A Year in Photo - Day 132

Only a good friend and fellow coffee addict would understand the pickle I put myself in by exceeding the Scentsy budget Steve and I agreed upon. Which then forced me to extend our no Starbucks for a week deal to no Starbucks for two weeks....in the middle of the limited time Pumpkin Spice Latte season. 

I woke up this morning to a message from my good friend Mandy, telling me that she had e-transferred me some $$ so I could treat myself to a PSL. It was a thank you for watching over her boy, her horse Gally, when she couldn't be there and for driving her home sometimes. It totally made my day and as I scooped poop, it was all I could think about. Thanks Mandy and Gally!

"Friendship isn't about whom you've known the longest...
It's about who came, and never left your side..."
-Mikaela Tiu

A Year in Photo - Day 131

Today is National Coffee Day and as I'm sure you know by now, I LOVE me a cup o' coffee. And not just any coffee either, I can tolerate SOME others, but I'm a proud Starbucks snob and right now is it is Pumpkin Spice Latte time, my favourite. 

There's only one problem, I promised my husband I wouldn't drink Starbucks, other than the Starbucks coffee beans I use to make coffee at home, for 2 weeks to offset the cost of my Scentsy purchases.... But surely he would make an exception in honour of my love of coffee, right? So I messaged him to tell him it is National Coffee Day, and I told him I painted myself into a corner with my deal. I fully expected he would tell me I could have one today given this glorious occasion, but his response was "Yes you did". Hmmm...

So no delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte for me today, I have to stick to my old faithful, a cup of Espresso Roast made in a french press. To all my fellow coffee lovers, cheers!

"Coffee doesn't ask silly questions. Coffee understands." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 130

I spent a beautiful Okanagan fall day at the farm. Scooped some poop, worked Gally with Mandy and then we just sat, chatted and enjoyed the day. It was wonderful!

"Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing." -Dr. Suess

A Year in Photo - Day 129

My sister wanted a Scentsy warmer and I wanted a couple new scents so I tagged along with her to my long time friend Shannon's house. I negotiated with Steve that I wouldn't have Starbucks for over a week to offset the cost, well a couple of hours later and this is what I left with...I may also be waiting for a couple more to be ordered....and I have to avoid Starbucks for an additional week. But my house smells fantastic! 

"hakuna matata; no worries for the rest of your days"

-The Lion King Composed by Elton John & Tim Rice

A Year in Photo - Day 128

Not a lot of people are as lucky as I am, and can say that their sister is truly one of their best friends. We've been through so much together and she is always by my side. She is one of the most thoughtful, kind and funny people I know. She's my sounding board and I can count on her honest opinion, even when it's sometimes hard to hear. Oh and did I mention she's a babe?

Yesterday was her birthday, 27 years young, and I am SO proud of the woman she has become. Here's to you sistah, glad you were drinking out of the birthday glass last night and not me, happy birthday!

P.S.  You know that moment when you see two people and you can just tell that they are meant to be friends forever? Well that's the case with her friend Amber. Welcome to the fam lady!

When she saw her birthday cake with the candles lit....
"Jesus Christ, is that how old I am?!?!" -Kim

A Year in Photo - Day 127

I kidnapped my friend Mandy after work today. I packed us a picnic, bread with oil and vinegar and spaghetti, and then we spent the evening at the farm. Had a great time!

"I hope you know you're capable and brave and significant.
Even when it feels like you're not." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 126

Today I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad...morning. For anyone who has read this children's book, written by Judith Viorst, I now understand why Alexander was so upset.

First, I turned on the news only to immediately learn the Amazing Race Canada's winners...not even 12 hours after the show aired. In a country where nearly everyone has a PVR, couldn't they at least waited 24 hours hours?!?! I was in bed when it recorded last night! And then when I went to watch it, it didn't record anyway! GRRRR.

