Quick Update

Hey all...

We are in Ontario right now for Tyler's brother's wedding (Stacey).. He is getting married to the lovely Karen Lawrance (from Guelph)... I am just about to go start to get ready... side note: The guys involved in the wedding are out golfing. Golfing. I am so jealous of the boys who take 30 seconds to get ready for anything. ha. Anywho, I will post pics later and be sure to give a wedding update soon...

I can't wait to gain Karen as a sister-in-law.. she is a wonderful, kind, amazing, funny and sweet gal... Stace is a lucky man! Hope you all have a super Labour Day Long Weekend... YEEEEEE... love weddings! Ok, I'm out!

xo

J

My Queasy-Inspired Top 10 List

Thanks for the cool idea, Zoe!

Here is my "Top 10 Excitedness List"

1. I am leaving in less than 2 weeks for Guelph, ON for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law-to-be's wedding!! I am so so so excited! (Mostly excited cuz of the SWEET $8 shoes I got on sale at Winner's to complete my wedding outfit! ha! JK, JK)

2. Our closet project for our new room downstairs! It's 1/2 done!

3. For the White Chocolate Chip and Cherry Cookies I'm going to bake this evening.

4. For an upcoming young couples potluck I'm wanting to plan for Sept., but haven't quite worked out the details.

5. So SO SO excited gospel meetings have started in our field!

6. Haven't got Brake Family Wedding #1 over with yet, but in the back of my mind I am super excited for Brake Family Wedding #2 in October! Yay Candace and Colin!

7. I am estatic that the flowers Tyler surpised me with 2 weeks ago are still fresh as ever!

8. You have no idea how excited I am for fall.... fave season!

9. For Q&Z to get their super-teeny mid-renos present from me!

10. Gotta admit, gettin' a little excited for the twenty-ten Olympics in Van-City... GO CANADA!

Wow, that was lots harder than I thought! But totally fun! :o) Thanks for the good idea Zoe! K, now everyone else go make one too!!

xo Jessica

A Full House!

I looooooovve summer!!!!  You just never know how full your house might actually get in the course of a weekend, and as far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier!

As most of you know, my cousin Dayle Baker has been boarding with us for the summer.  It has been AWESOME having her here, even though she has been south of RD for most of the time.. hee hee... just teasting, D!  On Wednesday, Dana, Dayle's brother, arrived and he is one hilarious boy!  We have been laughing NON-STOP since he arrived and he keeps the conversation at the supper table very entertaining!   And, last but not least, Edith Bennett, came in on the Greyhound last night.  Edith is an old family friend from Halifax and it has been a blast having her here... too bad her stay is so short!

We had a hilarious episode last night picking up Edith... well, in hindsight it was funny! :o)  We borrowed a friends 1972 Dodge truck to pick her up; making it there was fine, although we were nervous at how long it took to start it... :O  However, LEAVING the bus station was a different story!  Just before Edith's bus arrived, 2 young guys approached us to give them a boost... well, that was the first disaster! ha!  The guys assured us they had all the tools, booster cables and the know-how to get the job done.  So, Dayle went to start the truck and.... put the key in upside down!  Well, we didn't know any different!!  To make a long story short, The Husband had to come us and a good 1/2 hour later we were on our way!  We did not have kind words for '72 Dodge on the way home.. ha! :D

Anywho, we are all having a great weekend so far... I love love love having a full house... it's what makes a house a home: being able to entertain, have over good friends to have good conversation and enjoy each other's company!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!  What are your plans??

Cheerio!

Jess

Change, Change, Change...

So.... I got a call yesterday that has prompted me to think a little about change... 

These past few weeks, I have been handing out resumes a lot...  I am currently working part-time as a housekeeper...  I never thought I would like that kind of work, but when I saw the ad in the paper for this position, it sounded really neat/different.  And it is.  I really love working for the Will Family and I'm mostly in the kitchen whipping up some way-cool recipes...  And I help out in laundry, running personal errands as well basic clean-up.  The ladies I work with are awesome as well, but lately I've been becoming... well, a bit bored... and unchallenged.... so, hence, the resume-handing out began...

