drum roll please

...I have completed my 3rd adult sized sweater! yay! (cell phone pic - of front and back) though my first one is hidden deep in my closet, and my second one is way too big...I find myself taking baby steps, and this time around am very proud of my creation...still a long ways to go but I am getting there! However, yes there is a however, I may have run out of the grey wool, and go figure this specific grey was discontinued North American wide. I was running around like a mad woman! Ha! So it would have been finished perhaps a couple weeks ago...c'est la vie. Also of course, because I think I am much taller than I actually am, it will be more of a jacket that can be worn with my leggings. Now I just need a warm cup of hot coco and to cozy up by the fire. For all you knitters out there: click on the link below if you would like to try it out for your self. Can also do a 'him' sweater...just an idea. Reindeer Sweater
ps. thanks Sam for the 22k'er we did this morning. i needed u every step of the way! thanks for being there for me! xo

you'll see the answer

The answer you are looking for may be right before your eyes.
Have you asked the question? Have you put it out to the universe, yourself and the world?
What do I need to do now? What do I need to do next? Where and why am I stuck? What am I not seeing? What's the answer? I need a clue.
Often, asking the question means the answer is trying to find you. Follow your heart, then open your eyes. You'll see it.
The answer may be right in front of you.
- Journey to the Heart

we remember

...on Saturday, this past weekend, my dad received a call that my Uncle Bill, my dad's brother, had passed away on Friday night in the Philippines. What a sad moment it was to hear the news....and though we all know my Uncle Bill is in a better place...we remember him for all his love and support he has shown over the years, and what a constant role he played in our lives. On Sunday we were able to remember him with the James side of the family, but tonight we will be together with his kids Heather and Sean...and as always we will share our memories and the love we have for him.

I was looking of course for a quote, but got his email today, and thought why not share it. When you loose someone close to you, you definitely realize how short life can really be...

By Mastin Kipp

What if tomorrow never comes? Have you lived the courageous life you've always been inspired to live? Have you taken risks, fallen down, stood back up, tried again and again and again until you finally got it right? Did you give it your all so when you look back you have zero regrets and lots of scars? Can you honestly look at yourself in the mirror and see respect staring back at you? Have you felt fear and done it anyway?

What if tomorrow never comes? Could you honestly say you lived your life to the fullest? Could you say with a hearty "YES!" that you never ran away from love? Would you be able to say that you let the most important people in your life know how much they mean to you and that they aren't taken for granted? Would you change anything in the past or are you proud of the path you've taken?

What is tomorrow never comes? Have you been able to embrace life's messiness and realize it'll never be perfectly perfect? Did you have the courage to stand up for what you believe in not minding the consequences, no matter what?

What if tomorrow never comes? Would you have died with your music still in you? Would that precious gift that is only yours to give to this world die with you? Or would you and your gift live on eternally in the hearts of those it touched?

What's true for you and me is that one day tomorrow will never come, what if it's tomorrow?

if i were a spring coat

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be the new spring line for Burberry! I keep meaning to post these pics. I came across them on Lainey and keep going back to look at them again. So nice...too bad my wallet doesn't support my love for a beautiful burberry spring trench coat. sigh. oh well nice to window shop and dream every so often. ps. i am well aware that it's not even close to spring...

peace out

"In life as in dance, grace glides on blistered feet"

For some reason as I was getting ready today, I noticed this quote that is up near my desk and it made me think (as quotes tend to do)..and for some reason Cinderella popped into my head. Yes random I know...but it seems sometimes fairy tales can give you a peace of mind in a way. ?!?! anywho. Had a nice little walk with Josie this afternoon after yoga, and am heading to see Leap Year with Box (Hodgins) this eve. In need of a chick flick / love story...

Last night also had my school staff party...it so interesting to see people that you work with in a different light...i love finding out more about people, especially meeting their other halfs, finding out what they wear when they dress up, how they socialize with other people, and basically whether or not they release and are able to party it up...and let me tell ya, I am lucky to have met a great group of teachers...especially being the 0.1 newbie that i am :) hopefully there will be more experiences to come.

