Cousin's Wedding Weekend

The first full weekend of December, it was my cousin Jesse's wedding in Kelowna (about 2 hours southeast of here). I ended up going with Mom, Vienna, and Isaac, and we had a fun time! Poor Mom had quite the cold, but she was a trooper, and she was glad she went. Friday was a day off for me, and I was supposed to get a barium swallow done (more on that another time), but they cancelled, which didn't make me too sad. I got my hair cut Thursday night, and ran errands (also found out that the car needs a major brake job..awesome!), and then Anker got all upset about something when I came home. Anyway...

Friday, I got up and packed, and Mom picked me up and we bought a dress for me for the wedding and for the Christmas party. V, I, and I went for sushi, while Mom ran some errands, and then we were off around 3. We stopped in Vernon for some food while we were there, and got there around 6. We had a lovely ham dinner, with family. My mom's brother and his wife were there, as well as our other cousin, Kelly, and his family. My brother Seth, and his family were there as well, so I was able to see K again! She cries whenever people other than her mom and dad hold her, but other than that, she is the cutest thing! We stayed at a guest house on their property (my mom's sister and her husband), so we got all sorted out for that. That is quite the story in and of itself! It was very nice (and FREE!), but it had less items in it (bedding, dishes, etc), than we were led to believe. Anyway....once we all got set up...beds made, dishes and cutlery found...all was well...well, mostly. There wasn't a lot of hot water, and somehow Vienna and I got A/C in our room instead of heat!

Saturday, we got read for the wedding. It was at 12:30, so we had to hustle to all get ready in time. We were all there in time, which was good, considering that didn't know where we were going. The wedding was in their church's gym, and I would say that it was a country/winter theme. I will post a few pictures here, but for the rest, you can go to my Instagram to look at more. We came back between the wedding and reception. We had snacks and drinks at the main house, which my uncle coordinated. Then it was back to the church, which was transformed yet again into a Winter Wonderland Dining Hall. The wedding was done pretty much by 11. I think we left around 10 or so. At around 9, they brought in a donut truck, where they proceeded to give anyone who wanted FREE donuts! They were SO GOOD!

Sunday, we slept in a bit, and sloooowly got ready to go. We packed and cleaned, and said good bye to the family, and then headed off around 12. It was a great weekend, and I really glad that I went.

Here are some pics :

                                                Vienna and I all ready for the wedding.

                                                       The alter. I loved their lamps.

                                                                  Jesse and Jenna.

                                                                The head table.

                                          They had cotton candy as their take home gifts.

                                            Myself, Mom and Vienna. Beauties in Blue.

Five On Friday

Yes, I am still alive! I just can't seem to be bothered to blog lately. I am feeling depressed and kind of bleh. Bleh!!! I mean, I am listening to Christmas music, and watching Christmas movies until the cows come home, but it was all I could to put up the tree, and I haven't even started on Christmas baking, and though I have done a bit of Christmas shopping, I haven't done a ton (though, we are only doing stocking gifts this year). I haven't been sleeping well, and between Anker being super on edge (and grumpy), and a few other factors, I haven't wanted to be home. We also don't have a ton of money for gifts and baking, anyway. School goes for another week, and there is no snow (ok, the no snow part is good)...all of which I think are contributing factors.

Well, it's now AFTER Christmas :) December 29, to be exact! I hope you all had a great Christmas. I have some blog posts that need to get written and published, but here is a quick recap in the form of Five on Friday Style!!

1) Christmas Movies:
I have watched more than what should be allowed the last month or so. I have LOVED IT! And I have NO SHAME! Thank you, W Network for airing these wonderful movies!

2) Christmas with my Family:
We had a great Christmas with my family. We went out on the 23rd, and we came back on the 27th. We stayed at the B&B, which, though no WI-FI, no water, and with so many flies, it made us feel like we were in the Plague of Flies, we had a great time!

3) Snow:
We are living in a snow globe right now. We got a dump on the 19th, and then it snowed again when we got back, and it is snowing again now. So...fun times! I am glad that I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow.

4) Two Weeks Off:
Well, one week now. I wish I said that I had big plans on getting stuff done, but I will probably read magazines, and watch movies/tv.

5) A Fabulous Christmas Party:
On December 16th, work had their Christmas party, and it was very fun. I wasn't feel well (I have been battling a cold for a couple of weeks), but I still had a great time. We had it at the University (they have a great culinary program there), and the food was very good! I hope that we have it there next year.

