's been at home. This has given us a chance to bring his brother up and for him to make some money which is really nice, especially with the holidays coming.

Which brings me to my next topic. Christmas! I can't begin to explain how ecstatic I am that the holiday season is just around the corner. And it's not even that I am looking forward to presents and food or anything else. I am looking forward to SLEEPING! I don't know what it is but the last couple months have brought many difficulties having a decent nights sleep. I've also been warding off (feebly) a terrible cold/flu. I've been nauseous everyday, and before anyone goes down THAT road... I'm NOT pregnant! And yes, I've checked! Needless to say, sleep is a very exciting prospect. Also, I'm going to have a complete work-up done with my family doctor which is lovely.

We had Christmas with dad this past weekend... it was usual. I was very impressed with dad though. He has given both Amy and I money towards our trip next spring which I thought was very nice. It was a fairly generous amount too.... oh wait I forgot to tell everyone...

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD IN MAY!!!! Yep, it's actually booked. We are going to Florida for 10 glorious day at the beginning of May. I finally get to fulfill my dream of meeting the princesses. Plus we get to spend a few days at Universal Studios and I am PSYCHED for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! (Yes I know I'm a geek!)

Well all, I must fly. I've been trying to get my butt in gear and do a few activities each week that get my lazy duff off the couch. Tonight's adventure is once again lane swim. I've really rediscovered my love of swimming in the last couple weeks and it helps that I have a free membership to the Y! I'm hoping to get my weight down and tone up before our trip so I don't shudder when I think about wearing a bathing suit.

Love to all that I won't see over the holidays. I miss you guys.

Life as we know it!

Well what a week it has been. I thought I would take this opportunity not to rant about it but try and explain what has been happening that has made me go a little nutty this week.

For a while now, I've had some issues with my co-worker. Not major ones, but issues just the same. I have found that she is very unsupportive of change and new ideas being brought in to our room at the daycare. Plus she is just very negative. Whenever we have news of something we have to do, or more documentation to be done, she never stops complaining to anyone who will listen. Being the only other adult in the room, I get to hear most of it. I'm not saying she is a terrible person because she is not. But she is older, and from another culture. These things both add up to an unwillingness to change or to listen to a younger, albeit less experienced, worker. It's really frustrating and I find myself struggling to go in to work.

So I talked to my supervisor about it on Tuesday at a meeting just the two of us. She then asked my permission to discuss it with my partner. With the hopes that the issues may be resolved I said yes. However, after all of these things were revealed it only amplified the situation to a point where now she agrees to every suggestion or comment I make. Not only that she does it oozing with sarcasm and what I feel is derision. So now I feel like I'm being punished or belittled for having an opinion on how the room should be run or the activities that we should be providing.

In any case, it's been a tough week. But I'm still trying to stay positive. I'm not sure how long this goal will last, but I'm trying to be the optimist and not the pessimist. We have another meeting this week and I hope that I have the courage to express my feelings openly and with examples to back them up. Wish me luck on Tuesday as I go in to that.

Otherwise it hasn't been too bad of a week. Brad and I haven't had the chance to spend much time together as he has had exams and with his late classes.... we rarely see each other until after 7 at night. We eat and spend a few minutes together before heading to bed. But we are going to go and see a movie tonight which should be a lovely outing. We are going to go and see "Social Network".

We also went out to Sherwood Park last night and had the opportunity to watch my brother play volleyball. Granted it was junior high volleyball so it wasn't that exciting but we were there to support him anyways and it was a lovely evening out. It was followed by dinner and dessert at Kelsey's where we had a very nice chat with both my dad and my step-mom. Overall not a bad way to spend a Friday night.

Well that is about all from me for now. Our movie starts in less than an hour and I have yet to shower and get ready so I must be off.

LONG time no post!

Well it has been a while. A lot has happened in the last month and a bit. Life has been pretty crazy with Brad heading back to school, and at the U of A no less. All I can really say is he's doing well even though he is stressed (with good reason). I want to go back so bad! I went to campus with him one day when he went to talk to one of his advisors. It was so beautiful and I just decided I really want to go back and finish what I started so many years ago. I always wanted to go back to school and get my BEd, but after my 3 years at RDC I was so burnt out. Now I'm determined and who knows when, but I'll go back.

Tomorrow of course is my birthday. Apparently it's a big one because I'm turning 24 on the 24th! WOOT for me. Almost 25!!!

Anyways, going home tomorrow to see mom and Amy. Hopefully, homework willing, Brad will be able to come with me. I don't want to go alone. It would suck to spend my birthday weekend without my hubby :(

Well that is all. I have to go pick up my wonderful hubby and start thinking about making him some dinner!

Eeeeek! 4 Years?!

