12 December Goals 2010

Let's see if you can spot a theme with my goals this month! (All Christmas/New Years pictures are from 2009).

1. Enjoy this festive, magical, wintery wonderland as much as possible.

2. Rest my foot. I went public skating for the first time in five years last Saturday, now I'm stuck with an achilles tendon with tendenitis. I go for an ultra sound today to make sure it's not torn, and also rule out a blood clot. This is what happens when you try and show off to hockey players and prove that figure skaters are much better!

3. Spend New Years with this crazy bunch, its a family tradition that's been going strong since 1999!

4. Make, fill out and send all my Christmas cards.

5. Shop for all my Christmas presents. (Before we can start shopping, we need to have a "Christmas Meeting" with my family to determine important details: how much we're alotting this year for gifts, and who we're buying for).

6. Get to the bottom of my laundry pile. Because of my foot pain, it's pretty hard to lug a laundry basket full of clothes up and down two flights of stairs. I need to work on the pile this weekend though (with Justin's help) as I'm running out of clothes!

7. Start and complete the post about our honeymoon.

8. Jump on board of the December Dailies train, take a picture, write a blurb about each day then make it into it's own mini-album.

9. Have a date with Justin that involves lots of Christmas movies, fort building and stuffing our faces with hot chocolate, popcorn and candies!

10. Have a fantastic New Years kiss - the first of its kind with my husband!

11. Set up our Christmas tree.

12. Make a snowman! (I'm good with this size of a snowman, but maybe out of snow, and without the bottle of Crown Royal!)

Now for November's update: 7/11 completed to what I see as successful. Amanda came over one night, and we baked; we had planned to make a lot, but only ended up making pumpkin pie and fudge - now I know this isn't peanut butter cookies - but I'm counting this as complete! We had a fantastic time in Vegas with Corey and Nicole, and would do it all over again in a heart beat. While we were there, we helped them out with some wedding arrangements; and Nicole and I set up an assembly line one night to get a good start on the invitations. I've started this little book, and my plan is to write down things that I did that made me a better fill-in-the-blank; I like that it keeps me having contious thought about this continuously throughout the day. Nicole and I made it to aqua fit one night right before Vegas, and my skating was another plan to get more exercise, but now it's looking like it'll be awhile before my foot can handle these activities; as for eating better - I think I'm on track with this - I'm not even really craving sweets at all! Two weeks ago I pulled out $40, and told myself it needed to last me for the week - I've been a lot better with not using my debit card lately. Although not spectacular photos, I was able to get a few that I liked while we were out at the farm moving cows this past weekend. Success all around!

It's Winter

I guess I kind of forgot to mention that winter and all that is involved with winter (snow, blowing wind, freezing temperatures, wind chill) has been around for a couple weeks now. The weekend before it snowed was absolutely beautiful, with perfect temperatures - then Tuesday came - and bam, it was winter time!

Today we headed out to the farm to move the cows back to a pasture that is closer to the house, making it easier to tractor a bale of hay to them. This is the first time that I've ever helped move them home, normally I only help out in the spring time when it's time for them to move to a pasture that isn't going to be farmed.

I think the cows were all ready to come home, and Brent said there had already been a few that had somehow broke loose, and made the trek home all by themselves. Which made it really simple this time. There weren't any problems, only a few times did a couple cows try to go off in their own direction - but Justin was there on the quad to sheep-dog them back to the right path.

When we got back to the house, we had a nice roast for lunch, stayed for a bit longer, then headed home. We're both SO glad we left when we did; the roads were already getting slick, and coming up the Monarch hill was a bit dicey.

Don't the bales of hay look like Wheeties? Covered in a skiff of icing? They made me giggle when we left the farm!

Today We Came Back From Vegas...

I can't believe all that happened this weekend. All I can say is WOW! Thursday night we headed down to Great Falls, which involved crossing the border. I've had bad feelings about this trip since we booked in months ago, and it all started when we tried to cross into Montana.

