Thursday Things

I’m going random again guys.  I’m sorry.  I just don’t have anything to offer but muddled, jumbled, random thoughts!

• I feel like I’ve been a pretty crappy bloggy pal lately.  I haven’t been very good to get around to visit all of you, or to reply to your comments.  I hope you all still love me – I promise to try to be better in the weeks to come!  I am still out here reading, I swear!!
• One of the main reasons I feel like a crappy blogger: I STILL haven’t written my tribute/farewell to Daniel Alfredsson.  I know this is one of those posts that I’m going to want to have to look back on someday, and it has to be just right.  The problem is… I have so much to say, and no time to say it.  This might be my project for the weekend.

• Perhaps the REAL problem is I’m still not ready to say goodbye.  I still can’t believe my Alfie is gone. :(
• On the flip side, our new guy, Bobby Ryan, is saying and doing all the right things.  I’m excited about having this guy, and seeing what he can do.  Will he be the next Alfie?  Probably not, and I don’t think he expects to be.  It sounds like he just wants to be here, playing hockey, and working hard.  As a Sens fan, I have to say I’m looking forward to it, Bobby.

• But I’m still gonna miss Alfie.
• Oh, and I’m a little unimpressed that Bobby is going to be wearing the #6.  We all know there’s only room for one #6 in my heart… Why, Bobby?  WHY couldn’t you have picked a different number??? *sigh*

• I know I said it the other day, but it’s hot here, folks.  REALLY hot.  And I love it.  I know I don’t have to work out in it, but truthfully, I wish I got to spend a little more time out in it… I hope it’s sweltering for my holidays!
• Good news:  I have a deck again!  This spring, my “landlords" decided to tear down the old, rotten deck and build a new one.  Unfortunately, they worked on it one night over a month ago and got the framework done, but then weren’t able to come back again until this past week.  Now the boards are down and I can finally step out on it again.  It’s still not finished, but I’m looking forward to putting a chair out there this weekend and enjoying my morning coffee and a book out there!
• Something I MUST do some day soon:  Go to the store and get a banana-flavoured popsicle.  I haven’t had one yet this summer, and I’m CRAVING one!

• Have I mentioned lately how much I’m looking forward to my vacation???  Less than two weeks away now… I so can’t wait to be at the Draper Camp!  It really is my piece of heaven on earth.  I long to play with the kids in the water, be out paddling in the paddleboat, enjoying corn on the cob around the big kitchen table, reading in the shade on the deck… Life on the water.  It’s where I’m meant to be…

That’s all I’ve got for today!  Happy Thursday, friends!! :)

The Tuesday Random

She’s a scorcher of a Tuesday here folks!  Let’s random it up, shall we?  Too hot to do anything else… ;)

