Halloween Leftovers

Happy Halloween to you all! Tonight I was so looking forward to little ghosts and goblins, I stocked up on candies, ensured I was home early from my shopping, only to be a wee little bit disappointed.

Only three kids and one what appeared to be an adult, (about 25ish and dressed in work coveralls), showed up. None were really dressed up enough to even take pictures of. Oh well, I guess that I should have checked the demographics of my community a little better before I went out purchasing candy. If I don't move before next Halloween I now know better.

Cheryl will be happy when she returns from her weekend with her father, at least she's in for a real treat!

New Treads

Today I went and finally got my new tires. I've been meaning to get to this before winter sets in and now feel much better having this out of the way. I'm sure that others will appreciate this as well, now at least I have a better chance of stopping on the slippery roads!

I like these nice shiny rims, problem is that I'd have to buy the vehicle to go with them!

College Chuckles

I made it to my morning class today, how I have no idea after the late night (early morning) of writing I had last night.

At coffee break I went downstairs for a bit and this is what I saw. This costume is priceless! I love it yet I got to thinking, I wonder if this lady had to use the ladies room if she would have to deflate or if the costume maker was thinking of this... hmmm.

The Journey of a Thousand Essays

My goodness, it's 3:42am and I have to be up at 7:30am... oy oy oy! I spent all night once again working on a paper which is due at 9am sharp, the good news, it's done! I'm half crazy right now, over tired and my back is killing me. I suppose it's all a part of getting to where I envision myself to be in two and a half glorious years!

I am half way there, when I began this educational journey I had five years ahead of me, it was back then I dubbed my education as one of a thousand essays, now I see that it just might happen. I am hoping that the second half of my education goes by just a quickly as the first half has.

.... and then I woke up in time to make it to class at promptly 9am... It's my story and I can write it any way I choose! :-)

Life's Unexpected Surprises

This morning, after the midterm in Social Policy, I was chatting with a few friends and I spotted this man walking by. I said "Hey, that looks like Michael" and the man turns around. Lo and behold it was my nephew, he's looking at getting back into school!

We went for lunch at the schools cafeteria and chatted for a bit. What a nice way to break up my day, an unexpected surprise lunch with my nephew! I am so happy for Michael, I know that he will do well in anything he chooses to do.

Gratitude

This morning I swept the front patio, now I am wondering why. I went out this evening and it's raining, leaves are falling and I smiled to myself. At least it's not snow like we had earlier!

To those of you who follow my blog, the MRI results are in and no cancer! I am so relieved, grateful and a bundle of emotions tonight... a bit of stress included. I have a mid term in the morning but in the big picture, it's just a test to get to where I want to be in life. I am going to get there, one essay and one test at a time... I will do this!

Thank you all for your prayers and kind words, I do appreciate it very much!

Warcraft

With Halloween just around the corner there are some pretty wild costumes and ideas out in the stores. This one here, a character from Warcraft (a game on the internet), has to be one of the most expensive masks I have seen out there. With a whopping price tag of $199.95 plus taxes, it's no wonder this one is still sitting there!

I am looking forward to Halloween this year, I love seeing the little ones all dressed up and coming to get their treats at the door. This year I'm going to have my camera ready... I'll post the one I find the most adorable!

This "guy" here kind of reminds me of one of THOSE guys... you know what kind of guys I'm talking about ladies! lol

Wii Fun

Derek (my son) came over today to give me a hand with my computer. I wanted to transfer files from this old PC to the new one and as the files were transferring I finally remembered where I put the rest of my Wii game. I had put the controller in with the Wii Fit that my niece has.

Well the Wii had to be hooked up and Cheryl was playing around with it, she put the skiing game on and Derek took his turn as well. It was hilarious! 6' Derek on the Wii board and Cheryl off to the side doing the moves right along with Derek... too funny. I wish I would have had my camcorder out, Derek even fell off the board!

All is fine in my house tonight, nothing was wrecked, no controller through the tv or anyting major like that... thank goodness for small miracles!

Derek and His P365 Wave

Tonight I went shopping with my middle son Derek. He had his buddy with him who has been his friend since about grade seven, these two are hilarious when they get together. Cheryl came with me as well and the four of us had some pretty good laughs tonight.

