Foxy fun

A Free Press article inspired me to try something fun and spontaneous today. I read about the Foxy Shoppe on the weekend, and stopped by there (at 87 King St.) on my way home from a meeting downtown this morning.  Supporting local businesses is important to me, so I wanted to check this place out...

As soon as I walked in, I met Pamela, who owns the Foxy Shoppe (I think her last name is Fox).  I told her I was feeling a little flattened from a few  challenging things happening simultaneously in my life.  She told me that I'd come to the right place.  I guess she was right because I left with a spring in my step and a little giggle under my breath.


From the outside, the Foxy Shoppe looks like a lingerie store.  But its so much more... I tried on a vintage style dress WITH A CRINOLINE!!! I cannot tell you how fun it was to put that dress on and spin around in front of the mirror!  I also tried on this blue number because Pamela said it was a great colour for me.  I think she told me I was lovely 6 times during our short time together.  Her soft spoken little kindnesses were timed just right!


This store is all about fun, fancy dresses and lots of things to help women feel confident and fun. What caught my eye about the article in the Free Press was that the store wants to help women feel good about being women, celebrating all their curves and femininity.

I am definitely planning to return, and next time (since I now know what to expect) I will buy a fun party dress. (Lisa, if you're reading this, I'm hoping that New Years Eve could be a wear-your-new-party-dress kind of affair?)

I hope some of you Winnipeggers will go visit the Foxy Shoppe and support Pamela.  Her blog tells a little bit about her dream for this little boutique, and I hope our city could help it be one of those dreams that comes true.

You can like The Foxy Shoppe on FB - there are giveaways on there every once in a while and updates about new inventory.  Stop in for a browse around when you're in the Exchange. Just so you know...  apparently they are getting a lot more dresses in over the next couple of weeks.

oh, and by the way, if you're someone who asks about where goods originate, you'll be happy to know that Pamela is committed to buying Canadian or continental wherever she can.  She even has a couple of local designers showcased in the store. The fact that she does  her purchasing with a conscience sealed the deal for me, I know I'll be back!

finding community

most times, when i mention community on this blog, I am referring to Flats, because my family lives 'in community' with lots of other people. (btw, Matt has been blogging about community lately, you should read his blog.  its more interesting than mine ...  and he wouldn't be caught dead using this font over there, either.)
but today I'm paying respect to another kind of community and location ... my school community.  I've studied at this great seminary in a little town about 7 hours from my home for the past 3 years. I come out here by car, plane, or bus, stay in a dorm or someone's guest room, and settle in for a week of classes.  Usually I have a couple of months post-class to complete and hand in the assignments and papers.  There's usually some intense reading and writing beforehand, too.  My program requires 25 classes + an internship.  Thankfully, I had a few under my belt before I started, and I've been able to do a few by distance.  I met with my advisor today and confirmed that I only have 6 left! (and a major project.....)  I personally think we should get at least 2 degrees for this amount of work; two of my friends in health care recently started their Masters programs and they only have 7 classes to do in order to get their degrees.  But I digress.... I wanted to talk about community, not whine about academic injustice.  (Have you ever noticed that I can find a way to label just about anything as injustice?)
I remember when I was accepted into this program, aside from the shock and overwhelming insecurity, I also knew how important it would be for me to feel connected and how hard it would be to feel isolated.  I worried about how on earth I could find any type of community when I'd only be on campus a handful of times/year. Somehow, though, connections did emerge and relationships did happen ... I have a pretty good routine of people and places to visit, classmates to coffee with, people to round up for a meal at Boston Pizza in Moose Jaw, friends to play games with.. its seems unbelievable that it happened and I always feel so thankful that it did. At the same time, I wonder what I was worried about.  As so often happens, things have a way of working themselves out and we usually needn't preoccupy ourselves with the worries we do.
I have met some tremendous people over my years at school, and each time I'm here I find myself marvelling at the kinds of people from all over North America (and further!) that I get to study with and learn alongside.  My life has been shaped not only by studies and profs, but also by fellow students - many of whom I have shared great dialogue, openness, encouragement, and challenges with.  It probably helps that I study with a bunch of soon-to-be counsellors, we reach out to each other pretty easily, and our class content and role-plays often mean that we get into each other's lives and stories quite a bit.
I'm in the homestretch (I'll only be here 5 more times, including graduation) - I can actually see a day when I will have my life back from the massive time and energy consumer called 'never ending school work'! But part of the reason I'm writing this post is because I want to remind myself to savor this last leg of the journey ... being a seminarian and a graduate student has definitely changed me and the course of my life and I'm really thankful for all the people and events that have been part of that journey.
(or maybe I actually wrote this post because I am harbouring a secret hope that one Thursday soon I will get to be seminarian of the week... ?!?!?)

