It started on a bus.
6 hours, 3 buses, 25 kids + parents on each, 30 cans of spray paint ( Cadillac Ranch).
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Day 30 - It's all just Math
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Day 29 - Part of the family
If you have every moved away from family you will understand how your friends can become your local family. Living in Wyoming was really a life changing experience for me. We arrived and I was 6 months pregnant with our daughter and a 3 year old, yes many thought we were crazy actually I think many of them still do.We did not know a soul and my husband was not going to actually work in town...how the heck was I going to do this.
I am not going to start from the beginning she will arrive later.
I honestly can not remember the first time I met Connie, she just always seemed to be there ( that is how she rolls ). We as a family actually had the pleasure of being friends with the entire family - invited to university graduation, first days of grand babies in the hospital, camp fires at the farm, Vegas and the craps table, at the bar with Dick, deep fried turkey, youngest 2 babysat our kids, benefit events at the community center, camping, piano my kids learned to play on...oh the list can go on.
She is the center of the family, she is a loyal friend, she works hard plays hard, loves unconditionally, cares for many, philanthropic, and the best Grandma ever ( even my kids benefited), has amazing kids and lives a true love story.
Change in me: True love does exist, hard work does pay off, you can bet on a small white mouse create a ton of excitement and it can be a great fundraiser and family does not always have to be blood.
I am not going to start from the beginning she will arrive later.
I honestly can not remember the first time I met Connie, she just always seemed to be there ( that is how she rolls ). We as a family actually had the pleasure of being friends with the entire family - invited to university graduation, first days of grand babies in the hospital, camp fires at the farm, Vegas and the craps table, at the bar with Dick, deep fried turkey, youngest 2 babysat our kids, benefit events at the community center, camping, piano my kids learned to play on...oh the list can go on.
She is the center of the family, she is a loyal friend, she works hard plays hard, loves unconditionally, cares for many, philanthropic, and the best Grandma ever ( even my kids benefited), has amazing kids and lives a true love story.
Change in me: True love does exist, hard work does pay off, you can bet on a small white mouse create a ton of excitement and it can be a great fundraiser and family does not always have to be blood.
Day 28 - Chicken Marsala
Nope not a recipe but when I think about her I wish I could pop over and deliver her dinner and it would be Chicken Marsala.
When I first met her I was teaching painting classes at the hardware store - yep I was teaching free faux finishing classes, how to pick color, how to create a custom stencil, how to turn a plain white out door plastic table into a piece of art.....oh the list goes on. She did not have the time to learn how to do it so she hired me to, and our friendship began.
I watched how she did business very closely, she was always very involved in the community, always giving her support. For about a year I had a personal chef business and also on Wednesdays offered hump day meals & catering. I had a regular list of customers who would order and on Wednesday they would pick up the order at the bakery. We worked out a deal, I used her commercial kitchen and she sold my meals in trade for making home made soup from what was in the cooler that needed to be used up.
I love how she gave people chances to learn, to grow, to have a second chance at life. Her work ethic is beyond amazing and no matter what she always had a way of seeing the positive. I think one of the reasons I loved going to the bakery so much was because of her passion for life and for people. Cheers my friend for being you and always opening up your kitchen to me.
Change in me: everyone deserves a second chance, work hard for what you love, giving to your community is always a good thing, if a cake flops you can always use icing to cover up the flaw, when you pay it forward it will come back to you even if just in good Karma and it is always a good idea to surround yourself with people who are positive!
When I first met her I was teaching painting classes at the hardware store - yep I was teaching free faux finishing classes, how to pick color, how to create a custom stencil, how to turn a plain white out door plastic table into a piece of art.....oh the list goes on. She did not have the time to learn how to do it so she hired me to, and our friendship began.
I watched how she did business very closely, she was always very involved in the community, always giving her support. For about a year I had a personal chef business and also on Wednesdays offered hump day meals & catering. I had a regular list of customers who would order and on Wednesday they would pick up the order at the bakery. We worked out a deal, I used her commercial kitchen and she sold my meals in trade for making home made soup from what was in the cooler that needed to be used up.
