Crafty Craftyness

A good friend of mine recently started a crafting blog and she's doing SUPER awesome thus far. :) We're looking forward to exchanging some guest-blogs and I'm really looking forward to reading about her adventures and seeing her creations.

Check out Small Town Gal Crafts and show this crafty gal some love. You know you wannnna.

Back to reality.

Oy! Getting back to work after three whole weeks of doing next to nothing was pretty exhausting today. Before the holidays I finished up with my first contract with this employer (covering a maternity leave) and went in for three half days between Christmas and New Year's to do my part, today I started a new contract which takes me well into September as far as secure employment goes. It was kind of odd starting a "new" job that I kinda sorta already did, in a place where I knew everyone and didn't have to ask where I put my lunch bag or where the bathrooms are. I'm super grateful for having the opportunity to keep working there and I really hope to get something permanent by the end of this to keep my employee status and have transfer options when/if we ever do get posted outta here. I don't even want to get started on posting options/possibilities/odds right now... ugh.

Friends invited us over for dinner after work and it was nice to spend some time with them and their kids and just hang. On the not-topic of postings... I will cry every tear in my body when they get posted out. Seriously. We knew them both individually before they even met each other... and here they are, three years and two kids later... they're part of our Moose Jaw Fam.

Three more of my very close friends are getting posted out this summer. Again, just to be clear... we're totally not talking about postings. It's going to be a very long and sobby summer for this gal, me thinks. Don't get me wrong, I'm super thrilled for them that their husbands are finally done their training and they can move on to a more permanent and more family (vs career) oriented posting but there's a wee part of me that's a tad selfish and kinda wish I could keep them here with me forever.

The transient nature of our lifestyle sorta struck me today when I over heard someone say, with a distinct French accent, that they were new here and were looking for info for something... I literally RAN over and yelled "Don't go anywhere! I need to talk to you!" in hopes of introducing myself and offering help if they needed anything to get settled. As I ran towards her, my desperate little mind went "Way to look like a loser." but she seemed SO happy to talk and so relieved that I approached her, my more reserved self immediately forgave my insane self for looking like a complete tool.

It made me realize that we're always loosing friends but they make room for the new ones. And when we're the ones moving, we leave some behind to go meet total strangers. We'll have at least one thing in common and that's a good enough place to start when you're all alone...

Inspiration

Today is one of those days when my head is so filled with ideas that I don't know where to start.

I chatted with a friend this morning and she revived in me the urge to crochet some original pieces and pursue my latest passion. I've sort of set it aside over the last few weeks because the weather's just been so hot, it's been difficult to even think about holding a piece of yarn on my lap. Also, it's hard to find inspiration when it's so beautiful outside - who wants to think about tuques and hats and scarves? But I guess it's a good time to stock up and prepare for what I'm hoping will be a busy fall in the crochet department. :) I've got two ideas that I'm hoping to work on over the next little while so make sure to check it out on Facebook.

Happy Canada Day!

I hope everyone had a great long weekend! We sure did! :) Our friends Maggie and Marc came from Winnipeg to spend a few days and celebrate with us.

Waiting for the fireworks to start at Wascana Park in Regina.

 

 

Oooooooh!

Ahhhh!

We had a great time and even visited Mortlach (SK) to take part in the Saskatoon Berry Festival celebrations.

TL;DR

This is what happens when I don't sleep.

Created by yours truly.

Go Meesh Go!

Sending positive vibes and thoughts to fellow blogger and friend Meesh who's expecting a wee one any day now. I've had a blast following her belly story over at Life On The Farm - In The City with her weekly updates, her nesting urges and her gorgeous belly shots.

Now hurry on up so I can see pictures of Mini-Meesh!

More pretty wedding-ness!

Last week, I posted some photos of our wedding from our friend Nick's Facebook album. It's been insane the amount of pictures that flowed through the interwebs since the wedding. I figured I'd share a bit more with everyone on here to keep you on the edge of your seat until we get our professional shots and can share them with the world. 