I went to make my breakfast, only to find the bowl I mix my breakfast concoction in was dirty, so I washed it. I reached for my chia seeds, but they were gone. As I was putting the container my coffee grinds into back, I dropped it and coffee grounds went everywhere. I went into the laundry room to get the hand held vacuum but my tall husband, which normally comes in very handy, had put it at the back of the cupboard so I couldn't reach and I had to go get some tongs. I went to finally sit down and as I was walking to the living room, coffee in hand, I spilled it and had to go back to the kitchen for a cloth.

I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad...morning.

Off to the farm I went, thinking it was going to be a bad day, but after 2 hours of scooping poop, I was happy as a clam. Amazing what the outdoors, some exercise and interacting with animals can do for a gal.

"I'm UP! If you're expecting bright-eyed & bushy tailed,
go catch a freakin' squirrel." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 125

With today being the first day of fall, I've decided to try something new this year. As I may have mentioned, I'm a bit of a black thumb when it comes to gardening. But this year my rosemary is happy, happy and I just can't bring myself to cut it down, so I'm going to try to keep it alive inside. From what I've read, it makes the transition quite easily but we will see if this black thumb can keep it happy.

"Failure is the opportunity to begin more intelligently." -Henry Ford

A Year in Photo - Day 124

It's that time a year again, that's right, heating pad time. For those who don't know, Sig has basically commandeered my heating pad. We "share", which basically means he will give me 10-15 minutes to use the heating pad before he jumps up, starts scratching at my back and barking at me until he gets his turn.

Well today started out well, I gave him his "turn" right away and he was happy. I turned the heating pad down because it was starting to get too hot, then he starts to pant, when he looked up and gave me this look (top right corner)....oops, I had mistakenly turned it off altogether and it was now cold. He was not happy but slowly he put his head down, and then his eyes started to close. So high maintenance, but I love him.

"There's something in you that the world needs." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 123

You may be thinking, nice horse in the background Chels....but why are you grinning ear to ear next to a wheelbarrow full of horse crap? Well, because picking up this horse crap is going to enable me to take my barefoot trimming certification in April, which is what I wanted to do but I had no idea how I was going to make it happen. I am beyond stoked. Bonus? It's an incredible workout!

"Be stubborn about your goals, and flexible about your methods." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 122

Fall is always a hard time of year for me. I love the colour of the leaves, but I don't like that all the trees in my backyard become naked, revealing the trashy "cottages" behind us. I love that the temperature starts to drop and I can turn off our noisy A/C unit and air out our house, but I don't like the grey skies and increased rain. I love the fall fruit, but I'm reminded that soon my only option will be expensive, flavourless, grocery store fruit. 

But the hardest part of fall is the reminder that winter is just around the corner. In addition to my anxiety and depression, I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), which is exacerbated by Kelowna's notoriously gloomy winter's and lack of sunshine. I try not to think about it but it's hard not to reminded that, over the past few years, winter has been my most difficult time mentally; often resulting in medication increases and hard days. So although I can see the good in the fall, I'm left with a pit in my stomach.

For now I'm trying to appreciate fall for it's beauty and set myself up for success this winter; creating a schedule, giving myself a purpose and something to work towards, and trying not to dwell on the past winters, who knows, maybe this year will be different.

"If you're feeling frightened about what comes next, don't be. Embrace the uncertainty. Allow it to lead you places. Be brave as it challenges you to exercise both your heart and your mind as you create your own path toward happiness; don't waste time with regret. Spin wildly into your next action. Enjoy the present, each moment, as it comes, because you'll never get another one quite like it. And if you should ever look up and find yourself lost, simply take a breath and start over. Retrace your steps and go back to the purest place in your heart...where your hope lives. You'll find your way again." -Everwood

A Year in Photo - Day 121

Picking the pin bones out of a salmon fillet that Steve caught last month. Thankfully he's also a great barbecuer because oh man was it good, so good that forgot to take a photo of it after it was cooked. The difference in flavour between the fish we caught and the "fish" we buy...well there is no comparison!

"Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 120

I technically took this photo yesterday but because they were a gift, I didn't want to post the photo until today. 