I love how she gave people chances to learn, to grow, to have a second chance at life. Her work ethic is beyond amazing and no matter what she always had a way of seeing the positive. I think one of the reasons I loved going to the bakery so much was because of her passion for life and for people. Cheers my friend for being you and always opening up your kitchen to me.
Change in me: everyone deserves a second chance, work hard for what you love, giving to your community is always a good thing, if a cake flops you can always use icing to cover up the flaw, when you pay it forward it will come back to you even if just in good Karma and it is always a good idea to surround yourself with people who are positive!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day - 27 - My first job
This week my daughter turned 10, I started babysitting when I was 10. Seems crazy now that I look back that I was that young when I started my first job. All of the families lived with in a couple of blocks of our house and my mom was always only a phone call away....or out with the family I was watching the kids of.
Many of the families I babysat for I have connected with on FB even many of the kids I babysat.
My mom was a single parent starting long before my dad actually left ( I was 10) . Many of our neighbors became more like family and I know often helped my mom. Today's note goes to the shortest most full of life friend of my mom - Thank you for giving me my first job :-)
Change in me: independence at a young age is just the beginning, good friends no matter how far away or how much time has passed will always be there, and if you are good at what you do you will always be remembered and asked back. When you pay a babysitter if you pay better than most you can always find a sitter ( thank you for this as I never had a problem when following this rule).
Many of the families I babysat for I have connected with on FB even many of the kids I babysat.
My mom was a single parent starting long before my dad actually left ( I was 10) . Many of our neighbors became more like family and I know often helped my mom. Today's note goes to the shortest most full of life friend of my mom - Thank you for giving me my first job :-)
Change in me: independence at a young age is just the beginning, good friends no matter how far away or how much time has passed will always be there, and if you are good at what you do you will always be remembered and asked back. When you pay a babysitter if you pay better than most you can always find a sitter ( thank you for this as I never had a problem when following this rule).
Everything happens for a reason
Those of you who have spent any amount of time with me know this is how I roll. I am always looking for the silver lining in all that goes on in our life. Any time someone comes into my life no matter how I meet them I am always thankful for the new connection and know I can learn something from them and how we can be present in each others lives.
When I first moved to Texas I was excited about my first corporate launch and getting to meet others locally that I could partner up with and learn from. Because most of my business is done remotely it is always nice to have a connection locally. Well the launch did not go as I had hoped, one of the girls from our team who I had really hoped to connect with well lets just say I didn't get warm fuzzies. Time had past and well I became
I guess worthy, I know you are thinking this doesn't sound like Coralee she is always positive - it is coming the silver lining that is. Later on we partnered up to do a local event in my neck of the woods, wow did I learn ALOT! The silver lining is a person who has turn out to be one of my dearest friends - nope it is not the person who you think but some one who she introduced me to.
So today I send 2 cards - one to my friend and one to the person who introduced us. Hard for me to say but it is okay that everyone we meet does not become a part of our life but they can invertible change our life. The not so good in our life can also change us if we choose to embrace it.
I am excited about our corporate launch coming up as I will get to see many of the people I have connected with not to mention I get to see my dear friend :-)
Change in me: If it feels wrong it probably is, it is okay not to like how some one rolls - but you can also learn from their ways, there is ALWAYS a silver lining you just must keep your eyes open to see it and decide to embrace it. Life is not all beer and skittles but often that not so good is when we learn the most.
When I first moved to Texas I was excited about my first corporate launch and getting to meet others locally that I could partner up with and learn from. Because most of my business is done remotely it is always nice to have a connection locally. Well the launch did not go as I had hoped, one of the girls from our team who I had really hoped to connect with well lets just say I didn't get warm fuzzies. Time had past and well I became
I guess worthy, I know you are thinking this doesn't sound like Coralee she is always positive - it is coming the silver lining that is. Later on we partnered up to do a local event in my neck of the woods, wow did I learn ALOT! The silver lining is a person who has turn out to be one of my dearest friends - nope it is not the person who you think but some one who she introduced me to.
So today I send 2 cards - one to my friend and one to the person who introduced us. Hard for me to say but it is okay that everyone we meet does not become a part of our life but they can invertible change our life. The not so good in our life can also change us if we choose to embrace it.
