Muffins!

Yes muffins. Not from scratch but mighty delicious all the same.

When I moved out of my parents house, my muffin intake decreased to barely three or four muffins a year. And I'm not sure if Momma still does, but she used to bake muffin's all the time, I'm sure it was because they were easy to make and one of the few things all four of us would eat.

Also in the news today (mine, not the worlds), I biked to the grocery store this morning. It's not very far, but it was windy, and the bike I have is Grandma's old one. It has no gears and just back brakes. But it has a cute basket and old school handle bars so I'm a fan.

One month I actually rode my bike and didn't touch my car at all. It's a good work out, good for the environment, and it doesn't take much longer to bike across Airdrie, then to drive across it.

I might try something similar again, starting in August. I won't totally go without my car, because sometimes, biking in Alberta is crazy, but maybe 75% bike, 25% car. We'll see how it goes.

I would like to be able to bike with Jack beside me, but I think I'm going to wait a few more months to even walk with him hooked to a bike. He's smart at times but I do not see him and a bike being friends right now, too sketchy.

I'm very envious of all my family out camping up at Crimson Lake right now. How dare you.

Lucky me though, I get one whole weekend of camping up at Mt. Kidd this year, so woohoo! :)

Can't wait for it, since it will be at the end of a three ish week stint of straight work. Not complaining though, it's my choice. It will by Mon- Fri. at the paper (other people are taking holidays) and weekends serving up eggs and bacon.

I'm actually quite excited to be working full-time at the paper for a bit. I'm still learning lots there, and doing a bunch of production stuff. A lot of little things to try and remember, but that's true with most jobs I'm sure.

And to answer everyone's most frequently asked question: 'How's married life?'
It's the same as life was before, still pretty good. Jason and I were prepared for this. :)

Peace&Love

Chow

Playing with my camera

I wouldn't call myself a photographer by any means. I do have a decent camera, I took some classes in school, I enjoy pictures, but I don't have a photographers passion. So here's me playing around with my camera, taking pictures of our rings and my wedding shoes. 

My shoes are fairly new still, considering I took them off as soon as possible and did not wear them at all after. No shoes is the way to be people.

Peace&Love

Chow

The way the world works

When it comes to the education system, I'm a critic. Only because I deem it absolutely necessary. The more critics the system has, the more might actually be done to fix it.


One of my biggest concerns of course, is the cutbacks to physical education. Some schools no longer have gym everyday, yet no one can seem to figure out why they are gaining weight or becoming lethargic.


Skate Canada hit the nail on the head:
"However, due to government cutbacks and a shift in core subject matters in school curricula we have created physically illiterate individuals. As a result, the ability to develop fundamental movement skills (running, jumping, throwing, adaptations to ice, snow, and water) as well as basic motor skills (balance, coordination, agility, speed, etc.) at an early age is becoming alarmingly non– existent."
[quote from Skate Canada's new program]


All children must receive an education, yet nothing is being done to enhance the quality of education they are receiving.


Oh except for making sure no children's feelings are being hurt. Heaven forbid they receive a zero mark for something they didn't do. It's okay if they don't do it, I'm sure they had something else to do.


But I digress, that's another issue completely.


I just don't understand why extra-curricular programs need to step up to provide the basics that used to be taught in grade school. 


I've heard, read, seen so many studies about how children need a certain amount of physical activity per day to maintain good health. School's used to provide this, a simple one hour out of the school day, to get up and move around. 


It's also no wonder every second kid has ADD, they no longer have time to run around and burn off all of their energy. I haven't met one adult who can, without complaining, sit at a desk all day, and now we  expect 7 year olds to do it without complaining or losing interest. 


It's good, that some non-school programs are stepping up to cover the gap, but I'm sure not all of them are, which makes it harder for some kids to get into sports in the first place. Extra-curricular sports aren't cheap either, so not all kids have the chance to participate.


School is one of the very few things that is mandatory in this lifetime. It's the basis for the rest of our lives. 


I'm not saying if you sucked in school you can't turn your life around, but grade school is where you learn how to learn, play, and socialize.


I hear stories of what kids get away with today in school. It's not their fault if they graduate unprepared, they are being set up for it.

Dinner Pictures!

I said I had pictures of our Sunday night dinner.

Pie & Pasta totally made from scratch, thanks to my wonderful and talented hubby. :)
It was delicious.

Peace&Love

Chow

Summer Time... & The Livin's Easy

Hey All!
.
I wish the living was easy. :) Actually it's not so bad, now that the rain has mostly stopped and the sun comes out, I almost feel like it's summer.

