New Beginnings

So the end of 2010 has almost come to a close. I was going to wait till the last day of 2010 to provide my year end thoughts but today gave me the desire to have a look back to January to read through to recall how the entire year has panned out. 2010 was my 1st complete blog. I began my blog by sharing some thoughts, clearing my head and highlighting some things that I didn't want to forget. I must say that I'm so glad I did as I'm convinced that we get so busy in everyday that we or at least I need to think back and remember what really happened and what is important. The time that I had to spend with my family and friends are the most important to me. I managed some well deserved trips to places that I have had on my bucket list and am so glad that I was able to go. 2011 will hold special memories as well I'm sure and what those are have yet to be revealed. I am almost certain that there will be changes with my job,...

Well here it is another year has almost come to an end and I find myself reflecting back to recall events that have taken place over the last 11months. I am unsure whether I have accomplished any plans that I set about, but I know that I saw growth in myself, my children and my grand daughter. This next year will see me focussing on my career and whether a change in jobs will encourage me to seek a higher understanding of where I want to be in 5 years. I usually don't spend a lot of time long term planning but I know that at my age - mid forties I need to be thinking about where I want to be and what I want to do when I retire...and I haven't done that. The remarkable change in my children has been inspiring and brings complete joy to enjoy their conversations that I have been blessed to share with them. My daughter is enjoying parenthood and all that comes with. My son Joe has been spending more time with us and it's been heartwarming to know that family is important to hi...

Wow do you believe it October is here - plan for this month - Thanksgiving with my family was amazing. My daughter's work (Gobble Gobble) catered this year and what a treat that was. Kelly my middle sister hosted and that was a treat - almost everyone was there. Ryan my nephew and his son Morgan were the only ones missing. Got some nice family pics done and enjoyed spending time outside on a beautiful fall day. October 22nd would have been my step son's 25th birthday so Amanda, Isabella and I went to the gravesite to pay our respects and to release some balloons and think back to some special memories a young mans life ended at 21. We all miss him dearly. Today October 29th we are celebrating Isabella's 1st birthday. Joe and Dave are coming over (Unlce Dave is buying her cake) and we are going to celebrate and enjoy what this year has meant to all of us. Her pool party will take place October 30th at Millenium Pl and we are expecting about 16 people so hopefully the day wil...

September found me enjoying a holiday that I've been thinking about for quite some time. I enjoyed three days in Drumheller all by myself. I began my trip with a beautiful majestic drive from Innisfail on August 30th and entered Drumheller around noon. Stopped at the Big Dinosaur (information centre) and proceeded to find me a hotel and get a map of what is a must see. I did have a list of some things I had to visit and others that were "if I had time". Museum was a must of course and enjoyed it immensely. My stay at the Super 8 was not as enjoyable as I hoped it be as I guess that is the main stop for a lot of out of town workers so needless to say my expectation of sleeping in "as much as I sleep in" did not happen with the 445 slammin of doors and diesel trucks awaiting outside. Sept 1st found me driving out of Drumheller to tour the Atlas Coal mine and let me tell you that was a hoot. It was great and I didn't even mind the sprinkle of rain that began ju...

So the end of another month has come and gone. My sister reminded me that I need to update. So here is my update for the month of August. As I sit now in a Super 8 in Drumheller enjoying my fall getaway to visit some dinosaurs, hoodoos, scrapbook store. YEAH and enjoying the rain...yes rain...I smile, smile you say. Yes I smile and think how so grateful I am for the life I live and the wonderful people in my life that I get to share it with. My mom just celebrated her birthday the day I left on holidays and her and dad came into the restaurant where my daughter works to enjoy a nice birthday lunch. I love seeing my parents enjoying their time they spend together and the time I get to spend with them. Later that day I was off to my sisters and I will enjoy a night with them before I leave for my quick trip to Drumheller. My sister Lori is another person I'm blessed to share such special times with. I can sit and enjoy the quietness of their house (even though she has a very busy 6 s...

Well July had it's share of good times and bad. Let's begin with the Canada Day celebrations with Amanda, Isabella, Patrick, Leanne and Reigen at Ft. Edmonton Park. Haven't seen the Mellett's in a long while so it was an enjoyable day with them. Spent the evening at Legislature watching the fireworks Isabella missed them by 10 mins. Oh well maybe next year. We took a trip to the Discovery Wildlife Park in Innisfail and it was amazing. Love the open space and of course spending time with my sister and her family is always great. Dave celebrated his 20th Birthday on July 9th. We did enjoy a day at Wabumun Lake with my other sister, nephews, wifes, great neice and nephews as well - Isabella always enjoys the water and of course the swings are a huge hit for that girl. July also brought me back in touch with some friends I used to work with. I enjoyed a nice dinner with Joy and Barb and of course we talked about "old" times. I got a nice visit with my sister when ...