• I say it’s too hot, but really, at this current moment, I’m freezing my buns off.  The hotter it gets outside, the colder it gets in this office.  Like a frickin’ MEAT LOCKER, I tell ya.
• I shouldn’t complain, though.  Especially when I see the guys coming in from working outside in the 40-degree heat, just rolling in sweat.  For them, coming in here is a treat, and many voice their jealousy over how lucky we are to be in such a cool office.  I guess I’ll take it.
• This past weekend was such a great one.  I loved seeing Great Big Sea on our final night of Bluesfest on Friday; spent Saturday afternoon at a mixed shower for Steph & Troy, who are expecting their first baby any day now; and Sunday afternoon was spent at the beach in Norway Bay with some of my friends and their kids.  I brought Caden & Danica with me, and we all had a ball!  The kids were all so cute, and it was really nice that the roped-off swimming area is pretty shallow, so it was safe to let them play in the water and on the beach without hovering over them the whole time.  Got some wonderful visiting in with the ladies, picked up a nice tan, and overall enjoyed just a relaxing afternoon!  My only disappointment – I forgot to take pictures!! Crap!!
• Good news on the Couch to 5 K front… I’m inching ever so close to my goal!  On Saturday and again last night, I jogged 25 minutes straight.  According to the app, it should be about the equivalent of 4K.  (I haven’t yet downloaded an app that tracks my distance, so I’m really not sure.)  Next week, I will be up to 28 minutes of straight jogging, and then the week after will be 30 straight.  And then I should be able to run a 5K.  Wonders never cease…
• This morning was my official weigh-in morning, and I can proudly now tell you all that I’ve broken the 60 lbs-lost mark.  Actually down almost 62 lbs. now.  Feels AWESOME!!!
• Looking ahead to vacation time… As I’ve mentioned before, in a few weeks’ time I’m going with my family to my Aunt & Uncle’s camp, which is one of my favourite places on earth.  I admit to being a little nervous, though.  It’s going to be awfully difficult to get my runs in, as well as to eat healthy while we’re there.  I had initially thought I could go for my runs on the paths in the bush, but my mom insists I won’t want to do that because of poison ivy.  That leaves me with swimming and paddle-boating as my only options for physical activity.  I have this ridiculously silly fear that I’m going to go there for a few days and completely lose my running mojo, as well as fall off the wagon with junk food.
• I need to be mentally prepared, I guess.  I want to be able to go and enjoy myself, and take a “holiday” – but still be mindful of what I’m eating, and at least try to do as much exercising as I can.  This one’s going to be a big test.  I really do feel as though I’ve made a “lifestyle” change this time; thus, there should be no wagon to fall of… I hope I’m right!
• Today is one of those days that makes me feel a little bit like an old lady… My buddy Cowan is 17 years old today!  Was it really 17 years ago that I was helping out with a Vacation Bible Camp at our church, across the road from where his grandmother was working, and she came over to tell me we had a baby boy?  Seems incredible, I remember it like it was yesterday!  I just found out that Co & I have a date tonight to celebrate his big day – we’re heading to see White House Down (a little action for him, a little Channing Tatum for me…), and I’m so thrilled that he still wants to hang out with this old lady on his birthday! ;)

• As some of you may recall, I was a Gleek for a little while.  OK, OK, I’m not sure I can actually call myself a “Gleek”, because I really only paid attention to the show for a year or so.  But still, I was saddened to hear the news of Cory Monteith’s death this past weekend.  He was such a talented dude with an amazing voice, and it’s a real shame that another young star has fallen far too soon.  I thought I’d share one of my favourite performances of his from the show – the moment I actually become a Gleek, when Finn sang one of my all-time faves, "Jesse’s Girl”…

Linking up today with Impulsive Addict & Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday…

…as well as Stacy Uncorked for Random Tuesday!

Friday Confessions: I’m ready for the weekend.

Okay, so when am I ever NOT ready for the weekend??

But this weekend is one that I’m reallllly looking forward to.  Not too busy, not too boring, and weather that sounds like perfection to me.

First, though?  Confessions.  It’s time.

Linking up with Aubrey @ High-Heeled Love!

I confess… that everyone around here has been loving the rainy spring/early summer we’ve had thus far, and I get that it’s REALLY good for business here at Mountainview – which is important to me, of course.  But I really wouldn’t mind if the grass growing slowed down a little bit.  Just a tad.  I’m so sick of cutting my hay field.

I confess… that several times during my nights thus far of my very first Bluesfest, I’ve found myself mentally repeating, “You are not too old for Bluesfest.  You are not too old for Bluesfest.  You are not too old for Bluesfest.”  But sometimes, I feel like I am.  When the teeny-bopper chicks are tossing their hair in my face, and the boys are taking off their shirts and whipping them in the air in front of me and I keep getting whipped in the face, or even when people are trying to get by and spill their beer and knock me off balance… I feel like I might be too old for Bluesfest.

I confess… it might not have anything to do with age.  It probably has more to do with my lack of patience.  Oh, and my sobriety.  That, too.

I confess… that tonight is our last night at Bluesfest, and while I’m sad to see the fun come to an end, I’m also kind of looking forward to relaxing and staying in this Saturday & Sunday evening!  I’m thinking movie rentals, maybe some popcorn, and couch-lounging…  I don’t remember the last time I did that!

I confess… that I kind of can’t believe it when I think of all the awesome shows we’ve seen in the past week and a half – Zac Brown Band, The Dixie Chicks, Hunter Hayes, The Tragically Hip, and of COURSE, Wu-Tang Clan (hardy-har-har) – plus we’ve got Great Big Sea on deck for tonight.  It’s kind of surreal!!

I confess… that I can’t think of a better way of spending a hot Sunday afternoon than with my friends and their kids at the beach.  And that’s exactly what I will be doing this Sunday!  Can’t wait for the sand, the sun, the water, and the visiting!