I love spending time with any or all of my children, each is unique in their own way and I love them all so very much!

I bet that they all just love me taking photos of them for my P365 as well! :-)

Temptation

Have you ever had one of those moments where you wanted to do something totally out of character? I had a moment just like that today. It came when I was pulled up at a red light in the downtown core of Edmonton. I was the next lane over from this biker and was it ever tempting to put my car in park and hop on his bike! Destination unknown... now if I actually did that this blog would be a whole lot more interesting!

It's a good things that there's laws or I might just have hopped onto that Harley, left my car and called someone to go and rescue it, or I would have been calling someone to bail me outta jail my luck!

And the beat goes on...

MRI

What a night! I had an MRI booked and had to go to the University of Alberta hospital. As I was approaching the hospital I had some pretty intense emotions stirring up inside of me. I entered the hospital and four years ago came rushing back to me, I was temporarily overwhelmed yet I somehow managed to walk down those corridors and get to my appointment.

The lady at the desk, who was extremely friendly, had me fill out some paper work. Next it was the nurse, she started the IV. I couldn't help it, I was so overwhelmed that a few tears silently slipped down my cheeks. What a human moment that was.

I was left alone for a bit and it was then that I began to second guess myself, can I really be a support for others? I can't even keep it together for myself let alone help others. Have I made a mistake in choosing to educate myself in the field of social work?

I picked up a magazine and tried to lose myself in words, the only thing that I remember reading was "Live your life that the preacher does not have to lie at your funeral." What a thing to read!

It was very nerve wracking to go through the procedure, I'm claustrophobic which does not help matters any but here I am back at my desk typing so all went well. Now it's back to the waiting to see if they do find anything more than the found on the CT scan.

I keep telling myself that not one of us is ever given more than they can handle, sometimes I think that the big guy up there thinks I can handle a lot! And yes I did make the best possible choice, I am going to be one hell of a good social worker... mark my words on this one!

Foggy

On my morning drive it was eerie... the fog was so thick this morning I couldn't even see my steering wheel! Well not until I made it to the downtown core where the fog was not nearly as thick.

Not only was it foggy outside, my brain was also foggy today. I am starting to feel completely burnt out, it's time to take a break yet I can't see one anywhere in the near future. Of all days to feel foggy in the brain, I had a midterm today and I went in on a hope and a prayer.

Yup, somedays I just want to curl back up and spend a day in bed.....

Kid at Christmas

Today my new computer arrived, delivered right to my door it was. I don't have time to set it up right now, and I doubt that I will have the time until this weekend. I couldn't just leave it in the box, I had to open it up to take a look. I am worse than a kid at Christmas, just couldn't wait.

So now my new computer sits....it sure is tempting to set it up right now but 1a.m. and I have a psyc test tomorrow and another ten pages to write for an essay which is due on Wednesday.

Yup... I'd best just get to bed.

I just got to thinking, this P365 best come to an end... I'm running out of money to continue buying new things to take pictures of! lol

Beautiful Day

Wow, what a beautiful day today was. It is hard to believe that we even had the yuck cold snow and blowing, chill you to your bones wind a few days back.

My only regret today, I had to keep my nose to the grindstone and I'm glad that I did. I have one essay to go and then I can prepare for my midterms. Already midterms! Then the cycle of essays begins all over once again!

Fridge Art

Today Cheryl spent a better part of her day putting together this poster for a class assignment. They are doing a poster project on endangered animals and this one she chose to do is so cute. I think that she did a fantastic job with her poster!

Once her poster was finished tonight, we were trying to think of a spot to put it to keep it safe until it is time to take it to school. I came up with this brilliant idea to put it on the fridge. We ran into one small problem though, our fridge is way to small for this type of fridge art!

I miss the art my children used to bring home to me, it would be displayed on the fridge, hence the term "fridge art." Often times I would stop to admire their creativity and the love that was poured into their pictures was worth more than all the gold in the world.