2010

Happy New Year! 2010 already? Where does time go? Well, may this year be the year I have been waiting for. Though the end of 09 was pretty great, I would love to keep the momentum going and have a few more smiles this year! I wish everyone the same! Life is too short to have unfulfilled dreams! Anywho so I am back from the sunny (but cold this time around) state and have started off on the right foot. Went for a 'special' 16k run with my group this morn at 7...and it seems it has been awhile since I have been pushed that hard. Within the 16 we had to do a stair drill (intense) and then when hitting the 14k mark had to do a 9 minute time trial around the track (sprinting) to then run back the our starting point. Eesh. Though I am fighting to stay awake, I felt it was such a great start to the new year and have finally had my wake up call (no more excuses...I am in training mode!). Anywho back to my vacay to Florida....of course we had a great time...took awhile to get there, but the florida lifestyle is lovely. Everyone is so active and you just feel so much healthier when you are there (the Bryce retreat is also top notch). sigh. As it was a little cold, we still got to fit in some beach days and golf, but did some discount shopping (I am officially dating a bargain shopper!), puzzle action (picture included...1500 pieces and though we desperately tried was unable to finish it....hopefully our late joiner, brenda, is able to add the finishing touches and we can frame 'er), bike ride, new year part'ay, intense weight work out where I destroyed my arm muscles and am still feeling the pain, and of course being mesmerized by Mitchell growing before our eyes - he is such a cutie and so funny! 'onk onk'! Anywho so now back to the real world...dont think I will be working tomorrow, but I have a job on Tuesday and will hope 2010 brings me the career I am ready for!

ps. my bro and Dave - Team Facial...are currently in Vegas competing in the World Championships of Beer Pong. Oh dear! They are 5 and 2...and are hoping to make it all the way. I guess all those long 'tough' hours of practicing are finally paying off. ha! Good luck! Bring home the trophy!

pps. thanks B&B for a great trip! xoxo

ppps. Mitchell turns 2 in 3 days!

carrie on

almost forgot...count down is on until May 2010 - Sex and the City: The 2nd Movie. Though this time around I can wait as this May marks the month I turn 30...oh dear! Carrie on...looking forward to the fashion and of course the ever entertaining story line. night night. back to my puzzle - but just wanted to share! Josie - date night?

Twas the night before Christmas

...and I am officially an only child. boo hoo. My dad is driving Jodie to the airport as I write, to go home for the evening and spend Christmas with Kevin, Steph and her family...to then pick up Mitchell tomorrow morning and fly back here for Christmas evening. So this year things are going to be a little different... Previously us 'kids' would wake up at a ridiculously early time and open our stockings...to then head back to sleep and wait for my parents to come and wake us up...to then have some tea and coffee and enjoy exchanging gifts...or watching Mitchell open all his gifts from Nana and Grandpa...and then head out for a really long walk (yes that was a really long run on sentence! ha). This year instead, I am going to be waking up and pretending it's just another day in Florida (however I do get to open a gift in the morn that was delivered to me today...yay!). We are then going to lace up our golf shoes, go play a round, make our way to the movies (hmm what to see?), and pick Jodie and Mitchell up at the airport and have Christmas din...to then have our own lil celebration on boxing day. Oh well...Christmas is about spending time with family...can't wait to see Mitchell tomorrow! safe flight!

Merry Christmas to you all. May this holiday season bring you joy, love, laughter and time with your family.

ps. Check out http://www.silverspot.net/ - It's the movie theatre where we are going to tomorrow...they had me at "you are allowed wine while watching...and comfy leather seats".

pps. Jodie and I are on a mission to complete our Christmas puzzle...here is our status. 1500 pieces. argh! it's actually quite addicting!

superb

Soo every so often a friend of mine, Mrs Holly Wellon, posts extraordinary photos of her baking creations on facebook...and once I see the album is updated I get so excited to see what she comes up with next...AND today her talent in the kitchen had me in a state of awe! After making sure it was ok, I wanted to share with you all some of her baking master pieces. Here are a few pics!! (ps. She can do everything and anything, I just chose a couple of my favs...yes I love a little glam!) Holly should the day ever come you will be my gal ;) sigh...soo talented. I can't even spread on pre-made betty crocker icing without wanting to cry about the disaster. pps. we finally made it to Florida! A wee bit cold, but going to warm up soon! holla

