I'd Rather Have Supper With You

Justin texted me at about ten, saying that there was a good chance that he'd have to head back up to High River to work again this afternoon. If he was leaving before I got home, we'd go out for lunch together. I tried not to let it bother me too much, and put on my happy face. I started making a list of a whole bunch of random things for me to do while he was away. Just nice little things to keep me busy, and keep my mind off of my loneliness. I thought it would be fun to have something to refer to when I didn't know what to do and was bored.

He told me just after noon that he was sending someone else up, so he'd get to stay home! This made me really happy, although he's still going up on Friday (and not coming home until Monday). I sent him a text that I was glad, but I was excited about having supper with him. A couple hours later I sent him another text saying it was okay that we didn't get to have lunch together, since we'd be able to eat supper with each other.

Then Justin sent me a text wondering if I wanted to go out for a couple drinks with his mum. Of course! And since we didn't have much time from when I got home, to when we neede to be at the pub, Justin and I ate there too. (All photos taken with my phone).

Monday night while Nicole and Corey were over, we discussed going to True Grit with eachother. Since Nicole and I went to aquafit last night, and will probably go again tomorrow night, that only left us with tonight to see the movie this week. So after supper we met up with them at the theatre.

I had decided awhile ago that frozen yogurt didn't count as a sweet, and I almost got some a couple weeks ago while Justin and I were at the mall. It's always so much better to have this treat during a movie though, and I'm glad I waited to indulge myself until tonight! (I always seem to get the same: mango and raspberry).

It's That Time Again

Hold onto your New Year's hats - I scrapbooked!

On your next layout: scrapbook an event, celebration, person, place, thing that you never scrapbooked last year.

I didn't take a single picture while at Gerald and Terry's to celebrate, so I had to steal photos that Brittany put up on Facebook. Seeing as how I had never gotten around to creating a layout from New Year's at our house last year, and since making a list (and subsequently moving it on my calendar from month to month) which didn't seem to help get it done. I decided to scrap more what I felt like creating, and not what I felt I had to get scrapped - I actually wanted to sit down and create after seeing this cute picture of Tyson!

Originally I thought the black Thickers would be to heavy in that corner for the title, and so I had intended to use white ones. I started laying out my title, realizing that I miscounted and I didn't have enough e's to spell "remember" so I had to change strategies. I actually really like how it ended up looking with the title being black. And the Thickers I chose had a sparkle to them, which I felt added to the festive feel of the page.

I used some washi tape - something that I had always been meaning to use, but never found the right spot or layout for it to work with. And it added so much to the layout. Instead of the photo of my cousin just floating on the page, the tape seems to anchor it down. Going to get some more colours, and try working this onto more of my pages!

Journaling says: This is where it all started twelver years ago. We rang in the new year wondering what Y2K had in store for us. So much has changed in our lives since then: now there's boyfriends, husbands, toddlers and babies. No matter how our lives will vary, this celebration is always about family.

What didn't you get scrapped from last year but always meant to? Leave a comment with a link, and let's allow those memories to be remembered forever.

He's Home!

Sometimes Justin thinks he's SO sneaky. He called me yesterday at about 5:30, just to say hi, and ask what I was doing. I told him I was laying on the couch (half asleep) with a headache, and not feeling really well. Then the doorbell rang. I immediately knew it was him, but coyly asked if it was him at the door. Of course he said no, but I peeked out the window and saw Hewie parked in front of the house. I opened the door, hugged Justin and immediately started crying. I was so relieved and exstatic to have him home.

I didn't have the best time while Justin was away; it was difficult and made me really emmotional. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had really bad days, crying over work issues, lonliness, and Lowie being mad at me (two of those times I cried while still at work). As weird as it is, sushi is my comfort food that makes me the happiest. I perservered and only had sushi Friday night. We're trying to cut back on eating out, and that was a good thing to stop buying; I always buy lots while Justin is out of town.

I'm really glad I did some things to get my mind off of my lonliness for a little bit: helping Nicole with the invitations last Saturday, talking to Amanda on the phone (and trying to convince her to make her way into town during a blizzard to help with the invites), going to aquafit Tuesday and Thursday nights with both Nicole and Megan, going for supper Thurday night with Sandy, Chelsey stopping by to pick up a hair flower before her bridal photo shoot, and having supper at my parents house was a nice treat on Saturday. I know I would not have been able to handle the lonliness otherwise. And it just prooves that my theory of packing my weekends full while Justin is gone is a good way to deal with him being away.