Now, I'm not knocking housekeepers or cleaning ladies/men or any such thing... I commend the people who can keep at that kind of work, because I don't think I have the tenacity for it... I thrive on a bit of change, working with the public, etc...

And that's where the phone call comes in... yesterday, a potential employer called and I was really excited (still am!) and I just kind of let my mind run away with change...  (I tend to want to change all aspects of my life when once one thing changes).  So, last night while laying in bed trying to get to sleep, my mind was in over-drive with all the changes I want to make... so, here's my list...

Things I'm Excited To Change:

1.  Employment Situation (obviously)

2.  My Backyard (might have to be a next summer project)

3.  Our Eating Schedule (more eating in, less eating out!)

 

Now, this next one is a tricky subject... and I'm not sure how comfortable I am blogging about this, but while I'm being honest I might as well include it...

4.  Getting in Shape/Exercising more

There.  I said it.  

Now, I have read tons of weight-loss blogs and people's emotional journeys throughout their experience... and I just love how raw and honest they can be about it... but on the other hand... to me, it just seems a little showy..???  No?  Do you agree or disagree?  

Maybe it's not a "showy" thing for some people, especially those that have are coping with a serious disease and battling weight-loss or where their weight is seriously compromising their health... but for me, it's just a little personal goal I want to work on without going into all the gritty details.. does that make sense? 

But I will say this!  I know I feel 100% better when I am exercising and taking care of myself.. I think we can all say that for ourselves, really... So, I just want to get back into being more active and having more energy...  What about you guys?  Where do you weigh in (pun not intended!! ha!) on weight-loss blogs, exercising and all that goes with it??  I'm curious, so do tell!!

Hope you are all having a happy Friday... yay for the weekend!

'Til next time!

J

PS.  My Change List does not include spiritual things and after our wonderful convention, THAT list is really long... :D But a little more personal... Just wanted to mention that... :D

 

Pictures!!!

These pictures were taken on my cousins Mac PhotoBooth... so fun!  The dogs hardly wanted to stay still for the pictures, but it was entertaining anyway!

Yes, Charlie has a broken leg... he does so well with it and has a sunny disposition all the time... it comes off Wednesday!  

Enjoy!

Jessica

Life with 2 Dogs: Part Three

The days are getting less and less interesting and more and more normal in the "Life with 2 Dogs" saga... hmmm.. not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing... 

The Good: 

My house is a somewhat orderly fashion and they play nicely (although they need to burn off a little energy every now and then with multiple laps around the house).. plus!  I get twice the puppy kisses, twice the puppy cuddles, twice the puppy affection and I am just SOAKING it in!

The Bad:  

I might not give C&C their dog back. :o(  Sorry guys, I just love him, too much!!!!!  That, or I might turn my puppy-eyes on for The Husband and beg for another dog...........  although, the thought of another dog and all that goes with it does make me wimper a little, I think the benefits outweigh the work... :o)  I will definitely keep you posted on that saga... :D

Right now, they are napping, so I'm taking this quiet moment to update...  As fun as it has been with Charlie and Bronze, it's a little bit time-consuming looking after two dogs... everything else in my life has been on hold for a while (you should see my laundry pile! gak!!  it's also why I haven't taken any pictures of them... yet...) but that's ok... The Husband has been amazing in helping and by Sunday night, Charlie will be gone... *sniff*

Anywho, pictures will come tonight!  I am so excited to post them!  Check back later!

Not sure what the weather is like where you are, but it's gorgeous here today... plus CentreFest is on, Red Deer's annual street performer's festival, so I may go check that out this evening!  It's usually barrels of fun and the sugared mini-donuts are worth the 1,000,000 calories!!  

Until next time!

xo 

J

Life with 2 Dogs: Part Two

Plus 29 in RD today.