mini workout

Originally found here

I found this image on pinterest a while back, along with some others like it, and they've inspired me.  Today was the perfect opportunity to experiment.  I've been hiding away in a dorm room for 38 hours, working on finishing up assignments and reading for my class this week. 

Yesterday, I managed to take a couple of walks to clear my head.  But today, I didn't even get dressed.  (yes, I am still in my pj's at 9pm!)  There were a couple of times when the words on the page or screen started to swim around before my eyes, I needed to change the pace at least a little. Enter this little mini workout!  It takes about 10 minutes.  Clears your head, restores your energy, and keeps the blahs away.

 I'm going to keep trying to do it at least twice per day while I'm at school (this coming week). Anyone gonna try it with me? Aldra, I've read your blog - I'm looking at you.  Comment below if you wanna give it a go, let me know what you think. 

PS: I have another goal - REAL pushups.  I have always done the modified ones (also called 'girl' pushups). Anyone want to join me on that challenge too?

recommends

been such a great summer, thought I'd jot down a few favorite things we've seen and done this year ...   enjoy!

We had planned a nice dinner out while on holidays, but then, as is often the case while away, plans changed.  So, the following weekend we were back in Winnipeg and went to The Current at the Forks.  Dinner was really good, then we shared a chocolate mousse-brownie dessert made with Callebaut Dark Chocolate.  It was all so, so nice.  We are not in the habit of going out for expensive meals, so this was a rare treat.  It didn't hurt that it was a beautiful summer night at the Forks, and that we were on foot.  If you haven't walked around downtown, the Exchange, or the Forks this summer, I hope you get a chance soon!

I read Michener's ALASKA over the course of a couple of weeks - including two solid days when I was sick.  I'm such a fan of Michener's writing -   he's such a thorough researcher.  The way he ties things together, weaving the details from 1000 years ago into the present reveals such a talent for storytelling. 868 pages though - not for the easily distracted.   There were so many different perspectives of Aboriginal contact with Russians and Americans.  I really appreciated the care taken to show the difference between diverse clans and groups.  In particular, the Aleutian Natives are characterized as a peace loving, spiritual, reflective people.  Here's part of the story of one Aleut 'conversion' attempt -

 'Gravely, the shaman place Cidaq on a stool and took a position facing her; then, as if he were summarizing his entire life, he began speaking: 'young woman, have you not seen the Russian Christianity?  Has it done anything for our people?  Has it brought us the happiness they promise? Has it brought food (back to our island, after the merciless hunting and senseless killing of our food supply)? Do they love us as their Book says they should?  Do they respect us? Do they allow us entrance into their places? Have they given us any new freedoms, or even preserved the ones we had built for ourselves? Is there anything ... any one thing you can think of ... any good thing their God has given us? And, is there any good thing which we already had which they have not taken away?'"  

This particular plotline goes on to tell about Cidaq's long journey to reconcile the beliefs of her people and her childhood to the 'new way' brought by the Russian colonizers. Another 'contact' story is about sailors taken in and cared for by a small village.  Exposed to the Natives traditions and way of life, the sailors embrace new perspectives about them, genuinely SEEING them as people, not savages.  I'm sure there were many stories like this in the history of our continent - there just weren't ENOUGH of them.

