Hot Summer Nights...

Outside my window...
The stars are shining brightly on an early summer night.

I am thinking... that time is passing so quickly!

I am thankful for... a friend who trusted me to speak on her special day.

From the kitchen... yummy tomato & cheese sandwich with mayo for a late night snack as I missed dinner and it was pretty hot outside today.

I am wearing... a dark grey tank top, a red printed blouse, a black jersey skirt and my white flip flops.

I am creating... memories to last a lifetime.

I am going... to put away the banana bread as it's cooling right now.

I am reading... Anne Rice's Memnoch the Devil

I am hoping... the sun will shine for M & D's wedding Friday afternoon.

I am hearing... the television still on as it's too warm to sleep.

Around the house... Dishes done, banana bread cooling, lunch to make for work tomorrow, and a warm bed I want to climb into... soon.

One of my favorite things... inushtuk sculptures!

Until next time :)

Reflections

Kingston, Ontario - May 22nd, 2010 - Road trip with my sister & niece.

It's about time: Reflecting, Re-evaluating and Rebuilding

I have realized that I need to make things more simple.

I want to feel inspired and excited about blogging, about writing again...

Instead I've taken so much time to think I need to perfect the space I blog in, that I've lost sight of what I wanted in the first place:

A blog that reflects who I am & lets me share the photos I love

I love the thought of a blog of my photos. I strive to update with more content and then fall by the wayside because real life keeps me busier than I'd like to be in order to update more.

And then I also think that my blog has to be so much more perfect than just what inspires little old me.

So in an effort not to try to be so stubborn, I will stop worrying about what anyone else thinks or does and just keep it simple: my passion - photos that only need a few words to tell the story of the life I love so much.

Until next time :)

Toronto Birthday Weekend

So April and May were really busy months for me, I'm hoping June will be a bit less hectic so that I may have some time to reflect and enjoy the better weather that should be on it's way soon.

I still have not been able to make my goal of posting weekly, with two jobs, staying on top of eating properly and just getting the everyday things done; I fall behind on a regular basis.

I don't know how to fix this, except to perhaps begin creating lists to keep me on track - as I also have a bit of a horrible memory and honestly forget things sometimes... it's so frustrating, so I am hoping a list might help me focus.

I am always really inspired by Andrea's hulaseventy blog, she's such a great photographer and she has a great outlook on life, so I thought after seeing that she is keeping 52 weeks of lists, this might be an option that could work for me in remembering all the stuff I want to get done; as well as the priority of what needs to get done... so let's see if that will help me make some new things part of my routine.

I went away for my birthday in April; I can hardly believe I am 35, it still seems so surreal to me.

I remember when I was a little girl and hearing that a relative was 35 or older and thinking they must be soooo old, yet at 35, I don't feel old nor do I fear my imminent death of decrepit old age coming on anytime soon.

My first list is an update of photos I took on my 35th birthday weekend in April. I took some time off for a road trip to Toronto to spend time with a dear friend and to see my aunt's family:

1. Snacks for the road trip






















2. Driving along the 401 Highway:





















3. Getting close to the big city - Port Hope:























4. Downtown Toronto - One of my favorite buildings besides the CN Tower:






















5. Friday Night Blue Jays game - Blue Jays may have lost but it was a great game!












Until next time :)

5 Happy Thoughts:

1. Thinking about lists to make for my 35th year

2. Enjoying sunshiney moments after work

3. Tim Horton's Iced Cappaucino - sugar & caffeine extravaganza!

4. First pedicure of the spring / summer season

5. Hearing my nephew call me his aunty cawowyn, so much love.

Winding Down After A Long Weekend...

Yesterday was a really good day...

Spent time with my family, enjoyed some good weather & great company during a busy long weekend.

Saw the Easter Bunny - never too old to believe in holiday magic:






















After a busy day visiting with family, I spent some time winding down in a beautiful place - Andrew Hayden Park.






















I like to go here because it is always busy with people enjoying the weather, the water or the birds...















The sunset was so beautiful, I was lucky to catch it before it set. The air was crisp with a little wind as the warm weather left with the sunshine.






















In spending some time there taking some photos, I realized it is probably time that I took another photo of myself.






















I was standing on a ledge of rocks behind the tree and was over as far as I could be without falling off the ledge. Except for the wind making my hair a little crazy, I was relaxed & feeling good about the day, so I decided to ask someone to snap a photo for me and I am pretty happy with how it came out.






















