Fluff and Stuff

I think I like my new camera just about as much as these guys!  Nice clear shots in our recent snowfall.  They played while it lasted and in a few days it will be gone, gone, gone.

Next up...spring please!

Harsh Reality

Yeah so, I hadn't weighed myself in a really long time.  Denial and not wanting to face reality were two big reasons.  I bought myself this new fancy schmancy digital scale with birthday money.  It arrived yesterday and well, there was an ugly truth to face.  I can't even utter or type the numbers but I have gained back a big chunk of the weight I lost last year before our cruise.  I could feel it on my flanks and even though my clothes all still fit they aren't fitting as well as they used to.  All that hard work and I lost control of my eating.  Ack!  I feel upset with myself but the only thing to do now is to commit to losing it again.  Weekly weigh ins will keep me accountable.  Thankfully I never gave up the exercise do that won't be something I have to restart!  So now you know my shameful tale and hopefully I can post some positive results here in the next couple of months!

Heartache and Hope

It's been a rough 15 months.  Yes, for me but most entirely for my dearest friends Keri and Kori as they have watched and supported their sister Kristin through her cancer journey.
I have been a part of the Templeton family since 1986 so this hit home in a big way.  I have felt very helpless watching from the sidelines as my friends were hurting and crying their way through the days.
Sadly, Kristin's battle ended on February 9th.  It was a punch in the gut to realize that it was all over and that her four sweet children and husband were left behind to cope with this massive loss.
Yesterday, on Valentine's Day we gathered to commit her body to the ground and then move on to celebrate a life well lived.  Kristin was unlike Keri and Kori in so many ways yet they were bonded as sisters.  Kristin was honoured through a fantastic tribute that K & K bravely spoke at the service.  I even had a few laughs as the words were true and from the heart.
The reason that we don't despair though, is that our great hope is to be reunited with her in Heaven one day.  We all will die.  This is a fact!  But what happens to us when we die is in our capacity to decide.  Jesus promises eternal life to all those who chose to follow him.  What a comfort this is and it is the only reason we can smile through the tears!

Johnson Wedding

We had a whirlwind trip to Comox this weekend to witness the marriage of Keith's sister to her finace Tyler.

It was a very impromtou wedding and considering she only had a week to plan we thought it turned out really well.

They are both quite happy and it was obviously to all who attended that these two are committed and in love.  During the reception dinner I had asked her if she felt 'different' because they had already been living together several years and have a toddler.  She explained she felt a sense of security that she never thought was missing before.  

Marriage IS special.

We wish them every happiness!

Here are a few pictures.....

41 Years Young!

Just a few things that made my birthday on Monday very special!

An unexpected sweet treat at work

A new camera!

And a cake made with love from Keith.

Grouse Snowshoe Grind

We spent a beautiful and warm Sunday afternoon snowshoeing up the Grouse Snowshoe Grind.  Wow.  That was intense!  The elevation was steep and my cardio fitness level was pushed WAY past it's limits.  The view was worth every huff and puff at the top though!

Going down was a lot easier and fun too!

We completed the day with burgers and fries and cokes.  Yep, we went all out and replenished every single burnt calorie!

Frugal House Frau

 

 

All the items below wee purchased for $1 each.  IGA is closing and this thrifty shopper is reaping the benefits! 

 

Kids are Awesome: Fighting

Liam's acting debut.  He's the voice of the principal!

NYE 2013

Had a wonderful dinner out with our cherished friends!  Thankful for traditions such as these.

Swoosh Swoosh

A New Years Day trek up to Manning to test out the new snowshoes happened yesterday.  We had a wonderful time.  The snow wasn't super awesome but there was enough.  

 We did a 5 km trek around Lightning Lakes.  It was invigorating and beautiful.

Afterward the Whiskeyjacks were very friendly and ate all our munchies!

We can't wait to get out there again.

Sharing

Just sharing some snacks with the whiskey jacks up at Manning Park after a great snowshoeing trek around Lightning Lake.

Heading Toward 2014

Congratulations, if you are reading this you are one of my few remaining faithful blog readers.  If I could provide you with a medal I would.

Thanks for hanging out....you are loyal peeps!
I will endeavour to blog a few times a month.  Now that I have an iPhone and can blog from the Blogger app, I hope to be inspired to blog on the fly.

2014 is coming quickly and there will be no predictions, hopes or resolutions.

One day at a time is where it's at!

 

I reckon most of my time, energy and thoughts will be taken up with these men in my life anyhow.

Happy New Year!

Come In!