Worry not, if you hear a faint *squee* in the distance sometime next week, it's because we got the pictures. :)

As promised :

I highly enjoy this one simply for the look on Js' face. Relief? Whistling?

With my Mom and my Papa.

I really really like this picture Maggie's hubster got.

The last people standing - consists of pretty much my pretty peeps and my parents. :)

G'bye!

Most of those are from the Maggie Cam except the first one, I believe, which is from Js' cousin.

Bachelorette on the loose!

It's a bit overdue but the photos are just finding their way on Facebook now. My fabulous, fabulous friends organized me the bestest best bachelorette party a girl could ask for the Saturday before the wedding. I wrote a bit about it here but I figured you would all enjoy some more pics and deets!

First things first, there was a surprise-shower part of it which family attended - more like the traditional wedding shower where we did funny games and ate cake. It was great to see family right the next day after my arrival in Ontario. We made some toilet-paper wedding gowns and I completed a "how well do you know your groom-to-be quiz".



When it was all over, I was kidnapped and decorated with balloons and some Bachelorette gear and forced to go downtown Ottawa for dinner and some good times (and by "times", I mean "drinks").





We headed out for dinner when I realized that I forgot my ID at Js' dad's house. LAME! My bridesman, Jf had been invited to join Js' bachelor party too so he knew where the guys were and when. We got a hold of them and asked Js to drop off the keys so I could go get my ID in case my "I got kidnapped this morning and I don't have my ID - plus, I'm old enough to get married you tool!" didn't work.When Js showed up at the restaurant, I truly enjoyed what I saw :

Js had a to-do list on the back of his t-shirt - pretty much all the boxes where checked by the end of the night.

The dinner went on with much fun, drinks and laughter. We made "male organs" out of napkins (just request it in a comment and I can post a tutorial), I got a t-shirt and some colorful gear to get noticed - and get free drinks - at the bar.

Yay!

The bunch at the restaurant - before things got soaked with alcohol.

Cheers to a great party with great people!

I made a wee-wee out of a napkin and my cousin got carried away.

Then, we hit the clubs - yes that's plural. We went a bunch of different places and finally settled on Whiskey bar. It was amazing how much fun we had - drama-free. Everyone got along and everyone was boozed up just enough not to care. It was nice to let loose and go nuts with my friends like when we were young (-er!! younger!!).

Throughout the evening, I kept thinking that it was awesome how Js was out with his buddies at the same time and kept hoping they were having as much fun as we were. I didn't worry for one second that he'd do something stupid or call me from jail asking me to come pick him up at 3am.

My party-party! :)

Love!

A picture of pure class.

That last picture is of one of my bridesmaid and me. If you look really closely, you'll see that she's holding a mickey of Malibu rum and I'm holding a shot glass. If you look at the photo again, you might notice that we are at an unnamed bar. Yes, throughout the night, she would not-so-discretely take out her bottle of rum and pour me a shot. Pure class! :)

Overall, it was an amazing night and official goodbye to Singlesville! :)

PS: All photo credits go to Maggie.

Wedding update : Hi, I'm a giant geek.

Seems like all I've been writing lately are wedding updates. I promise to try and spread them all over the next couple weeks so that I don't bore the living crap out of anyone. I've also been working on some scheduled posts for while I'm in Ontario getting ready for the big day so no one misses me too much. :)
Yes, I'm a giant geek like that. I should probably be thinking about what kind of flowers I want but no... no I worry about my blog while I'm gone.

Another and much much cooler reason why I'm a geek is that my blogging friend, Danielle will be attending our wedding. She's driving all the way from New York to meet us (yes, we've never met - added geekyness) and to celebrate our big day with us.

I am SO happy that she's coming to the wedding. There is a whole cocktail of people from different places coming so having her there will just solidify it all in knowing that there is someone there from each aspects/points in our lives.

We still can't believe that 100 people will care enough to attend our wedding - some coming from Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, New York and even some of our Moose Jaw friends will be there. Unreal.

