The people I meet...

So here's the thing....

the thing is that sometimes, I feel so darn lucky.

The other morning....well...a few mornings ago...I got to spend some time with three brothers. And in a very short time, I got to know their personalities. Each of them different, each of them sweet. It was chilly and it was overcast. But we had fun and we had a few laughs...I do believe at my expense!

What I love about kids is that you can get to know them so quickly, because they don't know about putting on pretenses....they are themselves. That's all they know how to do.

They just do.

They just are.

 

And that's why, my friends, I am so very very lucky. I know so many of these little beautiful people.

I am blessed.

 

How come

there's never enough hours in the day?

But then again, there's always time for good friends and a good laugh.

Busy busy busy finishing up all my proofing...and apparently there's a rumor going around that there 23 days til Christmas...say it isn't so!

 

Here's to a great week:)
 

Fly fly fly

to Winnipeg...on December 2 from 4 to 10pm.

Kal Barteski is a Winnipeg artist, amazing mother and the most energized person I have never met! I feel like I know her though, as I've followed her blog for a few years. Her amazing journey into motherhood is what feeds her soul, although she has always lived her life with this incredible passion.

She loves life and it is evident in everything she does. She also lives her life with a real honesty that is truly inspiring.

So my friends, in Winnipeg and beyond...go go go to this because it will be awesome. And maybe, although I shouldn't say this, but maybe her two beautiful girls will be there...Pilot and Penn. And her rockstar hubby Dan....wait til you read about their 'love story'.....

Ok, ready set go....I guarantee you will be smiling and inspired and feel just darn good about life.

 

Here's to Kal, and finding wings:)

Have a great week everyone.

The whos....

are out of Fluville......and will be back this week.

In the meantime...GO RIDERS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE I LOVE I LOVE

Lyle Lovett. It's true. I love him. Always have, always will.

 

I love his voice, his music, his songwriting, his voice and oh I love his hair.

I love him. And to have him on the Q was fantastic. Wish I could have been there. Go have a listen- Lyle with Jian. (you have to fast forward to get to the interview)

He has a new album out....hey kids....Christmas is a comin'. If I can wait that long. Doubtful.

Natural forces....that he is.

Have a great day everyone:)

Is the universe trying to sell me something?????

'Cause look what I found on one of my favorite shopping sites-

I mean seriously....is that a sign or what???????

It's me doing what I do best.

You know I have to get this:)

Happy Birthday.....

to a friend far away.

Hope you have a lovely day. Thinking of you.

THE FLU

has hit this house.

Be back soon:)

Looks like I'm a bit of a groupie.

And it looks like I'm coming back to the land of JON BON JOVI .

Winnipeg. Manitoba. Yep, me and three of my most favorite people in the world will be screaming and laughing and dancing at the Winnipeg Stadium next summer.

I just heard a rumor that he sings. Is this true? I have to look into that:)

Thanks Chris for hooking me up with the tickets. It is going to be so much fun. 

I wonder if he'll remember me from last summer;)

We are enjoying thee most beautiful, sunny, warm weather here in the Maritimes. 

Have a great weekend everyone:)

Sometimes....

remembering is the same as not forgetting.

Like when I order a hamburger with cheese. WHAT???? Oh yeah, some people call it a cheeseburger.

Sometimes the same, but sometimes different.

Today is Remembrance Day...a day of remembrance, a day of not forgetting. A day to be reminded of all the good in the world.

Today is November 11 and I could still pick some dandelions for a bouquet.

Just one more reason to be thankful.

Stairway...

in the middle of the road.

I pass it everyday. I smile everyday at the thought of it.

What in the world is it doing there, in the middle of the road? In the middle of nowhere? What was the person thinking when they put it there?

The stairway in the middle of nowhere.

But I'm thinking....and I"m thinking it's really in the middle of somewhere, 'cause we're all just in the middle of somewhere.

And it's all so good.

Have a great day my friends.

xxxxx

PS. Orval would have been 71 today. And I know he would have had something funny to say about that staircase:)  He would have wanted his picture taken while standing on it.

Happy Birthday my dear Dad.

M*A*S*H*

and I'm not talking the Monster Mash either.

I'm talking Hawkeye, Hunnicut and Klinger....or at least that's what I saw this Halloween 2009. can't you just hear the theme song? Classic.

I have to say that I'm alittle disappointed in my child. I thought I had taught him better lessons in life; I thought it was a given, that when you get home from trick or treating, you dump your loot, and then sort. Of course it is sorted by category, and then it is sorted by how much you like each treat.

