Sierra and her friend looking to see what songs are on her new CD

Sierra showing us her new CD!!

Sierra was thrilled to received this gift - a princess nightlight. She was sharing that her lamp broke and so she wasn't able to read in her bedroom before she goes to sleep. Now with her nightlight she will be able to. Big smile when she saw what it was. So cute.

High school Musical !!!!

Sierra received plenty of clothes this year too.

Sierra's Birthday Cake.

There is Sierra's dad blowing out the candles on her birthday cake

Sierra taking out the candles with her brother Ethan, cousin Journey, her parents John and Sara in the back and her two friends.

Sierra sharing a laugh with her parents as she gets an early taste of the yummy chocolate icing.

Sierra watching her dad to make sure all the birthday slices are the same.

He held his ground...

We had a beautiful sunny (hot when there was no breeze) for Sierra's birthday. Sara thought that Sgt Pepper might want to cool off his hoofs in the wading pool. It was quite comical seeing Sara trying to get him into the pool. He did everything BUT go into the pool - even jumped right over it. Then John took the reins while Sara tried pushing him into the pool. Well Sgt Pepper prevailed - we learned "He doesn't do pools!!!"

Arrived safe and sound

Sierra's friend Avelon arrived to the house riding with Sgt Pepper.

It's Journey's turn!!! Journey drove back with me from the stables. She told me proudly that she spent a couple of nights without her Lamby. I told her how proud of was of her and that she is becoming a big girl now. Journey told me she will give Lamby (stuff animal lamb) to her cousin Casendra (she turned 1 this past February).

Sierra, the horsewoman

Sierra turned 8 on Thursday. For someone that age, I must say she is quite an accomplished horsewoman. Her confidence when she is with Sgt Pepper is amazing. Here she is leading Sgt Pepper from the field to the gate. She is preparing to trot with Sgt Pepper back to her place, where the rest of the children would have their turn riding him. He has such patience - perfect for children.

Sierra - our Birthday Cowgal!!! Here she is beginning to ride Sgt Pepper the mile or so jaunt from the stables housing him to her place. Sierra's guests got to take turns along the way back home. That is Sierra's mom helping lead Sgt Pepper. Sierra comes naturally with her horse skills - Sara is an accomplished horsewoman herself. Sara has recently been taking horse seminars that will benfit the whole family (Sierra, Sara and Grandma Char all have horses of their own).

Sierra's birthday party

The highlight of Sierra's birthday party was right at the beginning - grooming Sgt Pepper before bringing him down to Sara and John's horse. I must say for the amount of children around Sgt Pepper - he was quite patient and allowed all the brushing. His coat sure did look alot better after the kids were done his grooming.

Sara's horse is the one in the middle - Cabbie. I don't know much about horses - but all 3 horses had beautiful shiny coats.

Uneventful weekend

Well, for those who know me, what I did this weekend is abnormal. Unfortunately on Wednesday as I began my preceptorship with 2 students in their 2nd year in the HIM Program from the college - I got that scratchy throat. By Saturday, I had all these plans of what I wanted to do - what I actually did was basically absolutely nothing - stayed in my pjs all day as I had a wonderful head cold. Today - I was feeling better (though the cold is now a chest cold), went to church and then to Char's place. The 2nd part of my birthday gift to Sara, John P and Jon J was a movie (we had the dinner part in February) - so we all agreed to go see the Terminator 2 movie. Action and intense basically through the whole movie. Poor John P - he hadn't seen the first 3 movies, so Sara had to translate a few times throughout the movie so he could connect the dots. Thank Char for taking care of all the kids for us (Sierra, Ethan, Casendra, Journey and Solomon).

Afterwards, we enjoyed the warm and sunny weather in the backyard. It was great to just relax and enjoy everyone's company. We know that the nicer weather is here - as Andy did some BBQ for us. Got a few more cuddles from Casendra.

Next Sunday we are going to celebrate Sierra's birthday - I can't believe she is turning 8 years old!! So I promise some photographs instead of wordy entries that I have done lately.

Enjoy your week.

Changes in the wind....

To friends I have shared with or if you are from Alberta you are aware, last April, the province eliminated all 12 health boards into just ONE health board - Alberta Health Services Board. Prior to this merge I have been working for both the Calgary Health Region as well as the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (as casual). I knew that my time at Tom Baker Cancer Centre scanning would be coming to a close as those hours would be seen as overtime, just didn't know when. Until you have the facts, you do have the "rumour mill" - well this morning it became more reality - one of our casuals were told that casual hours will be coming to an end by the end of June as the "purse strings tighten" for the province. I am fortunate in one way as I had kept my options open and began working with a doctor and pathologist for a grant they had (data collection). Therefore, it is not associated with the Alberta Health Services - so no conflict. I haven't been told anything official yet for my scanning job, but at least I won't feel blindsighted by it. Being somewhat prepared is always better than zero, right?

