July 7...technology

So thanks to today's topic for my photo a day celebration I have this wonderful song from Napolean Dynomite going through my head...

I love technology
but not as much as you, you see
but I still love technology
always and forever


So...technology

 I could have had a picture of my Blackberry, or my ipod, or my HP laptop, or my Dell desktop, or my Nintendo DS or my wii system or my xbox...it is ridiculous how many gadgets I have at my disposal...

No, I decided to post a picture from Quest.  I have been involved with this weekend event on PBI campus off and on for the past many years.  I really like hanging out with these sweet old saints with such young hearts.  They are pretty awesome.

I will most likely put in more pictures from this event over the next few days.  Tomorrow is Friendship.  That should be a gooder!!

July 6...i read

Today was a beautiful day.  It was one of those days that make those of us that live in ice and snow for 300 days of the year decide to stay just a little bit longer.

Although I really couldn't afford the time, I took an hour off to sit in the sun and enjoy my summer read.  I buy a book from Costco every year in the spring and wait until summer to sit and read it.  It usually isn't anything very deep or philosophical, just fluff and relaxing. This book is Silver Girl by Erin Hildenbrand.

In the process of my hour reading time, I got a little burnt.  I know...it's not good for me and one day I may pay dearly for it...but for today - it was good.

** sigh and smile **

July 5th...breakfast

so... this was my breakfast this morning.

actually... THIS was my breakfast before I remembered that today's photo was "breakfast"

I slept in because I had the volume off on my ipod- which was my alarm clock.  I had a meeting at 9:30 and a whiny puppy woke me at 8:45.  A quick shower and slap on the paint and I was ready to go...until... I remembered the photo calendar thing.  The thought to fudge it did cross my mind as I was gulping down my vitamins (and chewing the chewy ones), but then I decided to keep the integrity of the project and "do" breakfast.

Now, I have a bit of a conundrum... (new favorite word)...  I have this sense of needing to be like some of my other blogging amigos that post pictures of exotic and aesthetically appealing food on their blog pages...not mentioning (krista-makiko-erin) names or anything, but it really is a lot of pressure.  Often my breakfast is toast- with plain IGA bread- smothered with Smuckers grape jelly and Jiff peanut butter.

SO not blog cool!

I felt myself break into a cold sweat with this one...crazy.  Anyways, this really is one of my more usual breakfasts on the go.  You can ask the people I work with.  They faithfully tell me that I have blackberry seeds stuck in my teeth on a regular basis.

oh, and the Chai.  I simply just can't live without the Chai.

What a nice start to a great day.  Now I head to Red Deer to enjoy a nice pedicure with my sweet Alyssa...

Life is really good!

July 4...clouds

independence day...

I am married to a good old american boy.  Although he has lived in the true north strong and free for most of his life, his blood still flows red, white and blue.  I celebrate his homeland for him today.

I also celebrate the independence of someone I love dearly.  This afternoon my dear Uncle Harry went to his "homeland" as well.  He has always been my favorite uncle.  I celebrated my 16th birthday in Venezuela and my 21st birthday in Peru with him and my Auntie Marion.

When I was editing the photo of the clouds today I couldn't help but think about his bursting through the clouds to see Jesus for the first time.  What an incredible independence day for him.  He is free of all the pain and hurt of this world.

I love you Uncle Harry!

July 3rd...Hands

Sunday...

Sunny day...

love it.  today we went to red deer to see the kids.  we do that a lot.

we took eleanor and she was topless for most of the day-until the hail storm- no damage though  :)

today is "hands" day.

these are my hands texting a love letter to my beloved...well not really... just trying to get him out of Canadian Tire... but in a loving way...sort of

good times...great life!

July 2nd...feet

I know, this sounds kind of weird.  I like feet.  Baby's feet are so soft and chubby. They are just perfect for kissing and playing little games like peek a boo.

Well, I can't get my feet up to my face any more, but I still like feet.  I like pedicures and massages, red nail polish and tiny little flowers.   I like shoes (oh I like shoes!) and fun socks.  I like feet.  I even got a tattoo a few years ago on my foot just to make it a little more pretty.

Today I went to  a wedding.   The perfect excuse for wearing really great shoes.  These shoes (I am on the left) I picked up at a sweet store called Last Call - a outlet for Neiman Marcus.  The tag on them had the starting price of $290.  I got them for $90.  "They" say that you get what you pay for.  They are right.  These shoes are the kind that you can wear for hours without a single grimace.

So great...

Today I celebrate great shoes.

My buddy Irene is in the "cougar shoes" on the right...equally cool

July 1st... Me

First picture of the month long celebration.  Me and Nika-Lucy's puppy- on Canada's Birthday.  Beautiful, sunny day!

Celebration Time!!!

It's July!!

This is the month that I am going to celebrate every day!  I have so many things to celebrate and I want to share them with the world.  I have been BLESSED with 50 amazing years.  Some of the moments in those years may not have been filled with "peace and love and happy good times" but they have been blessed by the presence of an amazing God and some pretty incredible people.  This is my month to celebrate that.