We spent a couple of near Melville, Sk.  A good part of one of our days was at the Motherwell Homestead, near Abernethy, Sk. Even if you don't live in SK, the Qu'appelle Valley is gorgeous and this National Park Site is worth the drive.  The Motherwell family was important in early Saskatchewan History.  The house and barn were built of stone that took over 8 years to collect from the surrounding countryside.  The family had come from Ontario and brought some revolutionary ideas to prairie farming.  Mr. Motherwell's second wife was a teacher in the local residential school, where she apparently opposed the mandate of complete assimilation.  She allowed children to speak in their own languages, and tried to respect their history.  She was known as a 'difficult and strong minded woman' - I wished there were more of her history available!

We watched the Beatrix Potter biography, with Renee Zellweger.  What a lovely, sweet story.  Without giving away too much of the story, (because you should watch it if you haven't!) - I loved seeing the way that Beatrix grieved.  It seems rare to me to see such deep emotion in a film, expressed so humanly.  (maybe thats because my favorite genre is fluffy romantic comedies, watched purely for entertainment and escapism?)  Beatrix was a feisty and eccentric woman, and she became the best selling children's author of all time.  She had imagination, confidence, perseverance, and she wasn't flattened by rejection or ridicule. I was surprised that I remembered the names of several of her characters.... I think I love Jemima Puddle Duck best, but maybe its just because of her fun name.  Here's a quote from the movie, when Beatrix meets her soon to be best friend, Millie;

"I have decided that you and I are going to be friends. Norman tells me that you are unmarried, as am I, and that you're not unpleased about it... as am I.  I warn you, I am prepared to like you very, very much, and I plan to enjoy each others company quite a lot!"  

I'm sure it was just as risky to say such things in Beatrix's day as it is in ours, and I am always drawn to those who have the confidence to be honest and vulnerable.

Without meaning to do it, I've talked about three strong and unique women in this post.... maybe I should also recommend that you have a peek at my women and strength board on pinterest :)

summer holidays

Just returned from a fabulous week away with family.  Every summer, myself and my three sisters - and our families, and our dad - rent 3 cabins for a week.  It's so much fun and we make such great memories.  The families are mixed up between the cabins, the cooking and cleaning are assigned so we all get a chance to work together.  We have lots of traditions, tasty food, and fun activities to look forward to every year.  Lisa keeps us organized with a three page spreadsheet about meals and clean up, and Syd usually helps with the shopping.
Here are some photos of our time this year - we tried a new spot this year, Keystone Resort at Westhawk Lake in the Whiteshell.  It was a hit!! (beach volleyball on site, inground pool, ice cream store across the street, and gorgeous sandy beach just a short walk away - what more could you want for a summer vacation?)

Beach Volleyball was a big hit - especially early in the week when Joey and Dustin
 were with us!  Everyone played (even me, ONCE!). 
 It was super fun to watch, too.  
We have quite an entertaining family :)

We hug lots.  We're huggers.

A few of us on an after dinner walk.

Ted and Ally demonstrating dance moves.

The resort pool was part of the daily routine.  
I personally spent two FULL days lounging there. :)

Bren and I walked to Hunt Lake on a really hot afternoon.  
I had to give myself a make-shift shower before turning back for home.

The four girls - next year, April will be in this line-up :)

We had great weather and so much fun.  We need to find a new location next year - ideas, anyone?

poster from departika at etsy.com

We've really discovered this year that there is tremendous value in taking good breaks.  How do you take breaks?  comment and let us know!
Happy Summer,
kelly

summer conversations and holiday pics

here are some pics and an interesting conversation from the last couple of days ... I am up very early anticipating getting Syd from the airport. (and she woke me up with texts and calls from TO at 330am!)


niece: auntie kelly, lets go swimming.
me: OK!
niece: we have to put our bathing suits on first...and our life jackets.
me: K, I'll go change, be right back.
niece: I'm changing in the living room
me: I can see that...
niece: I'm gonna come change with you
(follows me)
niece: so you don't change in front of other grown ups, right?
me: ummm... ya, thats pretty much right.
niece: well, you would change in front of your sisters.
me: ya, I would.
niece: would you change in front of my dad?
me: no.
niece: but uncle brendan - you change in front of him?
me: yes, we're married.
niece: I change in front of anyone in my family.
me: yup...
niece: do you change in front of grandpa?  He's your dad.  He's in your family.
me: ahhhh, ... ummmm, .... Let's race to the dock!


