Christmas was good 'round these parts. It came and went quickly, but it was nice. On Christmas Eve, we had the traditional tourtiere supper and then headed out to church. It's the one time I go to church all year, and it's mostly to please my nanny, who likes to show us off to the regulars. I must admit, however, that it probably wouldn't feel like Christmas without the candle-lit rendition of "Silent Night" - a classic every year. And there's something about hearing the choir sing that makes me all nostalgic. It reminds me of the building anticipation that would come at the thought of being home in my pyjamas, leaving cookies for Santa, and hoping to hear the sleigh bells ring. To put us even more in the spirit, this year I even read the Grinch and the Night before Christmas before bed, much to Pat's delight ;)

Christmas day, we got up early to open gifts, then had a brunch, and all too quickly, Pat and I had to rush off to his house to open more gifts over there. We were all very spoiled this year, but it was pretty bitter-sweet, since it's the first Christmas without his mom, and her presence was really missed. I didn't think I would be getting emotional just looking at some of her favorite items, but I did. It was weird, since nobody seemed very open to talking about how they were really feeling. Pat and I were at least able to talk to each other about it, and we remembered her in our own way. I felt her presence in some unexplainable way. I think she would be happy to know where most of us are now.

This year, his father's family came a little bit earlier because some of his uncles had to work that night, so we were able to see everyone before going back to my house for supper. We decided it would be easier to just stay at my place rather than rush back to his again afterwards. We could take it easy and drink without worrying about the consequences, and most of his family was leaving early anyways, so it would have been pointless to go back there. I know we probably let some people down in the process but I am trying to let go of that. I need to accept that we can't please everyone, and sometimes we just need to do what's best for us. Overall, Christmas was good and more relaxed than previous years, so I am happy.

In other news, Pat and I took a trip down to the Burlington and Plattsburgh over the last few days. We followed Ken, Julie, Will and Sarah down and got in some good shopping. We stayed a few nights at a hotel, and there was an indoor pool. I feel like I'm on a completely different wave length right now - work seems like some distant memory, which was well needed I think. I am reconnecting with some forgotten aspects and mending some things that need mending. I am working in slow motion and it's sweet. Anyways, I will try to get back here later with photos of our trip. Right now I need to sort out all the stuff that I bought and try to maybe get a tiny bit of lesson planning done so that I don't need to feel so overwhelmed with a new theme when I get back. I am just excited that I still have a job to go back to! Alright, well, peace :)

Well, it's been a very long while! I really should get back into the blogging groove and be done with the excuses.

There are only a few days left before the holidays and I can't believe how quickly time is flying. I got some good news a few weeks ago: looks like I will be sticking around for a while longer in my class!! It seems like it will be the entire year, but she hasn't confirmed anything. Now she has to give a month notice before returning and everyone is pretty convinced that she wants to take time off with her baby. I am so beyond thrilled about that - I can't imagine what it would be like if I had to back everything up in three days and say goodbye to everyone.

I have been crazy busy getting ready for the holidays, at school and at home. We had a snow day last week, thankfully, and I had the bright idea to make chipboard ornaments for all my students, with personalized messages and all. I don't have many students, so it's not as crazy as it seems. It's kinda the same thing as making a mini-book very quickly, and I had very fun products to play with, so it worked out nicely. Here's a snippet of what they look like:

Tomorrow I will make a gingerbread house with them! It's the pre-baked one from Costco, so all we have to do is assemble. It should be loads of fun. Then we have Christmas concerts, a magician, Santa coming to visit, and pyjama and movie day to end the week. I really hope that everything is ready to be sent home by Friday!!!!

In other news, we had our staff party last Friday and that was really fun. It's nice to have hit it off very well with colleagues who have now become friends. After our extremely long dinner (that included sing-alongs and a crazy gift exchange where you were allowed to steal presents from each other), we went back to Chris's place for the much anticipated game night! We played a very competitive game of Cranium and my team kicked butt. Sorry losers ;) Kidding!

I have another staff party for the Library tomorrow night. I am going to be all staff-partied out I think. That's the price you pay when you have two jobs! A bit crazy, I know. That's why I am so looking forward to the 2 weeks off when I can just go with the flow, hopefully get some scrapping in, and maybe, just maybe, go away somewhere....

Also, on Saturday night, I made dinner for Pat and we had the place to ourselves because my parents went out to a party. I was surprised by gold earrings!! Wasn't expecting that before Christmas, but I am super lucky to have such a thoughtful man :)

Anyways, I'm off to eat supper and then we're going to decorate the tree ce soir. A little late, but better than never, right? Cheers.