I am excited about our corporate launch coming up as I will get to see many of the people I have connected with not to mention I get to see my dear friend :-)
Change in me: If it feels wrong it probably is, it is okay not to like how some one rolls - but you can also learn from their ways, there is ALWAYS a silver lining you just must keep your eyes open to see it and decide to embrace it. Life is not all beer and skittles but often that not so good is when we learn the most.
Request for card
As my posts and cards go out I have gotten the most fabulous feedback. The feedback has come in the forms of a card in the mail, a txt on my phone, a post of facebook, comments on my blog and a massage on my machine.
Last week I received a private message on FB from a online friend with her address and a message saying - I love what you are doing and reading about your journey ... I want to pay it forward. Misty and I met through my business although we have not worked together YET she is a customer on mine making her home safe for her beautiful daughter.
Change in me: Some times you just have to ask for what you want. So here goes Misty - how about a second look at a business partnership :-)
If you want to partake in the Power of a Stamp - leave a comment below and I will connect with you to get your mailing address.
Last week I received a private message on FB from a online friend with her address and a message saying - I love what you are doing and reading about your journey ... I want to pay it forward. Misty and I met through my business although we have not worked together YET she is a customer on mine making her home safe for her beautiful daughter.
Change in me: Some times you just have to ask for what you want. So here goes Misty - how about a second look at a business partnership :-)
If you want to partake in the Power of a Stamp - leave a comment below and I will connect with you to get your mailing address.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 24 - lil petite one
So many great connections in Wyoming were made over our short stay of 7 years. In my daughters eyes it was her entire life to that point until we moved. Today is my daughters birthday and the note card went to her BFF in Wyoming.
As I watch my daughter grow and learn and become an amazing young lady, I also like to get to know her friends. There was a tight group of girls in Wyoming but the one in particular is extra special. I remember the day she came home from the hospital and became our newest neighbor...her and her twin brother.
Over the years of sleep overs, birthday parties, school and play dates she became my daughters BFF. I have no doubt in my mind that one day in the future they will again connect in person. Her love of penguins, her smile, her flare for art and music and her wonderful way of just being who she is and not caring what others around her do or think rubbed off not only on my daughter but me too. Many kudos to her mom for raising such an amazing little girl!
Change in me: All those around you can impact our life no matter how old. Always listen your heart it will always steer you in the right direction. No matter what life throws at you celebrate what you have not what you do not.
Has someone inspired you that was young ? Who and why? Would love to hear in the comments.
As I watch my daughter grow and learn and become an amazing young lady, I also like to get to know her friends. There was a tight group of girls in Wyoming but the one in particular is extra special. I remember the day she came home from the hospital and became our newest neighbor...her and her twin brother.
Over the years of sleep overs, birthday parties, school and play dates she became my daughters BFF. I have no doubt in my mind that one day in the future they will again connect in person. Her love of penguins, her smile, her flare for art and music and her wonderful way of just being who she is and not caring what others around her do or think rubbed off not only on my daughter but me too. Many kudos to her mom for raising such an amazing little girl!
Change in me: All those around you can impact our life no matter how old. Always listen your heart it will always steer you in the right direction. No matter what life throws at you celebrate what you have not what you do not.
Has someone inspired you that was young ? Who and why? Would love to hear in the comments.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Day 23 - time for a conference call
Re-connections of all kind happen with facebook. I have been very lucky to find many that I went to elementary & junior high school with.
Always so much fun - memories of "broken glass", "Dunvegan", "Mr. Brown who always wore a brown suit"
Kimmy this week we conference call :-) txting just wont do.
Change in me: No matter how far away you move you can always reconnect if you want to.
Always so much fun - memories of "broken glass", "Dunvegan", "Mr. Brown who always wore a brown suit"
Kimmy this week we conference call :-) txting just wont do.
Change in me: No matter how far away you move you can always reconnect if you want to.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Day 22 - 1 or 25
My memory begins with a wooded sign from art class with I believe a smurf on it and her name and date of arrival ( it was a long time ago the details maybe fuzzy).
I am in the middle of 25 grandchildren the oldest now being 50ish ...you wouldn't know she was to see her and the youngest being 25.
