Happy New Year!

Tonight was a fun evening, I went out to a hall party with some near and dear friends. I love starting out my New Year with this group of people, they are all fantastic in their own way.

And here I go with year four.  It's hard to believe I've been posting a photo a day for this past 3 years and I've not missed many days. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each one of you who stops by my blog  for all of the wonderful comments. I've grown to love seeing the world through your lenses, I've learned so much from all of you, and everyone offers me hope and encouragement when I seem to need it the most. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! It's going to be an amazing year... somehow I just know this!

Wishing you a very Happy and Blessed New Year, may this year bring you the best of health, happiness and joy!

It's In The Box

It's funny how children are, they seem to put the toys aside and play with the box it came in. When we were opening Christmas gifts Elyssa LOVED her new toy box we bought her. She was just chilling out on her new toy box and got mad when her Daddy and Uncle were packing it out to their vehicle.

  On Wednesday I spotted an ottoman which fits nicely by the front door, it's going to serve as a bench for people to sit on while putting on their shoes and a toy box for Elyssa's toys she keeps here.

I had the box this came in sitting in the living room waiting to be moved downstairs. Elyssa spent the night with me last night and this morning what she wanted to play with wasn't toys...

 ... she was quite content watching TV in the box! Funny girl.

The Flight

After spending countless hours online trying to book a flight to Australia, yesterday I finally said the heck with it and went to see a travel agent. Today I'm breathing a sigh of relief, my flight is booked and I'm flying out on January 21st. I was surprised to learn that there wasn't even a price difference between booking online and going through a travel agent, a very nice surprise I might add!

I have one person to thank for all of this, my boyfriend is sponsoring me to go on this trip, without him this  wouldn't be possible. A huge thank you sent out to you Herb, you're helping make my dreams come true!

Now the Real Shopping Begins

I've been out all day running errands, trying to get everything ready to head out to Australia and my flight isn't even booked yet. I went to a travel agent today, she's working on it, so that's one less thing for me to do. I've also started shopping for summer clothes, you know how tough that is when we're in the middle of winter... if you can even call what we're experiencing winter (shhhh I didn't just say that, I don't want to jinx us! lol). I did manage to find a few items I need... okay, truth be told, I bought some new clothing I want and a new purse; every lady NEEDS a new purse to travel... right ladies? 

 Now it's time to get some rest, tomorrow is another interesting day. Never a dull moment in my world. :-)

In the Name of Beauty

How often do you wonder why we try to enhance our appearance, or do you do this? I don't dye my hair yet, however I get streaks to enhance the color of my dark brown curly hair. I have the most amazing hairdresser, she comes in to my home and gives me one heck of a good deal. Now that I've justified getting my hair streaked, it's your turn, what do you do to enhance your beauty?

(Not the greatest photo I've ever shot, but you get the basic idea! lol)

Christmas Trains

I've always wanted a Christmas train, mind you I've always wanted a train period. Tonight I decided to go out and do a bit of shopping, if the stores weren't too busy I was going to venture in, surprisingly enough they weren't bad. I found the Christmas train on sale for half price, all of the Christmas items go on sale for half price on Boxing Day. 

 

I wanted to put it together tonight but it'll wait until tomorrow, I'm holidayed out and need to get some sleep!  

There's a few other Christmas items I liked, I'm going to gamble that the price will go down even further yet. I'll check back in two days and see if they even have any of the items I want. The joy of the week after Christmas, it's a real gamble on things I want but don't need so I'm willing to gamble the one item in particular will go down to 75% off. If they sell out oh well, such is life.

My Christmas Wish

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." 

 

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Children Make Christmas Special

Young or old, it's children who make my life and my Christmas so special. Elyssa had a ball, it made my heart dance watching her have fun.

A very Merry Christmas and wonderful Holiday Season, from my home to yours! 

I'm Legal

... to drive in other countries. :-) 

It was suggested by the University in Australia that I obtain an International Driving Permit, today I set out to do just that. I didn't realize that my Canadian license was going to expire while I'm away, so I had to go and renew this, then back over to AMA to get this permit. It took a wee bit of doing, but it only took a few hours and now I'm legal to drive in a lot of different counties. These are valid for one year, hmmm I wonder where I can go next. :-)

 I've been extremely busy on this end, but I'll catch up to your welcomed comments and your blogs as soon as time permits.  

 

 Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas! 

Beautiful

 Tonight when I was out getting groceries, I couldn't help but notice the amazing sunset. It was beautiful! The weird part is that it was only about 4:30pm. 

Our weather has been unbelievable for this time of year, I'm not going to say too much in this area as I don't want to jinx us!

Busy as a Bee

... and here I thought I'd get some rest now that classes are officially done, wrong! I left my humble abode at 11am, met up with my sister downtown, visited and exchanged baked goodies, then it was off to my old college. They wanted to give me the poster they made of me a few years back. Now what in the heck am I going to do with this?

Then I went to drop off the disc for the photos I shot this weekend, after this I delivered some baked goodies to some friends, then it was off to shopping at the busiest mall in Edmonton. I guess I just had to get in there to feel the craziness of Christmas shopping, I'm done all my shopping so I bought new PJ's for myself... sheeesh. The mall entrance is decorated beautifully.