Where has the time gone... I had a Job interview on June 1st and was not the successful candidate but that's ok I'm sure there will be other opportunities that will cross my path. If it's meant to be...it will happen for me. June 4 we were able to celebrate my son's 25th birthday. Mom and Dad had a nice dinner and we enjoy seeing Joe as he has been a scarce fixture in our lives for some years now and it's nice to know that he can venture back to us and share special moments with his family. He's looking better and seems to be doing well, but again as we don't see him often there is still a lot of distance between us. There was not a lot of changes work wise so nothing too much to report on that end, which is ok I guess as I didn't really want to have my blog become a dump for the work stuff. I wanted it to be about life stuff and as such since work consumes so much of your life I guess it can't be avoided. My grand daughter is becoming more active an...

So another month has come and gone - instead of May flowers brought lots of May showers in Alberta and in New Brunswick where I had the pleasure of travelling to for a week. Our family welcomed a new little one "Ethan Kaleb" was born to Ashley and Ryan on May 1st and it was quite a joy. That now makes 5 Great Grand kids for Mom and Dad and let's just say they are overjoyed and now that Dad has had 6 months of retirement they can't wait to spend time with all of them. Morgan 4 years, Khloie 1 year, Isabella 7 months, Logan 2 months and now Ethan. 2 for Justin, 2 for Ryan and 1 for Amanda. My sister, mom and I got to enjoy an evening of Stars on Ice for the 2nd year in a row - my other sister Kelly was unable to attend as she's busy, busy, busy with Reno Greenhouse. My sister Lori was fortunate enough to stay the weekend and was able to join Amanda, Isabella and I for the Mother's Day Mother-Daughter Walk at Foote field to raise money for the Stollery Children...

Well they do say April showers bring May flowers. April has found me stressed out. I know I wanted to blog about yeah, fun, happy stuff and not bring my "job" into it but I'm sorry I just can't. The whole point of blogging was so that I could have a place to share my feelings and that I could spit out exactly how I was feeling. There are many changes happening at work and a lot has fallen on to me. I usually am one for pitching in and helping out and taking one for the team, but this year I have had a few anxiety attacks and I just am not feeling like I want to "take one for the team". I have been doing mine, my boss' and other peoples since our unit has been cut back 4 people and I'm sorry "just say no" has been my comeback. I have a holiday planned to New Brunswick with my girlfriend and her mom and step-dad May 10-17th I'm so looking forward to seeing the sights, getting a brain regeneration, and just kicking back and letting go of s...

Well here we are March 30th and wow I can not believe that I'm wrapping up another Month. I am so happy to announce that I'm once again a great auntie to a new great big baby boy named Logan. He was two days old when we celebrated his sisters Khloie's first birthday. My friends great nephew also celebrated his 1st birthday so Isabella (my grand daughter) is attending lots of parties at only 5mths old. I enjoyed another long weekend and my daugther, my friend Coreen and her 3 lovely daughters and granddaughter Caylee spent the day at the Mom and tots fair. fun, fun, fun. Every 3rd Wed of the month is knit night in Morinville, my mom is the host and of course it was a full house and everyone loved catching up on the happenings with everyone. Plans, plans and more plans - April is turning out to be filled with all of gatherings with great friends and family so look forward to sharing those thoughts next month.

Well here it is February has come and gone. I have to think long and hard to remember what happened during the month. Work has been extremely stressful and I found myself able to to have a couple of days off. One long weekend I helped move my nephew and niece into their new home and it was awesome to see that they will be settled and awaiting their next baby due early in March. The next long weekend I took a trip to meet my sister in Ponoka (yes Ponoka) I have never been to Ponoka so let me tell you what a pleasant drive that was on a lovely day. I was able to pick up my daughter and granddaughter who has been away for 3 weeks visiting my sister and I have to be honest it nearly broke my heart to see how upset my sister was that I was "taking away her girls". My sister has been an absolute blessing in my life and I will treasure her always. She has the biggest heart for all children and it was an honour to share my girls with her. We got to celebrate my great nieces 1st birth...

So here goes, it's 2010 and I have created a blog. I have wanted to blog for awhile but just wasn't sure on what I really wanted to say. My older sister has been blogging for awhile and always look forward to reading the latest happenings in her life. My reason for blogging is just to share some thoughts, or maybe remember my own thoughts of what is happening in my life throughout the year. I will begin to add favorite photos and collections that I enjoy. If anyone would like to say hi please feel free.