Love at Last Sight

A little over a month a go, Lyryn wrote a blog post about a book that she was reading. That book was Love at Last Sight by Kerry and Chris Shook. LALS (love at last sight) is a one month relationship plan that will improve your most important bonds.

 The goal of the LALS is to deepen your most meaningful relationships, get them so deep that when your eyes met for the last time on earth, your relationship will be closer and deeper than ever before.

On day one, I was asked (err...not me but anyone who read the book) to pick three people in my life who I wanted to focus on. Focus on three people in my life that I wanted to have a better more deep relationship.

 I chose my BFF Karen (for the record: we are fine! But as BFF's we can always grow deeper)

Then my mom. I'm not getting into it here but my mom and I aren't the closet. We have long periods where we get along great and then bam we don't. I've never had that "being BFF's with my mom." Yes I love her but we have stuff to work on. so much for not getting into it here! moving on.

I then chose my brother Ryan. My brother is 5 years older than me (for the record: we have the same set of parents...I get asked that a lot. "is he your step/half brother?" Since we are 5 years apart, we never got along when we were younger. He went to uni in West Virginia and was gone for 4.5 years. During the summers we were okay. When he was 22 he moved out with the gf. It was hard to deepen our bro/sis relationship. It still is. It has gotten so much better. We both realized that family is everything, and one day we won't have our parents and it'll just be us.

It's amazing what a month can do. In the past month I've felt my relationships grow deeper. I've learned to give 100% of my attention to each of my three key relationships.So when they are talking with me, I turn and look them in the eye and really listen.  I've learned to let them know that I value and love them. I'm better at saying I love you, thank you, how are you?

There is nothing more lovely than knowing that I'm on my way to having such a deep realtionship with these awesome three people. I say "on my way" because it's something I need to work on everyday.
This book has changed my life. It hasn't just helped my three key relationships but the relationships with people I don't see everyday. It has chanllenged me to view the world and others in it differently and I love that!

If you have a realtionship that is iffy, go buy this book! Seriously it is not a waste. It will change your life, I promise!

:)

Wee Wednesday

{one} if you won a trip to Disneyland/world, who would you take with you?

                           For sure, hands down Karen! Disney with the bff? sounds good.

{two} when was the last time you listened to a CD?

Actually last week. I just bought Chris Tomlin's new cd!

{three} what spice/seasoning is your favorite?

um, I have no clue.

{four} if you were in a band, what kind of music would you play?

                              Good question: I could see myself as the younger Katy Perry. I kid. I would love to be    in a Christain band.

{five} if you could have personally witnessed one historical event, which one would it be?

                                       Maybe birth of Jesus. That would be awesome :)

{six} if you could go back to school, what would you study?I'll stick with the ECE.  {seven} if you could go to one sporting event, all expenses paid, which one would you see?

Just like Leigh Ashley said, super bowl!

{eight} do you drive an automatic or a manual?

                                                              I drive an automatic.

{nine} are you comfortable speaking in front of people?

Some what comfortable.

{ten} have you ever experienced an earthquake?

Yes! Last summer we had a little one. Nothing big but you can imagine how crazy the media went! Earthquake in Toronto?!

Happy Hump day!

A week in...

I know I've been talking a lot about my kitchen, which is fine because I'm super excited about it!

If you're anything like me, you like blogs with pictures. For some reason it helps me connect to the author more and I'm a visual learner so it helps to see. With that said it's time for a kitchen update! yahoo :)

We are already a week in. A lot has changed since this time last week. Um let's see, a workable kitchen to no kitchen. Right now the only thing in the kitchen is the kitchen worker and his tools. That.is.all.
Don't believe me? Here see for yourself.

The sub flooring is down. Hopefully by tomorrow the new flooring will be done! eck :)

You might be wondering where in the world we cook our food. Good question, let me show you.

Yup, that's right. In the basement. On a table.
Oh it's great. Making food takes twice as long, and why wouldn't it when you have the camper burners downstairs, fridge in the living room, (every mans dream!) dishes in my brothers old room. It's so much fun when you forget something! Like a spoon, great back downstairs we go. SO.MUCH.FUN! Wanna join us?!