Church Shopping (It's Not for the Faint of Heart)

I have had this title (and only the title) in my drafts waiting for me to write about it for ages. I haven't felt much like blogging lately, but I thought I would start on this...in hopes to get back into it.

Let's be honest: Church shopping sucks. Yes, we aren't really supposed to say that word, but it does. There're so many factors (REAL factors, not just, is there good parking? Do they have nice couches in the foyer?). Shopping for a church really is tough: is the singing good? Does the Pastor preach the Word? Are the people friendly? Is there a small/care group? If you have a family, what is the children's church like? Does the pastor try to connect with you?

Let me digress:

I grew up in the church. Literally. My dad was (and is) the pastor of our small village church, so I am pretty picky when it comes to what to look for in a church. After I left to go to Bible College at the wise old age of 18, I knew that where I would go to church in Calgary; it was easy. My uncle was the pastor there for years, and I knew lots of people (heck, I was related to most of congregation!). From then on, I moved back home, back to my home church. Then I moved to Kamloops, where I can't even remember where I went to church. Like, I am thinking about it right now, and I really cannot remember. Then I moved back home for awhile, back to my home church...then I moved to Regina, SK, and I went to two churches: one was an Evangelical Lutheran Church, and I also went to Young Adults at an Alliance Church. Both were good churches. I came to know them from the lady where I was staying with. Then I moved to Calgary (again), and I went to my "default" church where my Uncle Pastored. It was ok, but it was tough. I wasn't married, and I was "too old" to be in the young adults. But, I had lots of fun memories there, too. Since I didn't have a car, I would usually get rides with friends and family (thus, back to Default Church). Then, it was back home for awhile, then back to Kamloops (in case you are keeping track, that is back home 3x, and Calgary 2x [well, three times, but the 2nd time was only for a few weeks] and Kamloops 3x). When I moved back in 2004, I didn't know where to go; I tried a few, and I stuck with them for awhile, only to either move (and thus needing to go where I could walk to take the bus), or for me to really just get tired of going there. Again, I was still not married, and now I was REALLY too old to join the Young Adults. I was kind of alone, to be honest. I met Anker online, and I think I was going to a small church plant not too far from where I was living. Prior to that, I had tried the Alliance, a Church called Bible Truth (I think it was /is under the PAOC), and, well, I think that was all. Just as I met Anker. I had also had moved to another part of the city, so I was sort of looking for a church to go to. I went to another PAOC church called Calvary Temple/Calvary Community Church. I was there for 11 years.

When we moved to this side of town over 2 years ago, I continued going, b/c I had made a home there. I knew everyone, and I had a place. Then our pastor retired, and we got a new pastor (well, it took awhile, but we got one). Prior to this Anke had stopped going to church. Period. At all. I continued to go alone (still do), things continued on. Then our Associate Pastor left. We were all very sad. Prior that, though, in the summer of 2016, Anker and I did both help with VBS, and I really thought that he would start coming back. When he didn't, I kind of stopped going, too. I wasn't sure if I should keep going to CCC. I liked it, but a lot of my friends had left, it was too far to go (especially in the winter), and I really wasn't connecting like I was years gone by. I REALLY struggled with whether I should continue going. I talked with Anker, I talked with my parents, and some friends. I didn't go to church much during the summer. I kind of needed time to figure out what to do. I tried a church pretty close to us, but it wasn't my type at all. I kind of narrowed it down to two churches in the city; one was close to us, and one that is downtown. Our old pastor goes there, and a few other people who I know go there, and it is close. I went a few times, and I after the 2nd time, I knew that I was supposed to make that my home church. Anker and I have met with the pastor and his wife, and he said that he wants to go, but he has yet to. I HOPE to get him out Sunday. It is really small, and I think it is perfect for us.

I haven't officially "broken it off" with our old church. I think I am putting it off. I feel super sad, as it was where we met, where we got married, etc. It isn't easy to move. It sucks, actually. And I think if there were only one or two factors, I might have stayed. But in my heart of hearts, I know that it is the right thing to do. This is the longest church that I have ever stayed at, other than my home church. But, to be honest, it isn't the same church as it was even a year go. I will miss some of my friends that still go there, and I hope that we will still stay connected with our friends who still go there. A piece of my heart will always remain at CCC, and I hope to go back a few times a year to say hi to people that I know. Hey...I might even go back in a few years.

