Inspiration

This morning I awoke bright and early, it was 6am. I hadn't gotten to bed until 2 due to writing this never ending paper so I was a bit sleepy. I almost always do a quick email check and this morning I found some extremely encouraging words (first comment) from a fellow blogger. LL thank you, I needed to hear something positive this morning!

I was on my way out the door to speak at yet another function, this time it was at Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation. The president of the college and myself were the two guest speakers. Was I nervous? You bet I was!

When it came to the question portion of the morning, I found strength in the kind words LL shared with me and all went well. I answered the questions from my heart and shut off my head, I am passionate about what I am doing. I find it amazing that inspiration comes from some of the least expected places!

My College

As a person walks into the main entrance of NorQuest College there is a donor wall. I have stopped to admire this wall occasionally and now I have memories of this wall. Back in April I have had the opportunity as an Ambassador to thank the donors who have selflessly donated to our college and helped many students, myself included, to succeed while on their educational journey.

Tonight I got to thinking, I only have seven more months in class at this college then a two month practicum and a new chapter in my life will begin. I will be off to big girls school... university is within arms reach!

The Great Pumpkin

Cheryl grew pumpkins out at her mothers this year. Yesterday when her older brother Terry returned to the city he brought home Cheryl's pumpkins. They are pretty good pumpkins especially considering the lack of rain and nobody was home for most of the summer to water them. The largest one weighs ten pounds, way to go Cheryl!

Kind of reminded me of Linus and his Great Pumpkin who never appears! I believe in the Great Pumpkin Linus... I believe!

New Meaning

Cheryl went to Cold Lake this past weekend to visit with her Dad, today she returned home on the Greyhound bus. I went to meet her downtown and spotted this billboard. Get outta here now takes on a new meaning to me, I really do want to get outta here the way this particular billboard advertises.


A private yacht, ya I could handle that in a heartbeat! Ahhh dreams... what would life be without dreams and desires?

I'm With the Band

Tonight I went downtown to listen to the Krazy 8 band. I was greeted at the door and they wanted $7 for cover charge! I told them that I am related to the band and managed to talk my way in!

Really, I am related to two of the band members, Darren (on guitar) and Kevin (on the drums) are two cousins I haven't seen in many, many moons. Their younger sister was also there and she has grown into an extremely beautiful young lady!

It was awesome to see my cousins, they play in their band part time and work full time jobs, they keep busy. I am glad that we had time to chat for a bit before they went on and once they were on stage I found them to be an enjoyable band, one that I will definitely go back to see again! Good job guys!

I realized tonight how fast time has passed me by, I used to babysit these boys in my younger years!

Say More

I am currently working on a paper which is due next Thursday. I now have 22 pages including the title page and I am half done answering the questions posed. I will have a book in no time at all at this rate! The instructor I am doing this paper for always says "say more", so I am saying more. I am happy that it is not me doing the marking!

One valuable lesson I learned last year while doing my first year of college was to back up everything I am in the process of working on. Last year I lost my first six pages of an essay which was a research paper and I used a lot of citations. I had to start over and only had two or three days to complete and hand in that essay. I was such a newbie!

Tonight I am extremely grateful for our technology, I cannot even fathom writing all of my papers out!

Autumn

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."- Stanley Horowitz

I adore the colors of autumn, the reds, oranges and yellows which adorn the trees and ground. I love the crisp nights and the sunshiny days, the moments where time stands still, when one gets lost in the beauty of their environment.

What I do not like about fall, raking the leaves and knowing what is to follow, winter. All I can say about winter right now is brrrrr.....

Little Bit Of Kid In All of Us

Today I was at the mall with my niece Cheryl. While we were there she asked if she could have a dollar, I knew what she wanted it for and told her that if she agreed to be my P365 I'd gladly give her a dollar!

It was funny to see Cheryl on the kiddies ride but it was much more fun for me to see her being a kid!

"This Is My City"

Today I found myself at city hall. It was the day the winners were announced for the edmontonstories.ca contest, this was a way to promote our city through stories, both written and videos.

Our mayor called on the winner of the video competition and this sweet young lady came forward. They showed her video "This Is My City" and it was so sweet!

I am so happy that the ones who paid out big dollars to advertise their stories didn't win, who could think of a better way to promote our city other than with a sweet little angel? I sure can't!