Here's a few shots of our time in Lac Du Bonnet....

Just learned to walk!

 Summer fun!

about Holidays :)

A few weeks ago I started to feel those twinges of exhaustion and that sense that my energy just wasn't being replenished as quickly as it should - I looked at my schedule and realized I was pretty booked up at work and wouldn't be able to get any time away up til now - it seemed like an eternity back when I planned it.  But it has arrived, and I couldn't be more ready or more thrilled!  We've recently been relishing opportunities to travel or take breaks more than ever before in our lives, its become important to have times where the routine gets interrupted for a few days or even weeks.  And, it is so much fun to plan for and look forward to something. (Our trip to SF last year was such a treat, we still talk about it all the time - we all planned different parts of it, and I'm still so stoked about our public transportation abilities/courage!)

We were planning to go out to a farmhouse we know of for the next few days, but then our car was written off last week, so we weren't sure we'd even have a vehicle.  ... decided that we'd just do a few days of exploring our own city instead. (...and, we love Winnipeg that much!)  In the end, it turns out that we are picking up a new-to-us car tomorrow - a YELLOW one.  I don't remember the model, just the color :)
The plan for the next few days is to go to Lower Fort Garry, Ballet in the Park, take in an exchange walk and free concert, and then go to a cabin in Lac du Bonnet for Friday night and Saturday -oh, and the Folklorama kick off at the Forks on Sat. night (fireworks at 10pm!)
On Sunday, we pick up Syd, drop her in Regina and stay for a couple of nights at a bed and breakfast near Fort Qu'appelle. ( I heard that we should try hang gliding up there, but my husband suggested we just bike ride on the TransCanada Trail - its safer on the gravel path, with our feet and wheels firmly on the ground!)
Later on in August, we are looking forward to a week at West Hawk Lake with our family... and we've been saving for our first ever WINTER HOLIDAY  later this year, too!  That sandy beach and ocean image above IS going to become a reality!

Dear Ben: We are coming for a visit!

Our other big holiday news is that we just started a special savings account for our REALLY BIG plan - a trip to Europe in 2013 - the year my husband, our son, and I all graduate with various degrees and diplomas.  Its also the year Bren and I turn 40.  So, we're finally doing a little more than talking about that dream; and it feels SO good!
Hoping y'all are enjoying summer as much as I am.  If you're from Winnipeg, there is so much fun stuff to check out all summer long - free concerts downtown and on Corydon, folklorama coming up, jazz on the rooftop at the WAG, ... don't miss out!

daily life in community = FULL

I love living in community.  Being with people is very FILLING for me; I'm an extrovert and enjoy the daily interactions.  Today's 5 minute friday prompt is FULL.  So, here are a few unedited thoughts from the last week, just a few reasons I love living with 25 people!

Cake-off... a sneaky brendan decides we need a healthy dose of competitiveness in our supper team, so he challenges Colin to a cake off.  Very yummy, chocolatey fun!

Unloading groceries ... mundane, yes.  But every week the grocery shopper texts everyone who is home on friday and says 'spread the word, groceries arriving in 10 minutes'... and then we haul, sort, unpack, and put away a tonne (well, almost) of groceries together.  (It's no small feat to shop and store food for such a big group, we have it down to a pretty smooth running rhythm!)

massages ... i went for a massage last week (from a bona fide professional!) for the first time in a long time.  For the first time ever, she said that my neck and shoulders are in pretty good shape.  You know why?  Because I have a live in massage therapist (she's actually a designer, but she should make massage her day job!) who is willing to give me a great massage on a regular basis, just because she loves me and is wonderful.

returning housemates - tis the season for folks to go on holidays, and when they are away their absence is very noticeable. But then, they come home!  And things settle back into something that feels RIGHT, and we get gooey kisses and smiley 'good mornings' from happy little girls once again!

awaiting babies - Flats is in anticipation mode, waiting ever so patiently for the newest community member to make his or her entrance to the world.  It is very fun to be awaiting this new life and we are so excited about the ways he/she will enrich and change us!

  times up.. a little more than 5 minutes, actually!  Thanks for letting me share just a snapshot of  why it is so good to live communally!