stranded in virginia

well it's official...my dad and i are stranded in West Virginia at the Holiday Inn...and so it seems the rest of the world is! Last night we arrived in at 8pm after white knuckling it for 1.5 hours going 30k to find an enormous line of hopeful hotel guests. We ended up scoring a room, but there were several unlucky ones who slept in the lobby. It is a total gong show...and lucky us are here for another night as all highways are closed. oh dear. Though I have been able to knit through majority of my sweater, I have officially run out of wool and of course have found myself online while watching "The Holiday". hrmph. I am all for massive snowstorms as I feel people become united and the world slows down for a moment...we have even made a couple friends...however, when you still have 12 hours to go and are in desperate need for the sun, this isnt exactly my ideal situation. Anywho c'est la vie.
Sooo since I have all this time on my hands what should I talk about? Well these past couple weeks have of course been busy but have been extremely enjoyable (love this time of year)! December 12th marked my dad's 60th Birthday!...and of course the 7 of us celebrated in style. We booked a reservation for my parents at the four seasons, had cocktails and aps at Chris' (very clean) place, and made our way to Scaramouche. For those of you who have never been a total recommendation!! Top notch!! The food was to die for and melted in your mouth, of course wallets melt a little too, but very delish. On the 13th, the girls and I celebrated our yearly tradition of Kris Krigle exchange, though this year though we were all at Heather's, we didnt all get to be in the same place at once....but so glad we were able to the other weekend. Then to continue the weekend, Chris and I headed to the Nutcracker. Such a great way to kick off the holiday season, however, I think one of us was a wee bit tired. So peaceful to watch the ballet though, took me a bit to settle in, but it was very calming. Fav part the Snowflake princess'...and of course buying a lil' ornament to place on the tree. Then of course this past week was spent supplying and teaching and catching up with Jen. Went out for din to Libretto's on Ossington with Jen, Chris, Dave and Chris to enjoy some italian cuisine...another place to recommend and this time very feasible! I truly enjoy spending time with friends and talking about life over a glass of wine and some great food. Anywho time to close the comp and watch the rest of the movie. But here's hoping we get to leave in the morning...snow snow go away come back another day...
ps. West Virginia seems to be the home of camouflage...y'all let's go a hunting...oh dear!

if i were a fab coat

...this is the coat I would love to be! Kate Hudson sporting a fabulous grey fur. Ah one day. ps. her hair and choice of drink also top notch!

soo as I prepare myself for a run in the morning, I can't help but watch a little tv. Just finished watching Julia and Julie (very good!) kind of made me want to appreciate cooking. kind of. anywho as the movie finished a special on Tiger Woods terrible choices was airing on dateline. oh man oh man! Growing up in a golf family and knowing just how amazing Tiger Woods is at his sport...and also not hearing anything about his personal life other than his love for his family...I found it utterly shocking about the most recent news of his million Mistresses. pleease! what is this world coming too...and who are all these tarts that feel like he 'loved them'. He is married and cheating!! He doesn't love you! What gets me fired up is that he didn't just cheat once or twice, as far as the media knows it could be up to 11 tarty tarts. My heart breaks for Elin. To experience a heart break from your one who ends up cheating on you is truly painful...and I only hope for Elin and her children that this media frenzy puts this mess aside and lets her breath. karma will get ya every time! Anywho that's enough of that! ps. in 45 minutes bobby b turns the big 60! looking forward to celebrating in style! night night xo

on repeat

One of my fav Christmas songs...thought I would share it with y'all.
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe there's always hope

When all seems lost

And I believe in Santa Claus.

I believe in Santa Claus

I'll tell you why I do

I believe that dreams and plans

And wishes can come true.

I believe in miracles

I believe in magic too

I believe in Santa Claus

And I believe in you.

I believe in family

In country and in smiles

I believe in turning negatives

To positives in life.

I believe in looking farther up

The farther down we get

I believe when someone hurts us

We should forgive and forget.

And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe that love

Should prevail at any cost.

And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in saying what you mean

And meaning what you say

I believe a better attitude

Can make a better way.

I believe in viewing life

As a journey that we're on

And looking at our troubles

As another stepping stone.

And I believe that everything

That it is what it's meant to be

I believe there is a God somewhere

Although he's hard to see.

I believe I am so therefore

I should do all that I can

To be a better piece

In the puzzle of God's plan.

And I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe there's always hope

When all seems lost.

I believe in Santa Claus.

Let the little children sing - (I believe in Santa Claus)

Let the whole world to sing with us. - I believe in Santa Claus

Let the whole world to sing with us. - I believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus

I believe there's always hope

When all seems lost.

I believe in Santa Claus...

ps. Picture of Mitchell helping his mom decorate their tree.