Good times grooOOoow in Ontario!

Yes, we're in Ontario now. It makes the wedding seem oh-so-friggen close and then we realize that it actually is oh-so-friggen close and the panic sets in.

We both had an AMAZING day yesterday. Our fabulous friends planned our Bachelor and Bachelorette parties perfectly. Everything was epic and turned out great. I will post more pictures as more make their way to Facebook. I was pretty much kidnapped so I didn't have my camera on me. I was able to take a couple with my camera phone but there are bad, bad, fuzzy pictures I drunkenly took of random things. Right on!

I sustained only one minor injury as we stumbled through downtown Ottawa in search of every bar who'd have us. I only noticed this morning when I took a loofa to my elbow that it was scrapped and it stung like the devil's pee.

Js has been sleeping since 4:30pm, it's 6pm now. It's given me the opportunity to show my step-mother-in-law (SMIL) my gown and such and catch up on some blogging/reading. The flight over here was okay a bit long but overall good. I'm still trying to get used to the time change - that should settle over the next day.

I should probably get some rest too... this week is going to be astronomically stressfull. Ugh.

Wedding and blogging and hoping and praying...

Today, we're leaving for Ontario. We've been planning for this trip for over a year and it's finally happening. We're traveling back home to celebrate our wedding with our family and friends. It's been a fun ride planning and it's almost - but not just quite - over yet!

I'm writing this post weeks in advance because I know it will be a crazy time for me and if I do post anything at all at this point, it'll be incoherent mumbles of madness. Don't mind if I do!

As you already probably guessed, my blogging will have to take the back seat for a couple weeks so that I can get my weddin' on! Most posts that will be published over the next little while - unless otherwise specified or obviously messy and unreasonable - will have been written in advance and scheduled for posting during this little hiatus.

I didn't want anyone to get bored or miss me too much or anything... Don't cry, I'll be back soon and I'm sure I'll have TONS to blog/rant/vent/bitch/cry/ramble about! :)

Happy Birthday DP!

Just wanted to wish a great day to a great friend, Danielle!

I can't believe how long we've known each other. I'm excited beyond words to see you in just two weeks!

I wish you all the best and I sincerely hope this next year brings you everything your little heart desires!

Don't settle for anything, be fabulous!

Love,

M

Happy 5th Anniversary!

I know the picture is super old but I love it. :)

Happy anniversary to Nickykins and his Pookie!

Together, you are the cutest thing that ever existed.

Cheers to tequila indeed! ;)

Click here for a more recent and classy-pantsy picture.

Congrats Natasha and Curtis! :)

Our very dear friends are getting married today, we wish them all the best and we are thrilled to be part of their special day!

Baking Fun - Baby Shower Duckies

Baby Shower Lemon Goodness!

I made this three layer checker board cake with lemon and vanilla cake mixes. I normally don't like to use boxes of cake mix but considering the time restraints, I didn't have much of a choice. The mom-to-be was aware so it made me feel a bit better about it. :)

I used the Wilton cake pans to create the checker board effect. I wasn't able to get  a photo of a slice of the cake because I didn't attend the shower but here's a shot of one of the layers. The process was quite messy and hard to figure out because I didn't have a clear plan or a single clue what I was doing.

I'm glad I used some more subtle colors because the layers of color didn't quite line up. Next time, I'll be more prepared and will attempt a more contrasting combo like vanilla and chocolate or something like that. I'd recommend to give this a try a couple times to get the hang of it before going all color-crazy.

I used some vanilla icing and some basic fondant for the decorating. Not much fanciness there. I don't have a board to measure my fondant and to anyone attempting to use fondant, I'd highly recommend buying one. It's the next thing on my list for sure. because this cake had three layers, it took me quite a few tries before I could get it the right size and thickness. The sided ended up being a bit chunky because of that but I was able to cover it up with some duckies all around. I added some blue buttercream icing for the "waves" and added some little silver candy for detail and a nice finish.