There were the normal questions: where are you going, is your trip for business or pleasure, where do you live. Then the border gaurd said we'd been randomly selected for a vehicle search, and we were to pull around the corner of the building and park. We all got out of the truck and went inside, to be escorted into a cage, or if you prefer - cell. We had to take off our coats and give them to the gaurd, figure out how much cash we had, and to have it in our possession, fill out a declaration statement, and another form. In total we were there for about two hours. By the time we were done, everyone was hungry, and thinking about Indian Tacos from Taco Treat!

We stopped in Shelby to grab a bit to eat, and for a pee break (my bladder was acting up this weekend, and I couldn't make it very long without needing to make a pit-stop).

When we got to Great Falls, we headed first to Walmart. I found a Jason Aldean DVD and CD as well as some items I'd forgotten to pack (conditioner, razors, q-tips, bobby pins). Afterwards there was a stop at Taco Treat, but Jay was the only one that ordered. We made a quick around to see what hotel we'd stay at. Then a trip to Wendy's for a late-night meal, and finally to our hotel. We all crashed pretty quickly.

The next morning, we stopped at JB's for the breakfast buffet, then off to the mall. Corey and Justin looked around Scheels, and after Nicole and I looked around there for a bit, we headed over to Bath and Body Works for hand soap, sanitizer and lip gloss.

Then it was time to get to the airport. Because of the cold and the snow, our flight was delayed about 45 minutes so they could spray de-icer on the plane. Then we were off to Las Vegas.

We picked up mine and Justin's checked bag and caught the shuttle to the Stratisphere. We got checked in, got changed and ready for dinner and the concert - did I mention our main reason for going to Vegas was to see Garth Brooks? While I was curling my hair, Justin asked if I was getting ready for my "boyfriend," aka "GB"!

Off we went in a cab to the Wynn. If you're ever in Vegas - eat at the Wynn buffet. It might be a little bit pricier, but you pay for what you get. Ever since our honeymoon, I've been craving clam chowder (and before the honeymoon I didn't like the stuff, Justin made me try it - and now I'm hooked). I was in my glory to see it, and I wish I would have had more that just one bowl. Now, let me tell you about the desserts - we were all sitting there stuffed, but decided we had to find a way to put more into our bellies. I think we all made two the dessert room - yes - room, not table!

After supper we headed to the Ferrari gift shop. You want to see this girl get giddy - park me in front of a Ferrari engine. Wow. Ten cylinder, forty valve beautiful peice of machinery. (Don't forget - I work at a car dealership; these things get me excited!)

Then we were off to the theatre. We were there about half an hour before the show started so we just sat down and people watched. There people sitting in front of us flew from England just for the concert! I noticed the music that was playing while we waited, was all females, and some of them were Canadian (Terry Clarke, SheDaisy). Most people in attendance were quite a bit older than Nicole, Corey, Justin and I are. I'd say most of the audiance was 40 or more, which I hadn't expected. Let me just say, this concert made my entire exsistance! It cannot be explained well enough to do it justice. Garth was unbelievable; Trisha Yearwood came out and played two songs (and although she did steal Garth away from me, I did enjoy listening to her sing. Justin got a kick out of this, and screamed a little too loudly for her). We'd read reviews of the concert before we went, and one was very accurate; saying that it was like being at a party, where they guy brought his gutair and started playing, singing, and talking about his musical influances. I need to see him once again, and I hope that it's an outside concert - they just look so emotional, and something I need to be a part of.

We walked over to the Bellagio after the concert to see the fountain show. On our way, we spotted a line of police cars on the strip. Everytime Justin and I watch cops, and it's filmed in Vegas we get excited. So when we saw about ten cars with lights flashing, we thought for sure there'd be a film crew; we walked past, but didn't see any cameras, so we crossed the road and watched the fountains.

We started walking back, towards the Wynn, past the Mirage. The first time Justin and I went to Vegas, we stayed there - the volcano was under repair. When we went down with Sandy and Brent - it was too cold for the volcano (from what I can remember). Three months ago when we were there for our honeymoon - we were barely on the strip at all, and didn't have a chance to see it. This time, walking up to the base of the vocano I was thrilled that finally we'd get to see it, then I read the sign - the last "show" is at 11pm, and it was past midnight already. I have finally accepted this will be something we'll never get to see!