The heat waves rolled off the pavement in this prairie town and I thought to myself:

Ahhh. Summer.  :o) 

However, 2 dogs in the heat (not IN heat, but in THE heat... thank goodness) is not good!  My poor little puppies panted their way through the day while Momma Jess kept the water dishes full, the fans on blast and constant trips to the basement and outside in the shade.

Today was a MUCH better day. Much!  I actually want another dog now! ha!  Charlie did all his "business" outside, they played sooo nice, cuddled for 10 seconds (it was all they could handle) and we just had a jim-dandy day!

Colin and Dayle and Tyler and I are planning an after-sunset trip to Coronation Park in downtown Red Deer... just going to take some blankets, chill under the stars and drink in this summer night.  Might be minus the dogs though. *sheepish grin* 

 

Anyway, it was an uneventful day... just a typical summer day... even finished off supper with an orange creamsicle... now if THAT doesn't take ya back to summer as a kid, I don't what does... :o)

Bronze is resting in her kennel with the fan on bust and Charlie is camping out in a shaded corner of the living gnawing on a bone... Life is good. 

Until next time

xo 

J

Life with 2 Dogs: Part One

Soooooooo.... Tyler and I are officially, um, caring and loving for TWO dogs right now... and it's a wee bit stressful... however, we are powering through! We have our own dog, Bronze, the crazy and exuberant, but loving bulldog and my brother-in-law-to-be and current sister-in-law's dog, Charlie. He is a 16-week old black lab with a sensitive heart, kind eyes and the best cuddles in the world. (Candace and Colin are at Alesbury (spelling on that one??) convention with Colin's parents and family).

They are the best of friends. It takes dogs like 2 seconds to bond; I just love it! It's very inspiring for this ol' human being to be a little softer, little more tenderhearted and to show more love to every soul that crosses my path... like dogs do... :o)

HOWEVER! (hah! you KNEW that was coming!)

Charlie is in the midst of being potty-trained. *weep*

Bronze is fully trained and I forget how I trained her now. *sob*

What do I do?!!?!? *WAIL*

And Charlie, by golly, is a sensitve soul, I tell ya. If he were a human, he'd be a tourtued artist, I bet. Today, I dropped my hot rollers on the floor whilst getting ready for meeting... he was in the bathroom @ my feet (he's my shadow, every second of every day) and I discovered the true meaning of "scamper". And scamper he did. He hardly looked at me after that and those deep brown eyes seemed to beg, "why would you attack me with small cylinder rolls of felt and the container they sit in???" I'm sooo sorry, puppy.

The reason I tell you this story is because it is VERY hard to discipline him when he does his "business" inside the house... ugh. Number one, he's not our dog (it's like correcting other people's children!!) and number two, he looks like he lost the gold medal round of the Puppy Olympics in puppy hurdles... the dejection! Oh, I can't bear the look in his eyes. But I will keep plugging on and doing my darndest to continue the efforts of C&C in the Potty-Training Division: Mission Charlie. Wish me luck! :o)

Anyway, I should dash off to bed. Both dogs are sleeping now. *fist pump*

Sweet dreams, everyone. More on the saga this week.

xo

J

Life in the "Just the Right Speed" Lane

Just been feeling really content lately... :o) peace is a wonderful thing.. so many privileges, so many reasons to be thankful.... 

Sooo... my organization project is coming along just dandy!  I don't have pictures to share tonight, but I will post some ASAP... everything looks just wonderfullll... in my head, music plays when I open my spice drawer... haha... ahem, I'm totally kidding *eyes darting back and forth* 

So, today was such a delightful day... my lovely friend Wendy came over for the AM to help me do a big deep houseclean and then I spent the afternoon at her place doing the same... Cleaning is so much more funner with a friend... the chats, the laughs, the things we got crossed off our list!   It was amazing what we got accomplished!  Thanks again Wendy!  You're the best!  

