My Favourite Season is Here!

Ski season, that is.

I've made it out to two opening days so far: Mount Norquay on October 25 and Sunshine Villiage on this past Friday. I made it to Nakiska on the Sunday of their opening weekend to get a few good turns in.

We went hiking yesterday at Barrier Lake. Holy moly, Batman, my cardio sucks balls! My goal this week is to get in some cardio training. Aquasize and then some time on the elliptical, I think. And maybe hit the stairs at work a little more often.

And that's what I know. I work this afternoon (the double time will help finance the season) and then I'm heading out tomorrow for another fabulous day on the slopes!

Hello, Saturday!

Am I ever glad to see you!

The past two weeks at work have been crazy. I've banked a week of overtime (thanks to an extra shift and having to stay late one night that turned into ALL night) and I'm exhausted.

But, I did have some Halloween fun:

I also had two completely unexpected lunch dates! I ran into my friend A in the mall on Tuesday and we got to have a quick lunch and catch up before she headed to her appointment and I went to work. Then yesterday, I was puttering around the house and got a "hey, do you have time for lunch before work?" text. Um, hell yeah!

Things here in my world are pretty good.

I've got a house. I've got a car (well, two at the moment: my mom's and car2go!).
I've got a friend who loves me.
I've got a good mother.
~Jann Arden

I've also got a yoga mat and a kitty to snuggle with.

Now, if only the god damned construction downstairs was over and they'd clean up their effing mess!

Today I give thanks for:

-my family
-my friends
-Nermal
-cozy fires to cuddle up in front of

May today there be peace within. 
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. 
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. 
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content. 
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. 
It is there for each and every one of us." 
~ Therese de Lisieux

Happy Thanksgiving! _/|\_

WTF? How can it be the end of September already?

Yeah, so I'm not sure where September has gone. It's like I've blinked and it's almost over. But what a month it's been!

- some pretty amazing hikes with a pretty amazing person
- some pretty amazing times and conversations with above amazing person =)
- celebrating FOUR years with Nermal. Wow. Time really does fly!
- my work schedule has changed completely (hello, early mornings and having a social life again!)
- co-teaching a corporate yoga retreat
- witnessing the last of my 'little siblings' get married. And partying with their aunties (my old baby-sitters). And realizing that family doesn't necessarily have to be related to you by blood to be family.
- getting snowed out on a hike on September 1. Yeah, Baby!
- having some pretty deep conversations (yes, we were both drunk, but still) with my SIL
- enjoying wings and pizza after the wedding with my mom, bro and SIL in the hotel
- driving a mobster car
- making plans for skiing this winter!

Life is full. Life is good. And I'm grateful for it all. _/|\_

Egad!

It's August 29. Which means my cousin turns 40 today. And in 3 short months, so does my brother. How can that be?! I'm not old enough to have a big brother who's 40!

It's been a crazy last few weeks: busy working, playing, meeting friends (new and old), teaching and spending time with Nermal. She continually amazes me. And demonstrates just how much love can change someone. In four short years, she's gone from a scared-y cat to uber cuddler. Still chatty and is always game to play. And really good at knowing when to just sit and be. I've learned a lot from her.

And summer just wooshed by! I have a good feeling about fall, though. And I'm fully equipped with a new pack that will serve double duty: day pack in summer and avalanche gear pack in winter. This weekend is going to be awesome: I'm heading out to hike in the meadows that hide under the snow in my winter wonderland.

And that's what I know today.

Blink and you miss it!

August, that is. Where did it go? How did it get to be the 21st of the month already?

Oh well. Things are looking up around here. My house is clean, my mat's made a comeback and Nerm is her usual entertaining self. Other things that have returned: drinks on the patio, healthy food and cooking.

Whirlwind July

Where did it go?! Hmmm...let's see...

-there was dinner with some friends and a friend who'd traveled from afar to partake in some Alberta fun
-there were some happy hours at Mikey's Juke Joint
-there was some walking in the woods and mountains around Canmore
-there may have also been some shopping when we went for lunch in Canmore
-there was some ice cream at Village Ice Cream, the marvelous new place within walking distance of my house (this is good, because it's more than 15 blocks each way)
-there was an amazing four days on Prince's Island listening to amazing music with friends. Chris Issak, Whitehorse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Gillian Welch, Mary Chapin Carpenter...good times.

And poof! Just like that, it's gone and we're already into August, which hopefully will bring more of the same.