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!

Sub Zero

Tonight I purchased luggage for my trip to Australia, I've never had to purchase luggage for a trip such as this and could use some advice, has anybody ever used Sub Zero luggage? If so what do you think of it? The key selling feature for me is how light it is, I can take more with me now... oh great! Now I have to buy more clothes. :-)

Beat The Clock

I did it!  The essay I was attempting to have done by midnight has been sent in and does it ever feel awesome!  I started this paper last night; I wrote one page, pulled my research and mapped out the paper in my mind,  then I called it a night. I got up this morning, and somehow it all came together. I was trying to beat the clock all day today; with perseverance, blood, sweat, and tears, I shocked myself. Before I knew it I was over the 2500 words, I had to tighten the paper up a bit, and I could have said more than the allotted 10 pages.  When I clicked send I glanced at the time, it wasn't even 6pm... hmmm, now I wonder what the mark on this one will be like. That's 3 of the 7 courses I've taken this semester finished. 

One wee word of advice, if anyone out there is ever thinking of doing 7 courses in one semester, DON'T! Not unless you want to give up the finer things in life; things such as sleeping, eating, and spending time with those who are near and dear to you. 

The light is now a wee bit brighter...

If I think I can, I can.