Today, was my interview for the coding coordinator position - it was an 1.5 hour interview and then I was able to speak with both my coding director and coding superior - I am grateful that I feel they are approachable in which to discuss matters with. I don't know how much you can prepare yourself for the questions they ask you - but I did the best I could - I tried my best not to talk with my hands - didn't always worked (majority of the time I was able to keep them clasped together). At the end of the interview my director asked if I had any questions, I did but it didn't have to do with the position I was applying for.

For about 20-30 mins after the interview I was able to speak openly with both my director and supervisor. My director did share that I did well in the interview and that I have been doing well in training as well. Positive or negative - it is good to hear how you are doing. Being this was the first time I saw my director since returning in April, it gave me the opportunity to say thank you for allowing me to experience the full reabstracting study, which was 12 weeks this year. In addition, I let her know how fortunate I am to have a director who promotes education or trying something different that might contribute to the dept (reabstracting study). Does seem surreal what I have accomplished thus far in 4 years time. I shared that an opportunity to try something new like the coding coordinator position would be great - but this question has been on my mind for the past week - "How can I be best used in Coding Services for the AHS?" Tomorrow I begin my perceptorship with 2 SAIT students plus re-training a coworker who has been off for awhile. I know that we have a couple of new hires which means they will need to be trained. I have really enjoyed training - I have learned probably just as much as the trainee. It is still a challenge for me depending on the trainees experience and how they previously coded at that facility. It can change how you explain things - learning different teaching styles I guess.

I left the interview/meeting feeling good and knowing I did the best I could in my interview. Also seeing that we are basically on the same page - as she also thought of the upcoming training needs of the departments. In Alberta, it seems our way of thinking of our positions will need to be changing from "encompassing regionally (just Calgary), but rather provincially (all Alberta hospitals) - such as the data quality coordinator position. While I was waiting for my shuttle bus to the parking lot, I had called my mom to tell her how it went. It was during that conversation, I felt that if I did not become the coding coordinator or even the data quality coordinator - I would not be sad - I am happy with what I can bring to my Coding team as a coding specialist as well as a trainer. Actually the more I have been thinking about it, I think my decision is leaning towards staying where I am - coding specialist and trainer. As things become clearer provincially, I am sure in the future, new opportunities will arise for me to try again. At least I am getting practice about the interview process.

Before/After of the Kitchen

Here are the before/after shots of the kitchen. The last two photos is harder to tell the contrast, but you can see in the first photos. I just love the colour - I know that it is a bold colour - but I am lucky with the layout of the house and the amount of natural light coming in - the richer colour works. My friends that have seen the house have commented how warm the colour actually makes the rooms. It is so nice to know that I choose the right colour.

The last major reno per sae is the landscaping of the backyard. I had a landscaper with 25 years experience (even went to architectural school) come by the house last week - he is so going to develop a plan and itemize the costs so I can do it in stages depending on my prioritizes and of course $$$$. For me, a fence is definitely in my first stage of landscaping - having that privacy will be nice. Of course I will keep you guys posted with before and after photos. Hope you have had fun seeing all the different additions/renos I have done to my home. I love all of them.

Before (above) and after (below) of the contrast with the new paint for the kitchen nook wall by the entrance to the deck.

New Patio Door

This was the Slide Door that came with the house - Despite looking that it was locked - I find out that the door wasn't locked at all. I guess I should have put a sign "Hello - open door policy - make yourself at home!!". When I came back from the study in April I decided to change that. Aside for security reasons - I wanted full access to the backyard.

The new door - the panel glass window on the left is permanent and the door is a garden door. So I do not lose my natural light - which is wonderful. If I want the privacy then the curtains I can cover the door. I might have to look into purchasing curtain holders to have the best of both worlds.

Tonight, when I came home from women night at the church, I parked my car in the garage, took the 5 steps to the deck and came through the door. It was so nice especially as it has started to rain and it is to go below zero tonight. So tomorrow morning, I won't have to worry about having muddy shoes - wonderful.

On Saturday when I was taking my before shot, I saw this wild hare hopping in between my house and neighbour Janet backyards. Okay - who can say HUGE!! I am thinking this is a male hare - but it is the biggest hare I have ever seen in the neighbourhood.