Saturday we had planned to sleep in late, after finally getting to be around two. We got up around 11:30 and got ready. We walked to the Sahara, stopping at the Nascar Cafe to go to the gift shop, see one of Dale Ernhardts cars, and check out video of this huge barrito Corey had told us all about. I can't remember the size of it, 16 pounds rings a bell; if you can eat it in an hour it's free, but they won't tell you the price until you can't finish it.

From the Sahara, we took the Monorail to Harrah's and ate lunch at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill. Justin and I'd eaten there once before (when we went with his parents), and had wanted to go again really badly. I got the exact same thing as last time, a turkey burger - and it was just as amazing! I dream about this burger sometimes.

From Harrah's, we walked to the MGM, stopping at M&M World. As we were walking, we passed Jimmy Buffet's and there were four parrots on the handrails outside. Seriously, two parrots on each handrail. Okay, I might have a little facination for these birds. In the picture, the one closest to the camera was half-sleeping, half giving me a dirty look for interupting his sleep!

At the MGM we made our trip to Fat Tuesdays, and each got a booze-filled slush with an extra shot. Why wouldn't you get an extra shot - it's only a dollar! Then we took a cab to the outlet mall at the south end of the strip and shopped for a couple hours. It's a little bit awkward to be shopping and drinking booze, laughing and giggling because you're a little bit drunk - just a weird thing to do, and for it to be okay. Nicole and I needed some fresh air for a bit during our hunt for the perfect sweater, when I saw a cop - I instinctively hid my football cup - realizing after it was fine - we're in Vegas!

That night we hung around Freemont street for a few hours. We've eaten at the Tony Roma's down there for the last three times we've gone to Vegas with not a problem either time. This time was horrible. We all could barely eat our food, I only ate my soup (and got sick after eating it). All of us were complaining of stomach aches, and feeling sick. Never again will we eat there!

It seems the more and more I'm in Vegas, the less and less photos I take! Even Nicole didn't take many photos (and it was her first time there). I think this time I mostly only took pictures of people!

This is really the first trip that we've been on (besides camping) with friends. We couldn't have had a better time. They made it fun and exciting. I'll never forget the trip, although just a long weekend get away - it was perfect!

We woke up at 5:30am to catch the shuttle back to the airport. By the time we made it to our gate, we didn't have much time before we boarded the plane. And Justin and I were the last ones on with "priority seating" because he was off finding gingerale and cinnamon buns. I was worried he wasn't going to make it back in time!

When we got off the plane, and were waiting for our checked bag, Justin looked at our carry-on bags and asked where the other one was. I was confused, looked at what we had, and couldn't think of what was missing. Then all of a sudden I realized that our passport pouch was missing. We had left it in the plane. Honestly, I wasn't worried about the passports at all, I knew that could be fixed - but the Ipod was there, and it was now gone. Justin went to security, and they paged us (Jody Riley - which is my mum, and made me laugh when I heard that) to come pick them up.

At the border Justin got out the pouch, opened it up and found another persons ID, Visa and Debit Card as well as a couple of reciepts. We were so confused as how it all ended up with our passports, but remembered what the security gaurd had said, "you left this down at the check-in counter." We had immediately corrected him, and said we left it on the plane, which then confused him. We never thought anything of it until we found this Randy guys stuff. We're thinking Randy left his belongings down at the check-in counter when he got his boarding pass, then they just put it in a lost and found area, and when they paged us, they must have combined everything together.

(When we got home, we tried to look him up on Canada 411, with no luck. Looking on Facebook, we found his company website, and got a phone number from that. We called and left a message, his wife called us back, and about ten phone calls later, Justin and Randy's brother-in-law had made arrangements to meet up Monday. Thursday night when Randy got back home from Vegas, he Facebooked Justin and said how thankful and happy he was that we did that for him, and to let him know the next time we're in Medicine Hat so he can take us out for supper and drinks.)

When we got home, it was rest time. Time to do nothing buy lay on the couch and relax. We didn't go on a date on this anniversary (yup, the day we came home was the 21st), but we did get to come home from the same place as our last stop of our honeymoon.

11 November Goals 2010

Here we are, it's round two for my list of goals. At the end of my list, I'll think back and see what I accomplished in October.

