Spring Banquet

Each year at Heritage the faculty, board members and students celebrate the end of the year with a spring banquet. Tonight I was honoured to attend with Krystle. This is her last year here, in fact we're down to the last few days. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that we were moving her into dorm and now here it is already four years later, and her time here is over.

Sorry I got off track a little, back to the banquet.

Krys and I decided that we were dressing formal and going 'all out' for the banquet. I wore my black suede floor length dress with hot pink satin shoes and she was all decked out with a red & black dress, accessorizing with purple shoes and a purple pashmina. beautiful, just beautiful Supper was catered and we were served garden salad, mixed veggie platter with tzatziki dip, roasted red potatoes, mixed grilled beans, spicy sausage & penne baked pasta, chicken parmigiana, coleslaw, and crusty rolls. Dessert was a platter of freshly baked treats. ooh so good! After dinner and following a few of the professors speeches, awards were given out with Krystle receiving the Human Services Award. yay! What a wonderful evening and way to end the year!

Blessings

Wing nite!

Wayne & I had, for a while been fairly regular with going out for wings. Unfortunately, we got caught up with the busyness of life and had not gone in quite a while. Since Thursday night is 39¢ wings at The Docks in Bayfield, we decided it would be good for us to go. First off let me say their wings are scrumptious and you really can't beat the price. But it's more than that, it's an opportunity for Wayne & I to spend time together catching up with each other. We both live such busy lives but I'm hoping that even with the busy season ahead of us we can set aside Thursdays and block out that time for each other.

Blessings

Greatest Gift

Last night I drove past my old high school - Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School. It brought so many memories to mind of my time there. Some good, some not so good. I had a tough time at school, falling in with the wrong crowd and not graduating until many years later. (but that's for a different post) Garth Brooks sings the song "Unanswered Prayers"
Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend praying that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talking to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doing after all

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talking to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
You see, I too prayed for many different things throughout my high school years. During that time it seemed as though my prayers were unanswered. After all I had plans, I knew what I wanted or at least thought I did. I doubt during that time in my life I would have been able to agree with Garth's line: some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

However, looking back I realized that it was a good thing those prayers weren't answered in the way I thought they should be or I wouldn't be where I am today. I likely wouldn't be married to Wayne and then I couldn't have been blessed with Krystle, Kyle & Darcy ~ I wouldn't want to imagine my life with out them. Life would have turned out totally different. It's not about the plans that I have for my life, but HIS plans ~ as it says in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I believe that God answers all prayers. Sometimes though... the answer is no. And yes, it can be one of HIS greatest gifts!

Blessings

Irony

When our family was young, Saturday morning was the only day I could sleep in. The kids however, didn't. They would be up bright and early, ready to play, watch Saturday morning cartoons or head out to the barn to see what daddy was doing. (we were dairy farmers during that time) Throughout the school week though I would need to wake those same kids so there would be time for breakfast before catching that early bus ride to school.

Now however, the kids (as we still like to call them) sleep in on Saturday mornings and I unfortunately cannot. Even though I am not typically a morning-person I find that I continue to wake up the same time each day. ugh! how I wish for those days when I could sleep in!

Blessings

Left or Right

Clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Is the dancer in the picture spinning clockwise or counter clockwise? As it turns out, those that see the dancer spin counter clockwise are typically “left-brained” while those that see the dancer spin clockwise are typically “right-brained”.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS: uses logic, detail oriented, facts rule, words and language, present and past, math and science, can comprehend, knowing, acknowledges, order/pattern perception, knows object name, reality based, forms strategies, practical, safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS: uses feeling, "big picture" oriented, imagination rules, symbols and images, present and future, philosophy & religion, can "get it" (i.e. meaning), believes, appreciates, spatial perception, knows object function, fantasy based, presents possibilities, impetuous, risk taking

If you see her spinning around clockwise, you’re a (more) creative person. Everyone else seeing her spinning counter-clockwise is more logic oriented. When I first looked at the picture, she was turning counter-clockwise and after a few seconds, she turned around and spinned clockwise. But after focusing on her shadow, she started spinning counter-clockwise again. Freaky… Is the image manipulated?

No, it isn’t. This is an optical illusion which doesn’t necessary say anything about how you think. But it points in a similiar direction. For your brain halfs to be well balanced, you should be able to see it turning in both directions. Still, this is an very interessting experiment to test yourself.

If you try to focus really hard, you can see the dancer spin the other way. When I saw the direction change I was so sure the image itself was changing. I continued to stare at this picture for about another 10 minutes until I could “change” the dancer’s spin at will — believe me, the image does not “switch” at all. Try this video:
Did the test work for you? Can you change the dancer’s spin at will?

Blessings

College Kid #2

Well it's official, Kyle has applied and has been accepted to Georgian College in Orillia. This is somewhat of a shock as I don't think he was originally planning to go back to school. But after getting laid-off from work he decided to take life in a different direction. His plan is to take Police Foundations, this is a two year course. He's also applied to live in residence while he completes his schooling. I'm so excited for him. In the fall, Wayne & I will be sending off both of our boys to school and with Krystle getting married this June that leaves a somewhat of an empty nest at home. I'm not sure if I am ready for this next season in our lives, it'll definitely take some getting used to.