Voilà, reusable snack bags, made by yours truly. I looked at a bunch of different patterns online and then came up a pattern that was a combination of all of them. I'm pleased with how they came out and my Mom loved her gift :)

"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle." -Christian D. Larson

A Year in Photo - Day 119

Happy birthday to the best Mom in the world, love you Ella!! ❤️

"Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 118

With all the recent and ongoing tragedies flooding our news feeds, my friend Kerri challenged everyone to "go out and make some good news today. Help someone, listen to someone's story, give your time to a cause, smile at someone, buy a meal for someone...they may not be media worthy but small acts of kindness are something everyone can do." 

Challenge accepted and, as you may expect, I extended the challenge to my family and friends. So today my sister and I surprised some of our favourite people, the staff at Tail Blazers Kelowna​, with some goodies. Roni thought the timbits looked especially delicious. 

With all the heartache, suffering and pain going on in our world right now, we were happy to be able to #sharethelove.

Friends, family, followers, what have you done to #sharethelove? <3

"When I use my life in any way that makes another person's life better,
I feel most alive." -Liz Murphy

A Year in Photo - Day 117

I had a great day at the farm with my little buddy Devyn and her mom, my friend, Leanne. Seeing the farm and the animals through Devyn's eyes just reminded me just how lucky I am to be able to spend so much time there. Leanne thanked me after, not only for bringing them out there, but for explaining things to them both and it made me realize just how much I have learned over the last few years. She also said it was clear that I had found my calling, which was so nice to hear from someone else because I think so too :)

So I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has imparted their knowledge, patiently showed me numerous techniques and answered my constant questions. What a great day!

"Sometimes you have to stop thinking so much and just go
where your heart takes you." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 116

I played "monkey see, monkey do" with Moo Moo the cow today. I just know my husband is going to be so proud when he sees this photo :)

"I am under no obligation to make sense to you." -Neil DeGrasse Tyson

A Year in Photo - Day 115

For my birthday this year, Steve's parents got me a Scentsy warmer and some wax bars; I was over the moon because I have always wanted one but just never got one. I don't think it is designed to do this, and it took me a couple of days to notice, but when I turn it on a heart shines one the wall behind where it sits. Every time I walk by it makes me think of them <3

"Notice the people who are happy for your happiness, and sad for your sadness. They're the ones who deserve special places in your heart." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 114

Having a garage sale always sounds like a good idea, and generally it is, but every time I do one I forget how much work it is. Going through every nook and cranny of the house to pull things out, pricing them, hauling them outside (keep in mind we live in a townhouse so it's not just right outside), setting it up and then sitting there, today in the HOT sun, while people leisurely browse through it.

All in all it was totally worth it, everything that didn't sell went directly to Value Village. We got rid of a bunch of stuff but dang, we are exhausted!

"Clutter is not just physical stuff. It's old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits. Clutter is anything that does not support your better self." -Eleanor Brownn

A Year in Photo - Day 113

Ever since he was a pup, Arnie has hated hair elastics. It starts all innocent just playing with him, but when he sees an elastic he is hell bent on getting it out, by any means necessary. And let me tell you, he is not gentle! He has mastered getting them out of straight hair, but not curly hair, hence the reason why I, his mean old Auntie, won't let me try on my hair.

"Love is a four legged word." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 112

Dusted off these bad boys, took them out of the trunk of Rhonda, and put them to good use. I went to the gym and got a new program, which I did, along with cardio. Then I went to see the horses and chased Chivers around the round pen. It was a great day but I am exhausted and sore already, tomorrow will be interesting!

"The distance between dreams and reality is called action." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 111

You're never too old to colour :)

"I think it is very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person." -Oscar Wilde

A Year in Photo - Day 110

Sick day = tv, knitting and naps. Oh, and extra love from Sig, he always knows when I'm not feeling well. Although he was getting annoyed with my knitting needles and yarn constantly touching him.