Before I had kids I got called in to "babysit the house" and she will tell you I spoiled all her plans while playing chess and drinking beer with Lance. Her and her sister also helped me with a show home by making tulips with their hands ( it was a cute little girls room with a picket fence and tulips and butterflies). I will always cherish those nights of you staying up way to late on a school night chatting on the couch. We have always had great fun at family reunions and our daughters just love hanging out together. ( long over due for me attending a reunion I guess )
She is now a fabulous mom of 3 and always makes me smile with her face book posts and all the fabulous pictures of her beautiful girls. I had a brief opportunity to work with her and hope someday we get to work together again - so many great talk and laughs.
Change in me: I am really thankful for my sister for cheering me on and supporting me no matter what crazy ideas I may have -whether it is good or bad. Playing in the puddles is always a good idea, and cherish your friends and all the great moments you have with them...and cant forget a new pair of shoes is always a good thing.
I am in the middle of 25 grandchildren the oldest now being 50ish ...you wouldn't know she was to see her and the youngest being 25.
Before I had kids I got called in to "babysit the house" and she will tell you I spoiled all her plans while playing chess and drinking beer with Lance. Her and her sister also helped me with a show home by making tulips with their hands ( it was a cute little girls room with a picket fence and tulips and butterflies). I will always cherish those nights of you staying up way to late on a school night chatting on the couch. We have always had great fun at family reunions and our daughters just love hanging out together. ( long over due for me attending a reunion I guess )
She is now a fabulous mom of 3 and always makes me smile with her face book posts and all the fabulous pictures of her beautiful girls. I had a brief opportunity to work with her and hope someday we get to work together again - so many great talk and laughs.
Change in me: I am really thankful for my sister for cheering me on and supporting me no matter what crazy ideas I may have -whether it is good or bad. Playing in the puddles is always a good idea, and cherish your friends and all the great moments you have with them...and cant forget a new pair of shoes is always a good thing.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Day 20 13 months
A small house on the corner across the street from a railway crossing. One would think you would never get sleep because of the trains but when the are regular you tend to not even hear them as the roll through and blow the horn. This town was hard to move into, no one moved into town or at least not that ofter.
This was the start of many moves to come. I must have been crazy my design career was just starting to take off and yep I move to a small town so that I could sleep in the same bed as my husband more than 1 week a month.
My option of places to work a fabric store and a paint/carpet store. I started working and learning more about carpet and mixing paint and surprisingly I managed to pick up design jobs. I met my friend Gill, let me tell you it was not easy to meet people. Gill was great she would invite me to ladies night of golf, to go walking or to join a group of girls at the local church to do step aerobics. She would also brave sitting with me and an entire table of boys ( hubby and the guys from the rig) at the local bar.
After I left I never thought I would hear from her again...this was pre face book even email was not close to what it is now. Years later we had moved to Wyoming and I get a phone call saying she was refereed to me from one of my old clients and she was looking for a designer and then she started to giggle. With facebook once again after the 2 of us have moved yet again we reconnected. Some day I really would like the opportunity to work with her again.
Change in me: You can always get back up and dust yourself off and thrive. If you work hard it will always pay off.
This was the start of many moves to come. I must have been crazy my design career was just starting to take off and yep I move to a small town so that I could sleep in the same bed as my husband more than 1 week a month.
My option of places to work a fabric store and a paint/carpet store. I started working and learning more about carpet and mixing paint and surprisingly I managed to pick up design jobs. I met my friend Gill, let me tell you it was not easy to meet people. Gill was great she would invite me to ladies night of golf, to go walking or to join a group of girls at the local church to do step aerobics. She would also brave sitting with me and an entire table of boys ( hubby and the guys from the rig) at the local bar.
After I left I never thought I would hear from her again...this was pre face book even email was not close to what it is now. Years later we had moved to Wyoming and I get a phone call saying she was refereed to me from one of my old clients and she was looking for a designer and then she started to giggle. With facebook once again after the 2 of us have moved yet again we reconnected. Some day I really would like the opportunity to work with her again.
Change in me: You can always get back up and dust yourself off and thrive. If you work hard it will always pay off.
Day 21 - Not by Blood
Shocking comments on face book often make you stop and rewind. I repeat I love that facebook has allowed me to keep in touch, reconnect and get to know many of the people in my life that do not live close. A few weeks back a post came across my news feed that broke my heart, but one thing good came out was a long over due reconnect.