I confess… that it just dawned on me that it was a week ago around this time that I got word that Alfie was officially leaving the Sens.  I felt like puking then, and I still feel like puking now.  I miss him already. :(

I confess… that I always tell people not to wish time away, but I’m kind of doing it myself right now.  I’m still two whole weeks away from vacation time, and while I don’t want them to speed by - especially since those two weeks will be my last spent in my twenties! – I’m sooooo looking forward to getting away to the Draper Camp & relaxing for a whole week!  Can’t get here soon enough.

I confess… that I’m a little ashamed of myself for not yet blogging about HOW FREAKIN’ EXCITED I AM that Dallas Smith is playing Saturday night of Shawville Fair!!  squeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I confess… that if I could go back in time, I probably wouldn’t have bought Justin Bieber tickets for his upcoming concert on July 23 in Ottawa.  The kid is falling from grace – falling fast – and I’m a little worried he’s either going to show up super-late, or not show up at all.  I really wish Justin had read that letter I wrote to him so long ago…

I confess… that I’m already a little nervous about jogging 25 minutes tomorrow morning.  That’s what Couch to 5 K Week 6 Day 3 has in store for me.  I KNOW I can do it, but each time the jogging interval increases, I worry that I won’t survive…

I confess… that I hope prayers are enough to get people through hard times, as it’s been a tough week for several friends (both blog pals and real-life friends) – and I’ve been holding them and their families in my heart.  Hopefully better days ahead…

Wishing you all a wonderful Friday & an even better weekend!! :)

WWTW: Summer fun, advice, and quotes

Hey, friends! 

I really feel like I haven’t had time to blog lately – and like I said yesterday, I have so much to talk about right now!! -  but I’m MAKING time today, anyways.  I mean, it IS We Want To Know Wednesday, after all!

Linking up with Scriptor & Kenzie…

1. Show us in pictures how your summer is going so far:

I consider Canada Day Golf Tourney at the end of May to be the “kick-off” to summer – it didn’t feel much like summer that day, but we had fun anyways!!

My fab Relay for Life team, walking to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society in early June

 

My niece Neve turned 1 with a backyard BBQ on June 21st!

On June 22, I went out for dinner & drinks with friends to Fatboy’s in the Market. Friends of ours were playing there, and the music was awesome!

The Sunday School picnic & sack races have definitely been a highlight!  (This is me, getting my butt whooped by a bunch of kids!)

I’m happiest when I’m on the water… Out on Jeff & Kerry’s pontoon in June!

My Godson Cowan’s graduation on June 26th – so proud of him!!

 

Seeing my aunts, uncles & cousins at the Bretzlaff Reunion on June 29th was so much fun!  Here are the 7th Generation Bretzlaffs. ;)

June 30th Canada Day Celebrations in Quyon – here are my cutie nieces and nephew getting ready for the parade.

 

  Susie & I at Canada Day.  Oh, y’know, just hanging with the Peace Tower. ;)

 I’ve been having some memorable summer nights at Bluesfest – but by far the most hilarious moment thus far was showing up early for Hunter Hayes on Sunday, and finding out we were there in time for Wu-Tang Clan.  Seriously, though.  I fit in, right???

As you can see from a lot of these pics… the weather hasn’t exactly been stellar.  But that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying the summer thus far, and I’m looking ahead to more great times with family & friends in the weeks to come!

2. What is one thing you are never to busy for?

Lately, I’d have to say working out, or walking/jogging.  It’s been tougher to fit it in with the busier summer days upon me, and I’ve had to juggle my work-out schedule a bit, but I’ve still managed to fit it in at least five days a week.  I feel better when I do it, so I’ve been making it a priority!

Oh, and coffee.  Doesn’t matter if I’m running late in the morning, I always make time to get the Keurig goin’…

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

Working!!  Typing on my keyboard!!

4. What is the best advice you have ever received?

I don’t know that I could share just one piece of advice, I’ve had many bits of wisdom that have stuck with me over the years…

*Never, ever, ever, ever start smoking.

*This, too, shall pass.

*When everyone else around you is losing their head, try to keep yours. (can’t say I’ve been successful at following that one… I’m a panicker.)

*Don’t be a follower.  Take your own path.