Our new front door is finally installed and we are very happy with the new look.  We found it hard to agree on a color but in the end threw out the red idea and went for grey.  It's a nice, solid wood door that should keep out the cold and any possible thieves!!!

Christmas Catch Up!

The boys all ready to go to their school banquet.  Looking mighty fine, wouldn't you say?

 Christmas Eve at the parents.  One goofy shot is a must!

 And then us all normal-ish.

 The boys 'big' present this year from Nana and Grandad were snowshoes.  Keith and I also got a pair for ourselves and look forward to adding a new winter activity to our weekends!

 Christmas morning at home.  The boys all slept in and we enjoyed a leisurely time of gift opening while the breakfast casserole baked in the oven.  

 Keith and I just exchanged a few stocking stuffers.  We spent a lot of money this fall on the roof, car, and front door so nothing more was necessary!

 Liam asked Santa for Lego and Lego he did get.  

 The older two got Kobo Glos.  Perfect gifts for my bookworms.

 Keith's family was set to come over for a turkey dinner that evening and I was making the meal on my own.  It turned out great and was much easier than I thought it would be.  It pays to be very prepared and organized.  I had a booklet with notes that I followed!

 There was plenty of food and lots of dessert too.  We had a great time.  Nate and Chad organized some games after supper that we adults enjoyed as the three little guys ran around the house like crazy people.  

We enjoyed opening some gifts and visiting after dessert.  It had been a long day and it was pretty hard to get myself up off the couch afterwards.  

So, Christmas has come and gone once again.  Just so thankful, that we are all healthy, happy and together.  I know that these are the greatest Christmas gifts in themselves!

Christmas Balls!

After 'de-Christmassing' the middle school today (Friday was an unexpected snow day so we had to come back to work!) we stopped at High Street for a quick lunch at Mucho Burrito.  I recommend...it was very tasty and fresh!

Who can resist a photo-op with big red ornaments?  Climbing them was unwise...they seemed a bit wobbly!

Frosty

In our neck of the woods you must enjoy it while it lasts!

Flub-dump

Good news!  I like good news!

Keith and I applied for life insurance back in February.  We both had some but decided it wasn't enough with our boys now in private school and a bigger mortgage...these weren't factors many years ago to consider.

Keith passed his medical exam with flying colors (I was surprised to be honest) and I failed (and that surprised me more!).  Rejected, failed, not accepted.

This was due to the fact I disclosed in my healthy interview (because I am an honest person!) that I had rheumatic fever as a child and now have a heart murmur.  They retrieved my medical records in storage as my most recent doctor retired but they weren't happy with the information they found which was really nothing.  My previous doctor never did any testing on my heart.  All my testing (EKG and Echocardiogram) was done when I was a teen and that doctor was LONG gone and those records are likely destroyed by now.  I remember the results of those tests being favorable but my verbal say so wasn't good enough for the insurance underwriters.

So an appointment was made to get an echocardiogram.  That was a four month wait but finally was done on Dec 4th.  

Today I went to see my GP to discuss results.  First of all, I have to say that my new doctor is very prompt.  I entered the office at 10:49 am, was called into the room at 10:50 and was out the door to my car by 10:56 am.  Very efficient which is a blessed change from most medical professionals.  Anyhow...the report said that my heart is very healthy in every way.  No valve damage, blood is flowing properly and it's of normal size.  All excellent news in regards to my life insurance hopefully being approved and putting my mind at ease about this 'alleged' heart murmur I thought I had.

Over my life most doctors have said they can't hear my murmur and a few have said they can hear a soft one.  Today my doctor took a listen and said she 'thought' she could hear something.  But the report says 'no murmur' so I am going with that!

Toasty Warm!

This is Christmas spirit week at the middle school and yesterday was 'winter wear'.  I was very comfortable all day but my poor co worker Jessica was sweating buckets!

The Christmas Carol

We wrapped another successful ACT production of 'The Christmas Carol' over the weekend.  Thrilled for BOTH my boys as they were in their element.  This was Chad's debut performance with ACT and he did very well.  Proud mama here!

Gorgeous head shots!

The ghosts of Jacob Marley, Christmas past, present and future really gave a fright so we had to go and show Liam there was nothing to be scared of.  He was able to see that there was a friendly teenage girl under the grim reaper costume instead of something sinister.

Nate was a superb Bob Crachit and Tiny Tim was so cute.

Liam was proud of his big brothers!

Jacob Marley did almost TOO good of a job being a scary ghost.  Yikes...well done!

Time for a wee rest and then we prepare for the spring show.  Aladdin!