So VERY happy that I didn't have one more sleep without him!

Because I Want To Remember This FOREVER!

My cousin Brittany is doing a 30 Day Photo Challenge on Facebook. Today is day 10 and the picture was of me; specifically a photo of the person you do the most messed up things with. It literally made my day! (There's been a lot of little things making my day lately!) It is a little bit strange how well she gets me, and amazing how much she remembers of the craziness that goes on between the two of us!

This person. I will name it off...setting up a tent in a garage, stress releiving car scream-fests that confuse other drivers, trying to follow your driving, word games, line games, game games, peeing places like a deer, the pickle dance, Julie sign language, drinking... games...drinking lawn darts? We're crazy. Lots of onions....red ones.... drink club, pour some sugar on me, tylenol containers...in the back seat of the car...that dont have tylenol in them, gum balls in slurpees = bad mix, pickle juice chasers, and extreme everything.

This is the photo she paired with her journaling:

Which is the EXACT same expression as this one from August long weekend camping trip of 2009 with Lincoln and Amanda (well, maybe not quite as much extreme happiness!):

A few photos to illustrate some of the craziness she mentioned, starting with how excited I get with games - even just seeing the box! She gave me Twister (along with so much more) for my staggette June 25, 2010. I'm thinking you can tell by my expression just what this gift meant to me!

This is the famous (infamous?) pickle dance. I know I'm the creator of this dance, but I seriously do not understand or remember my reasoning for making it! Maybe it was just my love for that deliscious pickled cucumber!

Miss Brittany is the creator of drink club, and seriously it is a fabulous idea. Except for when the drink is horrible. This one for instance was May long weekend in 2009, and we couldn't make one liquid float on the other liquid, even after a call to our cousin Tanya the bartender. I remember sitting out on the deck, passing the glass around, telling everyone how yummy it was. This drink was never made again. Then there was that other drink, the one we made with a substitution of lemon juice, which went horribly wrong as well; it left us crying and drooling on the floor of our old trailer. Apparenlty after which I made an announcement that the incident had to make it into her toast to the bride, which of course she could not leave out!

I am here to tell you though, even though this girl is the most beautiful person I know (both inside and out), she's got her moments of craziness also. I mean, some of mine would have to rub off onto her with the amount we hang out together! For instance, the first time that I met Sheldon (they came down to visit us May 25, 2008), she blow-dried her hair outside since it was too hot for her in the bathroom.

When trying on options for bridesmaid dresses, she left on her funky socks (and bra) one an ABC weekend trip in early 2009.

And... umm, that is about all the dirt I could find on her! Most of our other shinanigans is basically my doing, not done on her instigation.

She's the one that really kept me sane during those long months of planning the wedding. If we lived in the same city, I know there would have been many "I'm coming over with a bottle of wine" moments. If she wasn't in my life, not sure if I would be as much fun as I am. She just understands, and I am 100% myself around her, never trying to act a different way. She is amazing and perfect and I love here. That's why this girl was my maid of honor. Love you Britt!

Looking Back

It was on a day like today (well, maybe with a lot less snow, but it seemed just as cold) that we had our engagement photo session done about a year ago. Dustin and Christy kept telling us to not worry or think about the cold, the photos wouldn't show it and would be SO worth it in the end. I'm pretty darn sure they were right, and they made the most perfect save the date cards for us!

Looking back on my scrapbook from last year, I can see how stressed we were! There are a few pages of seemingly boring topics, but they just show how much I wanted last year recorded perfectly for our children to be able to look at (and in no way shape or form was it. I never got everything scrapped that was on my list, but after turning the page on my calendar, I decided to not re-write that list. That album is complete to me the way it is. And I don't need that added stress in my life!).

I need to get back into scrapbooking again, it's been too long. Last year's album was in chronological order. Still not sure I truly enjoy scrapbooking that way. I do like that it is in order, but there's sometimes when I just want to scrap and old photo. I'm thinking I'll combine them both for this years album. Make less rules for myself, and enjoy the process more!

Dinner and No Movie

Since Justin will be out of town starting this Friday until the 17th, (not to mention every weekend this month), we decided to go out for dinner tonight. He said I could decide, so after much thought about what would be the healthiest, I choose the Cheesecake. We both really wanted to got to OJ's (are you surprised?), but with the hockey games on I knew we wouldn't have any place to sit.

I ordered a chicken and veggie noodle bowl.

Justin was torn between a steak or a burger so asked me to make the decision for him!