It'll all be worth it. That's what I keep telling myself. And to breathe.

~

On other news, the brother and the girlfriend are engaged! My brother popped the question last night. The ring? Oh let me tell you about the ring. It's a square cut, with a yellow center. It's unbelievably beautiful!
So happy for them :)

~
Also next Monday Lryrn is starting her month long story on her redeeming love. It should be a good one. i don't know to much about it but you can see the whole thing next Monday! Check her out!

Happy Monday!

Sunday Favourites

Today I'm linking up with Mandy from Mommy Musings for Sunday Favourites.

This Sunday's topic is what is your favourite movie and why?

Well that's easy. My favourite movie hands down is...

...Finding Nemo! It's that movie that makes you feel so happy! Because come on who ever doesn't think dory's classic lines aren't funny has no heart! 



head over to Mandy's corner and link up!

happy Sunday!

Spring, where are you?

I'm linking up with Katie today for the fun weekly Saturday Morning Scene.

It's still pretty cold out today, -4 to be exact (for you Americans that's 25 F )

I hung out with the BFF today and her mom bought flowers this week.

I took some home with me :)

I love having fresh flowers in the house,

especially when it's so cold and blah out.

Totally brightens up the place!

happy Saturday friends!

Good thoughts.

I just finished day 25 of Love at Last Sight. Today was talking about the art of letting go. Specially letting go of Insecurity.

In my daily walk as a young Christian women, that is my biggest issue :being insecure. I realize now from reading today's chapter that I am a people pleaser. I want everyone to like me, accept me and I want to do a good job around them. I also care a little to much about what people think about me.

"her outfit is ____"
"she has a few blemishes"
"sarah's face is to fat"
"it wouldn't hurt her to lose ten pounds"

Talk about being insecure. Talk about trying to please everyone!

But you know what? It's impossible to please everyone. Even God can't please everyone. It rains-some are happy because their grass needs to be watered but others are upset because the rain ruined their afternoon plans.

I kept reading farther into what day 25 was about and I came across this paragraph that really spoke to me:

"When I realize how much God loves me, it frees me to let go of what people think about me"

I honestly can't get this saying out of my head. It's what I've needed to hear for a long time. Now I know God loves me, but for some reason I truly feel him loving me. I hear him telling me to let go of my insecurities, giving them over to him and not caring what people think about me anymore.

So, today marks the first day in learning to not care about what people think about me.I'm going to develop the attitude of "this is me-take it or leave it."  It'll be tough but I know with God anything is possible.


happy friday!

Thankful Thursdays!

I don't think I've done a thankful thursday post before! How exciting :)
**

I'm thankful for the kitchen guys who go to tim hortons and ask if I want anything. Ugh of course...medium regular please! It's very sweet of them. I mean their working hard all day building me a new kitchen and yet ask me If I want coffee.

I'm thankful for Jesus. enough said.

I'm thankful for Love at last sight. My one and only follower Lyryn, blogged about this book a few weeks ago. I ordered it and am happy to say, it's one of the best books that I've read. I'm on day 24 (out of 30) and next week when I'm all done, I plan to blog about my past 30 days!

I'm thankful my best BFF Karen. She is truly the best person out there. Love her :)

I'm thankful for my Church family.

I'm thankful for my job.

I'm thankful for winter boots, getting into another uni, coffee, the good chick flick book I'm reading now, thankful for my own family.

What are you thankful for today?
*

What I'm loving wednesday!

You might wonder what I'm loving today.

Well let me show you!

• I'm loving the weather! Notice the sarcasm? Ya well it's there. I completely understand snow in the beginning of march. Maybe into the second week. But come one winter throw us a bone! There's what 8 days left of march and it's still snowing? Please go away!  p.s I loved getting splashed by slush while on my way back from the library. Loved it a lot! 

• I'm loving the reno's! So I know that I should't be complaining, but it's now day 3 and I'm beginning to grow bored of it all. I mean I love it when the kitchen people have to be so darn polite and knock on the door at 715am, even though we've told them to just come on in and do their thang. But nooo they would rather knock. Which doesn't sound bad but hey i'm sleeping you don't have to knock! Oh and don't get me started on cooking food. A camper burner isn't as fun as it sounds. 