Until next time :)

Much Needed Inspiration

I am human. I have flaws. Really, I do...

One of those flaws that I am willing to admit is that I am not so good on the follow through... meaning I have a habit of starting things and not always finishing them.

So after realizing that I don't tend to update my blog on a regular basis - in fact it is almost like I forget it exists at times - I thought I'd like to challenge myself and try to write more.

My goal is to write and update once a week.

I feel I can do this at the very least, however, in trying to keep my list of 101 things on track, I was not so successful in even updating as minimal as once per week. I realize as much as I think I can be successful at more, I will start with this small plan to update weekly and see how I do.

I am hopeful in taking this small step in following through with something that I enjoy but never can seem to find the time to do.

When I get home in the evening, I either fall asleep due to a long day at my full time job, or am in a rush to get ready so I am not late for my part time job where I work about 25 hours a week. So by the time I get the little things done that require my attention, I don't have a lot of time for myself.

I love taking photos, I love documenting life; so hopefully I will make a new start yet again and continue documenting the precious momments that are my life.













Until next time :)

Cutest Boy in the World...

Well maybe I'm a little biased...

After all I think my nephew is the most adorable little boy :)

Mr. Z turned 3 on January 9th, 2010.

He loves to make people laugh. He will do all sorts of things just to get a laugh.

And he must tell you everytime we pass an OC Transpo bus on the street in the car that we've passed a "Mus" Auntie Carolyn! He gets so excited to see them all over the city...

He usually has a car in his hand everywhere he goes, loves pop pops (lollipops) and his big sister Kay :)

We are all so blessed to have him in our lives.


















love you baby boy...

Until next time :)

A Change Is Gonna Come...

CHANGE is my one little word for 2010

My word for 2009 was Believe.

I strove to believe in myself more, to believe in the world around me more and to try to be a more positive person in the grand scheme of things. I believe my life transformed in many ways in 2009 because I believed in myself and the people around me who love me for me.

So for 2010, I wanted a word that would push me to grow more as a person. For me, there is no other word that brings to mind action like the word CHANGE.

And since life changes so much in every moment, why not celebrate life and embrace the changes that make life interesting, and sometimes, make a full life even richer.

I am still working on changing my lifestyle to become a more healthy person, it is forever a work in progress. I want to change my image of my self and who I am now that I see myself more than a year out from my weight loss surgery journey. I know I am still learning to eat properly, include more healthier foods. To nourish my soul as well as my body, with vitamins, positive encouragement, and little rewards to keep inspiring me to be a better me.

I believe I am worth all the work that goes into the CHANGE I still want to see in my life.

As the journey continues every day in every moment, I strive to become the person I hope to be.

Happy 2010!













Until next time :)

Photo Fun

Playing around with my flickr account, I created a few mosaics.

Since I'm beginning to think about getting organized for Christmas, I thought I would share a few Christmas/Winter themed photos with my very own mosaic from my flickr photos:






















1. Mhmmm... Candy Cane Latte, 2. Smiling, 3. Santa, 4. gift


Until next time :)

o/` I Just Call You Mine o/`

Love this song:



Martina McBride - I Just Call You Mine (Official Music Video)
Watch more amazing videos here


I pinch myself
Sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream
That's how it seems

I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known
It feels like home

And here I am
I want to be your everything
There you are
Turning winter into spring

And everyone that sees you
Always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're a standing ovation
After years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
Yeahhhh
I just call you mine

I fall apart
And just a word from you
Somehow seems to fix
Whatever's wrong
Ohh
You reach into the weakest moments and remind me that I'm strong
You gotta know
I'd be a fool not to see or even worse to forget
That you're more than I deserve

Cause everyone that sees you
Always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're a standing ovation
After years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine

Nothing makes sense when you're not here
As if my whole world disappears
Without you what's the point of it

Cause everyone that sees you
Always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're the dream that I've been chasing
After years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine


Thinking about putting this on the list to use as my wedding song as my significant other always makes me feel like I am amazing. He believes in me and is always showing me how he feels about me.

Until next time :)

Let freedom reign...

Yesterday was Rememberance Day, I am grateful for the sacrifices past & present soldiers made on our behalf. I watched services held at the Ottawa War Memorial where our Veterans were remembered and honored.

My grandfather fought in the war, my uncle is a Korean war vet who was 16 when he lied about his age and enlisted. I'm proud to say they both made it home safely from their respective wars.

I am thankful for their service, for the freedom they gained for us to live a full life in a safe and peaceful world.
