I really think my fortune is related to my "no sweets" goal for the month; it's reassuring to know that my plans will work - obviously it's just mind over matter! (This "cookie" is not counting!)

Justin knows how hard I have been working on eating better, not eating sweets and trying to work out a bit. Then he sees plates of cheesecake on the counter all decked out with raspberries on top. He was teasing me to turn and look at them. I did good resisting until we were leaving, then I looked and saw the yummy desserts!

After supper we went to Costco for some work jeans for Justin, and some snacks for him to take to High River. Justin is now taking advantage of my health plan, and we walked up and down all of the food ailse looking for goodies.

We then went to WalMart for some a few more groceries and a pair of new sweatpants for Justin. There again, he wished we had grabbed a cart, looked at me and waited for my answer; of course I went to grab the buggy - extra walking!

Originally we were going to go to the Movie Mill to watch The Last 3 Years, but I was getting pretty tired, and when our gift card didn't work properly, that just sealed the deal. We're going tomorrow night now!

Bacon Snake

Lowie had the right idea tonight - lay like bacon: straight, narrow and skinny! Lincoln replaced the waterpump on the Blazer, and I was originally going to head out and hang out with Amanda. Then I realized how much nicer it would be to just stay home, relax and go to bed when I was tired. So I stayed put. I played Super Nintendo for a few hours, got a couple loads of laundry done, and played Bubble Blaster on my phone in bed (and I took this picture of Lowie).

1 January Goal 2011

I have been giving a LOT of thought to this months one goal. I had a few options to choose from, but narrowed it down finally. Justin and I have been deciding latley what goals we want to accomplish this year, what we're working on to achieve a better day-to-day for us; I know we are going to make major strides this year in our life - and enjoy a LOT more camping!

1. Eat no sweets. This includes (but is not limited to): chocolate, gummy candy, wine gums, rice crispie squares, ice cream, pie, cheesecake, cookies, hard candy. Things I will not include in this category: hot chocolate, mochas, Special K Vanilla Almond cereal, chocolate milk, Jenny Craig honey and peanut butter bar, apple cider, gum. (Photo taken February 22, 2010.)

Now for December's update: 10/12 completed to what I see as successful. Although I went skating two more times after my foot injury (once the week afterwards, sorry Mum and Amanda), my foot healed up and really isn't bothering me anymore; I'm planning on going every Saturday for the rest of this month. Of course we spent New Years with my crazy family at Terry and Gerald's - I seriously think I love them more and more after each time I spend time with them! We bought all our Christmas presents and wrapped them up nicely under the tree. I enjoy how my goal was to "set up Christmas Tree" - we did exactly that, and I know I'm not the only one who set up their tree the way Justin and I did (thanks Sara)! I enjoyed my first New Years kiss with my husband. Slowly but surely the laundry mountain became a hill, then a pile - and now it's gone; I even got the bedding washed for the spare bed! I'm thinking I enjoyed this month of wintery weather to it's fullest, although I didn't ski, make snow angels, go sledding, build as snow man or go ice fishing; my gloves and toque made it pretty easy after I got them for Christmas! I got all my Christmas cards made, (all different), and I believe everyone got theirs in time for the holiday. Although my December Daily album isn't made, I know that all the memories are blogged, and theres a ton of photos to go with them; while Justin is away on the weekends and during that ten day span, I plan to get this created.

The First Christmas

This morning when my eyes popped open, my first thought was going pee (it seems to be lately), then it was on to setting up Justin's present (cologne and body wash). I had decided a while ago with this one that the bathroom was the best place for it, and it was the first one I wrapped, so it was good to go. I hid it as I walked back into our bedroom and into the ensuite. Justin asked after I left the bathroom what that clicking noise was - of course I was taking pictures of it, but I acted innocent. He got up shortly after I got back to bed and went to the bathroom. I knew he had seen it, but when he opened the door he just started walking out. I pouted, then he smiled and picked up the box and brought it to bed to open.

Sometime this morning Justin went outside to put something into the garbage bin. He came back inside with a box of presents: for Brent, Sandy and the kids. My dad called around ten to make sure we had seen them, and I pretended for a second that I had no idea what he was talking about. Yeah, I try to trick people pretty unsuccessfully lately!

Santa's workshop got moved down to the basement; Justin wrapped the boys' gifts, and I wrapped Heather's and Brents. When I looked up once, the sight of Justin's wedding band was all I saw. I'm sure he thought the subject of my photo was him wrapping presents, but it's really his ring. Since he doesn't wear it all the time, its a pleasant sight that makes me smile when I see it!

