Shoe Love

I bought a pair of Clarks back in 2008. They were pretty great, but I felt a little... old. I mean, really, buying shoes at Sole Comfort? Buying Clarks?

As a result, I went to a few other places this time around. I wandered into Feet First, asked for about eight pairs in my size... wound up having them bring out a different (ugly) style because it was the only size 11 short boot in the store. Yes, did I mention that I need an 11 in boots there?

No thanks.

I sucked it up and went to Sole Comfort. Where I found a sweet pair of Looby Loves, in my size, in the last chance section. A sweet, sweet 50% off.

And the best part?

I fit a size 10 in Clarks.

End of an Era

A few days ago, I parted with something very dear to me.

My sweet, sweet Barista.

Back in the day, pre-Greg, my friend Lindsay worked at Starbucks. As a result, I was able to get a $500 machine for significantly less, due to a combination of her employee discount, a seasonal sale, and her lying through her teeth and swearing up and down it had been a demo model.

We had two amazing years together. We laughed, we cried, we steamed milk. Well, I laughed and cried while using it to steam the milk. I started off every day of university with a lovely latte, minus the days where I ran out of the house and accidentally left it sitting there. It saw me through some tough times.

Then, however, someone else entered our lives. I was forced to choose: Greg or coffee. Deep down, I knew that Greg could give me so much more than coffee. How could you procreate with an espresso machine? And so, I packed up my baby.

Five years later, I knew I had been selfish for too long. How was it fair to my Barista to keep it boxed up, stuffed away in our shed, unused and unloved? It wasn't. So I listed it on kijiji.

The next day, a lovely man came and took it away, but not before I'd lovingly primed it and polished it up, one last time.

Farewell, sweet Barista. May you have a wonderful life with your new owner.

One Last Update Before 2010!

Ahh, Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year! Except when I'm halfway through decorating 250 sugar cookies. Then, Christmas time kind of sucks.


I'm sorry, that was negative of me. Anyway, Christmas was good this year. I got some totally sweet gifts, including the lovely sweater featured above. I was happy with all the gifts I gave, and I think I managed to budget fairly well (well... fairly).

Dad was stuck up in Cigar Lake for Christmas, which was pretty suck-tastic, but I got lots of mom time! I may get older, but I never get sick of being a big baby around my mom.

Greg disappeared downstairs for a day and a half with the puzzle I gave him. He's an intense puzzler. Good thing I didn't get a super crazy one... I may not have seen him till we got back to Calgary!

Anyway, we had the Bennetts over for Christmas dinner... since there were only three of the six siblings there, it was pretty small. I'm hidden in the background behind the gravy. Nice. Note the stylish hats (hey there Dunlop tradition!)

Well, since it is, in fact, 7:56 PM on December 31st, I guess I should get off the blog and get to celebrating! I hope you all have a smashing New Year!

I've Been Waiting Since September to Post About This...

My bestie Brina is pregnant again!

This pregnancy seems to be going smoothly, minus the fact she found out a few days after having a bunch of dental surgery (delightful!). Super exciting! Soon we'll be Uncle Egg and Auntie Ham - and will have to spend a lifetime being called that.

Congratulations you two!

(Yes, I put the bow on)

Christmas Parties, Church-Style

Now, as many of you probably know, Greg and I have been on the Activities Committee at church for what seems like forever. Actually, it's been 3.5 years, but that means four Christmas parties.

Glarbarkenfffsgsdkfh.

That sound pretty much sums up my feelings about doing Christmas parties. This year, however, while it was still a tonne of work, it really felt like we pulled off something pretty awesome. The pictures don't do it justice, but suffice it to say - it turned out great! Plus, it was catered, which means for once I didn't have to spend all day in the kitchen... ahhhh.

Look at all those Mormons dancing! The spell only lasted a few songs, though... then everyone exited the floor almost simultaneously. Sigh.

Anyway, I was pretty stoked. Our party was on November 14th due to some scheduling conflicts, so I was looking forward to a blissful, party-free remainder of the season.

Then, I got called to the Relief Society Activities Committee (former Enrichment). Just in time for the Christmas party.

BLEEP.

Oh wait, I'm supposed to say how great service is, right? Yeah... ah well, c'est la vie. On the plus side, it too is over now, and my decorations turned out pretty nicely (but really, how can you screw up Christmas decorations?)

Please ignore the ugliness of the room itself... it looked a lot better in the evening. I dream of one day being in a beautiful new building.

One day.

I'm alive!!

Hot diggity - it's been wayyy too long. I got a comment from Tanya a month or so ago saying "you're next! No, not to get knocked up - to update your blog!"


So true, so true... on both counts (sorry, MIL, no babies for a while yet). How do I sum up the last six months? And why have I gotten myself stuck in such a situation?? Gah!


I'll blog about the recent renos lately, but what's new besides the house... hmm.


Well, Greg's no longer at CMP! It came out of the blue, but we're okay with it. His current manager was a bit of a douche, so work had become a form of slow torture. Right now Greg's just figuring out what path he wants to go on next. I, meanwhile, am still subbing. I'm hoping my H1N1 shot puts me in a good position to get lots of shifts! (Is it bad that I'm wishing illness on others?)


We finally got new tenants a few months ago - Deniel and Christina. They're great. Very quiet. Fabulous smells of Chinese food drift upstairs regularly, and I've found myself tempted to go down and knock on the door to ask for some.


As I'm prone to doing, I've already got 95% of my Christmas prep done, minus decorations. I've got almost all my gifts, wrapped and out in Kelowna, I've done all my canning, I've got my cards written up. Life is good! At least, for an OCD person, this life is good!


Halloween has come and gone, and I'm still pretty happy with our costumes. We went as Matt and Brina. I'm a little sad that I didn't get any pictures of my tooth jewel, but ah well. Now I need to come up with something for next year...





Well, I'm going to pry Greg off the phone so we can go for our standard Friday night Vietnamese (pho has replaced Montana's)... I promise I'll update again before long.


I hope.

Happy Birthday, Tanny Fernanny!

So, today happens to be the birthday of my "BFF," Ms. Tanya Fernandez! I had to steal that picture from her blog because a) it showcases what a great mom she is, and b) as she will readily attest to, my camera has never taken a flattering picture of her. So, theft it is.

Calling her my BFF has become habit, but I should clear up that I'm not a total dweeb... we were shopping a couple years ago and I spotted some ugly "BFF" jewelry and suggested we buy it. It just sort of stuck... we're such tween-wannabes.

Anyway, hope you have a fabulous day, my dear BFF!