• I love the fact the my brother order something in the mail but wouldn't tell ANYONE what is inside. My mom and I seriously think it's a ring. My bros gf bday (you like all those acronyms) is on march 31 so um ya I think I'll have a sister-in-law to be soon :) how exciting!

• I'm loving my twitter account. Again NOT! I don't know but recently, I don't really like it. I try and start up a convo with some of my other blog "friends" but it dies down really quickly. Ya so what if I'm new to the blog world, I know you chat all day with others. Okay enough about that. 

• I love that their was a problem at work last night so I texted by boss and called him for help. Did he ever get back to me? Nope. Ask me how impressed I was. Please, ask away. 

I apologize for venting. Ugh. 

Happy Wednesday!  

The Kitchen

I'm sorta embarrassed to post this.

 I shouldn't but I am.

Here's the story:

My parents bought this house in 1985. It's in a hot spot for prime real estate (or so I've been told.) When they (or I should say my dad) bought this house it was the classic east york bungalow (the two bedrooms at the back, kitchen/living room in front and basement.) Then when my brother was 5 and my parents had been married for 10 years I came along. At this time the rents put an addition above the garage.That addition was a bedroom, walk in closet and an office for my parents. My brother and I had the main floor bedrooms. This made the house 2.5 floors.

Along the 26 years my rents have owned the house, we've had Reno's done. First was the addition. Then in 2006 the basement was re-done. I wish I had pictures of the basement but sadly I don't. It was the ugly basement with the dark wood side paneling. It was scary! We finally got it gutted. It's now this open, bright, doesn't-feel-like-a-basement-anymore room.

Wanna know what's next? The kitchen. Ugh the kitchen no-one likes. Its the classic 1970/east york kitchen. It fits two people comfortably. (Ya you heard me)

So after years months of my mom begging asking my dad for a new kitchen, he finally let in.

Here are the before shots of the ugly kitchen.

The 1970's stove.

This right here: is ALL the counter space we've gotten to work with.



Fridge.

Yikes. The floor. Thank goodness it's gone too.

Well that wasn't as heard as I thought it was gonna be. I dislike the kitchen. I always apologize to guests when they come over. I shouldn't. They really don't care. But I do.

My mom just texted me asking for me to take pictures of the "during" reno's. So I'm off to do that.

On a side note: I feel like I'm coming across as a snobby witchy girl. I'm not. I'm sorry if I do. It's just my kitchen is old and who doesn't like getting new things for their house?

happy monday!

My week in the US of A

This past wednesday to friday my parents and I took a short road trip to buffalo for some must needed shopping! The border is only 2 hours away from home so it's not that far. I was dying to shop in my favourite amercian store, target! I'm beyond happy that starting in 2014 target will be in Canada! I'm totally counting down the days. Only what...1005 days!?

Every time I'm in target I always love finding these two ilses. I seriously love the ilse with the little mini toiletries, it's like getting samples...but for a dollar. 

And the candle ilse is AWESOME!



I got these four. L to R: Sweet Pea, Pear, Beach towel, and Fruit Punch.



Thursday night I convinced the rents to go to the Cheesecake Factory. After waiting for 45 minutes. For dessert we of course had some cheese cake. We agreed not to each get our own. Hello! Have you seen how big they are! We all picked our favourite and would pick from a hat. My mom picked the chocolate carmel, and my dad and I chose the red velvet!

And the winner was....

...Red Velvet! It was good. A little rich and too much icing but perfect to share.

Since we were away on St.Patty's day, everything was green, including this bagel.



I had to take a picture of what I bought too. 

• A blue skirt from Kohl's
• Running outfit from Nike
• Flowery sleeping shorts from gap
• A shirt from Kohl's
• A project...writing on the wall thing
• Candles
• Vitamin water!

It was such a nice trip! I'm glad my dad is sweet enough is drive my mom and I just so he can sit outside the stores and read. Love you daddy!