5 minute fridays - the gypsy mama invites us to blog for 5 minutes - unedited, on the prompt she gives every week.
This weeks prompt was FULL.  JOIN IN!

carefree, zippy, and juicy

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be kind to ourselves?  I was part of a class this week that did some group testing for a facilitation certificate.  After each of us were tested, the first question was:  What did you like about what you did?  Inevitably, we responded by saying what we didn't like.  

It seems like such a deeply ingrained default position to report our faults - its like we don't even know how to acknowledge our strengths.  Someone noted that thinking of what we liked about our test was like writing with the left hand when you're accustomed to using the right... As a counsellor, I want to help us think differently!  I have this quote in my journal that says:

I have this relentless hope that we're going to make it easier for women to feel better about themselves

Coincidentally, I got a package of reconnect to yourself cards the other day in a gift package I won from Eve Studios.  

So, this morning, I went in to the office and shared the cards with a few of the lovely ladies I get to work with.  We decided to leave the cards by our desk and think of the ways we embody the characteristics we randomly picked out of the deck.  Its a great way to be kind to yourself and practice affirmation ... maybe even a beginning to overcoming the tendency to pick ourselves apart at every opportunity!  The cards I got to reflect on today said: carefree, zippy, & juicy.  Maybe I am carefree in a (very) few places in my life, but I'm learning!   Zippy... well, yeah, I can think of a few areas of my life where that applies.  (and not only while driving around in my little blue car!)    And juicy... well that one takes imagination, but sure -  it fits too!!

One of the other girls got these cards: authentic, peaceful, & deserving. She loved it and felt like the descriptions were perfect for some of the different things she's figuring out right now.  And, she's definitely one of the most peaceful people I know - a very refreshing face at the end of a long day or whenever I'm facing difficult things alongside our clients.  

What a fun way to start the day!

What about you - do you find it hard to be kind to yourself?  I have for many years.. but ever so slowly I'm learning to be kinder ..... What are your reflections on the journey of being gentle to yourself?

glimpses

 There hasn't been a photo post on here in a bit, and I've been using my new phone to take a few pictures.  I've spent the week in Caronport, learning about Adult Development, writing like a mad person, missing my family and Flats, visiting with an old friend... you'll see :)

Sweet Sydney.  This actually wasn't this week.  I just miss her !

The night before I left for school was the Masterworks recital.  I was a proud mama! (Yes, Ember, - I cried!)

This image turned up in my inbox this week, and I've spent quite a while looking at it.  It's called GRIEF and the artist is Matthew Whitney of Seattle.

Monday was the birthday of a school friend, so we celebrated!

Spent a lovely day in Moose Jaw with one of my favorite people in the universe.
You know those friends who are there no matter what - whose love you trust and who  just don't judge you, ever?
What would life be like without friends like this?!

An artsy shot in Downtown Moose Jaw.  I like to pretend I have a good eye for things every once in a while 

I thought I might be able to have a private conversation with some lilacs, but I was caught on film

and this is what the rest of the night holds... a very serious date with my assignments!

funny on friday

Since my oldest entered junior high, I've mourned the loss of my kids... at least the kids I once had - the ones that enjoyed time spent together and didn't find it excruciating to be in the same room as me....

Every once in a long while, i am graced with my son wanting to show me funny stuff online.  Recently (after I recovered from shock and did a celebration dance), he showed me this gem.

enjoy.

Happy Friday.

these days.

A bunch of new Flatlanders moved in over the summer.  I wrote about that in a couple of posts earlier this year ... (see story and planning entries)

 Anyway, its been a while now since we all started sharing the same address and calling it HOME.  I'm going to try and capture some of the details of these last few months, knowing that I cannot do it justice in this format . I'm gonna try anyways.  There have been many sweet, inspiring times.  It goes without saying that the positive isn't all there is, right?  Its so, so GOOD to live and learn with others.