A little space, a little time, see what it can do...

Full blasting that song right now. "A Bell Will Ring" by Oasis. I'm always drawn back to their words. They've been keeping me on track since I was twelve. Seriously. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true in many respects.

It's been a crazy/busy week in more than a few ways! My uncle and aunt were in town from Monday to Friday. They were sort of in and out, staying at our place but always going out to see other friends and family members. I enjoyed having them, but found that the time was cut short! I didn't even manage to get a picture of everyone together, which is quite upsetting. We had a big family dinner on Monday night, and it was nice to catch up on their news and reminisce, as always, about the good old days. I love that. I love looking through the old photos. I just recently made this page about my mom and cousins, which coincided perfectly with my uncle's visit.

Throughout their visit, I was also rushing to get portfolios and report cards finished in time for parent-teacher interviews on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. We were all at school until 9:30pm on Wednesday, how crazy is that?! My interviews went pretty well, so I'm lucky. Afterwards I got to hang with my favorite teachers for a bit and then we had a little wine and dessert thingy in the staff room.

Thursday and Friday were ped days, so we used that time to go the teacher's convention. We had 50$ each to spend on school supplies, so I ended up buying a ton of posters that were on sale for 6$ each. That was pretty sweet.

Yesterday was Darla's birthday supper/party. We ate at a cool pizza place and then went back to Cheryl and Brent's new place for drinks, games, and general madness. It was SUPER fun and I'm glad that we got the chance to party. I won't go into too much detail, but the evening was very entertaining in more ways than one, lol. I will be back later with some pictures, since they are on Pat's camera and I don't have an XD slot on my computer, boo!!

Today we're going to April-Anna's book release party. Patrick is featured in the book, from the time that she did his body painting. That should be pretty interesting, but I can't really afford a late night after yesterday and with a mini-meeting bright and early demain matin.

Alright, I'm out. Cheers.

Monday, Monday

I'm just stopping in for a very quick post before a big family supper. My uncle and his wife (well, common-law) are in town this week, staying at our place, so things are quite busy, but in a good way.

I wanted to share this amazing artwork that my students created. We've been learning about the body parts, so we made life-sized self-portraits. I am so pleased with what they came up with (with guidance, of course). Did I mention I love Kindergarten?! Check these out:

I am in one of those over-stimulated brain states where everything that I think about is super inspiring and I wish I could split myself into a thousand pieces to be able to do tackle it all at once. Did that make sense? It's just that I haven't downloaded music or scrapped or done anything creative for a little while, but have the overwhelming urge to do it all right now, during my busiest week!! I have parent-teacher interviews, detention duty, report cards, portfolios, and the teacher's convention this week, but I'm in a happy little bubble right now, so even that sounds kind of fun. I work with some pretty awesome people, all of whom are around my age, so that makes the day just so much more enjoyable and fun. And having a great class, for the most part, doesn't hurt either.

Alright, enough nonsense rambling for now. I am going to finish up some photo-collages for my students' portfolios. It's pretty sweet to just drag and drop their pictures into some templates that I downloaded from some scrap site a while ago, I forget where, and then add in a few digi-elements. The hobby can really come in handy in a number of ways.

I hope you're all having a good week! Cheers :)

Two posts in one weekend?! Shocker.

It's Sunday morning. The sun is out. I do not have to work. Patrick and I are going on a "date" today. Life is good!

Yesterday, my mom and I went to a L'Oreal warehouse sale, which was absolute madness, but worth it for some very good finds. It was invitation only, meaning you had to have a card from someone or somewhere (normally a company, from what I understand). I hadn't mentally prepared myself for the crazy lines, however. It was like the La Senza sales, only more compacted. We waited outside in line for about forty minutes, and then pushed our way around once we finally got inside. I managed to get some makeup for very cheap (mascara and eyeshadow for 4$, lipgloss for 2$) and a huge bottle of cologne that both Pat and my uncle wear for only 18$. So that was very good. I had completely had it when we left that place, however. It's so draining to be in a huge, pushy crowd like that.

And a message to parents out there: please have enough sense to not let your toddler run up hills that are next exit ramps to highways whilst you turn your back the other way arguing on your cell phone! Thank you. What is WRONG with people? There was a man yesterday doing just that while we waited in line. The kid actually did dart out into the road, and only then did the man bother running to grab him and pull him by the arm down the hilll, then throw him into the car, all the while still talking on his cell phone. I really think people should have to pass a test to become parents...