My Space

August 31 of this year I returned for round two of my Social Work diploma program. I had moved and was still setting up my study space at the beginning of this school year. As you can now see I am all set up and good to go for the year. I can imagine that this is about the most organized my space will be for quite some time, the essays are coming at me faster than I care for but hey, it's college!

I did get the additional space I was looking for and I am quite pleased with it, the small wicker drawers on the left is just what I was in search of. Now back to my essay which is due tomorrow!

The Time Travellers Wife

Today was a nice day to take in a movie. I met up with my wonderful daughter Michelle and we went to see "The Time Travelers Wife". It was so nice to go out to see a movie, I haven't done this in months and now I want to try to incorporate a movie into my hectic schedule at least once a month.

The movie, it's a romantic drama (chick flick) and it was pretty good. The ending, which I won't give away, was one that left me wondering... good thing I have an active imagination!

Saturday Afternoon Jam Session

Today has been a wonderful day. My nephew Adam (on the left) came over and was jamming with my other nephew Terry. I have always loved the sound of the guitar and even though they have different tastes in music than I do, I still loved hearing the guitars going today.

Thanks guys, I hope that this becomes a new Saturday afternoon tradition, well unless it's crunch time for an essay or prepping for finals!

Road Construction

Today was such a beautiful day here in Edmonton! It was nicer than most of our summer days were and road construction was still going strong throughout the city. I sure won't miss the road construction once we are in the midst of our winter months but I will most definity miss our warm sunshiny days.

I Am Appalled!

Canadian government officials can't be for real. Today's Globe and Mail article Body bags sent to flu-stricken reserves states that body bags were sent to reserves asking for medical help to assist in combating the H1N1 flu which has hit some reservations pretty hard.

The outbreaks on certain reserves has taken it's toll and many have lost their lives. It is no wonder with the appalling conditions people have to live in on some reserves. We are a first world country yet on some reservations people live in worse than third world conditions! It is no wonder that the flu spreads so quickly in these types of living conditions.

I was sickened when I learned of this one of my classes today! What in the hell does is our government attempting to do? Another genocide here in Canada?

In googling the article I now have found another article which is a joke! To cover their stupidity our government has now purchased enough vaccine for each and every Canadian. Do I believe this? NO! If our racist government has indeed purchased this vaccine, will Aboriginal people "qualify" for the much needed medication? Only time will tell on this one.

May God bless and be with our Aboriginal people.

Oops!

There is this one particular instructor whom I admire. He is unbelievable. I find inspiration, direction and knowledge when I meet with this particular person and chat. He taught me English 30-1, not only did he teach me English he taught me some valuable life lessons through the time I spent in his classes. This man is selfless, he is giving of his time and energies and today I was going to meet with him to have a coffee.

We were to meet at this particular Timmy's, I was there ten minutes early and had brought a book to kill some time. I became immersed in my book and only glanced around occasionally to see if he had arrived. After 40 minutes I left, I didn't have his phone number with me but knew that something must have come up.

We connected on the phone about an hour later, he had been there and waited ten minutes for me, he arrived ten minutes after our scheduled meeting time and didn't see me. He was about three feet away! What had happened, I was sitting behind some plants out of sight not realizing that I could not be seen! I guess next time I should get a booster seat!

Fairmount Hotel MacDonald

The Fairmount Hotel Macdonald has to be the most luxurious hotel in all of Edmonton. This morning on my way to the college I happened to be stopped right in front of this grand hotel and seen it from a very different perspective. I googled (gotta love google) Hotel Macdonald and found some very interesting facts regarding the history of this magnificent hotel.

Yup, one day I will sleep in a bed in this hotel, I have just determined that. Mind you right now after working all night on a paper and looking at the time, any bed would do at this particular moment, well almost any bed!

Thanks Shayne for the link tip, it really does work!

Not Impressed

This is Tucker, he is a Jack Russel Terrier and my son and his wifes dog. He is adorable, yet tonight he was not at all impressed. I am taking part in an online Scavenger Hunt and a household pet is one of the things on the list. Generally from what I have seen of Tucker he does not mind getting his photo taken at all, tonight he was chewing on his bone and made it clear that he was not to be bothered, but we got his photo just the same. Sorry Tucker, you are still an awesome dog in my books!

One Man's Junk...

... is another man's treasure.