I had some left over cake mix so I mixed in some green coloring into the white vanilla batter and made some marbled mini cupcakes. I decorated them with buttercream icing in yellow and blue topped off with some cute candy. They looked awesome!

Mom and Dad to be were thrilled with how everything turned out and I got a prompt update that everything was all gone. Their guests loved the cake and cupcakes and the baby shower was a success!

Congrats to Sarah and Travis and I wish them all the best as they prepare to welcome their little bundle of joy into the world. :)

Workin' hard and hardly workin'

It's been a crazy week and a couple days. Short overview :

Last Sunday, I left for Saskatoon for a week of training. It was pretty intense as far as long hours, brain stuffing and being away from home. I thought "Great! It'll allow me to work on some online stuff when I get to the hotel at night and take 'er easy!" - fail. The internet connection in my room sucked giant monkey nipples so I was barely able to go on Facebook for more than 14 minutes at a time. So the evenings were a GIANT waste.

On Friday, my dear dear friend JF landed in Saskatoon from Ottawa for a weekend visit. Js and him met me at work and we drove back to Moose Jaw together. As soon as we got home, we had to get crackin' and bake a cake! Saturday was our friend's baby shower (post with pictures to come soon!) and I promised I'd make a cake. So we baked a three layer checker board cake, 24 mini muffins and dirty-iced the whole thing. Saturday morning, we got up early for the decorations and delivery.

We visited Moose Jaw, did some touristy stuff for most of the weekend. Saturday night we went out in Regina with some friends. It had been WAY too long since I'd seen a drag show. Good times were had by all. We got home super late and got up super early again on Sunday. JF left in the evening - tears ensued.

This week, I'm going back to a more regular schedule so that's good. Tomorrow was supposed to be my day off but now it's meetings and outings all day. How did that happen? We'll have a crazy weekend again soon, I can feel it. We're having friends over for a good-bye party.

The wedding preps are looming over my head and slowly driving me batty. I'm so lucky that Js is involved and doing his share of the work - LOVE!

So that's all I've got to justify my lack of post as of late. With everything that's been going on lately, I'm sure there will be a ton more to come soon enough.

Smarties vs. Rockets

My good friend Danielle posted last week about how in the US, Smarties are not Smarties - they are Rockets.

My friends to the North and I have had many a discussion about what Smarties are--to them, they are candy-coated chocolate goodness, and to me (and every other American) they are heavenly pure sugar wrapped into little cellophane rolls.

That got me wondering what "Canadian-Smarties" are called in the US - are they even available? Yes, I wonder about these things.

I think it's funny because both those candies have "ways" of eating them. Everyone has their little ritual for indulging in the sugar high.

Chocolate Smarties are normally eaten one color at a time - keeping the red for last. You can sort them all out and pick and chose which color goes first. My favorite way to do it is by shaking them out of the box, one at a time and stuffing the red ones back in until that's all that's left. They are fantastic because they don't melt - ever. I actually prefer them to M&Ms.

The Rockets, have similar rituals. Some sort out the colors, some crush them into small pieces and roll a lollipop in them. I like to let them melt on my tongue until there is just the teeny middle part - kind of like a disc shape - left. Then I crunch it between by teeth. Cue the sugar overload.

My best friend's husband has a very particular way of eating them too and we were lucky enough to get a demonstration last time we visited. He puts a whole Rocket candy on each row of teeth and crunches. But wait, there's a twist. There are 27 Rockets in each pack so you get to eat the first one however you so please.

That's him, telling me alllllll about that 27th, oh-so-special, Rocket.

I think we have issues.

It's the little things...

- This morning, I woke up to a bleeding boyfriend. He totally face planted during his morning run and came back with a bleeding knee, scraped palms and a sprained ankle. All that happened at like 5am and I was still half asleep as he tried to wake me up to show me his booboo (on his KNEE, Nick!) - a couple hours after I got to work so probably around 11am-ish, I realized what had happened and laughed to myself for a good half hour.


- I can drive stick.