As I was wrapping Brent's meat grinder, Lowie decided it was a perfect spot to hang out. I think he enjoys all the hiding spots this year: in a pile of presents, up against the wall behind the tree. He thinks he's being sneaky.

Our non-ornamented tree looks pretty with all the wrapped presents under it. Maybe next year we'll feel the need to set it up properly, but it's really nice to think that it will only take five minutes to undecorate the house on the first of January!

Justin knows me all too well. When he was out grocery shopping (I was getting ready), I asked him to buy me something to snack on. He brought me home sushi - I love him!

We drove out to Taber with my mum to enjoy the festivities my Dad's work puts on: deep fried shrimp and scallops, french fries, chicken wings and libations! My Dad was one of the cooks, and my mum and I were first in line after everything came out. The one time however, when fries came out of the deepfryer there was a bit of an accident; fries were flying off a styrofoam plate, my mum was doing this crazy dance trying to save them, I was laughing histarically - and despite her best efforts the whole batch fell on the ground.

After the shop, we went to Gerald and Terry's. It was really nice to walk into their always inviting house, but for the added element of a Christmas explosion! There was decorations everywhere. Okay, I do miss that after seeing the difference between our drab little tree, and holly jollyness everywhere! This was on the table, and was so pretty.

We rushed back home, gathered the gifts in Santa's sleigh (aka the Blazer), then headed out to the farm. We sat at the table for awhile BSing about my new phone, Dalton's new phone, everyone else's old phones and life. Then we were asked if we wanted to eat first, or open presents first. I'm pretty sure the smile on my face gave away what I wanted - we were ushered into the living room.

I'm not really too sure who started this (one of the boys), but suddenly there were "thumbs up" in a lot of photos. Brian even snuck into one with Justin to pop up his thumb.

Then we moved on to the serious side of opening up presents!

I really like the details in this picture Justin took: my wedding rings, and the pearl bracelet that I wore as my "something new" for the wedding (I've never felt that the dress counted). And, as I told Gerald and Terry while at their house, it was Nicole's "something borrowed" for their Vegas wedding.

Since we had already opened our presents, it was time to have some dinner! Mashed potatoes, turkey, homemade bread, suffing - yes please!

We got back home pretty late, and because both of our cells were dead, we headed home since we weren't sure if my parents would still be up. My brother and I missed out on our traditions: watching Christmas movies (Home Alone, Home Alone Two, How The Grinch Stole Christmas the cartoon, Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer), watching old home movies of us opening Christmas presents, and playing Monopoly. Justin and I crashed hard, and went to sleep right after we got home. For as long as I can remember, my thoughts while falling asleep on Christmas Eve is always a re-count of presents that I knew I was getting; thought of presents I had seen being bought. With this new Secret Santa tradition, these thoughts have been eleminated, and I end up being completely surprised!

Christmas Shopping Relief

This morning, after Justin was out of the shower he asked me why I had gone to bed last night without telling him. I was worried that he would want me to stay up later, and I had just had enough of everything - and needed some rest.

It was another unwrapped present this morning for Justin. I just placed the wrapping paper around it, and set it all on the ottoman for him to open his pack of gum!

In the end, I am VERY happy Justin made my dish for the pot luck. It was actually a big success! Everyone got $50 gift cards from the boss' for the mall. When I went to thank Sheri for mine, she told me what a wonderful job I've done as the Social Club chairperson this year - better than anyone else. That made me feel a lot better about the whole deal.

After work Justin and I finished up the last of our Christmas shopping. He headed to the mall with Corey, and I went to the plaza mall by our house. I ended up going to one of the stores twice, but when I was driving home I had a sudden wave of ecstasy: I was finished Christmas shopping!!

When I got back to the house, I dumped everything in the entryway.

Justin had said to go ahead and eat without him; normally I know exactly what I want to eat when given the option to eat out - but tonight was different. In the back of my mind lately I keep thinking "Mexican Bootcamp." I'm thinking the less weight I add to myself during the holidays, the less work it will be to get rid of it afterwards! I got a frozen steamer meal while I was looking around at Shoppers Drug Mart. I really want to have a few frozen dinners in the freezer specifically so there are no more "fast food" runs.

I moved all my Christmas presents to my scrapbooking room, just before Justin came home. He must have also been tired, and relieved that the shopping is all done - he had a nap on the floor in front of the fireplace!