• imagine a mixture of pj's, chore lists, mops and buckets, smells of pine sol mixed with bacon, bed-heads, loud music, finding teenagers hiding from their jobs, and you're starting to get a picture of our saturday morning deep clean routine.  The working together is a highlight of my week. (I also kinda like it when the floors aren't sticky...)
• loving other people's kids.  and other people loving our kids.  and our kids loving being Flatlanders.  I think my heart could explode!
• flatlanders sunday at WCV - a bunch of us leading singing and playing music, a bunch of us bringing tours through the space, a bunch of us sharing about what it means to live in community.  We were all proud of us.
• 5 community meals per week and you never know what you're gonna get...Beet burgers, anyone?! -(very tasty, by the way...)  There is so much fun just waiting to be found in our freezer.
• dreaming - how can we be more present in the neighborhood?  what does it mean to be present?  what does it mean that home is here and here is home?
• hanging out.  usually on the 2nd floor.  there is often someone ready to chat .. maybe even give a shoulder massage!
• capture the flag!! picture it ... about 2000 square feet of warehouse, 2 teams of all ages, all the lights out after dark... and the 'flags' are Owen's old skateboards.  90 minutes of giggles - and not only from the girls!
• one of my sweet nieces,  getting ready for bed during the weekly sleepover: "I want to go say goodnight to the people.  ALL the people."
• conversations about calling, about downward mobility, about Jesus, about seeing and not seeing, about allowing transformation and challenging expectations, theology students finding lots of unique dialogues
• interns who want to serve and learn and love in such beautiful ways it makes my heart hurt

this is the lid from the honey jar. We find lots of creative ways to communicate.

walk for healing

A couple weeks back, I was driving across the prairies on my way home from classes... I always keep my eye open for people needing a ride, and as I was nearinig Broadview, SK I saw some young people walking along the road.  I was pretty sure they weren't hitchhikers, but something prompted me to stop anyways and say hello.  So I pulled over and waited for them to catch up to my truck...

 I asked what they were up to, and they told me they were walking for Healing.  I was intrigued!  Our conversation continued, and I became more and more impressed.  Each day, the group walks for a different kind of healing, or for different groups of people to be healed.  They are not focusing on any specific 'illness' - they are talking to the Creator, each other, and anyone else who is interested about all kinds of physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational healing.  They've walked for kids in care, for moms and dads, for reconciliation in Canada and lots of other themes.

They started out in May in Kamloops, BC, and are hoping to winter in Winnipeg, with a possible re-start to the East coast in the spring.  I hope to spend some time with them while they're in my city!

If you're interested in knowing more, and you're on facebook, check out the Justin Young Walk of Healing page. 

I ended up having luch with the walkers and enjoying my time with them immensely.  Each one had a story to share, and they did so with beauty, vulnerability, and wisdom.  It was a gift to meet up with them.  I would have missed out on so much if I'd have just driven by!  (so keep your eyes peeled if you're driving along the #1 highway west of Winnipeg!  It's pretty easy to stop and share snacks and encouragement!)

I snapped this picture later on that weekend, when I caught up on the week with my husband while we enjoyed a picnic near Sturgeon Creek... it was supposed to be a family event, but the kids were excused after whining for 2 hours about how lame family picnics are.  We had fun without them!

photos on the go

We've been taking the pics off the cameras almost every day, so its easy to put up a few every couple of days... and fun to share!  I usually do these posts with my family sleeping beside me, while I wait for the day to start.  We've been sleeping on comfy mattresses in the living room of our San Franciscan friends, who graciously allowed a family of four to crash in their apartment!  Their neighborhood is called Inner Sunset. 

We are becoming better at getting around and knowing the transit options throughout the City.  Yesterday we even took the BART under the Bay to Berkeley!  (BART is the rapid train that goes further than the city of San Francisco to other nearby cities in the Bay Area)

California Academy of Sciences

Contents of a sharks stomach!

A painting from the DeYoung that made me weep (painted by Thomas Eakins)

We visited a community called Sojourners last week.  This is our tour host, Dawn, in one of the back yards - reaching for the best plums Bren and I have ever eaten, right off the tree!  There was a lemon tree next to it. 

Angel's Trumpet - one of our favorite features at the English Gardens in our city. 

We've seen a few of these in San Francisco!