So, today is the 11th of August. For those of you counting (which I'm sure is no one but me), that means that today is my 4th anniversary being together with Brad! Next weekend on the 22nd is our 2 year wedding anniversary and I am so excited. I have some plans in the works that I need to put into action asap or I may never get everything done in time!

I did however purchase the gift... I won't put it on here since my husband has been known to prowl my blog on occassion but I will post with pictures and whatnot after next weekend!

YAY!

What a wonderful 4 years it's been.

Tonight you're gonna go down in flames... Just like Jesse James

So have you ever had one of those moments, where there are memories playing in your brain and you would do anything to relive it? I'm having one of those moments. There are so many but tonight there are a few that are sticking out in my brain.

1. The moment right before I walked down the aisle, when my dad looked at me and said "You're beautiful, I love you."

2. Dancing with Uncle Rick at Ryan and Cat's wedding, I can't remember the song but somehow that is one of my favourite memories.

3. Laying in Justin's bedroom with ALL the family in one room (it must have been around Christmas?!) talking about life and all the changes that were happening to all of us.

I don't know why these three things are sticking out to me right now but they are and I had the feeling I should express them. Maybe I'm feeling sentimental. Maybe I'm just emotional. I don't know but putting it down in words seems to clear the fog in my brain.

Is there anyone else out there that has a moment they'd like to relive and share with me?

OWIE!

So in 2.5 days, 4 people drywalled an entire basement by themselves! Yep that's right folks, Amy's basement now has most of it's walls up. What a lot of work it was and I am probably going to die now from pain... well... everywhere, but it looks great! Mom, dad, Amy, and I all worked out butts off all this weekend putting up most of the gyproc in the main areas of Amy's downstairs. It was actually a lot of fun up til about 3:30 today when we all started to get tired, sore, and grumpy.

Amy you better put pictures up.

Alright that's all I have energy to write tonight. I'm going to bed, I need some sleep.

How did this happen?!

Alright folks, today marks the first day in my personal challenge to change the way I look and feel about my body and myself. Over the last few years I have gained a lot of weight. Going from only 170 pounds to now over 200. It makes me sick to look in the mirror. I have tried some very unhealthy things to try and lose weight and now I've decided to do it right. If anyone has any tips or tricks, please feel free to comment and share!

I started a couple weeks ago buying healthier food, but today marks the first day that I've gotten back into working out. It feels awful how out of shape I've become and it is my goal over the next few months to change how I eat and how I treat my body.

So my goals:
1. Do one workout on the Wii Active per day
2. Tone and trim down to 185 pounds (to start)
3. Feel good enough about my body to wear a bikini by next spring when we take our trip to Disney!
4. Eat healthier foods, this to me means I will be giving up fast food COMPLETELY (it's going to be rough)

So those are my goals to start. My current weight is around 207 pounds. I carry a lot of weight around my thighs and stomach. I feel sluggish and gross. Here's hoping that I can change myself for the better!

Anyone want to join my crusade for a healthier self?!

Some holiday pictures

Left to Right:
Cat, my aunt Linda, my dad's cousin Cathy, Me, and Amy

The family

Brad and I looking out to Detroit (can see it in the background)

Me and Ames

Me and my honey!

We all walk down the same road...

"Too many people grow up. That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget. They don't remember what it's like to be 12 years old. They patronize, they treat children as inferiors. Well I won't do that." -Walt Disney

Well it seems like everyone has been on the same page in our family. We are thinking about the past. About when we were kids. Hell, who says we're not still kids? But yes we've all gotten a little older (not necessarily wiser...) and it's all very real and scary at times. Some of us have moved away, some of us are in school, going to school, or contemplating going back to school. There are bills to pay, spouses to take care of, and jobs to work.

However, I think I should take the more uplifting view of this. We all have drifted apart a little bit but when we get together there is nothing that has changed. We're still those little kids sitting around the feet of our uncles, aunts, fathers, or mothers singing "Grandmas feather bed." I think now more than ever we need to really hang on to those moments and cherish them. But we also have so many more opportunities to look forward to. I believe that our family is strong enough to handle all the changes and we all can stay close. Maybe that is just very optimistic of me.

I just want to say that I love our family and even though we've all gone separate ways we still talk, play, and have fun together. I look forward to more of those times, hopefully soon.

If I wanted my parade rained on I'd step outside!

So... still raining! We had about 6 hours of sun today so that was nice. Though it really wasn't enough. I'd like to know if anyone has seen the summer of 2010, if you have please tell it it's late and we really miss it!

Anyways, this has been a long week. Trying to get back into the routine and make sure that I get enough sleep... so far not so bad. I've been in bed at reasonable hours every night. It feels pretty good. For some reason though, I've been plagued with nightmares. Awful, terrible, sickening ones at that. I won't go in to details, simply because I just don't want to keep reliving it, but they are so real and Brad has said I've woken up crying more than once. I hope they won't keep up very long.

