New Beginnings

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...