- A good friend from Regina will be attending our wedding in Ottawa - I'm so happy about this, there are no words... We met her because she was dating a CF member who was on OJT out here. He VR'd and moved back to Toronto so we haven't hung out together in ages. We invited him to the wedding because he goes to Ottawa quite often - we actually lived a couple streets away from each other a couple years ago, who knew?! So yeah, he asked her to be his date and we are SUPER excited and glad she'll be able to be there!

- Old episodes of Friends *cla-cla-cla-clap*.

- The little bulbs I planted out front are actually growing. Probably not as well as they normally should because of the recent crap weather but I have never gardened before and I'm quite proud of my accomplishments. They make me smile every time I walk in or out of the house.

- I think I've found a way to control my allergies - total bliss. To anyone who's having a hard time - night time sinus medication is a god send.

- Hunting for good songs to use for the wedding.

Free game!

During the Base Yard-Sale a couple weeks ago, my friend offered to keep aside for me an video game for our DS that I wanted. With work and everything, the last 2 weeks have been so insane, I haven't had a chance to swing by her house to pick it up. So she said she'd drop it off in my mail box when she walked her dog or something... so the next day the weather was decent enough for a walk, she did.

I get home to a Facebook message that said "I dropped off the game in your mail box." Excited, I go to the mail box only to find it's empty. I figure Js probably saw it and brought it in the house - nope.

I talked to my friend on Facebook that evening and she says : Yes, I put it there! So we figured she put it in the wrong mail box. But which one?!

She explained to me where she thought I live and I sent Js knocking on their door. The guy walked up to the door saying "Hey! Are you looking for a game?" ... it was pretty funny and I was quite glad to use the "You go, I'll watch Nova." excuse and not be humiliated. The guy thought it was pretty funny and we continued on with our walk.

I told my friend I would leave her $4 in someone's mail box and she'd have to go find it - I gots me a free game! ;)

It's a stupid little story but I thought it was absolutely hilarious and totally adorable. It sucks that she's being posted away next month - we just got to know each other a bit more. I guess that's the life.

Learn more about Women's Cancers

In my efforts to support my cousins France and Aimelie in raising funds and awareness of women's cancers, here's some useful information. Remember to click here to donate on behalf of France and click here to donate on behalf of Aimelie.

Breast Cancer
Among Canadian women, breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer with 22,700 new cases expected in 2009, nearly twice as many as lung cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality among women, and is expected to take the lives of 5,400 Canadian women in 2009.
Click here to find out more information about signs, symptoms, screening, risk factors, treatment and the latest research.

Ovarian Cancer
2,500 new cases of ovarian cancer are expected to be diagnosed in Canadian women this year, with an estimated 1,750 deaths attributed to the disease.
Click here to find out more information about signs, symptoms, screening, risk factors, treatment and the latest research.

Cervical Cancer
1,300 new cases of cervical cancer are expected to be diagnosed in Canadian women this year, with an estimated 380 deaths attributed to the disease.
Click here to find out more information about signs, symptoms, screening, risk factors, treatment and the latest research.

Uterine Cancer
4,400 new cases of uterine cancer are expected to be diagnosed in Canadian women this year, with an estimated 800 deaths attributed to the disease.
Click here to find out more information about signs, symptoms, screening, risk factors, treatment and the latest research.

Vaginal Cancer
There is no early detection for vaginal cancer; however, sometimes doctors are able to detect vaginal changes during pap tests and pelvic exams.
Click here to find out more information about signs, symptoms, screening, risk factors, treatment and the latest research.

Vulvar Cancer
Through research, scientists are learning more about genes and cancerous vulvar cells. They are also studying the ability to prevent cancer through vaccinations.
Click here to find out more information about signs, symptoms, screening, risk factors, treatment and the latest research.

I didn't even know there were this many different kinds of women's cancer - one thing's for sure though, it's all in our best interest to be aware and informed. By supporting France and Aimelie, you'll be raising funds and awareness for each of those different types of cancer and most importantly, you'll be joining hands with Canada’s biggest difference-making endeavours for all women.