*Dance like nobody’s watching.

5. Share some of your favorite quotes:

“Everyone’s a star and deserves the right to twinkle.” – Marilyn Monroe

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Kahlil Gibran

Happy Wednesday, everyone! :)

Still grieving…

I have a lot of things that I could be writing about these days.

But there’s one very big thing that I need to address, and I’m just not ready to yet.

Last Friday was a pretty dark day for me, and for countless others.  It was last Friday morning that Sens fans officially received word, after several days of rumours, that our beloved and dear Captain, Daniel Alfredsson, had made the decision to leave Ottawa after playing here for 17 years, to join the Detroit Red Wings.

The only time I have ever felt despair like that was when Wade Redden left the Sens for the New York Rangers.

The only difference this time is that I wasn’t alone in my despair.

There is so much I have to say about Alfie – that I need to say about Alfie – but I’m just not ready to.

Not ready to really deal with that awful, gutted feeling.  Not ready to reminisce about the good times.  Not ready to look forward with hope.  Not ready to say, “Well, it’s just business.  It’s just a game.”  Not ready to wish him well.

He deserves a proper farewell; a proper tribute.

But I’m just not ready yet.

Thursday Things

Here’s a little bit of the random floating through my brain this morning…

• My Couch to 5 K app tricked me last night.  I was on Week 5 Day 2.  Up until this point, each day of the particular week, the routine was always the same, all three days of the week.  On Monday, Day 1 of Week 5, it was 5 minutes of jogging, 3 minutes of walking, 5 minutes of jogging, 3 minutes of walking, 5 minutes of jogging.  I just assumed Day 2 of Week 5 would be the same.  Didn’t even check.  So I turned the app on, and off I went.  Pounding the pavement… pounding the pavement… pounding the pavement…
• Eventually, I started to think the app had frozen, or I’d missed the command to “Walk Now.”  I had become somewhat comfortable with jogging up to five minutes over the past week, but this felt WAY longer.  And I was struggling.  Finally, I whipped the phone out of my pocket, and as I staggered along still in my half-jog, I realized Week 5 Day 2 was actually two 8-minute segments of jogging, separated by a five minute walk.   Tricky little Couch to 5 K!!!

• And now, because I’ve looked ahead of course, I’m rather confused.  Day 3 is 20 minutes straight of just jogging.  They’re jumping me from two 8-minutes segments straight to a 20 minute?  Are they NUTS???
• I’ll report next week.  IF I survive.   And that’s still a pretty big IF…
• It’s still kind of surreal to me, this jogging thing.  Was it really only a few weeks ago that I thought 60-second spurts were all I could handle, and wondered if I could ever do 90 seconds?  I’m up to 8 minutes now.  And I’m over half-way through the program.  Little by little… Maybe 20 minutes isn’t impossible.  At this point, I’m starting to think anything’s possible!
• I’m less than a month away from vacation time.  C’maaaan July 29th!!
• I will officially be 30 by the time my vacation starts.  Which is also a little surreal to me.
• Here’s my favourite current song:

• A week or so ago, a local radio DJ that I follow on Facebook posted this video to his Timeline, claiming it to be his new favourite rump-shaker.  It sparked a long and ridiculous comment thread, with people condemning the song, Robin Thicke, and even the radio DJ for condoning rape.  I mean, really?  Seriously?!  I swear, people have too much damned time on their hands these days.  It’s a catchy song.  That’s fun to dance to.  That’s all.
• PS – I just like the song.  I don’t think rape is cool.  And I don’t think Robin Thicke thinks it is, either.
• Can the Ottawa Senators pleeeease just sign Alfie and get all of this over with??? They’re causing me serious anxiety here.  I mean, how can we possibly allow our beloved captain to even THINK about closing out his career in another city, for another team?  Just sign him.  Get it done.  NOW.

• Last night, I went to watch my nephew Caden play ball.  My niece Danica brought some books to entertain herself with.  She asked me to read this one 3 times…

• Considering she’s 4 1/2, has been potty-trained for quite some time, and is…well… a girl… I can only assume she’s simply curious to find out if little Henry ever gets trained himself. ;)
• My supper plan for tonight:  Cucumber, tomatoes, yellow & orange peppers, feta cheese, red onion, all tossed together in a light Balsamic Vinaigrette.  With watermelon for dessert.  I can’t wait to get home to eat supper.
• The thing I need to stop doing:  Going to the Old Navy website.  It gets me in trouble.  Every.damn.time.