There were a few more stops, finally I arrived back home around 9pm... what a day but at least my gifts and cards are all dropped off. Now I can relax... I think.

And one final happy note, try to remember this throughout this holiday season...

Nah, I didn't buy the shirt, I'm getting a wee bit smarter and only took a photo.

Stairs of Success

Today, after I wrote my last in class final, I was eager to leave the University. However, as I approached the stairwell, I realized this could very well be the last time I ever see these stairs. I paused, snapped a photo, and climbed the stairs to success.... another successful semester completed!

This makes 6 out of the 7 courses I studied this semester complete. I have one essay left and one more final in the one correspondence course to finish up. I highly recommend to anyone who is ever even thinking of doing 7 courses in one semester, DON'T DO IT! It's crazy making, sheer insanity, you'll lose tons of sleep, you may need anti-anxiety medication (thankfully I learned other methods of coping with the stress), your diet goes to hell, and ya, just don't do it! It can be done, but it's all a blur.

Expensive Garbage

Today I cleaned out most of my binders; the notes, journals, and handouts are all filed. This has to be one of the most expensive bags of garbage I've ever put into my recycle bin. When you add in the cost of tuition, books, and all of the extra charges the universities ding you for information it adds up in a hurry.

I only wish I had a fireplace tonight, I'd LOVE to watch this all burn! Yup, it's time for a break; a hard earned, well deserved break...after my final tomorrow that is.

I hope you all have a fantastic week... do what you love and love what you do!

Children's Christmas Party

I had such a good time today taking photos of children with Santa, this is something I'd do again in a heartbeat! Here's just a few of the photos I shot today, this Santa was awesome!

The children are so precious!

... some had to be rescued from the big fat guy in red!

... while others were in their glory.

Naturally I had to have a chat with this old fella, and I'm not divulging what I shared with Santa, I want my wishes to come true! 

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.  

                                                         ~W.T. Ellis

Christmas Gala

Tonight I went out to do some volunteer work, after all 'tis the season for offering a hand. Mind you any season is a good time to volunteer. I packed up my trusty camera and off I went to take photos for the Native Friendship Centers annual Christmas Dinner. The meal was fantastic, the entertainment was amazing, and I had an awesome evening. Oh, right, I also shot quite a few photos, got hypnotized and ... ah, I won't go into detail about this one, I will however say I found myself doing things I would never do in public, but it was all in good fun!

Me, remembering some of the silly things I did! lol 

Tomorrow is more volunteer time, it's the children's Christmas party and Santa will be there! I wonder if I sit on Santas lap if I'll get my Christmas wish... hmmm I'm going to have to check it out.

Life's Precious Moments

Tonight I had a helper in my kitchen, we decorated cookies and had a great time doing so. It started out like this...

First there was the taste test, Elyssa had to make sure the cookies were up to par. 

Once she determined they were the fun began...

Look at the concentration Elyssa put in to decorating her cookie... and herself, the table, the chair, and the floor! ;-)

Not to worry Grammy, I have it all under control. I know what I'm doing now. 

Definitely one of life's precious moments.

On a very happy note, one final down today, that completes 5 of the 7 courses I studied in this semester and does it ever feel good, I'm exhausted, but elated!

Have a wonderful weekend!

I Found It!

... and who said it was sitting at the end of the rainbow?

Procrastination

 I don't know why I put off my studies off until the last minute but this has been my pattern even after 4 1/2 years of studies. I have an exam on Friday and I've kept myself so busy procrastinating that now I'll be cramming for the next day. The good thing about this is that I did more baking today...

 Naturally a taste for the baker. 

Gifts are wrapped, laundry is done and finally at 10pm I opened the books.

It's time to get some notes made, memorize things which I'll commit to memory long enough to write an exam and forget most of it on the way out the doors of the University.

The one good thing about procrastination is I keep myself so busy I don't feel guilty about putting the studies off AND I have less to do to prepare for Christmas. (How's that for justification? ;-))  Maybe I'll even have a few days rest before Christmas Eve... I can't even imagine!

More Courses

I have two more courses on my plate, two more and that's it! I'm leaving these in the box until I finish with my finals, there's no sense in confusing myself more than I already am with getting everything ready for Christmas and finishing up what I started in regards to courses. 

I'm soooo looking forward to the day when I have no homework, I wonder what I'll find to get into then... hmmmm, this could get very interesting.

The Tree

I managed to get my tree done tonight, it's sure starting to feel a whole lot like Christmas!

My youngest sister made me these angels years ago, my tree wouldn't be complete without them. 

 "Some things have to be believed to be seen."

  ~Ralph Hodgson

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
                                             
                                                                                 ~Author Unknown

Perogies

Today was perogie making day and what a day it was. I went over to my son and his wife's place, my daughter joined in, and between four of us we made 20 dozen perogies. Now that's out of the way it's time to get the tree up tomorrow, or finish decorating it, then I'd best start studying for my finals; they're coming up way too soon! 