Today I drove my middle son, Derek, down to this one particular pawn shop. This is no ordinary pawn shop by no means, they deal mostly in game systems and games as you can see. This here is only a portion of the games in this particular store. I can't fathom how the owner knows where anything is, yet he seemed to.

I went into this store just to browse around, once I was inside I almost turned around and left. I didn't see any good junk at first glance that I most certainly don't need but something drew me in. I spotted an old arcade style game, the table top ones which I used to play, and talk about expensive, $990 for one game! That sure would have been a ton of quarters back in my days of game playing.


My son purchased his game system for what he considered a good price, I ended up buying five movies for $20 ( cheaper than renting them and no late fees), and off we went both satisfied with our purchases.

Happy hockey season Duke, kick some butt and see you in the spring! :-)

Tough Decision

Today I took a number of photos and it was a tough decision as to what to post. I have photos of golden wheat fields, a wedding which involved semi trucks as the wedding parties transportation (that was funny to watch three big rigs stop off in WalMarts parking lot, what appeared to be the groomsmen piled out and headed over to MacDonalds for what I am assuming was a bite to eat, no sign of the bride and groom though), and the photo which won out over the others, as you can see, is this beautiful Blue Jay.

I love birds. The Blue Jay takes me back in time to when I was a wee little girl on the farm, I remember seeing the Blue Jays quite often way back then. Today my heart still dances when I see one of these beautiful birds, the bonus today was this particular bird sat still long enough for me to snap a photo!

Peace and Serenity

Quite the opposite from yesterday's post I have found freedom in the country. Freedom from the city drivers who are all in dire need of anger management classes, freedom from the traffic lights and the nonstop sirens. The price of my freedom, 1/4 tank of gas and two hours of driving; mighty inexpensive to find the peace and serenity the country offers.

Oh right, there was also the matter of forgetting my power cord for my laptop, $59.95 for a universal power cord which works mighty fine. I even read the instructions so I wouldn't blow up my laptop!

Concrete Jungle

I was all over the city today and coming down Jasper Ave I now have a clearer concept of why cities are called "Concrete Jungles." It's not that I didn't know why cities are referred to as this, today I had the visual right before my very eyes.

In deciding whether or not to come to the farm today, once I had seen this site, I went home, looked after a few things then packed. I was in a hurry to get on the highway and of all things to forget... my power cord for my laptop! I sure hope that I can purchase one here in Barrhead tomorrow, if not see you all on Sunday or Monday. Have a great weekend!

Assembly Required

Yes, I need more space, so tonight I went out and purchased a new stand to put right next to my desk. The size of this particular stand is ideal for the space I have available, but there was a wee bit of a problem. When I opened the box and attempted to put this stand together the second shelf has the holes drilled in the wrong place, this is so frustrating. I repackaged the stand, (naturally the box ended up larger than when I brought it home but nothing moving tape won't hold together) and tomorrow I will return this stand. I don't think that I will exchange it for another one at this particular store. I think that chances are pretty high that the whole shipment could possibly be this way so I will search in other stores for something similar.

Whatever happened to the days when a person went out and purchased something and didn't have to spend a half a day assembling it? I remember when you bought something and all you had to do was move it in, no assembly required; I miss those days.

It's a Long Way to the Top

Tonight I was painting once again. I am now at the point where I just want it done for once and for all so that I can focus on other things in my life, such as studies. I was so close to finishing up this bookshelf tonight but just couldn't quite muster the courage to climp up on a bar stool and risk the chance of breaking my neck or something else. I will wait until tomorrow when I get home from class and get this one project finished.

Sometimes it is a long way to the top, yet today I know that it is attainable.

Harvest Time in the City

It has been said you reap what you sow, what you put in is what you get out of anything in life. Well with all of the work I have been doing out at the farm, the move within the city, along with painting and cleaning in my new home, plus back to school now, it's no wonder my "crop" is late this year. I have one cherry tomato plant which I planted here in the city and today I noticed two baby tomatoes ready for the pickin'.

I am very grateful that my garden at the farm has provided me with plenty of fresh vegetables, if I had to survive on my one plant I might rid myself of that excess ten pounds I am carrying around!

I have reaped what I have sown.

Back to the Rat Race

Tonight I am back home in the city. I go through the downtown core of Edmonton to cross over the Low Level Bridge to get to where I live. Sunday nights generally are pretty quiet downtown and tonight I am grateful for this, I am exhausted.