1. Go to Vegas! We're heading down with Corey and Nicole on the 19th to see Garth Brooks in concert - and we're itching to go and get away! Can't wait to eat at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill again; the food blew me away! (Photos from separate trips in 2008 and 2009).

2. Start getting healthier. Lately Justin and I have been slacking on this part of our life. We originally made this a New Years Resolution that has seemingly died since the wedding - but with Mexico coming up in four short months (really?) we need to kick this into high gear!

3. Go out for dinner on the 21st. We haven't really had an "official date" (you know: one that you look forward to for a while, want to get all dressed up for, and have those butterflies) since we've been married.

4. Help out Corey and Nicole in any way we can in order for them to not stress out, and enjoy the planning process of their wedding as much as possible. This includes drinks and nachos at Original Joe's! (Photo from August 2010.)

5. Be a better version of me. A better wife, mum to Lowie, daughter, daughter in law, sister, friend. Be more creative, be a better house keeper and cook more often.

6. Make sushi one night when Justin's either out of town or hunting (he's not the biggest fan). (The rest of these photos are from July/August 2008 during my time off to heal from appendicitis.)

7. Start using cash instead of my debit card. My spending (mostly Booster Juice and lunches) have kind of gotten out of hand. I know that if I'm forking over money and not plastic that will curb this habit!

8. Bake some peanut butter cookies.

9. Head out to the farm and take some more amazing photos that make me glad I brought my camera!

10. Start up the $20 date night again. I have a fondue set that I borrowed from my mum close to two years ago that I got for one of these dates, that I've never done. I need to do this and I've been planning other ideas also. Once a month was my original goal, but let's just get this one done for now!

11. Go for a walk (with Justin) in the park by our house.

Now for October's update: 5/10 completed to what I see as successful. That's probably a lot better than I would have done without the list - so mission accomplished! Justin found the memory card with the honeymoon photos on it, "in a satchel in the pantry" - I would never have found it! I had a Halloween costume for Josh and Chelsey's house party: I was a French maid and Justin showed up in what he wore that day - he was a hunter. Instead of the deep-fried turkey, Justin made lasagna and we had everyone over (and in addition, on another night the future Pearse's came over and we deep-fried a chicken). I completed all the thank-you cards, and sent out all but one of them (we hadn't recieved the gift yet at the time I mailed them out - I'll get the one done to Auntie Faye soon). Our photographers did complete the editing of our wedding photos, and they're up on their proofing site - now just need to get ahold of them for the disc and get copies out to everyone.

Oh Johnny and An Engagement

Last night was the night Amanda and I had been waiting for since we bought the tickets for the Johnny Reid concert back months ago! We went together last time he was in town, which was about a year ago, and this time was SO much better!

He was exactly what I want in a concert: entertaining, played the song I really wanted to hear (Let's Go Higher), and he was personable. I love when I walk away from a concert knowing something that I didn't know before. Like about his uncle that came home from a cider tasting and his aunt asked what happened to the man I married, the man that used to wine and dine her, and take her breath away (the inspiration for That Man Is Me). Or hearing about his "gran," what she meant to him, and the song he wrote for her. Of course it reminded me of Grandma, and I was really close to letting the water-works flow.

Lot's of times when I go to a concert it's actually more to see the opening band. I always feel so bad for them, nobody is there to really watch them, there's people milling around getting drinks/food/finding their seat. This time, I hadn't heard of the openening act, The Stellas, I had meant to do a little youtube research on them, but didn't have the time (did you catch the Johnny joke?). When their CD comes out in the new year, I will be running out to get one; they really blew me away. And they told stories! They have a new fan!

Last Friday, Corey proposed to Nicole! Justin and I had been waiting for this for awhile now. I remember a few months ago, him and I discussing their future: we were ready for them to get married, Nicole brings out the best in Corey - and we decided some time ago that we weren't getting rid of Nicole! The Tuesday night before he proposed, we all went out for supper together. Corey and Justin went to London Drugs while Nicole and I waited for our meal to arrive. Corey was on the hunt for a coffee maker, and I suggested to Nicole that they just register for it instead! That night Justin and I had yet another conversation about their relationship: were we wanting this more than they did? Nope, Corey had picked up the ring, and it was just a waiting game at that point.