Until next time :)

Trick or Treat ~ a Happy Hallowe'en!

After a rainy morning, the sun came out around 3pm to warm up the wet ground just in time for a windy but dry Hallowe'en.






















Barb, Kay & Zack posing after trick or treating at the first house of the night

We visited a few of the neighbours and then went back to our old neighbourhood in Barrhaven to trick or treat at some houses we knew.

Zack's first Hallowe'en meant we had to teach him to say trick or treat. After the first few houses, he realized he would get a lollipop or some other candy when he asked these 3 simple words. He began to say 'Trick or Treat, gimmee pop pop please!' (pop pop is what Z calls lollipops, his favorite treat). I am so glad that they were both so good and waited when other kids ran around my niece to get to a door faster, and that they both said thank you after receiving treats at each house.






















Pumpkin Patrol was out in Barrhaven. It's great that the people that work at Rogers volunteer to do this every year as having the presence in the neighbourhood seems to help keep the streets a little safer.

Thanks Pumpkin Patrol!























After a while, we put Zack in the stroller and let Kay trick or treat a little faster then waiting for her almost 3 year old brother to get out of his stroller and up to the door for every house. It didn't matter as they definitely had enough candy to share at the end of the night.

Funnily enough, when we were done in Barrhaven I realized I wasn't quite 100 per cent sure where I'd put the car when we parked on one of the many side streets. It's a maze, that neighbourhood, I tell you it is!

I'm a landmark person and knew it was on the side street next to the 3 sided house on the corner of one of the main neighbourhood streets, so we began to look as we had only covered a few blocks before turning back towards the car. It was where Kay thought it was, and we put the stroller and the kids in the car and off we went.

After a stop at Tim Horton's for coffee and a bathroom break, the kids scored a few free tidbits because the quiet location was delighted by my niece & nephew's costumes and their antics.

It was a great night, we all had such a fun time even with a few costume malfunctions due to too much wind at first.

Until next time :)

o/` California Dreaming o/`

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
on a winter's day

Fall is my favorite season.

I love Fall weather.

















(Shot of Park Bench in Bate Island Rest Area)

The sun still shines during the day reminding us of the Summer's hot days; but the cool crisp air reminds us that winter is on it's way just around the corner. I love that it is cool enough for a sweater, but a jacket is not needed just yet.

I love all the Fall colors.

Brilliant Red, Orange and Yellows swirling in the wind and finally falling off the trees.















(Shot of the city and changing leaves from above)

And then the stark contrast as the trees lose their leaves and come to rest against a grey sky for the long winter season.















(Shoreline in Kingston on Thanksgiving Monday 2009)

I love the smell and tastes of the season.

Hot chocolate, vanilla, apple cider and cinnamon that reminds me of Fall mornings. Of apples fresh from the Orchard, hot soups to warm you from the inside out. All the holiday goodies like Hallowe'en candy; Turkey, pumpkin and apple pie warm from the oven at Thanksgiving; shortbread cookies, butter tarts, fruitcake, and turkey with all the fixings at Christmas.















(Shot of our Thanksgiving Turkey 2009 - 1st Turkey attempt ever)

I love the way Fall makes me think about the cycle of life.

Perhaps it's the nesting and preparation for Winter or just an unconcious inclination towards hibernation; but I often find myself thinking about my role in the world, my family, and my own life at this time of year.

Reflecting on a new school year for my niece; remembering September 11th; getting back into the groove at work after a summer full of fun and play with a lighter workload; finding a routine that works; being thankful for what I have and taking time to reflect on that at Thanksgiving; remembering our fallen soldiers and veterans on Rememberance Day; and then getting ready to enjoy another holiday season that always comes so fast.
















(My nephew, my niece and I - October 2009)

There are so many reasons I love this season. I just wish Fall was not the bearer of the bad news every year that Winter will soon be here...

Until next time :)

Five Happy Thoughts

1. Saturday Morning Brunch:

2: New Headphones:

3. My Word for 2009:






















4. Taking photos:






















5. Spending a lazy afternoon at the park:

















Until next time :)

Restless Nights

Lately I've been having a bit of trouble sleeping.

Maybe it is the one cup of coffee I like to spoil myself with every morning - either an extra large Timmy's double double or a french vanilla Treats coffee depending on how late I'm running as I leave for work...

Maybe it is the shift in the weather - warm afternoons after a day in a cool office...