I have chosen to celebrate with pictures.  Right now there are lots of scavenger hunt photo things on blogs and I LOVE following them.  I have such talented photographer friends that have inspired me.  Although my pictures will never rival the skill of Krista, Melissa, Janine, Loreen, Erin, Bobbi, Jason, Joyce, Stacey...etc (oh mercy, when I make the list I suddenly wonder why in the world I'm doing this)  but oh well- this isn't to impress anyone.  Just to remind myself of how good I have it.  That's easy to forget sometimes.

Anyone that wants to join me, please do.  I would love to see your stuff that you celebrate too.

Here is the list...
July 1- Me
July 2- Feet
July 3- Hands
July 4- Clouds
July 5- Breakfast
July 6- i read
July 7 - Technology
July 8 - Friendship
July 9 - Wrinkles
July 10- Childish things
July 11- Loved
July 12- Energy
July 13- Eyes
July 14- Pretty trash
July 15- Flowers
July 16- Sweet things
July 17- Anticipation
July 18- CELEBRATE!!  (my 50th Birthday!!)
July 19- Pink
July 20 - Fruit
July 21- Summertime
July 22- On the Road
July 23- Little One
July 24- Water
July 25- Bling
July 26 - Trees
July 27 - Words
July 28 - Goodbyes
July 29 - Leisure
July 30 - Comfort food
July 31- Bliss

I will try my best to post every day.  One of the sweet things about this month of celebration is that I am off work the entire time.  Now, this doesn't mean I won't be busy, but I've made a vow to myself to be busy with only things that give me bliss.

So with that, I leave you with two words...

PARTY ON!

when i grow up...

I am at a crossroads


one would think that at this stage of life, one would not be asking the question..


"what do I want to be when I grow up"


but here I am.  On Tuesday I was informed that my position was only half needed.  Cut backs.  Honestly I would have rather been laid off completely, then I would have at least part of the decision made for me that I am facing now...leave or stay...  Do I love this twice as much to make up for not getting half the paycheck? 


Hmmm. That is tough.


So, I have spent the past 3 days- and many hours during the night -contemplating life.  If I could do anything for a job, what would that be? I have investigated it with the most reliable source of information...


Facebook...
and have gotten some interesting responses from so many ages and stages of friends' lives.  I have loved reading what others would do if they could choose their "dream job".  I can see so many of them as reality - like...
krista as a food stylist
ruth as a hockey mascot 
irina in a BC fruit stand
erin as a professional shopper (she is a ninja shopper!)
stacey as a hula dancer


but then some said that they ARE doing their "dream job".  Can't say that I would consider being a high school secretary, or a librarian, or a farmer's wife, or a mom of 5 active little boys, or a nanny as my dream...but it is so great that it is theirs.


I love jewelry that speaks.  I have a ring that says "renew * inspire * uplift"   It became my life calling to try and do those things in my relationships.  


About a month ago I got a new "talking" necklace.

This year of celebration of my half century on earth, I came up with this as my mantra, so to speak.  I have seen 50 years speed by so quickly.  I have realized that I don't have the time or energy to waste on anything but doing what I love and loving what I do.


I believe in a God that loves me passionately.  I believe that if I delight in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart.  But what is that desire?  Therein lies the dilemma.  That's what I need to figure out.  It is kind of exciting, but very scary at the same time.  


But isn't that what life is all about?  

cue Bugs Bunny theme....now

Overture, curtains, lights
This is it, the night of nights
No more rehearsing and nursing a part
We know every part by heart
Overture, curtains, lights
This is it, you'll hit the heights
And oh, what heights we'll hit
On with the show, this is it!

Opening night

Everything that can be done has been done - at least that is what they tell me

All of the hours of planning, scheming, blocking, dancing, singing, building, painting, etc have finally come to an end.  I remember thinking many times how much I just wished it was all over.  That was when I was just obsessing over the overwhelming sense of not being successful.  Now, here I am, on the eve of opening night...actually the morn - insomnia in full effect...knowing that it will all soon be over.  Strangely, this makes me sad.

Whenever I do a "project" like this, I can't help but feel a kind of motherly connection to it.  It's like going through labour and birth.  It hurts like crazy to bring it to life, but then when it is finally here... that feeling of unbelievable....bliss.  There is nothing like it.

I didn't love this play when we first started.  I had committed to it, however, so I just kept plugging away...kind of like a surprise pregnancy (going with the whole birth analogy thing).  But then there's that moment - in a split second - you realize that you are in love with it.

In love with the miracle of taking a stack of paper and breathing life into it.  Watching it take its first steps and seeing it grow into something magical.

Oh what heights we'll hit
On with the show this is it!

The life of a drama queen

I was recently asked why I ever decided to get into this whole drama thing.  My usual responses have been "Well, I just love making people happy"....or
"It is such a great creative outlet for me"...or
"I like being busy"
 
Okay, well, those are the "correct answers"

Here is the real answer

I like  the glory

Yup, plain and simple.  It has taken me nigh unto 50 years to figure this out about myself (although I am pretty sure that most of those around me have known it for some time) - I like it when people like me.  I totally got it when Sally Field gave the infamous Oscar speech, "You like me, you really like me".  I can relate to that...so sue me  * little nod to one of the great songs of Guys and Dolls *

Right now I am sitting in a quiet house, on a rare quiet Sunday afternoon, just pondering the next few days of what I know will be one really crazy ride and I LOVE IT!