"In the rhythm of the needles, there is music for the soul."
-Anonymous

A Year in Photo - Day 109

Voilà, mystery project revealed. I saw something similar on Pinterest and loved everything about it. This isn't normally my realm of creativity so it took me some time to figure it out but I love it. It's also 1 of the 3 Pinterest projects I have on my Summer 2015 Bucket List, hopefully the other 2 are coming soon.

 Never forget:

How far you've come. Everything you have gone through. All the times you have pushed on even when you felt you couldn't. All the mornings you got out of bed no matter how hard it was. All the times you wanted to give up but you got through another day. Never forget how much strength you have learned and developed. -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 108 + Completed Summer Bucket List Item

Sorry for the delayed post but after a day at the IPE I was exhausted by the time we got home. I LOVE the fair; I'm like a kid in a candy store....walking through the barns, watching the chuckwagon races, eating fair food and of course, looking at all the beautiful horses. To top it all off, the rodeo. So much fun!

Mini-Chuckwagon Races - These little guys just wanted to race!

The colouring on this bull was beautiful...errr, I mean handsome?

So tiring to be the pretty cow at the IPE.

Babies :)

The sheer size of these bulls is amazing....and I don't mean their bits!

We stumbled upon a farrier demonstration...with the knowledge I have about different methods like barefoot, which I prefer, I found it very difficult to watch. 

This big guy won my heart, I know I'm destined to own a draft at some point in my life. As soon as I walked up he pushed his body up against the fence demanding a massage, and then proceeded "release", stretch, yawn, quiver his lips etc. while I massaged his neck, shoulders and withers...all I could reach, he was HUGE!

Rodeo Time!!

"Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive."
-Hāfez

A Year in Photo - Day 107

What is all this? Well you will just have to wait and see :) All I will say is it is one of the Pinterest projects I have been working on and I am so happy with how it is coming along.

To thrive in life you need three bones.
A wishbone.
A backbone.
And a funny bone.
-Reba McEntire

Bucket List Documented: A Year in Photo - Day 106

Bucket List Documented: A Year in Photo - Day 106: Feeling a little off this evening, I went for a drive after I saw the horses, something I often do when I'm feeling out of sorts. I turn...

A Year in Photo - Day 106

Feeling a little off this evening, I went for a drive after I saw the horses, something I often do when I'm feeling out of sorts. I turned down a road I didn't know, came up over the crest of the hill and this is what a saw. A reminder of why we live where we do. In that moment, although I didn't feel 100%, I felt grateful for the opportunities I have been given, for the amazing people in my life and for where I am today.

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sign,
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don't quit.

Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a fair and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,-
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
-Author Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 105

This is what happens when you bring two tomatoes to the barn. The chickens, the roosters and Max the cat come running. And then they decide that Rhonda (my car) is their friend. It was good for a giggle.

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." -Carl Jung

A Year in Photo - Day 104

This is my happy place. The smell of a barn, the sound of a horse's hooves walking a across the floor boards, the chickens and ducks following me around and the cats stretched out on the hay. I had the greatest day; practised some new massage techniques, worked two horses in the round pen and just enjoyed the beautiful sunshine, and the peace and quiet of the farm.

"Sometimes, you just need a break.
In a beautiful place.
Alone.
To figure everything out."
-Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 103

Now I know this may come as a surprise to you all, but my husband Steve isn't perfect. Shocker, I know! I'm doing a weight loss program through my doctor and I have 2 books that are always on the counter because I'm always recording in one and referencing in the other. For whatever reason, when Steve comes home he always puts his stuff on top of them. His work papers, his watch, his cell phone and/or his wallet are always on top of at least one of my books. Despite repeatedly asking him not to, because they get buried and I can't find them, it keeps happening. 

Now I know he isn't consciously doing it but the message just isn't getting through. So when I went to find my book today, low and behold it was under his stuff, again. Time to make a point.....  

Under this heap of my things are his work papers, his cell phone, his watch and his wallet. I was in another room when I heard him giggle, I think I made my point and even if I didn't, we had a good laugh.

"Laughter is a sunbeam of the soul." -Thomas Mann