Some of us have family that is not by blood, they often can be the best or sometimes the hardest kinda family to have. When I was young my mom remarried, went from a father who was never home or involved to a step father all up in my business. We never saw eye to eye but I did get the best part of that marriage a step sister and her family. My step sister and I also did not always see eye to eye but even though her dad and my mom separated she is still my sister...no matter how far apart we are.
My niece, although we have not seen each other in well over 14 years I have the best memories of hanging out with her and her brothers. Camping by the river, seeing them play in the corn play house they grew and making cookies at Grandma's house. The last time I was up that way we pulled off an amazing surprise birthday for my mom and sadly the last time I saw her. Actually it was when I pulled away because my feeling got hurt...silly really. You see those kids meant the world to me and because of not letting them stay out and camp at the surprise party, and it really had nothing to do with her why I never returned.
So now as an adult I get a do over on our terms and no one else. Looking forward to may years of being Auntie and reconnecting.
Change in me: Just because things get tough does not mean you should turn off family. You do not have to be a blood relative to be an Auntie. No matter how rotten you are to your mom as long as you dont go to far she will forget and be proud of you - so call her or give her a hug right now.
Some of us have family that is not by blood, they often can be the best or sometimes the hardest kinda family to have. When I was young my mom remarried, went from a father who was never home or involved to a step father all up in my business. We never saw eye to eye but I did get the best part of that marriage a step sister and her family. My step sister and I also did not always see eye to eye but even though her dad and my mom separated she is still my sister...no matter how far apart we are.
My niece, although we have not seen each other in well over 14 years I have the best memories of hanging out with her and her brothers. Camping by the river, seeing them play in the corn play house they grew and making cookies at Grandma's house. The last time I was up that way we pulled off an amazing surprise birthday for my mom and sadly the last time I saw her. Actually it was when I pulled away because my feeling got hurt...silly really. You see those kids meant the world to me and because of not letting them stay out and camp at the surprise party, and it really had nothing to do with her why I never returned.
So now as an adult I get a do over on our terms and no one else. Looking forward to may years of being Auntie and reconnecting.
Change in me: Just because things get tough does not mean you should turn off family. You do not have to be a blood relative to be an Auntie. No matter how rotten you are to your mom as long as you dont go to far she will forget and be proud of you - so call her or give her a hug right now.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Day 19 - Virtual friends
Funny story on how we met. I am a member of a woman's social network site called Fabulously 40, it is a great resource for women. There is a section of questions and answer that is a great place to help and get help. I had answered a question and this person made a comment...well that was not very nice or should I say she assumed things not to be true. I responded privately and maybe not so politically correct ( hey I am human and I have feeling too) . From that point I really made no thought to the conversation or the personal note until I got a phone call from her.
Yep she called to apologize and we had the best conversation and guess what .... yep we are friends. I get the best hand made note cards in the mail from her. She also supports my business as a customer :-) and one day I hope we get to work together.
Change in me: Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and say sorry because you never know you just might make a friend. Sending a card in the mail just because can make someones day.
Yep she called to apologize and we had the best conversation and guess what .... yep we are friends. I get the best hand made note cards in the mail from her. She also supports my business as a customer :-) and one day I hope we get to work together.
Change in me: Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and say sorry because you never know you just might make a friend. Sending a card in the mail just because can make someones day.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Day 18 - Family
My earliest memories of this couple is the year I figured out that Santa did not exist but in our hearts. I would have been about 5 and I remember the evening so clear...or maybe it is not clear. The Wizard of OZ was on TV and a knock at the door...it was Santa, not really sure why I knew it was my uncle but have always remembered the rubber boots.
As an adult I had the pleasure of getting to spend the weekends up at their house, some for design work and one time I came to house site ( well really to make sure their daughter didn't have a party). All the visits I was able to really get to know my cousins, many a nights up really late talking in the basement. They have always called when in town and we have either met for a visit or they came to see us <3 and same goes if we are in SK.
I love face book because no matter how far away I am I can keep in touch with those people in my life that matter. This last week we had a quick IM chat about gardening and it is always okay just to call and chat.