I invite all of you to this amazing small town production that is BIG on talent.  Honestly, you will be BLOWN away by what can come out of this place...This cast, crew, carpenters, seamstresses, dancers, choreographers, light and sound techies...are INCREDIBLE!!

Come and find out for yourself!  Tickets are available at Video Hut and IGA - or call me...

Colombia - the postlude

So I have been back from Colombia for almost 2 weeks now and I still haven't sat down and written anything about it.  It's not that I haven't tried.  I have sat at my laptop and started and deleted at least half a dozen attempts but I just haven't been able to really put my thoughts into a cohesive collection.

I have been to Bogota four times now.  It's funny - I actually am starting to know my way around that crazy gargantuan city.  We stayed at a Baptist Guest house our first year, and another one the past 2 years.  This year we returned to the original Guest house and when we were about 2 blocks away I said, "oh this is where we turn to our house".  Sure enough... we turned and we were home.  Even I was a little freaked out.  I guess it is becoming kind of like home.

Everyone asks, so, how was Colombia.  What a loaded question.  Do you have an hour...or 50?  It was... indescribable.  I know that every year I say it, but I have to say it again... it was the BEST trip there - ever.

I am struggling again with my thoughts - so I will share some pictures.  These are just a few of the over 3000 pictures that were taken by me and others in the team.  I hope you will be able to see the heart of my Colombia through these beautiful faces.  The song that is playing with them became kind of a theme song for our team while we were there.

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything i am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity...

Dios te bendiga!

My Colombia

Just in case you didn't know... I really love this place

 It is hard to put into words what it is that has endeared this country to my heart.  So instead I will share some pictures of my first few days...

The Stuff -
    I love to shop, and to be able to go and buy stuff as gifts for the different organizations in Colombia is SO much fun - in fact, it is much more fun than buying for myself because I know how much good it will do for these people with so little.  A box of crayons, a rolling pin and a stack of construction paper seems like peanuts to us, but so precious to these.

First Impressions -
   I remember well the first time I came to Colombia and landed at this very door of our home for 10 days, only to find ourselves locked out.  We were a little freaked out to say the least.  Well, this year, we were back at this guest house and ... yup - were locked out.  This time the panic was not as severe - at least in me, but I did enjoy the "deer in the headlights" looks on the faces of others.

Familiar faces -
    To see the smiling faces of those that have become good friends over the last 4 years is such an amazing feeling.  Evencio has been our driver for the past 3 years, but unfortunately wasn't able to do it this year. I was so glad to at least be able to see him.

Little faces -
   Looking into the eyes of these sweet ones, is bitter sweet.  I can't help but fall in love with these kids and even consider the notion of smuggling one of them home in my suitcase.  They have a hard time understanding why you can't talk to them, but eventually they rely on the universal language of love and all is good.

The food -
    This is from one of the coolest restaurants in the world - La Mazorca - an outdoor barbeque restaurant that serves up grilled...beef, chicken, corn, non-descript meat stuffed in pig intestines, arepas, fresh salsa and guacamole.  So good - well, except for the pig intestine part...

My new house -
   Last year I saw this sign on this house down in the valley below La Mazorca and I told Dan we should buy it.  Well, it's still for sale!!  It's a sign I tell you!  I think it would be great to live here in the winter and just have some of our Colombian friends stay here the rest of the year to look after it!  After I win the lottery of course...




This is my Colombia.

Colombia - the prelude

26 hours...

In 26 hours I will be strapped into my puny little blue vinyl seat, embarking on the first miles of my pilgrimage back to a country that has become like a second home to me.  I remember so well 4 years ago when I first was presented with the crazy idea to take a bunch of kids to this mysterious land.  Every one I told just looked at me like I was nuts.  I mean really - didn't you watch Blow or Collateral Damage or Romancing the Stone??  This is a DANGEROUS place!!

That's what I thought ... until I got there.  Within the first 24 hours the beauty of that country became so evident.  Colombia's richest resource is its people.  I have never met a group of people that were warmer and showed love to strangers so effortlessly.  We were welcomed into homes, fed until we could barely move,  hugged, and kissed constantly.  These people that have so little, give and give to those of us that have so much.

I love this place. 

 Although I will be doing the official team blog on the PCA website, this will be "my space" to show you MY Colombia.  Stay tuned and fasten your seatbelts!

Hasta luego!

What is Love?

I get a daily email that includes a joke or "hmmm" thought, and I really like the one that came today.  Gearing up for Valentines, I wanted to share it with you.  Out of the mouths of babes...

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4-8 year olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.   See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore so my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8.

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay." Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6

"There are two kinds of love, Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." Jenny - age 8

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day." Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt." Chris - age 7

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 5

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age