Anyhow, we did make a quick stop at the scrappy store before going home. I wasn't going to go all the way out there and not stop for some tape runner and glue, which I really needed. Oh, and somehow, some Cosmo Cricket Christmas papers and chipboard ended up in my basket... It was this mainly that I couldn't resist.

I really wasn't really planning on spending 50$ but man does it ever add up fast. I can't get over what an expensive hobby it really is. I justify that I will make a very cute Christmas mini-album, so it's worth it. But I am so glad that I don't live very close to that store, or else it could be dangerous.

Anyways, I should get started on lesson planning for next week, and making sure I have all my marks together. I tackled most of the portfolio stuff already, because I actually find them fun. It's like making a giant scrapbook filled with my students' work, so right up my alley. I hope you all have a great day - enjoy the gorgeous sunshine. Cheers.

Poor little neglected blog

My posts are becoming few and far in between. I've been considering whether or not it's worth it to keep the blog up... Also, I haven't been taking ANY photos lately. Okay, let me re-phrase: I haven't been taking any photos of my "social" life, but I have been taking a ton of photos of my students. The problem is that I can't share any of those on here, so it translates into a very boring blog... I haven't been documenting anything and it makes me feel like an aspect of my life is lacking. I miss doing photo challenges and scrapbooking. I think I might challenge myself to take a photo a day from now on.

Why am I home on a Friday at this hour, you ask? Because I am really sick and decided that it was better to stay home and rest. It's a ped day anyways, so I didn't have to bother with the sub prep, which would have been more of a bother than it's worth. Four students in my class were sick with "flu", "fever" and "illness" yesterday (as was written on their absence cards), so it's not looking too promising. Plus, there's a student teacher who comes to teach my students French with their regular teacher, and he was out all last week and claims that he had H1N1. I really, really hope that he didn't spread it around, but I guess there's just no stopping it at this point. I don't think I have H1N1, but I did start burning up yesterday afternoon, had a sore head, and felt extremely congested. I forced myself to make it through the rest of the day, left pretty much right at the bell, and came home to rest. I went to bed at 9:30 and woke up at 9:00. Almost twelve hours of sleep, how crazy is that?! I feel a bit better today, but I think I'm a little over-ambitious. I feel okay while sitting or lying down, but when I get up it seems to be a different story. I'm just taking it easy and working on a few things for portfolios from home. Hopefully I'll be all rested for Monday. Thankfully I don't have to work at the library this weekend.

That's another thing that's been on my mind lately: the library job. I feel like I'm really pushing myself more than I should be to keep it. Like Julie said yesterday, it's okay to be working there when you're feeling healthy, but the second you get run-down, forget it! It works out so that I only have 4 days off per month. It's pretty draining. I work every second weekend, so sometimes I work for 14 days straight without a break! It's starting to take a toll on me. It's not like it's completely unmanageable, and the money is good, plus I work with a good team, but when it's a busy weekend, I just wish that I didn't have to go in... I'm still debating what to do. My mom thinks I should keep it for the time being and see how it goes, especially since I don't know if I'll have a job in January. Maybe I will keep at it for now. However, there are going to be all kinds of changes by the new year, like a new front desk and a new Internet sign-up station, which complicates things for us and customers. I have to re-learn a ton of stuff and with lesson planning and everything else, I just don't feel like it. I'll let it sit for a little while and see how I feel by the new year...

Anyways, enough complaining! I did manage to work on a digi page a few days ago, and here is the final result. It's pretty funny, I know. Do I seem a tad bit desperate?! Hahaha. Thanks for the photos Michelle.

Time keeps rolling by...

I actually gave my post a title today, yay me! Again, the blog maintenance is not up to par, but what can I say. I've been committed to other things, though, like working out a lot and doing lots of work after hours, so I have good excuses.

My mom bought the "10 minute trainer" series - the one advertised on TV with Tony Horton. Man, it's kick a**. It's rough, though, I admit, but so worth it and enjoyable for only 10 minutes! It comes with a meal planner and all, and the suggestions are pretty feasible too. A little low on calories, but it's not an actual diet - instead it's a way to kick-start your metabolism so that you lose weight in 10 days flat. Also, they suggest that you combine two or three ten-minute workouts per day for maximum results, which I've been doing. Half an hour is really nothing at all when you're used to working out for an hour plus each time. So it's pretty fun stuff, and really effective. Just did 30 minutes now, actually, and was sweating like crazy.

In other news... busy with work! Pumpkins, Halloween, Dental Hygiene... all the fun things associated with being a K teacher. I'm loving it, truly. I *wish* and *hope* I will be there until the end of the year, by some small miracle. We shall see.