Is this not how the world works???????? Where did I go wrong as a mother? I will just have to sit and wait for his rejects....he's not a big fan of the chips so I automatically get those......it could be awhile though, his loot bag is pretty full.

Have a great week everyone:)

Wisdom......teeth......fairies and dragons.

Halloween 1999.

Jacob was a dragon dressed in pyjamas and Hannah was a tooth fairy. Complete with wooden teeth carved by moi. Thank goodness a neighbor took this picture because I was so busy getting the costume ready that I didn't snap a single shot. Teeth carving is a time consuming job you know!

It's fitting as today, 10 years later, Hannah had her wisdom teeth removed. Not nice, especially the day before Halloween.

I'm thinking she's wishing she had that magic wand right about now.....and she could magically make the pain and swelling disappear. But today, she'll just have to settle for me and my motherly wisdom.

Happy and safe Halloween everyone:)

Life.

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

 

— Maya Angelou

Thanks to Anna Kuperberg  for this reminder today:)

Have a great day everyone.

The sound of beauty....

and the sound of pure loveliness.

I know what that sounds like.

It's Catherine MacLellan.

photo by Patrick Nicols

Pure and lovely. And live. Her performance, with Murray McLauchlan, Nathan Rogers and Barney Bentall was magical. The goosebumps and tears in the eyes kind of magical.

Go to Catherine's website and see for yourself.

This is the second time I have seen Catherine in a live performance. How lucky am I? And I get to start off my week with her newest album, Water in the Ground.

Have a great week everyone:)

Two friends....

from Winnipeg, contacted me tonight with the following important newsflash:

 

I really don't know why on earth they would want little ole me to know this ;)

But thanks Chris, thanks Jill:)

Watch Dog.

whadda ya think? Do you think anyone has a chance?

With those chicken legs? With that ferocious underbite? With those fierce eyes? And then there's his big bad bark......oh no.......

I don't think so.

My life, part 2.

Self explanatory really.

I'm all about the huddles....and the helmets....

when taking football photos that is.  But right now I'm trying to warm up....I"m not sure what is worse- sitting in a cold rink watching hockey or sitting in a windy stand watching football? I did both this weekend.

So right now, I'm all about having a hot bath......:)

I've got alot of people waiting for alot of pictures, so there's  no time to be cold.

And besides, I'm from Manitoba....we went to school, uphill both ways, in -85 degree temps to a one room school house with no heat......

Happy Sunday night:)

Today I am thankful...

for the invention of the mechanical dishwasher. The human ones in this house seem to be broken:)

 

After a full day of making pie crusts, stuffing, gravy, veggies and of course the big bird......it was a welcome sight.

And of course I am thankful for the two people who mean the most to me in this world....who thank me after every meal, and then disappear!

They think I make the best turkey and gravy. And I do have to admit, my gravy does rock. And this year, so did my pie.

So here's to the dishwasher, who ( I say who as I think of it as a person) makes my life easier, and gives me more time to spend with Hannah and Jacob. As my dishwasher is named LG....Life is Good.

And thanks to Mike, our dinner guest, who had three helpings...he was either hungry or he enjoyed the dinner! I think it was abit of both.

Have a great week everyone:)

BIG BAD BOB.....

this one's for you....

This summer, when I was in Winnipeg, my reunion friends and I had a little reunion sans Bob, our fourth partner in crime. At our 25th year reunion we managed to stay up all night long. Of course I was ridiculed for trying to order decaf coffee at Tim Horton's at 5am....but that's a whole other story;)

Bob, not only did you miss our fanTAStic company, you missed thee best burgers, salad and of course, Old Dutch potato chips.

And a tour of the beachside neighborhood.....

The beautiful Manitoba sky.

A great outhouse.

A little pink house that I wanted to buy.

And your three buddies, trying to get a good shot.

Sorry Bob, you missed a fun time. But don't worry, we did talk about you:)

Just hanging out in the alley....

 Fun fun fun on a Friday afternoon:)

Sometimes the universe sends you a gift.

And the gift to me, today, was Susan. Beautiful Susan.

Here's Susan and her son Rob. CHECK out those baby blues....UNBELIEVABLE. I cannot wait to shoot them again...when we have more time.

I have NEVER had so much fun or laughed so much going through the McDonald's drive thru! 