Okay… enough of the random rambling.  Time to carry on with my day. 

Happy 4th to my American pals!!

Canada Day Weekend…in photos!

Prepare for the photo dump, folks!

Wow. What a weekend.  Setting up and getting ready for the big day with my fellow Quyon Canada Day Committee members, a family reunion, and then all the Canada Day shenanigans on Sunday = Jill is STILL TIRED.

You know it’s been a good weekend when you wish you had another weekend to recover…

But before we get to all that good stuff.  Remember last week when I told you guys about my Godson Cowan graduating from high school?  Here’s a picture of him & I from that night.

I think we looked pretty snazzy, and couldn’t resist sharing this photo!  So proud of my boy :)

Okay.  On to the weekend.  Starting with the Bretzlaff Family Reunion. 

My great-grandmother on my mom’s side of the family was a Bretzlaff, and thus, every ten years we take part in the Bretzlaff Family Reunion.  I have to say, this was the first Bretzlaff Reunion I’ve been around for that I actually learned some family history (it’s kind of amazing the stories you hear!!), and I really took an interest in them.  I found out that there were six Bretzlaff siblings who came to settle in the area from Prussia, and that I am a descendant of Frederick Bretzlaff.  My mother’s grandmother was his daughter.

But I have to admit… the best part was seeing my aunts, uncles, and cousins who had all made their way to Ladysmith for the big event. :)

My cousin David’s son Dillon just loooved the miniature ponies!

Here’s my Aunt Linda, holding her grand-daughter Ryla, and her great-niece Neve.  Ryla and Neve share a birthday, born one year apart! :)

7th Generation descendants of Frederick Bretzlaff – and some of the cutest kids I know! ;)  Dillon, Danica, Grace, Caden, Neve & Ryla

We thought it was pretty cute that they all held hands and ran up and down the hall together during the dinner

My cousin Chad had the winning bid in the silent auction for this butterscotch pie!  (I hope it was good, ‘cause it cost him $20! haha!)

Despite the cool, dreary weather that day, we had a great time visiting and learning more about our German heritage.  I’m already looking forward to the next one!

And that brings us to Sunday.  June 30th.  One of my FAVOURITE days of the year! 

In my small town, we celebrate Canada Day a little early, and in pretty epic fashion if I do say so myself!  We kicked things off Sunday afternoon with a Community BBQ, followed by an awesome parade, the flag raising ceremony, Little Ray’s Reptiles in the park for the kids, and of course the LEGENDARY fireworks display at dusk.  It was so awesome to hear the crowd’s reaction to what I thought was one of the best fireworks displays we’ve ever had.  And then we partied all night long in the Lions Hall, with a live band rocking on stage and drinks just a flowin’!

Caden gearing up for the parade

Danica in her adorable Minnie Mouse Canada Day dress

Miss Neve’s very first Canada Day parade!!

Ryan was looking pretty slick, getting limbered up for the walk down main street carrying the huge flag

One of my favourite parts of the day – raising that massive Maple Leaf!

Always a proud moment for our Commitee :)

Linds had  her camera on hand post-ceremony and we FINALLY got a pic of our committee all together!  Mitchell, Curtis, Mayor Eddie, Ryan, Mark, Brenda, Wayne, Ricky, myself, Luke, Linsday, Sue, and Chelsea

With my cousin Jim

Lindsay serving up some “Beaver Bombs”!!

“Look, guys!  We’re out of Sour Puss!!”

Committee members working the bar

Susie and I, just hanging out with the Peace Tower.

Another successful Canada Day in the books for this crew! :)

It was an awesome Canada Day!  Everything went off without a hitch, and people are still talking about what a great time it was, and how amazing the fireworks were.  It’s one of those days that makes me very proud of our little town for showing so much spirit!  We may not be big, but we can sure show ‘em how it’s done! ;)

So that’s a wrap on the Canada Day Weekend in my world!  I hope you all had a great weekend too, and for my American friends who are gearing up for the 4th of July… I hope your parties are as awesome as ours was!!

And now… in closing… just because they’re so darned cute…

Happy Wednesday, friends :)