TnT

This morning I ventured down to check out the new Chinese superstore, TnT. I had fun checking out all of the interesting foods offered at this store. I particularily liked the bakery and the assortment of delicious looking desserts. I managed to refrain from purchasing any of the fluffy pasteries although I did buy a few slices of lemon cake.

This cake here I thought was so cute, a hamburger cake of all things. Now that is creative, I'm not saying that I would want to eat one but nonetheless it's cute.

Viewbook

I was told today by a friend that my photo is on our new Viewbook at the College. I had to go in search to find out exactly what this book is. It is an overview of NorQuest College, programs offered, what the College is all about and such. Apparently these books are distributed throughout the city at various locations.

My friend also shared with me that she has seen the student successes posted in places such as bus stops or on the buses, maybe both, I don't quite remember.

This is all so unreal, it is an honor to be representing out College, yet it is plain out weird to see myself on the wall, now on this info book...who knows where I'm going to end up next!

Who would have thought that this might happen in my lifetime? Sure not me!

I'm Free..... to Travel

Well finally after four trips to a Government office I finally have my passport. I went to the post office to pick up my parcel, which I thought was my new computer I have ordered, and the lady passed me this small envelope. She asked me to sign and I asked her where the rest of my package was. She told me that she would check for me as soon as I signed that electronic signature thing (like it even resembles my signature). I signed, and this is when the post office lady told me that this was all there was for me.

I was confused and proceeded to open my envelope, it was then she told me that this was my passport! Now why didn't she just tell me this to begin with? Who knows... but at least I finally can travel to anyplace my heart desires and oh what a feeling! Now to complete my education so that I can afford to travel!

I felt like Steve Martin in "The Jerk" when he had his name published in the phone book! I'm back to "normal" now, it's all good!

Elders

Within the college I attend there is one wall which is the Elders Wall of Honor; respectfully so I must add. Elders are the teachers in the Aboriginal communities, they mainly teach through example and story telling.

Our college is blessed to have one Elder who comes to the college each and every Wednesday, this lady is extremely inspiring. She has walked many miles and traveled endless roads which have granted her with wisdom, empathy, courage and she has the wonderful aura about her. I aspire to be like Nellie one day, full of wisdom with a gleam still in her eye. Nellie, I believe, is 82 years young and going strong!

There is something to be said about cultural diversity, I love being Metis. I find that I can do as my ancestors once did, they took the best of both worlds and incorporated this into their lives. I am learning, one essay at a time and through other means that I too can and do have the best of both worlds, what more could a girl ask for?

Stocking Up

It has been unbelievably cold early this year. With winter season upon us comes the sniffles so yup I am stocking up early this year. There is one good thing about Scotties tissues, these particular ones have lotion in them, no more tissue rash around the nose when anyone in this house gets a cold!

Another benefit to tissues in a box, there is no over or under issue to worry about, straight up and out from the box!

My Sisters Home

This house is so much more than just a house, it's a real home. From the minute I walk up my sisters walk I feel the warmth emitted from her home. Today I stopped over briefly and as I was leaving I thought that I'd take a photo of her home, I always see her neighbors house across the street in her photos yet I do not ever recall seeing a picture of her house here!

So here it is Jewel, your wonderful home taking the top spot in my P365 today! :-) Mind you it was a toss up between your home and the Bread Basket! lol just kidding.

Payback Day

Today I cooked our Thanksgiving dinner, it was delicious! This turkey is by far the most expensive bird I have ever cooked. I figure it was worth roughly $150 - $200. When I add up the expenses these birds racked up that is what I come up with:

First they ate all of my flowers in the spring, that was about $100, then another $100 to replace the ones they ate. Next the turkeys scratched the hood of my car trying to climb up on it, repairs roughly $500, and there was the costs incurred with buying them and then feeding these birds. Yup one expensive bird!

As the say payback is a bugger... and did this bugger ever taste fine!

Autumn turns to Winter

The leaves gently, silently fall onto the smooth green grass. The air begins to chill and the days end sooner then they did last week. White flakes begin to fall and my winter coat now hangs in the entrance of my home.

I look at this park and smile at the warm memories I shall forever treasure of the summer past for many years to come.