Next time, however, I"ll make sure the camera remains in my hands at all times.....as someone felt the need to take my photo, and we photographers DO NOT like our photos being made. 

 

Just saying....

Could my head be any bigger?!!!!!!!! Well, that's something Oprah and I have in common. When we get together we're going to measure our heads to see whose is really the biggest! And, I will ask her one burning question.....how do you spell Stedman's name? Is it Stedman or Steadman? Enquiring minds NEED to know:)

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend everyone.

I spy with my little eye...

a little something new.....

No...it's not the carpet......no it's not the dog and no it's not the electrical outlet....

Is that what I think it is?

Is that a PEZ collection?

My word, I think it is.

And there is a new member of the family. The first person who can guess what it is, gets a fanTAStic prize. Yes I said it, fanTAStic.

Over and out on a wet chilly Sunday night, where the best place to be is in a cozy basement.

Have a great week everyone:)

UPDATE: To Tina and Chris-WHERE are your submissions?????? And to Gayle and Jennifer....I know I confess my deepest, darkest, most important secrets to you, but do you have to air them on public internet???? Honestly you two. And furthermore, how do you know I didn't purchase, or win a new PEZ since my latest purchase? That might have been a decoy...I THOUGHT you two would know me better:)

While we are here...let's just up the ante.....what is one PEZ I really want? Separate prize;)

Anne....you mean I want to be Elastigirl and I am Cookie Monster???? Good guesses but not quite.....

Chris you're getting closer....if I was Wonder Woman (and who's to say I'm not!) but if I was Wonder Woman, who would I want to marry?

Anne...you are assuming WonderWoman would marry a superhero.....maybe not?......

Last night, I was moved to tears....

I was moved by laughter, I was moved by misbelief, I was moved by anger.

All because of the words, the humor and the humanity of Stephen Lewis.

Mount Allison University brought him in to speak to a full house at Convocation Hall. It was packed with people of all ages. It was remarkable.

Remarkable. Moving. Funny, Serious. 

Stephenlewisfoundation.org

If you EVER EVER get the chance to see him speak, I urge you to do it. You won't be disappointed. He is so inspiring and so passionate. 

He spoke about AIDS of course, but he also spoke about violence against women, about inequality of the sexes. Despite the horrors that he has seen in his soon to be 72 years, he smiled. Alot.

I started taking notes but soon realized he was saying too much...too much that I wanted to take in at that moment.

He made me think about the world, and the staggering percentages of poverty; of the children, of the orphans.

Thankyou Mount Allison University, for bringing Stephen Lewis to speak to us. 

What a gift.

And that's a thumbs up....

to the newest Mr.and Mrs..

That's Chuck and Mary just after becoming husband and wife, walking down the aisle.

It was a beautiful evening ceremony....for a beautiful couple.

So 'Thumbs up' you two.....here's to a wonderful life:)

Going to the chapel....

      and they're, gonna get married.. 

This summer Chuck and Mary indulged me with an engagement, faux wedding session.I got to practise some fun shots....like jumping into the ocean shots....it was a great afternoon. We laughed, we talked, we got wet....and I got to know what a great couple they are.

Soon they'll say 'I do'.

The forecast is for a beautiful day, so I'm thinking we're gonna stay dry this time.....and apparently, as I've been told by the bride's mom.... that Mary is wearing a beautiful WHITE dress. I guess this means the Swan Pond is out! Just kidding Heather...I promise I will keep her clean.

You never mentioned Chuck though.........

Happy Birthday Anton.

Unicycler on the right (post below!)

Unicycler, hockey player, footballer, tree fort builder, golfer, all round great guy.....but please oh please Anton, please STOP RIGHT NOW, thankyou very much......STOP trying to talk Jacob into joining football. I know I proclaimed my love for the sport but I don't love it that much.

Now, if you could get Tom Brady to make an appearance, I would certainly change my tune:)

Have a great birthday anyways, you teenager you!

I love these two....

Period.

Football 101

or football according to me.

I don't know one single thing about football except that I love it. I love the crowds. I love the spirit. I love that there's no fighting.I love that fans dress up in their team colors.

I went to the Homecoming game of our Mount Allison Mountie Football team.

This is what I learned .....

Football needs a few things to be successful.

1.football players. I know I know.....it's a gift:)

2. fans.

3.huddles.

4. a good ball boy and a referee....

5. a great band.

and 6. some prayer....

It's gonna be a great season. I mean, they've got all the components (according to Kim) covered, so why wouldn't it be?!

Go Mounties Go!