I miss you already Target and Kohl's.

Saturday Morning Scene



Today I'm doing Saturday Morning Scene with Katie from Loves of Life.

My Saturday Morning was spent cleaning my room. I know, fun eh!

As you can tell it was a MESS! I was going to sleep last night (yes, you caught me...this photo is from yesterday) and noticed how gross and ugly it made my room. Right then and there I said that I would clean it.

Look! Theres a desk under all that crap! Lots went into the garbage/is being donated! Win-win all around!

Have a great day :)

New blog

Okay I promise this is the last time I change the name of my bloggy!

See for a few weeks I haven't been feeling the way I used to about my blog (i.e name/background.)
I thought I could change it up a bit but it never did work the way I wanted it too.

So last night I emailed Katie from Loves of Life. She has been re doing blogs for a while now and I've always loved her work. She did the whole thing for $35! And I must add worked with me through email. It was my own input and ideas and she just designed it! If your thinking of re doing your blog then go to her now! Go the link here!

Thank you Katie! :)

So ya the name change. Life is what you make it. I like it. Its me. Whatever I make of my life is mine! I try and live my life for myself..and God but other people don't really influence me anymore. I'm not going into any more about how I used to live my life for others, change for them, try to be someone I really wasn't.
Whao okay enough about that.

HAPPY SATURDAY!

p.s did I mention my blog is PURPLE my fav colour? LOVE IT!

Friday Ramblings

Warning: This post is full of ramblings, nothing really important. Consider yourself warned.

Ohhh the weather outside is...frightful. We got snow, not a lot, on mondayish and now it's rainy and cold. I swear this time last year I was wearing a sweater and sunglasses. I'm so over winter. Ready for spring and flip flops and sunny weather. Oh man I can't wait.
~
I probably won't be able to blog this weekend or even monday/tuesday. I'm doing driving school from 9-2:30 sat-Tuesday. I don't know anybody else that is doing it those days, will ya included me in your prayers? I know I'll make friends but its always nice to know someone.
~
I'm so proud of myself this week. I'm trying to lose weight (with weight watchers.) Sunday I said that I would exercise EVERYDAY this week. Along with tracking.
Monday: 1500m lane swim
Tuesday: 1 1/2 hours at gym, doing cardio
Wednesday: 1500m swim again
Thursday: 2 hours at gym, burned 600 calories!
Today: 1500m swim again.
But...when I weighed in today, only lost .2!!!!! Its in the right direction but I seriously thought it would be more!
~
I'm thinking about dedicating one day a week on the blog for my weight loss? Thoughts? It might give me an extra push to go longer on the treadmill. Or maybe an excuse to blog!
~
Talking about blogging. I think I might get in touch with a fellow blogger who does awesome blog designs. When I "view" my blog it doesn't really do anything for me. It's just "meh" but I wanted "wow".
Anyways just a thought.

~
Pray for Japan please! and BC, Hawaii, New Zealand etc.
Natural disasters suck!

That is all.
Enjoy your weekend :)
Hope your having better weather than us.

Wee bit of me Wednesday

Thanks for Leigh Ashley for once again making a fun q&a!



{one} what color is your kitchen?

yellow...for now, renvos start mid april (don't worry I'll blog about it)

{two} do you have a good luck charm?

haha I used to have this cute pair of undies for victorias secret but their MIA

{three} do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil?

Pen. pencil is for math (which I don't do)

{four} can you use chopsticks?

nope

 

{five} do you prefer baths or showers?I don't like just sitting there.. awks fo me, so to answer the question: Showers{six} what is your favorite salad dressing?

my fav is just vinegar...don't judge..it's good

 

{seven} can you sing the alphabet backwards?

haha that would be a no

 

{eight} do you have any allergies?

NOPE! *knocks on wood*

 

{nine} crunchy or creamy peanut butter?creamy.

{ten} have you ever hitch hiked?

never have had too...lets keep it that way!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY FRIENDS!

Kids say the darnest things

Lately my kids that I teach have been saying the darnest things while in mid lesson!
It catches me off guard, and I give a big laugh or try to hold it in because I shouldn't be laughing at that at work.