Walking down Potrero St, and then suddenly we wondered if we were back in the North End -

a Piroshki store?!?

The kids enjoying their first Fish and Chips - a concession to 'please, can we NOT have bread and cheese for lunch again?' - so, they ate fish and chips, and then ate some of the bread and cheese!

a new video- take a minute and check us out!

We have an amazing intern with techie video making talents!  Check out our new Flats video....

thoughts from afar ...

This post is written from the faraway land of San Francisco.  (not San Fran or Frisco;  SF is the common abbreviation among locals!)  We're loving it out here!  And although we didn't take the photo above, we've been taking tons of photos of the local urban landscape. 

It's a lot like Vancouver in that the neighborhoods are so inviting, so comprehensive, and so unique.  Both Bren and I love the lifestyle afforded by these cities.  Where we live, its hard to envsion not owning a car, and the big box store is almost unavoidable, at least some of the time.  Particularly in our own neighborhood, there simply isn't anywhere to walk for groceries or fresh produce. 

To make the most of the nearby shops, we picked up fruit and veggies from one, cheese and bread from others, and are packing snacks to reduce the cost of eating out.  (one restaurant meal per day!)  But actually, its not as much about the budget as about being a great way to snack!  Yesterday, we ate our little picnic in the Panhandle near Haight and Ashbury.  It was quite lovely - we spent the entire day on foot.  It was great until the 30 minute trek home - one of our kids looked up the steep hill we had to climb and said 'can't we just take a bus the rest of the way?' .. but the homemade borscht and fresh bread that we knew were waiting kept us moving!  (Our hosts are AMAZING - we'll miss them when we check into a hotel in a couple of days!)

Here are a couple of early holiday shots - maybe some SF pics soon....

We travelled part of the way to Calgary (where we flew from) with my good friend pictured here.  She'd been in Manitoba racing in a Triathlon with another friend.  I am so proud of her and inspired!  It was great to visit -even if too brief!

When we arrived in Swift Current after the first leg of our journey, I was full of energy!  I invited the kids to explore, go for a walk, go for a swim, take in the sites...

they stayed in these positions and just grunted in my direction :)

But their dad was adventurous enough to go searching for a Shoppers Drug Mart, where we picked up yogurt and cereal for our supper (staying on the meal budget!) and a couple of forgotten travel items.   And later we did swim in the hotel pool! (Our super-secret mystery hotel booked on Travelocity was the ThriftLodge!)

Sharing the Journey

Monday, June 14

7pm

Sharing the Journey

A night of stories, info about Flatlanders, and good coffee!

Our family is hosting this event, as a way of sharing a bit about the

 last year and our future plans.

(we recently committed to another two years as part of Flatlanders Core Leadership Team)

join us!

RSVP if you can!

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a few recent photos

Ms. Stone was played by our daughter - who made me cry with her amazing solo!

Beach babies!  Last week, I decided to take a day off and go to the beach.  My sweet niece, whose voice is so cute on the other end of the phone, called me at supper time and said 'we're going to the beach tomorrow, wanna come with us?'  Could you resist this sweet kid... especially with her sweet voice?!  (Its a little less sweet when she calls me 'missy' ... as in 'hey, you, missy, what do you think you're doing?')

We had lots of fun in the water, splashing and going 'really, really deep!'(up to my waist!)

This is the sweet youngest daughter of our good friends.  I really wanted to focus on thankfulness that day at the beach, so  brought my journal along help me think and pray... as I was writing, I looked up and saw these guys, and was reminded afresh about this baby's early days, including emergency heart surgery and being away from home for a few weeks.  Perspective, and reminders of how fragile and beautiful life is, were perfect for my reflections...

Wedding bells ringing... :)

A wedding at Flatlanders... 'Is this really my wedding cake?'

All dressed up, and we don't even have to leave for the wedding!

Is it time yet?

 beautiful -- no matter what angle!  (inside and out!)

We recruited some familiar servers :)

Not so interested in the tupperware, but this ribbon stuff could be some fun ...

wanted to try Dragonfruit as part of birthday weekend fun..

So, we walked to an asian market in the exchange and got some. 

 kinda like kiwi, but not as good... and don't eat the red stuff.