I have for a long time said we together will do something great and I stick to that it just has not happened yet.
Change in me: Work hard play hard, it doesn't matter if you know all the words to the songs you can always hum along and making the time for a cup of coffee is priceless. Sending out your Christmas letter is a great valentines card to get in the mail.
As an adult I had the pleasure of getting to spend the weekends up at their house, some for design work and one time I came to house site ( well really to make sure their daughter didn't have a party). All the visits I was able to really get to know my cousins, many a nights up really late talking in the basement. They have always called when in town and we have either met for a visit or they came to see us <3 and same goes if we are in SK.
I love face book because no matter how far away I am I can keep in touch with those people in my life that matter. This last week we had a quick IM chat about gardening and it is always okay just to call and chat.
I have for a long time said we together will do something great and I stick to that it just has not happened yet.
Change in me: Work hard play hard, it doesn't matter if you know all the words to the songs you can always hum along and making the time for a cup of coffee is priceless. Sending out your Christmas letter is a great valentines card to get in the mail.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Day 17 - Relativitis
2 of my favorite family members have often had a case of "relativitis". The one in mention today, I have been able to become close with because of facebook. You see 98% of my family lives in Canada and now that we are in Texas the trips north have been fewer.
I have often heard it is not easy being married into this family you see we are VERY big. My mom is a family of 8 so that makes 8 + 1 married in spouses , they produced 25 + 2 - those 25 all but a few are married and I think last I heard they had produced 37 + 2 ( of hell I have lost track and I am sure some one will correct me ). SO BIG, that when we all come to town we double the population of Eyebrow, SK.
Every time I have come to my Grandma's the person of today and her family have always made it a point to getting in to see us. The last time I was up I was training for a 1/2 marathon and walked from town out to the farm...there is something about farm coffee or maybe it is the people who make it. Over the years the little things she has done for me have made the most impact. Graduation a beautiful card and an umbrella - brilliant and I still to this day carry it in my car. My children both got engraved silver spoons with name and birth date - I also have one and believe she may have been doing it for years...need to ask. She just cracks me up with her side remarks on FB and she is always the first to support me.
Relativitis - there is no cure, no inoculation, you can not get away from it. The only cure is to embrace the craziness called family stay true to who you are and enjoy life and all the people who have come into it.
Change in me: Little things in life can make a big impact and your family no matter how big or small embrace them all for who they are.
I have often heard it is not easy being married into this family you see we are VERY big. My mom is a family of 8 so that makes 8 + 1 married in spouses , they produced 25 + 2 - those 25 all but a few are married and I think last I heard they had produced 37 + 2 ( of hell I have lost track and I am sure some one will correct me ). SO BIG, that when we all come to town we double the population of Eyebrow, SK.
Every time I have come to my Grandma's the person of today and her family have always made it a point to getting in to see us. The last time I was up I was training for a 1/2 marathon and walked from town out to the farm...there is something about farm coffee or maybe it is the people who make it. Over the years the little things she has done for me have made the most impact. Graduation a beautiful card and an umbrella - brilliant and I still to this day carry it in my car. My children both got engraved silver spoons with name and birth date - I also have one and believe she may have been doing it for years...need to ask. She just cracks me up with her side remarks on FB and she is always the first to support me.
Relativitis - there is no cure, no inoculation, you can not get away from it. The only cure is to embrace the craziness called family stay true to who you are and enjoy life and all the people who have come into it.
Change in me: Little things in life can make a big impact and your family no matter how big or small embrace them all for who they are.
Day - 16 SIL 2/3
This one is going to be hard to write..... you have the note but the post will have to wait.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Day 15 - Pretty Lisa
All those boys over the years in the oilfield have brought a few women also into my families life....very few. Most of them we dont get to see often or for a long time. Ms Lisa came and spent Christmas with us one year - it has been at least 5 years ago and she is still known as pretty Lisa by my kids.
She has since married the boy who spent time at our house and the have the most beautiful baby girl. I love following her on facebook and seeing her view of the world through her camera lens.
Change in me: Take a chance and share your smile, take pictures of the little moments....and I think one day we will do something amazing together...time will tell.