On Thursdays I teach a semi private class (2 kids, more expensive) and the little girl's parents just had a baby boy. The mom always took the girl to swim class but since she had the baby it's now dads turn. I asked the girl if she could tell her mommy and daddy to bring the baby to class to I can see it.

So the next week the little girl shows up with daddy without the baby! She explained to me that "baby N is breastfeeding, so he can't come out." UHH mkay. I really didn't know what to say to that?!
~
Then last night I saw teaching my ultra 3 class which only has two boys in it. It was report card night so I ended class 5 minutes early so talk to each student and their parents. I tell the smallest boy to grab his towel to keep warm, he replies "my mom is at home right now" okay thanks for letting me know?!

That is when the classicist smile and nod comes in.
I love my job and the funny things the kids say to me make my night.
~
I liked doing this. Maybe I'll keep it up :)
~
Also, sorry about the lack of pictures, my camera is in the shop being fixed :( I miss it terribly. I have to much to show you guys! if anyone reads this.

Have a wonderful day friends!

Letters

I didn't know what to blog about today. It was legit eating me alive! But then a fellow blogger Katie over at Loves of Life blogged today and gave me a good idea. (Katie, if you're reading this, I hope you don't mind I kinda used took your idea, don't hurt me!)

~
Dear CPR course,
It wasn't the course pre-say, but the building that made me cranky. Yes, it was a pain having to drive 20 minutes away early Sunday morning (while I could be sleeping in and going to church) just to re-new my CPR in order to keep working but that's NOT why I'm upset. You see lovely community center, when there is a course being held in the building, it's always nice to leave signs up pointing your costumers in the right direction. (Since the ONE and only staff was busy be hide the front desk registering people for courses. Hence unable to help me.) This made me have walk around your building (that I've never been to before) for 10 minutes before I finally asked a lady with "lifeguard" written on the back of her sweater where the course was. Turns out she was my teacher.
Just a few signs, that's all I'm asking.

Love,
Someone who doesn't find it nice to have find my own way around.

~
Dear a close relative,
I didn't mind waking up at 730 am today so that you could drop your kids off so I could walk them to school at 845am. I really didn't. I love spending time with the "rugrats". But when the clock has pasted 8 am and the "rugrats" are still not in sight, that's when my blood starts boiling. Oh but then a text comes through. Apparently you don't have to work. That's fine, I know what type of job you do. But it just gets me upset. I mean every time you ask me to watch them before school it NEVER happens.
I love you "close relative", I do. But you are crazy sometimes.

Love,
Your favourite Niece babysitter.

~
Dear Sunday night TV guide,
You don't know how happy I was on Saturday morning when I looked up my shows for the week to see if they were new. And lo' and behold, desperate housewives AND the amazing race were new!
How good it felt to relax after a long day and watch two of my fav shows.
Thank you,

Love,
A girl who needed her TV last night.
~


Thanks for letting me vent!

HAPPY MONDAY
if mondays are ever happy...

Little things get to me.

I apologize for the lack of posting. I have no excuse really, other than just working and being lazy. I'm human okay don't judge!

A few months a go my two *grade 13* friends were talking about little things make us happy. My friend T remembered this book that O got him last year. Its called The book of AWESOME. Inside is 1000 awesome things that are well awesome. It ranges from finding money in pockets to hitting all the green lights to the first shower you take after not showering for a long time. (I like that one)  I went home that night and googled it and for the next weeks managed to read 400 out of 1000 awesome things. I read about two or three a few times a week, but it slowed down.

Then last week I was at chapters and bought the actual book! I've read a few 100's so I haven't completed the 1000..yet..I plan too soon! Future goal?!

So last night while I was reading a few before hitting the sack  and I thought "why not share my top few so far?"
So here are my few (so far) that I love and totally happen to me.
In no particular order...

• The other side of the pillow. Some sleepers have things that they do when they can't sleep, like watch TV or read till they are tired again. Me? When I can't sleep, I flip my pillow over to the other side. It's colder which for some reason helps me sleep. Cold side you are AWESOME!

