Ocean and Journey's School Christmas Concert

Ocean singing a Christmas carol

Journey in her favourite red Christmas dress - singing along with her classmates

Ocean (top left) and Journey (bottom right) singing with their classmates Christmas carols.

Was my first school Christmas concert - it helped you get ready for the Christmas season. We enjoyed tea and cookies after the performance at Amanda's house. Then I went to Amy's down the street to have my first sleepover with Journey (we were excited about it). It was fun playing dominios with both Journey and Solomon - Solomon was the big winner in that game. We will have to try to do it more often in 2010 - it was nice.

Christmas season

This Christmas season was quietly spent at home. As my life can be chaotic and busy with work, I enjoyed 3-4 days off work from both jobs I have. I was able to get together with a friend for coffee and try to beat the mad afternoon rush at the grocery store and enjoyed a few days of not waking up at 4:30am!!

For the month of December, I took every Friday off (I think I will do that next year - It made the month a bit more relaxing actually) - I was able to take in Journey and Ocean's school Christmas play. I then stayed overnight at Amy's house (first sleepover I have had with Journey - we both enjoyed it). In the morning, I played the memory game (which Journey won) and then dominos (which Solomon won) - as Journey would say - Amy and I were the last winners. I shared with Journey and Solomon a fond memory I had when I was their age - receiving the Lifesaver Storybook in my stocking - I found these in the local IDA store and gave them to Journey and Solomon. Amy told me last night that Solomon made small ornaments for his tree - I hope to stop in tonight to see his decorations and to give them a Christmas hug if they will let me .

Christmas Eve I made for the first time - a meat tortierre. Both of my parents are from Quebec and it was a tradition in both of their families that on Christmas Eve you have a meat tortierre before going to church service. I believe the recipe asks for pork and veal but I used pork and ground beef in mine just as my mom used to make it. As I had seen it before in other recipes - I add thinly chopped potatoes within the meat mixture. For a first attempt, don't think it was too bad.

Christmas Day I enjoyed a sleep in - made a few calls to Ontario - received a phone call from my dad who is currently traveling in New Zealand. It was nice connecting with him as he will be traveling around New Zealand on one of those hop-on/hop-off buses that go to the local hostels in NZ, so he won't be reachable for the next month and a half. Then I ventured off to the movie theatre to see the new film Sherlock Holmes. I was shocked to see how many people were at the theatre - many families actually. The first show of Sherlock Holmes was sold out so I went to the second one (thought the banter between Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law was good).

Today (Boxing Day) - I did venture to Future Store with the hope to find a DVD player to fit the shelf width of my new entertainment stand that my friend John built (other friend Jon painted) for me - success!! Will be leaving in a couple of hours to visit with my friends in Three Hills staying overnight - I am sure Sara and I will be able to sneak in a cribbage game tonight.

Wishing that you all have had a wonderful Christmas season with your family and friends this year.

Yes, I am still here

Hello there - noticed that my last blog entry was Hallowe'en - yes I am still here but was not inspired to blog I guess. November I enjoyed a week visit to Thunder Bay. It was wonderful as I was able to see everyone I wanted except for one person. Enjoyed the Hoito and shopping on Bay street finding some unique Christmas gifts for my brother Bruce and Mom. I visited a new Timmy's it seems with every visit with a friend - funny to say but it seems in Thunder Bay at every corner there is either a Tim Horton's or a Shopper's Drug Mart or both!

In November, with my full time job, my bosses are beginning to look at re-vamping the training process and stragedy. In a recent email it was hinted that they are looking at having everyone cross trained in multiple disciplines - so being I am a trainer for 2 of 4 disciplines I can see my next few months quite busy with all those processes involved in training. When I took over the role as inpatient trainer especially I knew it would be a challenge - but at the same time it has been educational of all the things you need to know to be a good trainer and the importance of staying updated with new changes too.

Personally, been sorting through some emotions that I "thought" were dealt with from the best of my ability but a family issue came up that re-opened some old wounds I am finding that need more treatment before healing can begin again. So I have found a counsellor that I am hoping will be able to assist me in dealing with these emotions properly and learn to "move forward" enjoying all that life can offer me. I have been blessed with some special people in my life that have been encouraging and supportive as well as loving me quirks and all. I have appreciated that so much. Thank you.