Going for Gold

My nephew Eddie is a hockey player, he has a 

passion for the game...

This weekend was the final tournament. The team didn't have 

a very good season so when they went on a winning streak, 

they went all out.  The boys played hard, working

together they won their way into a playoff spot. 

And wouldn't you know it, 

they won the gold medal!

Way to go Mustangs, you did an

astounding job!

And Eddie, Auntie is so proud of you! 

Busy as a Bee

This semester is about to wind down, but it's like the calm before

the storm. I know what's in front of me and I'm doing my best

to prepare for it and it seems there's been quite a bit happening

in Edmonton, things which interest me this is. 

Last Monday there was a forum endorsed by The Lieutenant

Governor's Circle on Mental Health and Addiction:

"Ashamed: A Conversation About Addiction

and Stigma" and what an event this was. The keynote

speaker was the director of the Betty Ford Clinic, he tells

an amazing story of his recovery and he is one dynamic

speaker. 

Wednesday evening I attended a volunteer workshop to

prepare for Thursday when the Truth and Reconciliation

began. This is the final event hosted by the T&R and

it's a big one. 

Thursday when I walked up the stairs to the

Shaw Conference Centre I was uncertain of how this

event was going to go and I'm totally in awe of the

entire event. It's still going on with tomorrow being the

final day. Tomorrow I plan on going back and partaking

in the walk which honors those who have been (and continue to

be) effected by the residential school system. If you'd

care to read anymore about this just google the

Truth and Reconciliation, Edmonton, Alberta and 

you'll find a wealth of information. 

Yesterday I debriefed with about 25 university students

who were in attendance both Thursday and 

Friday, they heard stories of survivors and it was 

amazing to hear what the students are taking away 

from their two days at the T&R, my only beef with this 

event is that it's winding down, this is where I believe

services must be in place for those who need them. 

After volunteering yesterday it was off to a fund

raiser dinner I'd committed to. The photo says

a lot...

And between it all, you bet the books are still 

open, for a few more short weeks and I'm sure 

looking forward to moving forward with these

never ending studies.

So busy, you betcha, but not too busy

to stop in and say hi here, I hope all is well

in your world. I also hope to 

be back to my kind of normal

in a few weeks, then I'll be back if life

isn't too hectic with a practicum. 

I'll worry about tomorrow when it

gets here though, no point in planning

too far in advance as I never know when the 

winds may change directions. 

Spring has Sprung

Yesterday the streets were dry, it's been nice and warm 

here for over a week, it was averaging at least 6-10c every day. 

The snow was melting, the sun has been shining and I 

washed my car last night, guess what happened... 

Yup, we got a dump of snow to welcome our

first day of Spring. I hope it doesn't last and

we go back to the nice sunshiny days, that was nice.

Sigh, a girl can dream. Mind you here in Alberta, 

I must say patience is a virtue...

First day of Spring, yup installation failed! 

30 Already

I have no idea how this happened

but my middle child, my second son, 

turned 30.When there is a birthday

in my family the birthday person gets to 

choose what they would like to do; I was

a bit surprised my son wanted dinner at his

brothers house, so that we did. 

We had a fantastic dinner, Elyssa helped

Uncle Derek open his cards... she's such a good

little helper. 

Naturally there was a cake and you

bet we put all 30 candles on it!

And I believe this would rate as Derek's

favorite gift, it's from a friend he's known 

since grade school.

A signed Hall Jersey, warranted a 

much bigger smile from the b'day boy

than the old man slippers I got him...

go figure! ;-)

Happy Birthday son, but any more birthdays

and you're so grounded young man! 

Last Minute Photo Shoot

Yesterday I went to meet a young lady at one of our

local universities, she's running for vice president of 

something or another and only decided to do so last

minute. She has a short period of time to campaign so

I agreed to meet, and today I spent a bit of time editing

photos for her and I want to wish her all the best! 

 I hope she uses this shot for

her posters, it's my favorite...

On Memory

I'm not sure if the writing I've added to this photo

will be readable due to font size, here's what I added...

"Leftovers in their less visible form

are called memories. Stored in the refrigerator

of the mind and in the cupboard of the heart. 

Thomas Fuller...

must not have had a flash 

drive when he wrote this" 

Yup, me being me and procrastinating on writing! 

Gratitude

This morning my great nephew Awesome Austin was on our local

Breakfast TV show with his Mom and Dad.  I received the link about

half an hour ago and want to share this with all of you who sent love

and support from across the miles.  Austin is doing so remarkably well, as

I watched this video I had tears of gratitude streaming down my face and

the joy of miracles has really touched my heart this morning. 

Here's the link
(it may take a second to load and the commercials
are annoying...but it's worth it!)

If you have a few minutes to spare please feel free to watch a true

miracle.  Austin also got to meet Mike Riddle, he's our local champ

who won the silver for Canada in freestyle half pike skiing, Mike hung

his medallion around Austin's neck, I can't even imagine the feeling of

wearing an Olympic medal but I think this photo speaks volumes! 

Two local heroes in my opinion! 

This photo of Mike in action I retrieved from here; 

 this was shot by 

FRANCK FIFE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES 

Congratulations Mike and 
Awesome Austin way to go! 

It's so cold...

It's been unbelievably cold this past while, tonight they're calling

for -37c, that's without the windchill factor I believe.  It was so

cold last night that I sat at my computer wearing my new leather...

If it stays this cold I'll have this jacket broken in well before Spring!

Now that I have this jacket, it's incentive to keep plugging

along in hopes of getting the bike to go with it. Six more weeks 

of these studies, six short weeks and a bit of a change as I'll 

head into a practicum and be in only one online course. Next

year I'll be able to work full time as I'll only have two courses left

to complete to earn this Masters degree... now to get from

here to there and I'll be one happy camper!