• The moment at a concert after the lights go out and before the band comes onstage.I have to change this one a bit. Instead of concert change it to play, change band to actors. You see I love seeing plays. Love Love Love them! And before the actors come on and the audience's convos start to quiet down, that's my favourite time! AWESOME!

• Taking your bra off after wearing it for hours. Hahaha yes! I love this one. Come on ladies you have to admit their have been times when taking off that bra after a long day at work feels AWESOME!

• Scraping all the lint off an overflowing lint trap. Since I can remember whenever my mom asked me to run downstairs and drop something in the laundry machine I've loved doing this! I have no clue why. AWESOME!

• That friendly nod between strangers out doing the same thing. When I'm out running I totally do this! It's like "hey we're both doing the same thing, let's be friends for a second." AWESOME!

I seriously love this book! I totally recommend it, it's great book just before bed time. Buy it, go now! Or you can go here and read the top 1000 online.

What are your favourite awesome things, don't be shy!
Have a wonderful weekend friends.

Oh happy day!

Today is an AWESOME day!
First I find out that my daddy reads my blog (yay for dads)
I finally went to lane swim at my work. Swan for about 40mins which felt good!
Then I find out that my play IS MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ROUND!
We got "best play" award. I'm on cloud nine.
I come home from swimming and my BFF Karen told me that she has a job interview for a nanny  positionSunday! Karen's in school right now and would like love a 4 month nanny job for the summer. God is good. Pray that it goes well!
And best of all.
I have a follower!
shout out: hi Lyr!

Ahh such a good day. and now shopping time!

So happy!

I'm on cloud nine.

This is such good news!

Someone reads my blog.!!!

I knew people did from looking at my stats but yesterday I found out that someone I know reads it.

MY DAD! (hey dad!)

I was watching tv last night when my dad came up from downstairs and that he was just reading my blog.

me: um what!?

dad: ya I just found it

me:how? did you google me or something?

dad: can't remember what else is new

So dad if your reading this welcome! enjoy. tell me what you think!

And for those readers wanna de-lurk yourself? Its kinda creepy but nice. Kay thanks.

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

My new life

Y'all know that I'm off school till Septembers 2011 (side note: got into Brock this morning for child and youth studies.) Now comes the tough annoying part of choosing where to go. Live away from home or stay? Home cooked meals or KD or 4 years? Be in debt or have money to spend? I think I know what I'll choose.

I've been off school of a month now. I thought it would be difficult to settle into a new "normal" but it hasn't.

I thought that I wouldn't know what to do with all my spare time (hence the blog) but I've found lots to do!

My days aren't the same. While I was in school this was my life:

7:30-wake up (unless I had swimming then it 630am)

7:30-845am-get ready for school

9am-11:40-school

11:40-12:40-Lunch

12:40-3:15-school

3:15-4pm-travel home/get ready for work/facebook time etc.

4:30-930pm-work

930-11pm-TV time/make lunch/

11pm-bed time.

That was my life during the week days. Weekends were chores/homework/hang with friends/church etc.

Now my days are 100% different, and I love it!

I work Monday/Tuesday/Thursdays. And I take a lot of replacements shifts during the weekends and day time hours.

If I work my days are like this.

730-wake up

8:30am-leave house for work

9am-arrive at work

3:30pm-end work

I might have to run over to my other pool if its m/tu/thur.

If I don't work my day is like this.

Wake up anytime (so nice)

Have breakfast

Read paper

Check fb/blogs

Exercise

Watch TV from night before that I missed while working

Have shower

Watch TV

Make dinner

Go to work

TV

Bed around 12am.                                                                              

Yup that's my new life. I hope to be volunteering in the next week or two at my former elementary school once or twice a week.

I love not having school work to do. Yes I know I will have tons in uni but come on let me enjoy my time off! I deserve it :)

~My aunt Kay is doing better. Second surgrey went well. Keep praying.~

~No word on my play~ yet...

~Not me in those pictures thank you google.~

HAPPY TUESDAY! AND FIRST DAY OF MARCH!