12/365 - wordy Wednesday returns...

with important messages:

350/365 wordy Wednesday

just looking for a little...2nd Wednesday I have had something to say

yet once again greater powers STOMP on my efforts

and I will have to keep my soapbox opinions to myself.

I am coughing so much that there is definitely no PEACE around here

sounds like I have swallowed a baby seal &

even better,

a herd of dancing elephants have taken up residence in my head

so I am off to bed

as there is only 1 week 2 days until Christmas

and I have A LOT of very important things going down

like someone's 7th birthday and big superhero party

Christmas Celebrating & some serious egg nog drinking

so I am afraid the seals and elephants will

need to find a new home

QUICKLY.

ps - if this post makes no sense whats-so-ever, take half a bottle of cough medicine and give it another read!

336/365 wordy Wednesday is brought to you by...

the fanciest of adjectives...long time followers of this blog will remember

that the original name was "Sparkly Things".

One would think it would be because I love all things bright and shiny

not that I don't

I like a pretty bauble just as much as the next girl

but it is actually the fancy way commonly use to describe

my inability to focus.

I am often distracted

as my friends/family will tell you

talking to me sometimes is like following a bouncing ball

I ping from one topic to another, back to the first one, and then to a third topic

and then back to the original thought

and then on top of that I will be distracted by something I see.

I am very fortunate that many people in my life have the same habit

and/or have learned to keep up with my conversations.

As I work in an office setting, I have learned to control my

focus issues for the most part but every once in awhile

those "sparkly" things are unavoidable.

315/365 wordy Wednesday pauses...

for a moment of silence to remember those who have fought for something that they believed in and in too many cases have lost their lives in the process...Kaeden putting his poppy on the newspaper to match the one on the left side and to cover the advertisement.
When I was growing up my parents instilled in us the importance of respecting the men and women in the military. We always stopped what we were doing on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, to take a moment to reflect and remember, no matter where we were or what we were doing.

I have been trying to make sure that I pass that onto my children. It doesn't mean that we go to an organized event every year (even though we have done so in the past) but more so that we take a moment to discuss the importance of today. That it is not just a day off but a day for us to pay our respects and take a moment of our day to remember those that have lost their lives in the fight for freedom.

When I grew up, we remembered men/women who had fought in battles long long ago. I understood that I owed it to these soldiers to show my respect and at the very least, on the day dedicated to them, to make sure that I stopped to remember their sacrifices but it was hard to feel connected as these soldiers lived and died in wars that occurred in times that we just read about in our history books.

Things are different, very different, today. Wars are not just held on foreign soil, sometimes it is brought to us. The other side plays dirty. Many times we are fighting a faceless enemy. We are not just fighting for our freedoms but also to secure basic rights and freedoms for other countries.

The soldiers are no longer strangers from a time "long ago" that we read about in history books. They are are neighbours, friends and co-workers. In the day of instant media and social networking, we quickly learn through the web, facebook etc...who these men and women are, who they have touched and what they believe in. It is now real time.

I have read many stories of soldiers who are currently serving, have served in the past or have lost their lives and in every soldier's story there are common threads:

~they truly believe in what they are doing

~that they are making a difference

~and in many cases that this was their calling, they just knew this is what they were meant to do.

Recently the war struck a little closer to home with the death of Sapper Steven Marshall who is the boyfriend of a family friend. I did not meet him but a quick read through the Facebook memorial page will tell you that many people were touched by him in his short 24 years. That, like the others he believed in what he was doing and that he was where he wanted to be, trying to make a difference.

So for him and the other 132 soldiers that have made the ultimate sacrifice during the current war in Afghanistan and to the thousands of others that have given their lives in creating a society of freedom I stop, close my eyes, whisper my thanks and remember.

I will give the last word to a fellow Flames fan, may he now rest in peace, Sapper Steven Marshall with this quote:

"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night, only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf" ~ Steven Marshall

308/365 wordy wednesday

I think it is BRIGHT for Starbucks to start Christmas drinks in November

as it allows me many wonderful moments of heaven

I just WISH eggnog lattes were around all year

I think it would be BRIGHT for me to try the other Christmas treats this year as the peppermint mocha and the new Caramel yummylicious are on my wish list

I just WISH they weren't so expensive from monetary and dietary standpoint.

I think it will be BRIGHT to shake out my pockets and check the couch to help me finance my little bit of yummy heaven holiday season habit.

It will be my WISH that each and everyone one of you has a chance to partake in the joy of a steamy eggnog latte at some point this season (if eggnog is not your thing I highly recommend you try a peppermint mocha)

301/365 wordy Wednesday

I always have questions, lots of them.

about anything and everything

but tonight I thought I would turn the tables

and answer a few of the questions I have been asked recently?