Pat and I have started watched Smallville, finally. We only have about 10 seasons to get through. No problem. It's got a certain charm to it despite it's over-the-top cheese. Also, the main character is not too hard to stare at, either. I just can't wait until the newer seasons when his hair is a little less shaggy.

Scrap wise, I've been buying and downloading lots of digi stuff, but don't have too much to show for it in the last week or so. I do have a layout to share from a few weeks ago. So enjoy!

A new post is in store I think. I haven't been a good blogger. I've been very busy working, and also, I'm wary of certain people stumbling upon my blog. It's not that I find I share a lot of super personal info, but you just never know, especially now that I'm a teacher. So for those reasons, I haven't been very motivated. But with the long weekend here and some extra time on my hands for once, I'm finally in the mood. Also, I apoligize for not leaving comments on blogs as of late. I will try to catch up. I am still your fan :) , but I am just lazy.

Here are some random things on my mind (because lists are just that much easier):

1. I am beginning to really love Fall. I never used to like it, mainly because I always felt it was sort of robbing Summer, my favorite season, from me. Now I find I love the crisp weather and putting on big cozy sweaters. I love the colors of the leaves. I'm beginning to notice a lot more little wonders about the season now that I'm around five year-olds all day. Everything is just that much more fascinating.

2. I went apple picking with my class this past week. I have to confess that I haven't been apple picking since I was a little girl. How sad is that? Despite a slightly chaotic bus ride and very hyper, excited children, we had a great time. I was completely exhausted by the end of the day, however, but in a good way.

3. We're having our Thanksgiving dinner tonight. My mom as made three desserts: cheese cake, apple pie, and pumpkin pie. Is that not completely exaggerated, and yet completely amazing? Yes, I know.

4. I wish I could be more involved in the whole cooking process, especially for holidays, but my mom has a way of taking charge of the entire kitchen and all aspects of preparation. Most of it gets done before I can even offer help. It can be frustrating at times. I know she means well, and she is an amazing cook/event organizer, but it leaves me sometimes feeling incompetent. I want to cook more, but I feel more like a spectator than anything else.

5. I love going in the sauna at the gym, especially when they put eucalyptus into the vapor - totally relaxing/rejuvenating experience.

6. I made apple sauce with my class yesterday - brought in the crock pot and had them chop pieces of apple and dump them in. Everyone kept walking by my class and wondering what that amazing smell was. It tasted pretty good, I must say, and it was very simple to do. I think we have exhausted all possible apple activities by now though... A new theme is in order for next week!

7. Pat got me flowers "just because" last week, and it happened to coincide with a day that I really, really needed them (I was worn down by my work load AND coming on my period, hence extremely over-emotional). Yup, I've got me a romantic one and it feels good.

8. Very minimal scrapbooking has been happening. My table is a disaster area. I started a mini-album about Pat's stopover in Paris, but so far only have a cover page. I seem to be lacking inspiration. I think Julie and I, maybe Alex too if she wants, might do some scrapping tomorrow. That is, if I don't give into my urge to take a drive down to Plattsburgh, which is growing ever-so-steadily at the back of my mind.

9. I miss writing. I need to do more of it. As in, more detailed than the million post-it notes left on various places of my desk, or those wonderful little nuggets directed to parents in students' agendas (the likes of: "Please send in more underwear for you child because he/she had an accident at lunch time today"). You know, real, heart-felt writing. For now blogging is quasi-filling the need.

10. I am so happy that I can just relax today after working for 12 days straight (a week of teaching, then biblio weekend, then another week of teaching). I sometimes seem to forget what it feels like to have a whole entire day free.

Okay, well, 10 seems like a good number, so I shall stop here. I need to do a bit of prep for my class. But first, as routine dictates, I should share a little sumpin' sumpin', so here's a digi page that I did a little while ago about Pat's roommate's kitty. Enjoy and have a great Thanksgiving weekend. Cheers maties.

So, um... my blogging is getting a little sad, no? Since I have a bit of time before bed (and the coffee that I drank earlier seems to be keeping me awake) I figured I might as well grace you all with an update. I feel like I have so much time on my hands because I didn't work this weekend (yay, two days off in a row!).

I went to pick up Patrick at the airport on Thursday evening. I felt like a giddy 18 year old again to see him after our two-week hiatus. He made it back safely and very successfully, as he is now a meta-coach! I'm really proud of him for this huge accomplishment, especially considering how grueling the studying/training was. He had 12 hour days plus homework that had to be accomplished with group members after hours, and all this while staying in a hostel with people partying at all hours of the night. Needless to say, he was very drained by the end, and with all his travels, but it was so worth it.