I get into my car, turn the heat up and drive away into my today to create new memories for my tomorrows.

So Sweet

This morning I awoke to a blank of snow covering the ground. It was not a welcome sight by no means, it's too early for this sort of weather in my opinion!

As I was getting ready for my day, I glanced out the front window and spotted a message left for me by Cheryl on my car. I couldn't help but smile, my day started out on a positive note once I read this.

Thank you Cheryl, I love you too!

Fall Canning

I love pickled beets. Last Saturday I cleaned all of the beets out of my sisters garden, she was away working. Tonight I never cracked a book and finally got to canning them.

I managed to get 13 pints, not bad at all I'd say considering how few it seemed I had picked. Now to sit back and wait for a few weeks for the flavor to seep through the beets and yummmm!

Morning Drive

I did not like what I woke up to this morning; it was overcast, raining, and cold. After being up all hours of the night to catch up on some essays I woke up a tad bit later than usual and was tired, this dreary weather sure did not help matters.

When it's raining I love to stay under my goose down duvet and snuggle up with a good book. Instead I faced my day and managed to stay alert through my classes.

Tonight it is still yuck out there but as long as the sun is shining inside what goes on out there really doesn't matter... all that much! :-)

The Library

At my college there are laptop stations so I thought that I'd stay after class and play catch up on some papers. I was in the library for about an hour and just couldn't focus, there were too many distractions. I came home, rested for a bit and hit the books. I ended up staying up until 3:30 this morning getting two papers done which were due today... hence being one day late with my blog.

Better late than never... with most things in life!

Color In My World

I had posted a photo of my color choices for my bedroom some time ago, did it ever look like crap! Here is the end result, I changed my colors a few times and found this boarder to tie the colors together.

I am extremely pleased with the result but it took some time and a few cans of paint to get it to look like this. I finally went with my daughter and she helped me pick out these lovely soft colors. I described what look I was after and just like that Michelle had picked out exactly what I was in search of! I now know who to take with me when I go shopping for paint, left on my own accord I'd be still picking out the colors to get the look I was after!

Now after a wonder relaxing weekend it's time to pay the piper, I have to get after one of my three essays which are all due next week... oops! At least their short essays though!

Now THAT is a Pumpkin!

Today I drove out to Smoky Lake with Cheryl, we went to attend the Pumpkin fest. I have never seen such huge pumpkins, as you can see here this particular pumpkin weighed in at 957.8 pounds BUT that was not the largest one!

The heaviest pumpkin at this years weigh off was a whopping 1199.2 pounds! Now that sure could make a ton of pies!

It was rather interesting to watch these young men move around some of these pumpkins... take a look and check it out!

Ricki's

Tonight Herb came into the city and we went out for dinner. We had tried Ricki's once before and left after waiting for about ten minutes to be seated, the restaurant was near empty and the staff chose to ignore us so we chose to leave.


Tonight was very different. The staff were very attentive, the restaurant was not all that busy, the service was excellent and so was the food. I had the halibut with a really nice sauce and it was delicious. I almost cleaned up my plate, something which I seldom do... it was that good!

I believe in second chances, tonight I am very happy that I do. I would highly recommend the Ricki's in South Common, if you cannot get seated maybe do a song and dance at the entrance, that might get you seated a bit quicker if you can't get the hostesses attention!

Totally Surreal...

Tonight was the unveiling of the Student Success Posters and yes I was nominated for one of them and here it is! It was odd to walk into a room where ten new success posters adorned the walls, and there I was smiling back at me. This is all so surreal, I am extremely honored to have been chosen out of approximately 10,000 students for one of these posters.

I find it hard to fathom how I am an inspiration to others yet in a way when I look back into my past and at how far I have come in four short years it is rather astounding! It has been quite the journey and yes I have worked extremely hard to get to where I am at in life. ( I almost feel guilty for calling what I have done work... I have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, all that I have chosen and continue to choose to do.)

I sure would not be where I am at within my life today without the love of my family, thank you to all of those who have loved me unconditionally and to all of those out there who have inspired me... now which paper was I going to start tonight? hmmm maybe it's time for a well deserved night off, I'll make up for it!