She has since married the boy who spent time at our house and the have the most beautiful baby girl. I love following her on facebook and seeing her view of the world through her camera lens.
Change in me: Take a chance and share your smile, take pictures of the little moments....and I think one day we will do something amazing together...time will tell.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Day 14 - 2nd 1/2 BFF
Who would have thought a piece of paper blowing out a vehicle across the road would turn into a friendship to last a life time. 2 new families living on a new street in a new town.
Our morning workouts at the park almost every day for a year....I so miss that time. No matter the weather we strapped on the shoes and hit the track, it is very hard to find a walking partner that will walk even if they don't feel like it and who will also not let you talk yourself out of it. On those walks we both worked through a great deal of "stuff".
I have never had a friend in my life that it has always been a give and take or an equal friendship. When my husband is out of town she always makes a point to just check in, we both have pitched in with each others kids, and when I just need that ear no judging she is always there. When the day is good or bad she is always there to celebrate or to turn a bad into a pee your pants laugh.
She loves me no matter how crazy my ideas, or if my house is not picture perfect clean. She is also a huge supporter of my business and for that I am always grateful - I guess she sees it that same way I do - why would I shop at Walmart or Sams/Costco when I can shop with a company that benefits my friend.
Change in me: Never ever give up, you can make a BFF in your 40's, no matter what crap is thrown your way as long as you have a friend to listen you will get through it. Always always eat something before you drink toooooo much or you will pay for it in the morning. Oh and it is easy to blame the Canadian ... because she owns it and happy to push the limits of life.
Our morning workouts at the park almost every day for a year....I so miss that time. No matter the weather we strapped on the shoes and hit the track, it is very hard to find a walking partner that will walk even if they don't feel like it and who will also not let you talk yourself out of it. On those walks we both worked through a great deal of "stuff".
I have never had a friend in my life that it has always been a give and take or an equal friendship. When my husband is out of town she always makes a point to just check in, we both have pitched in with each others kids, and when I just need that ear no judging she is always there. When the day is good or bad she is always there to celebrate or to turn a bad into a pee your pants laugh.
She loves me no matter how crazy my ideas, or if my house is not picture perfect clean. She is also a huge supporter of my business and for that I am always grateful - I guess she sees it that same way I do - why would I shop at Walmart or Sams/Costco when I can shop with a company that benefits my friend.
Change in me: Never ever give up, you can make a BFF in your 40's, no matter what crap is thrown your way as long as you have a friend to listen you will get through it. Always always eat something before you drink toooooo much or you will pay for it in the morning. Oh and it is easy to blame the Canadian ... because she owns it and happy to push the limits of life.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Day 13 - Bigger than me WAY bigger
One of the first people I met when we moved to Wyoming was a brief exchange in a restaurant a couple months before we moved down. At that moment in time who would have thought what an impact she would have in the years to come.. Over the first few years we frequented the restaurant and from the very first moment of meeting she always remembered my family ( small town and not many Canadians moving in) I guess.
I was later connected to her at a fund raising dinner at her restaurant it was funding a project for a school in her birth country of Cambodia. My dear friend has lived through hell and survived the Khmer Rouge not all of her family survived and she saw many suffer horrifying acts as a child. All that and she is not defined by her beginnings rather she is the most giving hard working women I may know. Every year she has a free Thanksgiving dinner to all who wish to come, she raises money and builds water wells in Cambodia and she is always giving to help the community.
Our journey continues as I had the pleasure of working with her as an interior designer. I first worked on her restaurant being able to transform an average restaurant into a true gem in a small community - wow you should see the lighting and the art work...and my favorite piece is the hanging doors. Then as an interior designer I was able to work on her dream home - many designers never get to work on such a project.
Change in me: you can always do more to help your community, your past does not determine your future but it will help you define your character, family is everything, revisit your roots, live life FULL.
I was later connected to her at a fund raising dinner at her restaurant it was funding a project for a school in her birth country of Cambodia. My dear friend has lived through hell and survived the Khmer Rouge not all of her family survived and she saw many suffer horrifying acts as a child. All that and she is not defined by her beginnings rather she is the most giving hard working women I may know. Every year she has a free Thanksgiving dinner to all who wish to come, she raises money and builds water wells in Cambodia and she is always giving to help the community.