We had a nice, relaxing weekend together. We went out for supper, went grocery shopping, cooked waffles and lasagna, finally watched the finale of True Blood (talk about a cliff-hanger), looked at tons of photos from the trip, and played Boggle, among other things. It feels good to get back into "our" groove.

While Pat was away, I had ambitious dreams of scrappin' up a storm, but sadly only produced four pages in total (2 digital, 2 paper). Now I'll at least have some more motivation to scrap with all of Pat's photos from the trip. He got some great shots, and everything has such a gorgeous backdrop in Europe, you really can't seem to go wrong even with a point & shoot. I will have to get on that shortly, in between forcing myself to go to the gym in the evenings and prepping for my class.

Speaking of which, I'm loving my job. Really, even the prep I do at home is still enjoyable, like ordering Scholastics, making worksheets, charts and vocabulary words of all sorts, and experimenting with different art activities. I can't complain. I can only cross my fingers that my contract will last longer than it's supposed to... maybe by some miracle...

Anyways, now I really should get to bed. But first, one of those layouts I was talking about. Goodnight!

Patrick is safe and sound in Sweden. He emailed me the other day, thankfully, to give me a little update. I am starting to miss him a lot. I think the weekend will be the hardest, as it is normally the time that we spend together the most. However, I thought I would read some of his e-journal, if you will (his growing collection of thoughts) to make me feel closer, and it's comforting. I stumbled upon this gem:

When someone does something you appreciate, never lose the opportunity to let them know. It may seem awkward at first, but it is awkwardness that can be guided to comfort. Sometimes the alternative of not facing the awkwardness can lead to great sorrow, or regret, when that someone is no longer around.

Just a little reminder to appreciate those you love, and let them know, in the moment when they are close to you. Sometimes I forget to truly embrace what I have. Sometimes I am so caught up in the daily grind and all the crap going on that I actually vent for half an hour before remember to even hold Patrick's hand or notice that he's cut his hair or really look into his eyes. Sometimes I am going through the motions, my own emotions, totally in my own little bubble, and that is so not cool. I need to just let it go and shift gears, and listen to his insight. How can gossip or negativity ever be worth more than that? It can't. And so, if the distance between us at the moment has lead to this feeling, then it makes me think that I needed this little refresher.

Love you my lover like no other...

I'm feeling very tired and low-key right now. I went to the gym earlier, and it seems to have zapped all my energy. I think it's because I'm still in the process of getting over my cold. Also, Patrick left for Sweden today, so I'm feeling a little down about our two week separation (sniff, sniff), but trying not to let it get to me too much. It is all for the best, of course, and it will be a wonderful opportunity for him. I'm just going to miss him a lot, and his extremely long red-eye flight over the Atlantic ocean makes me a bit uneasy as I slip under the covers tonight. I'll be glad to get an email or Skype message from him sometime tomorrow, although he will be six hours ahead of me! I can't wait to hear all about his experience :)

It's been a while since I've uploaded anything scrap related, so here is the mini album that I made after my friend Tania's wedding. It was very fun, quick and fairly easy to make. I just realized there are a LOT of photos, oops! I'm too lazy to make them into some cutesy collage, so you'll have to just tough it out. It just took me about 5 years to upload, so now I'm off to bed.

Yes, yes, I'm still alive! I think this is possibly the longest that I've gone without updating my blog, but there is due cause. I have been insanely busy over the past few weeks because I just got my first teaching contract in a kindergarten classroom! I don't know how long it will be for (fingers crossed) because I'm replacing somebody on maternity leave who could technically come back at any time given two weeks notice, but hopefully I'll be there until December. And, with all the H1N1 business going on, it looks like most teachers will be able to stop working the moment they find out they're pregnant, so there should be plenty of jobs to go around once I need a new contract in the winter. All in all, it's a good year to be starting to work.

So I have been setting up my class (decorating, cleaning, cutting, pasting, coloring, printing, laminating, etc, etc) and I had lots of help from my mom and Pat during the four ped days before the kids actually got to school. Some evenings we stayed there until 8pm. Luckily the secretary is the sweetest woman on the planet and was always there to lock up after us and one of my colleagues who was doing the same thing. It's been quite the experience, I have to say, but a good one. I never imagined that there would be SO MUCH to do, but there is, and once you start to tackle one thing after another, it does feel rather rewarding. It's oddly satisfying to cut laminated posters for your bulletin boards, haha.