Oh yeah!  I wanted to share this recipe with you guys!  I made it for lunch today and served it with fresh sliced cucumber and iced tea... perfect summer lunch!  It's called "Pizza Pasta Salad"

3 cups of penne pasta, cooked, drained and cooled

4 ripe tomatoes

75 g of salami

1/2 cup sliced fresh basil

1/2 cup of Kraft parmesan cheese

1/2 cup Roasted Red Pepper and Parm salad dressing (the Kraft kind)

Toss all ingredients in large bowl and refridgerate 1 hour.

YUMMY!

I am looking forward to the Wednesday night meeting at Didsbury tomorrow... Maybe we'll see some of you there??  Hoping so!

Well I am beyond tired, so here is sleepy g'nite and a wish for pleasant dreams!  

xo 

J 

My trip to Ikea: Just me, the QE2, and some major inspiration

Good afternoon! :o) Ah, and what a good afternoon it is... the air is muggy (hello, summer!), fans are roaring all through the house, my dog is chewing on a bone and I am about the tackle the coolest organization mission ever!!

My trip to Ikea was fab... just me, myself and I and I loved every minute of it.. don't get me wrong, I like going with a friend or 4 usually, but today I just soaked up the solitude. Took my time, stopped at every display "home", felt the textiles and dreamt about new bath towels... It was loverly, truly was...

So, I got everything I needed to make my pantry a pantry and I am about to get started on the washing of the containers, labelling of the spice jars and disposing of the bulky cardboard boxes that everything seems to come in these days.... But I did want to upload these pics of my pantry, mid-organizing... REALLY wished I would have taken a before pic, but so be it.. :o) These will have to do, I guess... :o)

More to come; just wanted to post an update...
Cheerio,
Jessica

Currently Loving/Obsessed With: Organizing My Kitchen

So, just sitting down here taking a break from organizing, labelling, revamping and overhauling my kitchen!  It all started out rather innocently to clean out the pantry (much-needed)... so before tackling that job I logged onto monkeysee.com (here's my plug for that site!! go there!!) and watched a 2 or 3 part video on organizing and cleaning one's pantry... and now I am HOOKED on doing the whole kitchen!! haha... I know, I am SO lame, but I am having so much fun!  I should really post pics... hmmm.. something more to learn on my blog!  :o)  Help anyone on posting pics and videos??

Anyway, just bought a label maker today (my heart was a-flutter the whole time in the Staples line up as I thought of the million and one places I could use it!!) and tomorrow I am headed to Ikea to stock up some rad food storage units that I saw in the catalouge.. they are so pretty!  No, I will definitely have to post some pics!  :o)   So I can show proof of my ultimate lameness! ha!

 

Anywho, it's 5:30 and Tyler will be home soon, so I should dash... supper to be cooked, drawers to be labelled and food to be stored in uber-cool storage containers!  Yup, this is certainly life as I know it now!  Love it!

 

'Til Next Time!

xo Jessica

My first blog!!!

I am so excited that I'm not sure where to even start or if my excitement will come across as I so desire.... but, nonetheless, here I (we) am (are), blogging away!!!!!!! YEEEEE! Like I said, so excited!

I stumbled upon some blogs of some very close friends of mine and I just love (!!!) reading about their lives, seeing pictures and everything that blogging entails... The blogs that I have come across are very funny, well written, witty, charming and just plain awesome... I'm hoping I can keep up, so you'll have to excuse me as I journey this blogging learning curve! :o)

Today is Sunday... so it's a pretty chill day... I am the only awake right now... Sunday afternoon naps are a staple in this household my 1 1/2 year old bulldog, Bronze and my husband of 5 years, Tyler... But I love the quiet and it gives me a chance to surf the net, guilty-free.... and look what I accomplished in that time!! Setting up a blog! Time DEFINITELY well-wasted!!

Not sure how many updates my hubby will provide... but I will keep grilling him to update every now and then, so we'll see how it goes... As for me... I'm hoping to start with weekly updates... we'll see how that goes... I might be too excited and do daily updates.. haha... just kidding; our life isn't that exciting!

Anywho... this seems long for a first post, so I will sign off and get onto the fun stuff of customizing my blog now! That seems like the most fun part anyway!

Bye for now...