Friday, October 31, 2014

#HAPPYHALLOWEEN

One of my best friends got married this summer and I was fortunate enough to be her Maid of Honor.  I remember when it came time to write my MOH speech, the only memory I could think of to mention was one from the begining of our friendship.  We were eleven years old and Amanda had never celebrated Halloween before.  Hard to believe, right?  You should've seen her jaw drop when I told her you just go door to door in a costume and people give you candy.  FOR FREE.  Being the youngest of four children, I was finally able to feel like an older sister (even though Amanda is five months and five days older than I am).

We grew up in a small town so I made sure to bring her to every house and we stayed up all night eating candy - after my mom sorted through the "bad ones" aka her favorites.  It was hands down my favourite halloween and my fondest memory with such a great friend.



Be safe tonight folks and pace yourself with the candy, you don't want to get a belly ache.

Happy Halloween

Monday, October 20, 2014

A LITTLE RAIN NEVER HURT NOBODY

"I don't think it was such a good idea coming to the pumpkin patch today" I said looking over at my sister in the passenger seat, "It's really coming down".  I looked back at my windshield watching the wipers swished back and forth, trying to dry the glass from all the rain.  "It wasn't raining this much when we left" I concluded as I turned left into Coastal Black Wineries.

As we got out of the car,  I was astounded as to how many people were there.  It was raining buckets that day - and I mean it, by the we left we were all soaked.  Head to toe.  But despite the rain and crowds of people, I had the best time.  We played pumpkin bowling, hung out with some animals at the petting zoo, rode through the fields on a hay ride (which was terrifying.  There was no where to sit, so I had to hold a "surfers stance" for risk of falling over around corners and bumps) and played under the makeshift waterfall that was pouring out through the rain gutter.  

We'd been to the pumpkin patch before, but this time it was extra special.  Sometimes you just need to forget how cold it is and how wet you are and just enjoy the company your with.  Amazing things will happen if the only things you are focused on is having fun.  And that's exactly what we did.

Shine on.


The Evil Minion toque was crocheted by my dear friend, Amanda.  She's super talented and makes the best things! :) 


Saturday, October 18, 2014

KEEP BREATHING


As I lay in bed at night, I often wonder how people make their dreams come true.  Or more to the point, how I can make my dreams come true.  These thoughts are constantly moving through my brain like a train with no destination, only to stop at a dead end and crashing off the rails.  I’ve recently realized that the solution to this is actually quite simple – get out and meet people - a concept which is a part of  my 101 in 1001 challenge.  This in itself might not sound like such a tall order, but for someone who is introverted or shy (like myself), it’s akin to getting a root canal.  My heart begins to race, my palms get sweaty and I literally cannot breathe.  It takes hours, if not days, of choo-choo thinking (I think I can, I think I can) to even get myself mentally prepared.  But I’ve come to the conclusion that if this is what I have to do, then I’m willing to go, full steam ahead, and do it as much as possible.


Truth be told, I’ve never been that much of a risk taker.  I'm a looker, watcher, and waiter...and have been this way since childhood.  You’ll often find me doing things alone, and I don’t mind it.  At all.  However, I discovered that when I talk to people, opportunities arise.  Sometimes you just have to push through your fears, take a deep breath, clear your mind and just do it.


I recently sent out an email to a couple of local photographers that I look up to to see if they wanted to meet up for coffee or lunch and just talk about life.  I honestly didn’t even think they’d respond (I totally understand how busy they are and how waaay out of their league I am, just starting and all), but I was responded to promptly with nothing but love.  I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to feel like you have a sense of community and camaraderie in such a competitive industry.  To feel like you’re not alone.

And because every blog is better with a picture, here's one my niece took of me on our walk last night.



These people would have no idea about me or my work if I didn’t come out of my shell and make myself be seen.  And if I plan on doing this for many years to come, it looks like I’m going to need an abundant supply of brown paper bags ;)


Keep Breathing.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

THE THREE AMIGOS

** WARNING**
What you're about to read sounds like a late-night-can't-sleep infomercial.

When grandparents talk about their grandsons and granddaughters collectively, they would say their 'grandchildren".  The same goes for parents, instead of calling upon their sons and daughters they would just say 'children' or 'kids'.  But what about aunts and uncles?  There is no word to combine niece and nephew, so we say just that - we don't have it easy like the other two.

When I was still in high school, my sister had a baby boy and I suddenly went from having two nieces to two nieces AND a nephew.  I found my self talking about them all the time constantly saying, "Oh, my nieces and nephew" and one day I just had enough and realized that something needed to be done.  But what shall I call them?  Grandchildren are so grand because they are the children of your children, but what would I call the children of my siblings?  Yes, that's right - if you catch my drift - I claimed the term  "Grandsiblings".  My life has been made easier ever since.

So here are my grandsiblings, cute as can be. 




I told them to all look at their favorite person.  Bailey looked at Jade, Jade looked at me and Maisie looked at herself.



Meet Rocky.  Don't ask me how I got her to sit so perfectly pretty for this, it just happened - like magic!
 

Keep being yourselves you wonderful things you.  You're lucky enough to be different, never change. 
xo