I met most of my students and their parents this week, and I am quite lucky to be working with a nice group. I am very excited to be starting the year with my very own class. All summer I kept hoping and wishing for Kindergarten, and I guess the universe answered my call... now here I am singing songs and playing playdough and teaching the ABCs... Fun times!

In other news, Patrick is going to Sweden this week for business. He leaves on Wednesday, and he'll be gone for two weeks!! I think I'll be getting a lot of prep done during the time that he's away. Anyways, I have to help him get packed and ready today and tomorrow, and then I think it will feel more "real", because at the moment, it feels a bit distant and hypothetical, I'm not sure why.

Okay, well, time to go make some coffee and eat my cereal. I have some scrap-related photos to share but am too lazy right now to get them off my flash card and go through them all, so hopefully in the next little while I will get around to that. Have a great weekend!

This past weekend was a lot of fun. We finally met Cam and got to catch up with Alana. We had a nice supper on Friday night and got to hang out on the deck outside for hours and hours because the weather was perfect, finally. Cam is super nice and down to earth. He was really great with my grandmother as well, which was really cute to watch. So my cousin has done quite well for herself indeed. Your mama would be so proud Alana. The rest of the weekend was spent chilling and catching up. We were outside most of the time, lounging in bathing suits, swimming, drinking pina coladas, drinking, and so forth. Good times indeed. Here are some pictures... Patrick was there (just not in these pics) but my brother wasn't, since he was off on a canoe-camping trip that he had planned well in advance. He was disappointed he couldn't be a part of it all, but Cam did sign some things for him and promised to send him some t-shirts.

We're getting ready to receive my cousin and her boyfriend! I haven't seen Alana in about five years, and I've never met her superstar man (no exaggeration), so it's all very exciting. It was very last minute, but they will be here today, and my cousin will stay through the weekend. We are so lucky that the weather is great, and we don't have to work at the biblio.

Here's what I've been up to this morning (I'm trying to get back into the groove of taking photos. I really miss it). I've been on strict orders from Martha (a.k.a. Marge) about what needs to be done to prepare for the guests.

So I assume I'll be back sometime early next week with some new photos of the family reunited. Have a great weekend!

Another rainy morning - perfect time to get productive, when the sun is not calling you outside.

Here's what's on my to-do list today:

1. Clean bathrooms presently crusted over with ickiness.
2. Vacuum.
3. Update CV.
4. Draft emails to send to principals next week (you know, stating that I am looking for a teaching position and all).
5. Finish mini-album from Tania's wedding
6. Scrapbook other wedding albums.

I think that's all, actually. It's not as daunting as I thought it was. Actually, the last two items are leisure, meaning they're not really even on the list, so this is looking good. Time to go get busy! But first, another layout. (BTW, the person in my last layout is my brother in case you were wondering.)

Sunday morning and the sun is bright. Just finished a yoga workout, eating honey bunches of oats, and sipping my coffee. Weekend summertime mornings are easy.

So, the spa was super nice. We went on a Thursday morning, so we practically had the place to ourselves. The hot-tubs and pools are all outside, and then you go off to the saunas in little separate exterior buildings, so that was interesting. The place itself is right in the base of a mountain so you are surrounded by giant pine trees everywhere, and you can see far-off lakes and other mountains. It was all very serene. Also, it started pouring while we were in the hot-tub. Everyone else ran for shelter, but we just stayed in the hot water while huge, cold rain-drops fell on our heads. That was pretty cool. We stayed at the place for a few hours, until we got nice and relaxed and wrinkly.

Afterwards, we found a Mike's restaurant in the neighboring town of Saint-Sauveur, had a really satisfying meal, and then, lo and behold, there happened to be outlet malls all around the area. Patrick was very patient as I tried on, no exaggeration, heaps and heaps of clothing at Dynamite. I ended up getting three pairs of dress pants and three dress shirts for 80$ - score!

When we came home, we went to visit Bailey (Julie and Ken's new baby). I didn't have my camera with me, so this photo is coming courtesy of Julie from facebook (hope you won't mind, but I couldn't resist sharing this cute face with everyone).

On Friday I went to Burlington with my mom, and we shopped for about 10 hours straight, then went to eat at TGI Friday's because the Olive Garden was way too packed. We were actually pleasantly surprised by TGI's - they had a really good selection, not to mention the coffee's are huge and amazing. Purchase-wise that day, I did well: roxy jeans, dress shirt, dressy flat shoes for work, purse (10$!!), scrapbooking paper pad (Amy Butler, super cute), chipboard albums for 1$ each, school books for 2$, picture frames, and cologne for Patrick (20$ for a Drakkar Noir kit that goes for around 50$ here). Also, we went through the border without needing to pay any duty, so that was an added bonus.

