July 11...loved

loved...

This is huge topic today.  I thought of just posting a picture of my dearly beloved...but there are so many other  people/things that would just be left out.  As I "picniked" today's collage photo I pressed the "choose random" and this is what it came up with.  I really didn't need to make any changes because it picked a great selection of what I love.  The collage would have to be about 1000 times bigger to include everything, but this is a good start.

It includes -
* family
* friends
* events
* locations
* things
* blessings

God has given me so much.  More than I deserve.

I don't ever want to forget that.

Thank you!

ps..here is more loved things...apparently I forgot someone... :o)

July 10...friendship

I know... I have a lot of pictures of the puppy this month.  However, it is kind of like having a new baby in the house.  It's just a little bit life consuming.  Those of you that are not animal people, I hope that you will bear with me one more day.

Alyssa came to Three Hills today to sing with Andi and me for Senior Quest.  It's great singing with them.  We had a minor flub up, but on second start it went beautifully.  Good to keep us humble.

Lys spent the rest of the day with us, and decided to stay overnight.  I love it when she comes home.  God has taken our relationship in taking us from mom/daughter to friends.

I am blessed!

July 9...wrinkles

This weekend my Dad came to Three Hills for Senior Quest and has been staying with us.  He has been living with my sister and brother in law in Sherwood Park since January.

It has been an adventure having him here.  I am not very good at remembering all the medication times.  Everything takes about 3 times longer than normal.  He loves to walk...or should I say shuffle, rather slowly- often blocking the poor unfortunate souls who happen to be stuck behind him unable to pass.  It reminds me of that Mr. Bean episode where he is stuck in the staircase behind old person after old person.

Today being "wrinkles", I had to have a picture of my Pops.  He has always been an animal lover, so having the puppy for snuggling has been a real highlight for him.

July 8....childish

Okay... I know that today is slated to be friendship day but I am changing
The rules. Hey...its my celebration so I can do what I want!

 Deal with it

This day was filled with nostalgia.  Not only am I volunteering some time at PBI's Senior Quest (nostalgia and reminiscing event of the world)  but I also made the journey to Southern Alberta to remember my dear Uncle Harry.   Memorial services are just big family reunions without the potato salad.  It was great to see many of my cousins, aunties and uncles as well as countless other shirt tale relatives that looked really really old.  I kept wondering if they were thinking the same thoughts about me.

Driving to Taber we pass Vauxhall.  Home of millions of memories of my childhood.  My Grandma and Grandpa Johnson lived there pretty much their whole lives, so no summer was complete without a few days enjoying Grandma's incredible food and this sweet little southern Alberta town.

I told Dan we HAD to stop on the way home so that I could get some pictures of the places that I loved.  These are just a few...

...the church that my Dad helped to built...site of MANY anniversary celebrations and summer church services
...the drive in on the highway...best soft icecream anywhere
...Great Grandpa Malmberg's park.  He helped to build the coolest park in the world.  It had HUGE metal swingsets, merry go rounds, a monkey bar elephant, a slide that looked like a light house, a 5 seater horse that rocked back an forth...

As we drove through that town, so many things have changed.  It's different, but the same.  The old metal playground equipment has been replace by "safer" ones, Grandma's house has been replaced by a new little townhouse, the gravel roads are now paved...but when I closed my eyes I could still hear, feel, smell, and taste...

-the squeek of the swing in perfect rhythm going higher and higher and higher
- the slam of the wooden screen door of Grandma's house
- old hymns sung by old saints
- the scalding hot metal of the slide on my backside
- Grandpa Malmberg's whiskers rubbing on my chin in a big hug
- fresh apple pie out of the oven
- the smell of peppermints from Grandpa
- soft ice cream cones melting down my hand faster than I could eat it

ahhh...memories

...so good to go back

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...