I guess that digging up a small portion of the huge flower bed out at the farm did me in, maybe it was the drive, or even possibly shopping for groceries tonight. Most likely it is a combination of all three which has me so tired. I am not going to even bother unpacking my bags, I am off to bed shortly.

Tomorrow is another day and the good Lord willing we will all be back here at some point in time throughout our day blogging away!

TAXES

I had a forward in my inbox this morning and wanted to share it here, despicable yet true!

The Tax Poem

At first I thought this was funny....then I realized the awful truth of it.

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!


Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,

Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know

That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,

Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.


Accounts Receivable Tax
Airline surcharge tax
Airline Fuel Tax
Airport Maintenance Tax
Building Permit Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Death Tax
Dog License Tax
Driving Permit Tax
Environmental Tax (Fee)
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment (UI)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)
Gross Receipts Tax
Health Tax
Hunting License Tax
Hydro Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Mortgage Tax
Personal Income Tax
Property Tax
Poverty Tax
Prescription Drug Tax
Provincial Income Tax
Real Estate Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Retail Sales Tax
Service Charge Tax
School Tax
Telephone Federal Tax
Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Water Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was one
of the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middleclass, and
Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'
And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?!?!?!?

GO AHEAD - - - be a CANADIAN !
and you may well be thankful that you live in this still great country !!

A Little Dilemma

We have this young man who comes to visit at the farm quite often, his name is Chance. Chance is your typical young lad, he is rambunctious, inquisitive, busy, and loves adventure.

Today Chance took it upon himself to water the chickens. He found the largest bin that he could and filled it with water, then he pushed, pulled, and dragged the bin over to the chicken coop. There was this slight problem though, the bin was too large to fit through the opening! The little bit of water which was left in the bucket ended up getting dumped, the bucket went in sideways and when I called to him and asked him what he was doing he informed me that he was going to bring the garden hose to the bucket. Now he was thinking! lol

The Magic Bullet

This morning I had a nice surprise waiting for me at the Post Office. Some time ago Herb was watching an infomercial (I guess that some people actually do watch them) and had seen this Magic Bullet; he thought that I might like to have one so now I have not only one but two, for the low, low price of.. lol! This comes in extremely handy though, one for out here at the farm and one for at home in the city.

I am quite impressed with this handy little kitchen toy already. Tonight I mixed up one of my protein shakes and added a lot of frozen fruit just to see if this machine would do as well as they claim it does on TV, it did! I had a slush instead of a shake, I had to eat my concoction with a spoon instead of drink it! Now to figure out what else this Bullet does and to see if it will stand the test of time.

Soups On!

I`m not much of a lunch person. Today I made an exception and went out with a few fellow classmates to catch up on one anthers lives. After getting lost for a bit I finally found where my friends were and joined them at a Vietnamese noodle house. The food was reasonable, both in taste and in price yet one of my fellow classmates seemed to enjoy it immensely!

It was great to get together with a few of my friends from class, we have a lot of great laughs and today was no exception!

When in Rome...

Fun Fall Colors

Every student needs a few new items of clothing for a new school year. This is how I justified purchasing a few new articles of clothing to attempt to add to my overflowing closet! I just need a bigger closet is all.

There are some beautiful new fall colors out in the stores so I had to buy a few new things! I guess that one thing we have to be grateful for living here in Canada and having four seasons is us ladies do NEED four seasons of outfits. After all what is spring without a few new spring outfits or summer without the fun new shorts and tops? Fall is an excellent time to purchase new colors and there are so many to choose from that it's hard to buy only one item of clothing. Well that would leave winter, winter is one of the most fun seasons to shop for, we dress in layers... just imagine that!

Round Two

Yup, today it was back to classes. Where in the heck did the summer slip away on me? I blinked a few times and just like that I am now beginning my second year of social work studies.

At the end of this school year I will wear a cap and gown and will be a Registered Social Worker. I have decided that I am going to continue on to University and will obtain my Bachelors in Social Work. I figure at this age, what the heck do I have to lose? Ok, realistically I will lose a lot of sleep, yet I feel that what I will gain far outweighs what I will lose! Ahh, sleep is way over rated anyways!

And the saga of "My Journey of 1000 Essays" continues....