What camera do you use? a Canon 30D, usually with my favourite lens (50mm 1.4) and I also usually have Scott's Canon Power Shot SD1100 with me at all times.

Do you use the flash on your camera and/or a horsehoe (the separate large flash that attaches to the top of your camera)? very very rarely, this is one of my proudest accomplishments. It took a very long time, tons of trial/error and a fancy dancy lens but I shoot 98% in non flash light (natural is my primary but I have also been known to use lamps, Nintendo and phone screens, candles, car headlights etc...)

I would like to take better pictures, what would you recommend? start carrying your camera at all times. The more you take, the more comfortable you will be with taking pictures.

If you would have one piece of advice to how I could capture a better picture of my child what would it be? catch them when they are sleeping! Seriously, it would be GET IN CLOSE, not up their nose close but enough that I don't have to squint to see them. The best perk of this style, if you are in close you can't see the dirty dishes or unmade beds behind them!

I don't know what to take a picture of, my life is boring? If you are living on this planet and are converting oxygen to carbon dioxide then you have plenty of opportunities to capture a moment of time. Stop waiting for the "perfect" photo, just snap, snap, snap. Eventually you will develop your own personal photographic style. Remember with the world of digital you can always delete, delete, delete.

Do you always have that 3rd boob on you (seriously, I have been asked this question)? yes. I have a camera (or cameras) with me probably 95% of the time. I have taken some of my best pictures at the most random moments and am ALWAYS scanning the world around me for a great picture (which is a dangerous habit when driving by the way).

I can't believe you don't use a camera bag, that is crazy, you are going to wreck your camera? a very valid point and I tried, really hard, to use a bag but I found that I just didn't take as many candid random photos when I had to dig my camera out. I have my 30d on my hip (camera strap across my body) and the point and shoot in my purse.

My pictures will never be as good as (insert name here)? why would that matter? art is very subjective. One piece can reflect strong reactions on either side and that is ok. Art is about expressing yourself and not pleasing others (it is just a great perk)

Is your brother annoying? as he will not read a blog with more than 3 sentences I can honestly say, yep, he sure is.

I want to start a blog. How do I get started? I would recommend Blogger as it is a free service and very easy to use. Go the the main site (www.blogger.com) and follow the links. If you have any questions, just let me know.

Why would I start a blog? Does anyone really want to see my sock collection? well perhaps not, but once again, my motivator is not to create a blog to please other people. Hey, if they like it and come back and read it everyday than awesome, if it just those people in my life that love me unconditionally then that is ok to. Now that is not to say I don't try really hard to be creative, fresh and post about interesting things, but I will always strive to be authentic to my style and what I feel truly reflects me (hence the over whelming amount of Flames, Chocolate, my family and quirky posts).

Where do you buy most of your clothes? TARGET, sorry girls, closest one we have is approx 6 hours away (by car) but it is well worth the trip. I must admit thought my luxury splurge would be dress pants (only when they are on sale) from Banana Republic.

Do you ever sleep? define sleep? I do get about 6-7 hours on a good night, 2-3 hours when my mind and body have other plans. I am also a fan of napping. I find it to be such a luxury. I usually only need an hour and it will rejuvenate me for a very long

time.

I want to be on your blog, what does a person have to do to get noticed around here? well sending me gifts will get my attention but also contacting me for a Friends and Family Interview will get you in my forever grateful book very quickly.

Why do you release your blog posts so late? for many reasons, other than being a procrastinator extraordinaire the most common would be that by the time I am done my work day, get everyone organized for the night, I do not even start thinking of a post idea until about 10pm and Wordy Wednesday are tough as I spend a lot of time editing what I write so it makes sense and is not too long (may be a FAIL tonight on that front). On Self portrait Saturdays I need the whole day and night just to get a decent picture : )

I have asked you many questions and I do not see one of them answered, what is up with that? hmmm, well....let me see, maybe it is around here somewhere (insert fake paper rustling here) I am pretty sure the dog ate them, so leave a question in the comment section and I will have another FAQ, maybe next time there will be a prize. I have never offered a prize, I wonder what it could be? hmmmm I will think about that, if you have any ideas, leave me a comment.

294/365 wordy Wednesday and a little inspiration

oh yes I can.

I have wings...

somewhere around here

under piles of responsibility

and a plethora of worry dust bunnies

they are rusty (and dusty)

and a little wrinkled

but I can and WILL shake them off

close my eyes, take a deep breath

and stand on the edge of the unknown

it may involve large,

extremely copious quantities

of Starbucks and Tim Horton's

with an extra dose of chocolate

but I can do it

I can fly.

287/365 wordy Wednesday

and a political message:

I believe in him. I believe in change.

I want to see a positive change for all of society.

We need it. We need a leader.

The problem though is that this world is complicated.