What about you? What do you look for in a church? Do you really strive to make ONE church your church home? Have you done a lot of church shopping in the past?

Five on Friday

Just some quick lines this week.


1) I went to a Color By Amber Party last Saturday (the 18th), and a Steeped Tea Party last Tuesday. I am all bought out. I am looking forward to getting my jewelry and tea, though. And on a semi-same thought, I went to wings with my former co-workers the other week, and I went to coffee tonight with   my pastor's wife.

2) I got my second cold of the season. I wasn't happy, but at least I only missed one day of work.

3) I have been watching LOTS of Christmas movies (Thanks, W Network!), and I have been reading lots of Christmas magazines! Fun times!!! I spent last Wednesday watching movies and reading magazines. Fun times!

4) And yes, this only came just yesterday, but hey....it's going on anyway...Prince Harry is engaged :) I told my sister that she lost her chance. Sob!!!

5) It's a 4 day wknd this wknd! Ok, so it's only a 3 day wknd, since technically, we have a PD day on Monday, but I'll take it. AND, we get a PD DAY! It doesn't happen a ton, so that is kind of fun when we do get one.

They are short and sweet this week!!

Weekend Wrap Up

I haven't done a Weekend Wrap Up posted in awhile, so I thought I would post one, b/c, you know, our life is so exciting!

Friday: After work, I went to Starbucks, where I hung out there for a bit. Then I went to Shopper's to pick up a few things (actually, I went to Shoppers first), then I went to the dollar store. I bought a new mascara from the drug store and Christmas socks from the dollar store. I came hone and we had fish and chips for dinner. We watched the news, and I watched movies until bed. I watched Finding Santa, and Magic Stocking.

 My new mascara. I haven't used it yet...cause I don't wear make up all the time. I am sure that it is lovely.

My Christmas socks. Yes, I love fun socks!!!

Saturday: I woke up at 9, and I had a relaxing morning. I think I finished watching a movie that I had started the night before...December Bride, and then I went off to watch The Star, which was great. I went to Wal-Mart, and grabbed a few things. I came home, and got ready for my church's Christmas banquet. Anker didn't go, b/c he knew that he couldn't eat anything. I went, and I had a great time. I wished that I had gotten more pictures. The church was decorated so beautifully, and the dinner was great. I even won a decoration. I came around 8:30, and I watched movies until 10 or so. 

Sunday: I woke up at 9, but I dozed on an off until 10:30. I did laundry, cleaned up the kitchen, and then Anker and I made banana muffins. I met friends for coffee at 2:30. I watched a couple of Christmas movies. We ended up having breakfast for dinner, which is always a good idea. All in all, it was a lovely weekend, and I actually got some stuff done.

Oh..and I had posted that I had bought new flats a week or so ago...and here they are...:)

Our tree is up with one string of lights. I also put up the Nativity tonight. I hope to get some more done tomorrow. I am just not as into decorating this year as I normally am. I think once we get started, I will get excited. Or not :)

Randoms

Here are a few randoms from the last bit:

On Monday, Anker and I met up with the pastor and his wife of the church that I have been going to the last couple of months. He really connected with them, and he said that he wants to try it out this Sunday. I hope so!!

Tuesday, Anker got his top teeth out. He has no teeth no until we get his dentures in. Poor cupcake!! He is doing ok, but he is still pretty swollen.

Wednesday, Anker and I went to my optometrist appointment. Hey, whatever gets us out on a date :) They said that I have a misshapen cornea. Not quite sure what that means, but I will have to see a cornea specialist. I am not super worried about it.

Does anyone think that Halloween went on for too long this year? It felt like a never ending week of parties. And candy. And crazy children! Ha! Even the fireworks went on for longer than usual. I should have just driven out until I found them, as I heard that they were really great this year!!!

Our BC Lions are out of the playoffs. So are the Vancouver Giants.

Has anyone done those stories on IG? I watch them a lot, but I have never done one, and I am thinking of it.

I really ought to clean my house. Like, really clean it. Maybe this weekend. Or not...:)

It's now Sunday night. I really didn't get much done this weekend. I did do laundry and dishes today :)

I am on the Social Committee at work. I feel very adult. Or something.

It is now November 26 on Sunday night. So, back to the Social Committee-thing. I felt very grown up in helping plan our Christmas party.