Overall, it was a good trip. Plus, brace yourselves, I even tried on a wedding dress (hahaha) on a whim, since we noticed that David's Bridal was right next to Michael's, so we figured we'd go take a look just for fun. I ended up seeing a wedding dress that I liked out of tons that were super ugly and over-beaded and laced, so I asked if I could try it on. My god, they make it all official - they wanted me to speak to a consultant and get info about my "wedding", lol. I was like, sorry but I'm not even engaged yet, this is just to get an idea. So I tried it on and it looked quite nice, even though it was about 2 sizes too big. My mom says that maybe when we go back next year it'll be on the sale rack, so we'll have to see. I told Patrick all about it, don't worry, and he was mildly amused. I even had him surfing the bridal website with me, looking at which color scheme we'd like to have. I know people, isn't it amazing? No, but in all seriousness, we are not planning on getting married until at least 2011 I would think. It would be a surprise to me if it came earlier, and that's fine. This year is going to be all about getting a job and saving money before I commit to anything else. We can still plan in good fun though ;)

Alright, well I guess I should go take a shower and take in some sun while it's still out. Oh, and here's another layout from the scrap vault, as Cathy Z would say. Cheers!

Groom and bride!

Yup, another wedding over this past weekend! Ryan and Alex tied the knot at the very beautiful Gault House in Mount St-Hilaire. It was the perfect, sunny, hot day and everything ran very smoothly. The were wed by Alex's godfather against the fairy-tale backdrop of water and mountain. Here's what I'm talking about:

Overall, we had a great time - lots of good food, oh and did I mention the candy bar with all varieties of red candy that you could possibly imagine?! There was also lots of great dancing music and Pat was strutting his stuff yet again, although he had a bit of competition this time with the Y's dancing up a storm the entire night! They really kept the party going, I must say, and it was very entertaining to watch.

In other news, I am now an "auntie" to Julie and Ken's new pug Bailey, who is absolutely adorable, I can attest, after meeting him today. I will have to bring Pat to meet him soon and will remember to bring my camera next time.

Tomorrow Pat and I will be going to a spa up North for some much needed R&R (actually, more needed for him I would think after his very client-packed week and all the moving and unpacking that's been going on). Then on Friday I will most likely go to Burlington with my mom, possibly for a few days if we can get our planning act together. Entouka, the weather is nice, I am happy sunbathing and swimming in the back yard. No complaints here because it's summertime and the living's easy...

Hmm.. Monday afternoon, weird weather going on - one minute it's sunny and hot, the next it looks as though a giant storm is about to break, but never does. I opted for drying clothes in the dryer just to be on the safe side.

In between working in daycare (with only two kiddies) and going to the gym, I am amusing myself by checking prices of condos in Myrtle beach, my mother's latest vacation "hot spot" idea. I say this because for the past 2 weeks or more she has been checking deals of all sorts for a trip, but has yet to make up her mind on what she wants. Now she says that all the trips down South (as in Caribbean) are gone, so she's left with the idea of a southern US getaway near the ocean. I am more open to this sort of thing seeing as it would cost considerably less money and would be for less time. It's probably more of a fantasy than reality, but we shall see what transpires...

As promised yesterday, I figured it was about time to take some photos of layouts that I made over the last few months but have been either too lazy or too busy to bother with. This one is about an inside joke that Julie and I had in high school - don't ask, it's bizarro world and I'm not even sure I understand why it was so funny at the time. You can click the photo bigger if you're really curious to read what it's about. I made this page when I was going through a phase of not feeling like using actual photos as the story felt more important. I just printed the movie cover of Mr. Holland's Opus and went with it, and am fairly happy with the result.

Pat's move update: all the "stuff" is transported but it will still take some time to get all the boxes unpacked. He had a LOT of stuff. We threw out and donated a good 5-8 garbage bags full, on top of the 5-8 bags of good clothing that he brought with him. That's not including all the small-t0-medium sized boxes that he brought with him or to my place for storage. I am proud of him for finally deciding to cut back and move on!! It was a huge job but we did it in very good timing I must say. It's going to be an adjustment, but it's so worth it and for the best.

Anyways, I'm off, cheers homies.

Hmm... been a while and lots has transpired since the last blog post. Pat is moving (or rather, has mostly moved) out with his pal Dave. Yay! It's been a long time coming and I think that the two of them in their "bachelor bad" will get along great and it will be good for them.