Justin called last Friday, just to talk about the get-together we were planning for Saturday. When Justin asked what they were up to, Corey must have said about his proposal, since I heard Justin say, "oh really, congratulations." When he got off the phone, I was SO happy, but wanted to make sure that is really what they were talking about before I texted Nicole. Trying to get a straight answer out of Justin is like pulling teeth sometimes; when I questioned him, he said that Corey just bought a new truck - with a convincing look on his face. I was already preparing my text to be sent, then I saw the twinkle in Justin's eye. I told him I was going to send the text, and my hunch better be right, then he admitted the truth. A little bit later is when Nicole asked me to be a bridesmaid! And Corey asked Justin to be his best man Saturday night.

We are unbelievably happy for this engagement/pending wedding! We know all too well how hectic, crazy and stressful planning a wedding can be, and we're here to do whatever they need, and support whatever ideas they have!

After the concert last night I met up with Nicole and Morgan (another of the bridesmaids). We needed to celebate the engagement the way only girls can - by going out and dancing! It was a fast night, but an amazing one. And let's just say, I feel a whole lot better the next day than the last time the three of us went out together!

Last Thursday

Justin was away in New Brunswick from sometime in the early hours of Tuesday morning until he arrived back home late Thursday night. He was working on a job at the McCain french fry plant in Florenceville (the french fry capitol of the world). He wasn't really impressed with the town, his hotel, his alarm clock, and the length of his flights. Being the only one that his work sent to do the job made him lonely, and I'm sure he would have enjoyed his time more if he'd had someone to hang out with! Thursday morning he planned to get up early, pack his stuff, then have a nice drive back to Fredericton, stopping along the way to take some pictures. When his alarm didn't go off that morning, and he woke up an hour and a half later than he wanted to, he had to rush around; leaving no time for photo taking, or souvenir buying. So, no pictures and no shot glasses!

Justin got back home at about nine, and I picked him up from dropping the work truck off at work. He told me the basics of his trip, but immediately when we got to the house, he was ready to look at our wedding photos (I e-mailed the photographers at the beginning of the month and they e-mailed me early this week with them completed - check that off my list!). Justin and I promised each other that we wouldn't look at them until we could look at them together (we did the same with our engagement photos), but this time I had to sneak a peak at a few of them, shhhh!

There we were, sitting in front of the computer looking at the most perfect day ever. What I learned: I danced an awful lot that day - most of it was improptu dancing by myself!! It was a crazy day, and when I'm stressed out, I feel the need to dance to release the tension (I've been doing alot of this again the last few days - dancing in front of the computer to random songs on youtube!). I want to get a disk made up with all the photos on them, then I'll post them here. This one is our favorite:

I can see a trend that's happening with these monthly anniversaries: low-key nights that involves just hanging out together and enjoying the little things in life! Count me in for many more of them!

Accomplishments

Justin called me last night while I was still at work, and asked how happy I'd be if happy found the memorey card that has all of our honeymoon photos on it. Of course, I'd be exstatic, but I didn't beleive him. When he convinced me, I immediately started crying - I was SO happy - I honestly thought it was gone forever, and the five photos I printed off would be the only ones we'd have. I asked him where he found it, apparently I put it in "a satchel" and left it in the pantry. Yup - I don't think I ever would have looked there!

And, the night before Justin found $500 that had somehow been misplaced since before the wedding. We'd searched for so long, and finally gave up - deciding that the money must have gotten spent along the way. Then, when Justin was looking in my coat pockets for the memory card - he felt what he thought was a wad of reciepts. What he felt instead was a wad of cash! We were VERY happy to find the money.

Now, with having the task of finding the memory card officially crossed off the list, I finished up our thank-you cards. They are in the mail, and you should be getting one shortly! I'm so happy to have gotten these done before the two month mark (that was my goal)!

Of the 44 cards, I wrote all but one of them - I wanted Justin to at least write the one to his mum! I just really hope none of them get returned to us for insufficient postage - some of the buttons were really thick, and I'm a bit worried that might have made them need two stamps instead of just the one - hopefully it all works out!