No matter what he say and does, someone will disagree.

he is too soft. too hard. too left. too right.

he is good for Canada. he is bad for Canada.

he is trying to better his own economy. he is a protectionist.

the old boys club like the status quo.

the young are anxious and impatient for change.

everyone has an opinion. some are informed. some are not.

everyone states they want change,

but can society be authentic?

can we follow through with our lip service for

democracy, not only when it is convenient, but every single time

even when it is uncomfortable.

can we really embrace free speech?

even when we don't agree with what is being said.

can we make society accountable for their actions?

and not make excuses.

can we really have equality?

or is it just the right thing to say.

we say we want change.

but are we able to make the hard decisions and sacrifices

to make it happen?

and who will we allow to lead us?

** please remember these are my opinions only. You may not agree with me and that is ok. I believe 100% in free speech and welcome your opinions. I always like to hear alternative view points as I think it is important to have silly putty opinions (always moldable, adjustable & flexible) and not concrete ones. I also think it is important to not sign as Anonymous, please stand behind your words and be proud of your opinions. I simply ask that you treat me and my thoughts with respect and I will always promise to do the same to you.

*** thanks to Shelby and Matt for finding this Jones Soda and knowing that I would love it, picked one up for me (FYI, the soda tastes pretty gross, but I will be keeping the bottle!)

280/365 Wordy Wednesday

wife

mom

pal

daughter

daughter-in-law

sister

sister-in-law

auntie

granddaughter

friend

BFF

1/26 of the alphabet

chatty cathy

a shoulder to cry on

thankful

hockey fanatic

goddess

nervous nellie

bossy betty

tough

perfectionist

authentic

quirky

rhymes with Bee

bowler extraordinaire

artist

creator

writer

photographer

273/365 it took me long enough...

but I have finally determined my "word".

a little background to this crazy statement:

in January 2007 I read a blog post by the inspiring Ali Edwards

where she introduced the "one word" concept

a word that sums up who you are,

what you are looking to achieve

a word that inspires you to

be all that you want and can be.

In 2007, I was all gung ho to find my word

that special combination of vowels and consonants that

could define me. motivate me. inspire me.

I googled, read the dictionary, polled my friends and family

drove myself crazy trying to find just the right one

and eventually my search just died off with no chosen word.

In 2008, Ali Edwards again posted her word

and I was determined that it was my year.

I mulled a few over, picked one

than thought it wasn't quite what I wanted

so picked another and so on...

until eventually like 2007 the end result was no word.

in 2009 I thought about it

and decided instead of forcing the issue I would just wait.

I figured it may not be this year or even in the next 10 next years

but eventually a word would just pop into my mind

& it would feel right.

Driving home tonight my mind was going in

a thousand different directions and all of a

sudden, out of the blue, this word came to me:

and it is the perfect word for me.

I strive to be who I am every day.

no smoke and mirrors.

no public relations spin.

no "work" persona and "home" persona

just me and my values,morals and beliefs.

If I say something I believe it

If I have an opinion I will defend it.

If I tell you something it is the truth.

I will respect you and your opinions

I think everyone has value

I do not believe in extra drama

I do not like hurtful gossip

I avoid negativity

However, I would not be authentic

if I didn't say this was a work in a progress

that I work on this everyday

but I know in my heart that I am more authentic then I was last year

and more authentic than I was yesterday

I will continually strive for this word

as like the perfect word should...

I want it to eventually define who I am...

100% of the time.

Do you have a word? How do you want to be defined?

Bonus Picture:

~ I have started an inspiration board, not on purpose, more of an evolution of me putting things on there so they wouldn't get lost/wrecked until I had a chance to find a home for them and now deciding that they can stay right where they are.

266/365 no words this Wordy Wednesday

but instead I am asking for a favour

if you live in Calgary (or surrounding area)

please buy this:

a Tim Horton's SMILE cookie

From now until the 27th (of September) every $1.00 cookie sold, Tim Horton's will donate the proceeds to Alberta Children's Hospital.

As regular readers know, Peyton (see her story here) is currently at this wonderful facility. According to her parents, it is a great modern facility and Peyton has received some of the best care available.

It may only be a small (and yummy) contribution but with all the political talks of more health care cuts including less staff and closing much needed beds they can use every bit of help they can get.

259/365 wordy Wednesday and WISHES

I have recently been reminded how quickly the rug can be pulled out from under us,

how the carefully cultivated happiness and balance we strive for everyday can tumble away, in one moment, a minute, a second, a breath.

That is why...

I WISH on every shooting star I see to keep my family safe and healthy

I WISH on every birthday candle I blow out that I will be around for many many years

and tonight, what do I WISH for? that...

~ my friend MEG will eventually find peace &

~ she feels all the support she has from her friends, co-workers, strangers & family

~ she knows people are keeping her, Darren and Peyton in their thoughts and prayers.