So ya, I've been carrying boxes and such up four flights of stairs for the last few days, which is doing wonders for my butt, back and arms, let me tell you! I don't know how the men did it lifting all the bureaus and 42 inch plasma... ouch! But it's all getting done and soon will be the fun job, or at least for me: decorating!!!

Anyways, I've gotta go get ready to help out some more. Hope you're having a great weekend despite the rain today :)

Cheers, and I will be back with some new layouts soon-ish, promise.

Yesterday was my friend Tania's wedding. I went to McGill with Tania and we became close after taking several classes together, then having stage together. Later on, we even worked together in the grade one class I was teaching for a few months. She is a great person - and I mean that in every way possible! I am so happy for her and Matthew. She actually toughed out living without him for over a year when he excepted a job in San Francisco, working for Apple. I really don't know they did it, I think I would go crazy. But now finally, they can be together again. She is going to live with him very shortly, after the honeymoon and all. Well, it's more like "visiting" until the green card is actually approved, which is a very long, complicated process, or so I've heard.

In any case, they had a gorgeous wedding - very posh. We were very well-treated, and I'm so happy that the weather held out and it was actually sunny, shock! I've never been to a Greek-Orthodox ceremony before, so that was pretty interesting. I didn't realize there were so many rituals and such. Even all the dances at the reception were so fascinating to watch. Overall, we had a great time, and I got to catch up with my other school friends Audrey and Mallory. Here are some pictures from the event:

Well, hope you're all having a great weekend... I'm taking it very easy today, seeing as how I only woke up at noon with an intense "blah" feeling. Not complaining, though. Just relaxing and hopefully going to do a bit of scrapping, if I can get inspired. Cheers!

Happy birthday Dad! Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

What a beautiful morning we're having here, which is very much appreciated after all the rain yesterday. We're celebrating my dad's 60th birthday today. I hope we are able to eat on the deck outside. We haven't been lucky yet this year (it's rained every time we've had guests over).

Lately I've been scanning old photos that I've found in various albums and boxes around my grandmother's house. It's always like opening a present when I sift through them all and realize how cool it is to see all my ancestors in their younger phases... I'm hoping to get some of these stories down in the form of scrapbooking.

My maternal grandfather on a boat, I think on his honeymoon.

My maternal grandmother and her father.

My nanny at the beach... possibly one of my favorite photos of all time.

The Wallace cousins (on my mother's side). Cand you guess which one is my mother?

I love these old photos and the glimpse they give you into another time. They are so romantic and perfect and I'm lucky to have access to them at all... okay, I'm getting all nostalgic and sappy about it. But, no, seriously, pretty cool, right? Anyhow... hope you're all having a great weekend!

Okay, so I haven't been the best blogger in the last little while, but I have a very good excuse! Last week went by in a complete blur as we got things ready for Julie and Ken's big day. Here's what went down:

Monday: Bought super expensive makeup for the wedding. Went to the gym. Learned that Julie's mom was in the hospital!! freaked out a bit...
Tuesday: Learned that Julie's mom was okay, in fact, after a scare... she was out the next day, thankfully!
Wednesday: Canada day bar-b-q at Julie and Ken's.
Thursday: Nails, rehearsal dinner at Ken's parents'.
Friday: Last minute stuff, set up the hall with Julie, Ken, Alex and Ryan.
Saturday: Wedding!!

Here are a few of hundreds of photos that's I'm in the process of editing....

*edited to add: Okay, so I wasn't thinking before, but some of the photos that I posted were actually set up by their photographer, who is amazing, btw, so I shouldn't have put them up at all, especially without crediting her!! So I will have to sift through my stuff again to see what is actually "my" creation... this one is okay:

Cuteness, right here...

Believe it or not, Baby is actually getting rather affectionate lately, and she is even going outside on the patio without completely freaking out. She is changing in her old age, I suppose, and she's also getting very fat because she is fed far too often. But you gotta love her.

This is going to be a short post because I have to go pick up my man shortly. Just wanted to share these pics before they get lost in the back of my hard-drive for while before finding their way onto a scrapbooking page.

Some new layouts. Because, sadly, I have nothing better to do on a Saturday night since my boyfriend has gone to a friend's cottage!

Just wanted to share what my wonderful man made for me the other day. I was in the mood to create, so I started experimenting with letter stamping. I think I *finally* got the hang of it. Then I cut out the heart and filed it, and couldn't help but think how cute it would look on a bracelet. So Patrick dug out some of his scraps and got creative, and this was the final result. Isn't having a jeweler as a boyfriend the greatest thing ever? I think so.