Maybe it is the dreams I've been having after seeing the latest Final Destination Movie in 3D on Saturday night... why did I say yes to this flick ?

Or perhaps it is that after the commute home, I've been guilty of having a nap so when bedtime arrives, I can't sleep...

I even tried to go to bed early on Monday night and found myself staring at the ceiling for almost 2 hours before I fell asleep.

Whatever the case, it's messed my whole routine up and I tend to be leaving for work about 10 minutes too late to arrive at work just in time because I cannot pull myself from my warm bed early enough on cool Fall mornings...

So back to the drawing board to figure out what to do to sort out my weird sleeping patterns.

Until next time :)

For Today

Borrowed from the Lemons to Lemonade Blog:

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...
I am enjoying the sound of children playing and little birds singing to each other

I AM THINKING ...
I really need to take time for myself every day

WE ARE LEARNING ...
An exercise routine is a lot of hard work

I AM THANKFUL FOR ...
The love & laughter that lights up my life

FROM THE KITCHEN ...
Smell of cinnamon and freshly made tea

I AM WEARING ...
Red tank top and shorts

I AM GOING ...
To spend time at my desk today, to create!

I AM READING ...
My Sister's Keeper

I AM CREATING ...
Playing with my journal today, we'll see what happens...

I AM HOPING ...
To find balance in the day to day

I AM HEARING ...
o/` So Beautiful o/` by Jarvis Church

AROUND THE HOUSE ...
Dishes to take care of, some tidying to do

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ...
Editing my photos from a fun day of picture taking, love the little moments that make life worthwhile

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK ...
Besides work, some more photos perhaps

A PICTURE TO SHARE ...
Visiting the ducks at Bate Island:



Until next time :)

Five Happy Thoughts

Listening to my loved ones singing when they think no one is listening... so cute!

Feeling proud of myself for following through on exercise: great aquafit workout yesterday.

Loving how much my nephew loves my SUV - makes him excited just to hear the horn beep... I love hearing him say "My Car" over and over when he sees it.

Picked up my free photo prints yesterday. Just seeing these little pieces that capture moments from my little world makes me smile.

Reflecting on a Sunday afternoon with a great cup of coffee.





















Until next time :)

Friendship is such a blessing

I didn't realize until recently just how much I missed a dear friend of mine who I haven't seen in way too long...

I have known his family for years and have been friends with him since the eighth grade. We have spent so much time together throughout the years, but I fell out of touch with him over the last 3 or 4 years... I knew what he was up to as my little sister is friends with his little sister, so she kept me in the loop; but we hadn't really talked in some time.

I stopped to visit him on my way back from Montreal, a long overdue visit as he moved back to the area from Toronto in March. He moved into a beautiful house with his brother which didn't surprise me as they are so close.

He is lucky enough to be able to work from home; so I knew there was a chance he would be around. I'm glad I took the chance because since it was one of the few sunny days this summer, he was outside mowing the lawn. I spent some time catching up with him before his mom and dad showed up for a visit. He showed me the house, we talked a bit, and then he invited me to an informal housewarming him and his brother were having that weekend.

Just spending this little bit of time with an old friend who is so comfortable to be around, so kind, funny, and charming; made me remember why we are friends in the first place... And although so much time has passed, we were able to talk about anything and everything just like we always have been.

So although he lives an hour outside of the city, I plan to make more of an effort to cherish his friendship and not take what we have for granted now that we're closer in distance than we once were.

There is nothing like the blessing of a good friendship, full of love and laughter.

Until next time :)

Five Happy Thoughts:

Good friends - I am so blessed to have friends I can count on in good & bad times.

My niece & nephew who bring me smiles, love and laughter.

A good man who loves me for me on my good & bad days.

My beloved Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi - I agonized about spending so much money but oh I love it and how it helps me to capture the moments that make life precious.

Road Trips - I cannot explain the freedom, the rejuvenation just a little time driving, listening to tunes and documenting life in photos can do to appease my soul. I think this has to do with my wandering spirit and the fact that I used to move around a lot so leaving for a little while restores that feeling of adventure.

















Until next time :)

Happy Birthday Ms, K :)

My Niece is 7 years old today - my lil ladybug is growing up right before my eyes.

Hope you are enjoying celebrating your birthday! We definitely feel blessed to have you in our lives.

As my sister and I went shopping yesterday, I gave K an early birthday present of an Archie Comic Book, a swimsuit for a possible swimming outing today, and goggles that she liked so much she didn't want to take them off for hours.

























Until next time :)