~ PEYTON will have a safe and quick recovery

I believe that we (society as a whole) walk a very thin line between heartbreak and happiness. None of us are immune. Fate deals a blow. You fall on hard times. An accident occurs. Health issues appear. All of a sudden you find yourself on the heartbreak side. Battling to get back to the other side of that line. It can and will happen to each and every one of us many times over our lives. I WISH and HOPE that everyone recognizes that and shows compassion to those people who are currently on the heartbreak side. I WISH and HOPE that people remember in difficult times that one of the wonderful characteristics of our society is resilience. We have the resources, the tools, the people in our lives to pull ourselves through and we must believe that time on the heartbreak side will be short lived. Nothing (good or bad)is ever FOREVER or ALWAYS.

If you want to read more about Meg & Peyton's story, you can see it here. Her last post has a very important message about checking the temperature of your hot water tank (it should be no more than 50 degrees, most are set at 70 degrees) and I WISH and HOPE that everyone who has small children in their lives will take a moment to check their homes.

I found this article (click here) to be informative on the common burn hazards for our children and this one (click here) is a Canadian article about how to lower the temperature of your water.

252/365 wordy Wednesday is full of...

as Martha would say, it's a GOOD thing

my list of good things that are on my mind today:

~being surrounded by beautiful babies, I am LOVING all of my recent baby sessions

~ back to school routines, I like the organizational feeling of the season, now if I could just get into my craft room and get it under control

~ my family, they rock, all of them. immediate, my parents, my siblings, my inlaws, my outlaws ( you know who you are Pete),my close friends.

~ my blog readers, especially the ones that leave me comments, apparently I am all about the positive feedback and the little glimpses I get into their lives. Such as:

Lori, I am totally with you on your guilty pleasure of book buying and the fact that you grew up in Cranbrook just like my mom and we appear to have many things in common

Laura, you should have totally told my dad about being a blog reader when you went to his corn stand - he thought it was a hoot and I also love that you get such a kick out of the Kaeden stories (was Kaeden there? he is usually at the corn stand after school with my parents and I had hoped that maybe you got to meet him)

Jenny, I miss Fun Mondays and really enjoy your blog but also your comments

my parents, who read this every morning and my mom who learned how to leave a comment (and even started her own blog)

Lisa, I like the fact that you keep me on track with "gentle" reminders if I am running behind in my posting and I also LOVE the story of me making you a star when you were recognized by one of my blog readers at Starbucks from your pictures I have posted over the years of you, Mike and McKenzie!

Starr, through Twitter, emails and your blog I feel like I somewhat am keeping in touch but I also like your comments as they are always so cheerful

Krista, tap tap tap is this thing on? I miss your comments, especially during the non bowling season when I feel so out of touch

Miranda,I love that you comment even though I almost always tell you all about the post during our morning coffee break making you reading it seem redundant

Bud, your comments are always entertaining

the Provident Women who I don't know personally but has an interesting blog herself and left a comment about loving my hair cut so obviously she's alright in my books!

I also know that I have a few faithful readers who are the strong silent types such as 2 girls who at work who check every morning for an update, my sister, my brother, my mother and father in law, my sister in law Nicole, Cheryl,Lawrence, Jessie, Kim, Charmaine,Blair, Meg, Kim's dad and I am sure there are a few more out there that are even quieter and I either don't know you are a follower or I don't even know you... yet. Don't be shy...give a little shout out and let me know you are there

~ that hockey season is just AROUND the corner...YEAH!

~ hockey talk on FAN 960 (sports talk radio)

~ M&M peanuts

~ slurpees...and I am not even thinking about the fact that shortly this will not be a "good" thing when the snow starts to fly.

~ that the wasps are starting to get "dopey" and less and less of a threat to me

~ the new TV season, I don't have much time to watch, but when I do I like the new stuff (Ellen, Amazing Race, Survivor and I am sure I will get hooked into a new show or two)

Tell me about your "good thing"?

245/365 wordy Wednesday and a whole lot of...

238/365 a retro not so wordy Wednesday

~ Kaeden's new lunch box for school

231/365 Wordy Wednesday (August 19th)

is brought to you by a yummy delicious treat: this has to be the biggest bag ever but was all that Scott and the kids could find in Fernie and even though I am a Marshmallow snob and only like the Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, I am confident we will work through  this bag.

We also went to lunch at a local eatery:

and yet more beautiful views:

224/365 today's wordy Wednesday is brought to you by...

this important message:

217/365 wordy Wednesday

all I have to say to that is HECK YEAH! 

there are days I am pretty sure I need lots of therapy

and if we are talking chocolate...sign me up!

210/365 all we need on wordy Wednesday is a little...

love the ones you are with

look for love

hold on to love

find love

accept love

spread the love

listen to love

believe in the power of love.

203/365 a love letter