Our journey continues as I had the pleasure of working with her as an interior designer. I first worked on her restaurant being able to transform an average restaurant into a true gem in a small community - wow you should see the lighting and the art work...and my favorite piece is the hanging doors. Then as an interior designer I was able to work on her dream home - many designers never get to work on such a project.
Change in me: you can always do more to help your community, your past does not determine your future but it will help you define your character, family is everything, revisit your roots, live life FULL.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day 12 - boys
Over the years of being an oil field bride many boys have come into our families life. Being a family in the oilfield is often like the life of a military family - many moves and hubby is gone for a period of time ( shorter periods for us but more often ).
The boys - they all come for dinner and a home cooked meal. Plenty of them have stayed on the couch, in the spare room and even a night and a day shift lived in our basement or should I say slept on the mattresses and used the shower ( long story ). Many of them who returned always brought gifts of chocolate from Canada, I have always been including in going out ( one I even had to ask to go home and not come back for awhile as my head could not handle 3 nights in a row) and each of them have become part of our family in a small way.
We have shared holiday dinners, celebrated birthdays and all of them have been present in our life at the moment in time some how it has always made those 16 moves all that much easier.
Not all of them have we kept up with but Face book does make it easier.
The boys - they all come for dinner and a home cooked meal. Plenty of them have stayed on the couch, in the spare room and even a night and a day shift lived in our basement or should I say slept on the mattresses and used the shower ( long story ). Many of them who returned always brought gifts of chocolate from Canada, I have always been including in going out ( one I even had to ask to go home and not come back for awhile as my head could not handle 3 nights in a row) and each of them have become part of our family in a small way.
We have shared holiday dinners, celebrated birthdays and all of them have been present in our life at the moment in time some how it has always made those 16 moves all that much easier.
Not all of them have we kept up with but Face book does make it easier.
- .....this on is for you on your blackberry in the afternoon "It's the company, not the cooking, that makes a meal." Kirby Larson, Hattie Big Sky, 2006
- Change in: Boys never get tired of roast beef and mash potatoes, being kind and sharing your home is always a good thing, and being a bride oilfield or other wise isn't always easy but if you share and give of you heart and accept the people in the moment you can always remake the Yorkshire pudding if it flops.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Day 11 - My SIL ( 1 of 3 )
I am not even sure how to start and if I get started I may never stop.
When I was still living in Canada my sister in law and I became very close. Some of my fondest memories are in the kitchen cooking, seems like the best place in the world to get close. I think our best collaboration was our 12 days of Christmas gift giving when our nephews were small. ( 12 days of opening presents.....even peanut butter play dough. ) Camping and hiking trips and always ready willing and able to come help...even to build a fence, hosting the holidays and just doing what families do.
When we moved to WY, her and I would catch up on the phone every Tuesday morning, in fact I was on the phone with her the morning of 9/11. I can remember the phone ringing and her saying turn on the TV...it doesn't matter what channel just turn it on. Life has gotten busy and our calls less frequent but no matter what I can pick up and call and find her on the other end.
Change in me: No matter how mad you get at your family dont stay mad - life is to short not to move on, tell the people in your life that you love them, make the best of your life no matter what it throws you, volunteer your time, plant a garden not only the process is therapeutic but so is the harvest.
When I was still living in Canada my sister in law and I became very close. Some of my fondest memories are in the kitchen cooking, seems like the best place in the world to get close. I think our best collaboration was our 12 days of Christmas gift giving when our nephews were small. ( 12 days of opening presents.....even peanut butter play dough. ) Camping and hiking trips and always ready willing and able to come help...even to build a fence, hosting the holidays and just doing what families do.
When we moved to WY, her and I would catch up on the phone every Tuesday morning, in fact I was on the phone with her the morning of 9/11. I can remember the phone ringing and her saying turn on the TV...it doesn't matter what channel just turn it on. Life has gotten busy and our calls less frequent but no matter what I can pick up and call and find her on the other end.
Change in me: No matter how mad you get at your family dont stay mad - life is to short not to move on, tell the people in your life that you love them, make the best of your life no matter what it throws you, volunteer your time, plant a garden not only the process is therapeutic but so is the harvest.
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