Currently, I'm working 13 days straight (between Smitty's & City View), but I asked for extra shifts at the restaurant, so making money is alright with me.

Other than that life is good (as 'Pop' would say). For those of you wondering and asking, married life is quite nice. And thus far, not too different from what it was before, just no wedding planning.

Work is good, I'm learning quite a bit at City View. I'm learning how to get everything ready to go to press, and make sure all the ads are there in the right places. Because sooner or later I will have to do this by myself. Scary, a little; exciting, very much so. There are lots of little things that need to be done, but I'm taking lots of notes so all should be well when it comes down to it.

Jason is loving his new apprenticeship, he's on shift work now, days for two weeks and nights the next. The hours are fairly reasonable though, so we may still see each other.

Last Sunday night we had a delicious homemade supper. Jason made it of course, I set the table and poured the wine. It was Spaghetti (pasta and sauce made from scratch) and lemon meringue pie (all from scratch). Soooooo freaking good. You all be jealous. I have pictures at home, I will post them later.

I've started working out (again), because I like to stay in shape. When I have this much time off from coaching I like to do a yoga/ballet/hula hoop/core workout (clearly I made this up myself) to keep up with appearances and stuff. The fact that it helps with the feeling good and being awesome are just side bonuses. :)

By the way, a good way to intensify your workout is to do it in your living room with a puppy who wants to play. Simultaneously playing tug of war, and keeping your breathing steady while working on your abs, is a good way to work on your endurance and concentration. Just food for thought.

Not too many plans for the rest of the summer aside from working and enjoying the nice weather. Hopefully we will get out camping a few weekends too. One of the best parts of summer for me is waking up with the smell of campfire in my hair, listening to birds and the bubbling of coffee brewing. I love it.


Peace&Love

Chow

Mr&Mrs

Hello Hello!

Before we head off on our honeymoon, I would like to say a massive THANK YOU, to all of our well wishers and everyone who came out to celebrate with us on our big day, and all those who helped make it spectacular.

Jason and I could not be happier with how everything went. 

It was so awesome to see everyone there, and all the memories made we will keep forever.

We planned on heading out today to Glennifer lake, for a little get-a-way, but were unable to tear ourselves away from our living room, being still a little tired after all the happenings. 

So tomorrow we will start our little vacay, relaxing and enjoying our time.

Not much else to say right now, and soon I will be getting back to posting about my day to day happenings.

Peace&Love

Chow

4 Sleeps!

Only 4 more sleeps, then WEDDING!

I may be getting excited.

Not too much left to do, just little details and confirmations of times and stuff. Mainly just organizing people and delegating actually. :)

In other news, Jason was able to get an electrician apprenticeship through his job at the sawmill!!!
Super proud of him, since he had to beat out a few other people for it.

Jason's sister Amy was over yesterday with her two little girls and Jason's mom. I showed the girls (I can't correctly spell their names but they will be our flower girls) my wedding shoes, and they both had to try them on. It was super cute, since the oldest is 2 1/2 and the youngest is 1 1/2. I'm pretty sure the littlest could fit both feet in my one shoe. That says a lot considering how small my feet are to begin with (about a five... adult... ish).

Things are nuts as always. Jack was a little sick last week, but he's better now (thank goodness).
I was just looking at photo's of him from the first day we got him, and man, is he a big puppy.

Jack then... (8 weeks)

Jack Now (4 1/2 months)

Not quite as cute (good lord he was adorable!) But still pretty fluffy. Also not his best shot, since I woke him up for that one. 

During one of the rainy moments last week, Jack actually coaxed me outside for a walk, in which we walked all around Sagewood. Went back by the pond and saw a Mama Duck swimming with her babies, and a Crane all out enjoying the weather.

It was quite wonderful and relaxing, a walk in the rain is always therapeutic. And it helps if your socks stay dry.

I'm sure soon, I'll have more to talk about, but with Wedding's, the rest of life kinda falls by the wayside for a lil' bit.

Also, I realize I'm starting to sound like a crazy person that talks about their pet(s) too much, but I really don't give a darn. If you spent an hour with him, you would understand.

In hula hooping news, I'm managing to hit myself less (new tricks may be dangerous) but there may be an increase in uncontrolled tossing (dangerous for anyone near me). 

That shall be all for now, if you would like to see blurry pic's of the ducky's and the crane, they are on facebook.

Peace&Love

Chow

"I dare you to let me be, your one and only." ~Adele