After spending a lot more time thinking about Uncle Rick and all the issues that I've had dealing with his passing away, I just want to tell everyone to call their loved ones. It's not just Uncle Rick but Gram as well. I always said I would call, and never did. I kept forgetting. Forgetting to call her on her birthday. Or call just to say hi. And now when I really want to call them both, just to talk to them, I can't. So call the people you love right now just to talk to them. Just because you love them. Don't take it for granted.

Ok enough ranting about it again.

I should be off to make dinner. I think it will be quiche tonight. We'll see what hubby thinks.

UGH!

Alright so we landed back on Alberta soil last night around 6:30 p.m. Surprise, surprise, it's raining again. We go from beautiful, hot, sunny, 37 degree weather in Ontario to back to work, cold, wet, miserable weather here in the land of the perpetual cloud.

Anyways, the rest of our week in Ontario was wonderful. We spent a lot of time just hanging out with Cat and Ryan. Brad flew in on Wednesday evening. We just hung around and relaxed that night. We made up dinner for Ryan and Cat (poor Ryan had to work til late). We stayed up fairly late and played Phase 10, chatted, and had some drinks. Thursday was the day we had planned on going down to Ohio and heading to Cedar Point but Ryan and Cat both had to work so we just hung around Windsor. We walked along the Riverfront. In the afternoon it poured rain so we stayed indoors and watched a movie. Thursday night Ryan, Cat, Amy, Brad, and I all piled into their tiny Ford Escape and headed back over the border to Detroit. Ryan and Cat took us to this great Mexican place called "On the Border" and the food was AMAZING!

Friday we slept in late, went to a movie (Knight and Day, see note below), and again hung out and drank.

Saturday was very difficult. We were up early and went to Wallaceburg for Gram and Uncle Rick's burials. It was a short service but it was brutal. I didn't realize how I felt about everything until we were there and dealing with it. I didn't realize that I was angry until I was going over it in my head. And I feel bad but, I was angry at Uncle Rick (well and dad) for telling us not to fly out to Ontario when Gram passed away at Christmas. Obviously we didn't know it then but it would have been another chance to see Uncle Rick. One last chance. I was angry because he couldn't hold on long enough for us to come out there last week. I'm trying to work through that and I know I'm not angry at him really. I love him too much to be angry at him. I know it wasn't his choice to be sick and have cancer. I know he would have loved it if we could have seen him again. I guess it will take some time to deal with. It hurts really bad. REALLY bad.

I suppose the good part of it was that all day Saturday we spent with our family that we never see. My dad's cousins, aunts, and uncles. My Gram's last remaining sibling (my aunty Jerri who I adore). We drove to Sarnia and went to the yacht club and put a whole bunch of picnic tables together. We ate food and partied until late afternoon. Then we got lost a couple times heading back to Windsor. But we finally got on the 401, got back to Windsor and headed out to Leamington to Aunty Linny's (Ryan's mom) and had more food and drank until around 11. It was a great way to end it all. We spent a lot of time with our family. Uncle Rick and Gram would have had a great time with us.

Obviously yesterday we flew home. Sad and very depressing. Only exacerbated by the fact that we arrived home to terrible rain and awful, sad, dreary, weather. But nonetheless we're back and in the swing of things. Went back to work today even though I was exhausted and nearly passed out. Luckily my amazing husband brought me coffee and saved my life!

Side note: Knight and Day, a little cheesy at parts but what a great role for Tom Cruise. I was very impressed and he pulls off the secret agent role well. Rather enjoyed it.

That's all for now though. I'm tired and heading to bed asap.

1000 degrees and loving it!

Well so far so good. I apologize to my readers for any spelling errors in this post as I'm posting from my iPhone! Well so far I'm loving our Ontario adventure. Wr have done quite a bit of bonding with the family (especially our fabulous new cousin Cat) and we have had some pretty cool experiences.

Yesterday we went state side and did 9 hours worth of shopping. Came home with about 300$ worth of stuff and didn't have to pay duty on any of it. It was quite the trip. I had my first target experience and enjoyed it tremedously. Got some really cute new clothes. Cat took us out for a nice dinner at the Olive Garden and refused to let us pay.

Today dad took us on a tour of the Hiram Walker and Sons distillery which was also a lot of fun. It's where they produce Canadian Club whiskey! It was fascinating experience to sit at a table where business deals once took place with Al Capone during prohibition. Not to mention there was a bullet hole in the wall where he fired a "warning shot" above a smugglers head! We sampled some of the merchandise and I discovered I like ten year old whiskey! Now we're just waiting for uncle David to arrive and take us to the airport so the second part o the Ontario adventure can begin with husband in tow!