My son Shayne, I'm so glad that he suggested I teach them how to make perogies, that was 3 years ago and now it's become tradition to spend one day before Christmas getting this done. It sure goes much faster with all the extra hands.

Memorable Christmas Party

Once again this year we catered at West Edmonton Mall for a children's Christmas party; the only difference was last year there were about 600 people in attendance, this year there was just over 1000. It's a simple menu, hot dogs, chicken strips, beverages, veggie trays, baked goodies and chips, but with just over 1000 people there's never a dull moment! 

The Christmas party was held at Galaxy Land, this is a huge indoor amusement park. The children sure enjoy the three hours of non-stop fun. Mind you so do I, then again I'm just a big kid at heart. :-)

 The swings brought squeals of delight. 

This is the Mind Bender, if you go on it once you'll see why it's called this. I was on it about 18 years ago, that was enough of that nonsense for one lifetime!

Galaxy Land is quite the attraction, they have rides for all ages with play areas for younger children. I personally think this is a fantastic gift to the children, in lieu of gifts the company hosts this party every year, the rent the entire area for 3 hours and provide lunch and snacks. This is definitely a Christmas for the children to remember. 

It's Prep Time

Today went almost as well as I had planned, there was only one wee problem, there wasn't enough hours in my day. I was up bright and early and started my Christmas baking and I brought up all the Christmas decorations from the basement in hopes to have my tree up and house decorated today. I got an awesome head start on the baking.

I made Matrimonial Squares (aka Date Squares), Butter Tart Squares, Black Forest Cookies, Nanaimo Bars, Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, M&M cookies, and I'm all baked out for now. If you want the recipe I use for my Nanaimo Bars just click and enlarge the following photo. I've used this recipe since I was 21 years old and it's a huge hit. I make it in foil pans, it's much easier to peel the foil back to cut the squares.

Now hopefully after work tomorrow I can get this all sorted out. 

One thing at a time, okay ten things at a time, and it's going to be looking a whole lot like Christmas in my home. Have a fantastic Saturday!

Inspiration

Little did my oldest son know when he bought me a frame for my first grad that this would turn into an inspiration. This frame happens to have room for 3 photos; I added my first grad photo from my upgrading in 2008 and carried on. Two years later I was able to add my photo from earning my social work diploma, this was in 2010. June of 2012 I can complete this frame, I'll have my degree!

Whenever I'd be sitting at my desk into the wee hours of the morning, writing the never ending papers, feeling like giving up, I'd glance over at this frame which sits on my desk. I'd take a few deep breaths, say a wee prayer, and think about how badly I wanted to fill up this frame, then I'd continue to push forward. 

The frame says: "Life is an opportunity, embrace it." And that I have. 

Thank you Shayne for this amazing gift, one which has offered me tons of inspiration! 

Your turn: What inspires you?

SOA

Ever since a blogger friend suggested a TV show, I've been watching it faithfully. I LOVE it! I think that I went through the first three seasons in less than a week, I was hooked, still am as a matter of fact. I like the show so much I've even bought the T-shirt.

Now this T-Shirt isn't merely any old T-shirt; it's an official Sons of Anarchy T-shirt. I had to order it online; you can't buy these just anywhere. This shirt even made my son a wee bit envious, little does he know I ordered two, one in him on his birthday.

Now will I ever wear it? Hell ya! lol

Eat and Run

Today it was a really quick lunch, I stopped off between classes and grabbed some fruit and a cuppa tea. I'm trying to eat healthy, it's time to shed the few excess student pounds. 

 This sitting for hours on end is not what I'm accustomed to by no means, wait a second, I just remembered I have an exercise bike under that pile of blue jeans that are snug... hmmm, time to get back on it and back into those blue jeans. I'm on a new mission!

I Feel Good

... tired but good. I managed to get my project in on time today; 5910 words, plus 28 power point slides equals one more class being finished! Four down, three to go.

Here's a behind the scenes, what my floor looks like when I take on a project of this magnitude.

This was the floor, never mind my desk and my bed. What a mess, no worries though, the books are back on the shelf, I can see my desk again and the bed... well there's always tomorrow.

Beautiful

My younger sister made this beautiful decoration, I love this concept and I feel a wee bit special because she game me one. :-)

Yup, there's a bit of Christmas in my house now, next week I hope I can get it looking a whole lot more like Christmas!

5th Annual Christmas Party

Today we had out annual family get together for the holidays. The food was delicious, (we do a potluck) and the gift exchange was a blast, as it always is. It was so nice to spend an afternoon with family again.

There was about 30 of us, only a few family members weren't able to make it. 

It's not very often I see all three of my sisters, this is us and Papa Ross below. 

And what would Christmas be without a princess?

I still have a lot of photos to process, unfortunately they're going to have to wait. I still have a paper on the go, one which is due Monday. The clock is a tickin' so I'd best get to work. 

Here's one last photo to tantalize your taste-buds... 

It was as good as it looked, heavenly! 

Cathy you did an amazing job hosting this years family gift exchange, the food was delicious, the gift opening was a blast, the games were fun, and most of all it was fantastic seeing family again!