Blessings

Little Miss Chatterbox

In the previous post I mentioned about living with all men. Krystle must have taken pity on me and invited me to spend another night in dorm with her. Spending time with her bolsters my spirit. I thought I had my "last" sleep-over at college see this post.

That reminds me again that we should be encouraged to savor not only our children's "firsts" - like first steps and first words - but the "lasts" as well. To not miss the last day of kindergarten, last at bats in Little League, the last sleep-over at college dorm. ^.^ But to celebrate each milestone. Amidst the whirlwind of life, we should try our best to remember the "lasts"; unfortunately we never quite know when the "last" will be.

Krystle & I spent time in the Library so she could finish her paper and I wrote in my journal. We did a Starbucks run, chatted, grabbed some groceries, chatted, made supper, chatted, watched a movie... and did I mention we chatted? gosh that girl can talk But I wouldn't have it any other way..... I love you Krystle!

Blessings

Living with MEN

I have been blessed with 2 boys, who now are 21 & 19. Adding their dad to the equation gives me three men that I live with. Now, there are some definite perks to living with men. They don't use the bathroom as long as girls. They don't care what is served for dinner, only that dinner is served. The house could be as messy as possible and they are not concerned with it. There is always enough muscle in the house to open any jar. Since all my guys are taller than I am, it's nice to have them grab that hard to reach item on the top shelf.

However, there are times I must admit I do not enjoy that I live with all men. Like that fact that the toilet seat is almost always up. To guys this is no big deal, but to us, women, it's huge. After all if you've ever fallen in the toilet once, that is one time to many, despite what boys might think. Or that burping with words can be used to contribute to dinnertime conversation.

With Krystle finishing school at the end of this month, I'm trying my best to convince her to move back home so I can have a short reprieve from living with just men. Don't get me wrong, I love my men, each one of them, but sometimes, just sometimes I need girl time.

Blessings

Stateside

Wayne & I had a little spring get-a-way to the states this past weekend. We toured over to Port Huron Michigan, did a little shopping, enjoyed dinner out and had a luxurious sleep over at a Quality inn.

It was wonderful to spend time together, going for walks, sitting in the hot tub and just relaxing in the room. Before heading for home we stopped at Cracker Barrel because, no trip to the states would be complete without stopping there. The old country retail store carries mainly nostalgic merchandise, collectibles, old time toys, classic candies, scented candles, and several unique gifts. I love spending time in these types of shops, and Wayne didn't even mind. It's probably because he knew we were on our way to lunch. Their Buttermilk Chicken Dinner is possibly the most scrumptious thing I have ever eaten.

Blessings

Cravings

Since the Doctor has eliminated dairy, eggs, nuts, sugar, MSG, & corn from my diet, I sometimes get bizarre cravings. Like this: Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. ooh doesn't that look good

Blessings

Home Alone

Macaulay Culkin starred in the 1990 movie Home Alone. In the movie 'Kevin' wishes his family away and wakes the next morning to find them gone. Quite happily he runs around the house, jumps on the bed, eats all the junk food his tummy can handle, and watches movies his mother would disapprove of. At the same time two intruders, plan to break into the (almost) vacant home. Kevin musters up a plan not only to stop the burglars but also to punish them through different booby traps set around his house, which include flying paint cans, a BB gun, and a doorknob heated with an electric charcoal lighter.

At the end of the movie he realizes how much he has missed his family and wishes them back - giving us the happily ever after ending with the family arriving home, bright and early on Christmas morn.

OK, so you're probably wondering what's the connection from the movie to what I am writing about. Well I am home alone, and before you ask - no I did not run around the house, no I did not jump on the bed, eat all the junk food my tummy can handle, nor watch any movie my mother would disapprove of. ^.^

With Wayne & Kyle gone to volleyball and Darcy at work, I appreciated my quiet house. Having Sasha curled up beside me, I sat in the over-sized chair near the fireplace reading a book and savoured a glass of white wine. ahhh how I relish these moments!

Blog Block

ugh! I've been struggling the past few days with what to write. It's not that nothing has been going on, quite the opposite. This weekend has been busy. In fact when I stop to think about it, alot has happened since I last wrote. But nothing it seems is blog worthy. I envy fellow blogger friends who seem to have a never-ending supply of topics to tantalize, taunt and tease their readers. You know who you are! I have what seems to be a writer's block of some sort.

According to Wikipedia ~ Writer's block is a condition, associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task in hand. At the other extreme, some "blocked" writers have been unable to work for years on end, and some have even abandoned their careers. It's amazing that I'm actually facing one, despite the fact that I am not even a real writer.

Top 3 reason why I have blogger's block:
1. I am a perfectionist. I operate under the belief that in order for me to post anything on my blog, it should be a coherent & meaningful.
2. I am a “slow-cooker” writer which means that I need ideas to simmer for awhile. I need a lot of time to process my thoughts before I'm ready to share them.
3. While many bloggers are quite content to be spontaneous, impulsive, and informal, I have this crazy notion that I should strive to take blogging to a higher level.

So until then.....

Blessings