Ciao for now friends!

I'm leaving on a jet plane

Well in a day and a half. I have this feeling that tomorrow is going to be one of the longest days of my life. I'm at work alone all day, and we are going to have really low numbers. Plus the excitement is really starting to get to me.

That's about all I have to write about right now... oh except HAPPY CANADA DAY EVERYONE!

The countdown starts...

4...3...2...1...

Ok so it's only 4 days to lift off! Can't even begin to explain how excited I'm getting. Well excitement and a plethora of other emotions are running through my body. I must admit that I'm excited to be staying with Ryan and Cat. It'll be so much more relaxing to not to have to stay with the step-mother and little brother! Plus we'll be hitting Cedar Pointe baby! Bring on Sandusky, Ohio.
Woot! Rollercoasters, fattening food, and too many people. You have to love it. Hopefully it won't be rainy like the last time. Though after it rained the park was practically empty. It's so much more fun when you don't have to wait for hours in a cue! Well enough about that. It's not just the park. It's the fact that we'll be going there with Ryan and Cat. Two of the most wonderful people I know. So glad we get the chance to get to know her a little better over this week.

Not only Ryan and Cat, but I'm excited to see Aunty Linny and Uncle David. It's a whole other family that we never see and it's the first time ever we've been able to go out East twice in one year. Plus in September (when we went for Ryan and Cat's wedding) it was such a short visit, I'm glad we have a little more time now.

This week has been going by so slow though. I know it's only because of the anticipation but... I just wish it were Friday already. Or better yet... SATURDAY! Work has been going fairly well which is nice. It's busy and crazy but it's far better than where I was. I actually enjoy myself and I'm not the stressed out basket case I used to be. This week is a little bizarre though with Thursday off and Friday working. It puts a real kink in my whole week! But at least it gives me a day to do laundry, clean my house, pack, and get ready to go. YAY!

Anyways, that's enough ranting for now. I'm off to watch some more O.C. with the hubby. I may just rip myself off the couch for five minutes to run to Starbucks. I have a serious craving for a caramel frappuccino. Then I'll have to do my workout for sure!!!

Back to the blogs!

Well I have to admit this isn't my first blog. However, I am hoping this is the first blog that I keep up with. I'm going to jump right in to life as I know it...

The last few weeks have been absolute chaos! We are all moved up to Edmonton now and we both really enjoy it. I got a job with the YMCA of Edmonton doing childcare and Brad got a job as a T.A. doing work with adults taking ESL. We're both enjoying our jobs, though I must admit going from infants to toddlers is a big leap for me. Now I have 12 screaming two year olds to deal with everyday. In all honesty they are great kids.

Unpacking was a nightmare that took about 2 weeks. I just finished unpacking the last box of non-essentials last week. It feels really great to have that out of the way. Our condo is beginning to feel like home at last! I can't even explain how much better this place is compared to our apartment in Red Deer. That place was a dump in comparison, no the two really aren't even in the same league. Anyways, I'm looking forward to getting a few photos up on the walls and everything arranged and rearranged until it feels like our own space. I will say that my favourite part of the whole deal is the closet. We have a huge walk-through closet from our master bedroom into the bathroom. It's wonderful to have enough space for all of our clothes and not have to shove everything in a tiny hole in the wall. Our landlords also seem like really great people and we've already had a couple things fixed right away when we needed it. Wonderful having people we can rely on.

We're in Three Hills this weekend celebrating my brother-in-law David's birthday. It's been quite a fun day hanging out with family. Brad, David, and I went in to Red Deer today and saw Toy Story 3. It was very funny and I think as long as they end it here, it was a great way to wrap everything up.

I'm greatly anticipating next weekend when Amy and I fly out to Ontario for a week with our family out there. It will be very different now that Uncle Rick and Grandma aren't there anymore and burying them will be a very sad day. But on the positive side we'll get to spend some time with Ryan and Cat. Plus Brad will be flying out later next week to join us for a few days and to be with me for the funerals. There will be some pleasure mixed in there though as we plan on heading down to Ohio to go to Cedar Point for a day! Plus us girls plan on doing a little shopping on the other side of the border!

It's been really hard since Uncle Rick passed away. It feels like there is this giant piece missing. I hate that we never really got a lot of time to spend with him but I treasure the time we did have. I miss him. I miss hearing his voice and how he always called me Miss Meliss. I suppose we all lose the ones we love, but it's been a rough journey dealing with this particular loss.

I guess it's about time for bed though. We have a bit a of a drive home tomorrow and then it's back to work for a few days before holidays... I have a feeling this week is going to be LONG!