I bought a pair of flats for $10 at Wal-Mart last week. They hurt my feet, but I do like them...and they look pretty.

After being good and not buying magazines for a few months, I have bought magazines 3 weeks in a row. At least they are only 3 for $10 at Wal-Mart.

We got our tree up the other day. That is all. Just up. No lights, or anything. I think that will be tomorrow's project. Putting up the tree and Christmas decorations can be a week-long project some years.

I am watching a ton of Christmas movies on W Network. Like a lot, a lot. I also bought a few more Christmas movies from Wal-Mart the other week. I bought The Holiday, Deck the Halls, and Jingle all the Way. I also got Holiday Inn, and White Christmas from the library, and I have never watched them before. I put them in my laptop before I fall asleep, so I technically haven't watched them yet.

I have managed to get an ear infection and two colds since September. Grrr. I am still getting over my cold.

Anker will be getting a full set of dentures by Christmas :) We are both very happy. Poor man has been living off of yogurt and pudding.

Our car is getting a brake job on Thursday. Very exciting.

On Remembrance Day Long Weekend, I went to the ranch for a few days. Anker stayed home, as didn't feel like going. It was nice to get away for a couple of days.

I am loving the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha. It is SO GOOD! I got Starbucks' Christmas (Coffee) Blend this year, and we are not that happy with it. We actually like it mixed in with our regular coffee.

YouVersion updated their app the other day, and it wiped EVERYTHING; plans I was reading, etc. Ugh! I was not amused.

Well, I will share our weekend later this week.

Five On Friday

Happy Friday, Friends!!!! It seems that Old Man Winter has made its appearance (way too early, I might add!) in Beautiful British Columbia! But that didn't (much!) dampen realizing my favourites from the week!

1) Snow!
Let's start with the obvious, shall we? It snowed on Thursday. All.Freaking.Day. A lot. I nearly bought a one way ticket to Florida, y'all! Snow does not normally come this early in this here parts. I mean, that's for the East Coast! Which is hilarious, b/c they were warmer than we were today!!! For my American friends....it was 17F this morning...1.4F with the windchill.

 My feet in the snow!!!

 The Sunset when I got home today!!

2) Christmas!
Yes, Halloween is over (and yes, I got some cheap chocolate bars at the store the day after!), and that mans only one thing! Christmas! Christmas movies are playing on W Network this weekend! Yes, I am THAT person who watches Christmas movies in November!

3) Eggnog Drinks/Tea with Friends

Christmas as come to Starbucks...and I have already had two Eggnog Lattes this week. I went to my friend's place on Wednesday, where we tried out some of our teas that we had bought. I tried the Holiday Treat Rooibos Tea with some Eggnog that my friend had, and it was really good!! I didn't know if I would like it (tea lattes are kind of weird), but it was good!!!

4) The Good Doctor.

I have only watched two episodes, but I have to say that I really liked it!!! I might try to watch the rest of them this wknd.

5) Bagged Salad

I don't usually buy salad in a bag, but I think I might start doing that, as for us, it is a bit more economical (ish), especially when they are this good!!! I think it is called the Chipotle salad, and it is SO GOOD!!!

...and yes, I had spring rolls with them! Yum!!! It comes with taco bits and ginger dressing, and I also added some more ranch dressing to it! I nearly had it tonight with supper, but I forgot (yes, we had Wendy's for dinner).

Weekend Wrap Up/Let's Be Friends Blog Hop/Show and Tell Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!!! I hope your weeks are all going well. Ours is going well (so far..I mean it IS only Tuesday!). I took a half day off today, as Anker had some dental work done, and I wanted to drive him there and from, and to make sure that he wasn't going to bleed to death. Ha! I had wanted to do a WW, as well as LAST week's Show and Tell Tuesday combined, but sadly, I missed the actual link up..no matter, I will just post it in the comments.

So...first off, last wknd. Man, was I SO happy when Friday at 3 pm rolled around! It was a week!

Friday: I ran a few errands, then I came home after work. I drank some Pumpkin Spice hot chocolate and played on my laptop. I am not sure what we had for supper, but we I am sure we ate something. I caught up on The Young and the Restless. #tvgoals. At 6:45, our Girls Group got together at our friends house to say good bye to our Snow Bird Friend who goes to AZ every year. Why she doesn't want to stay here when it is -100000C, I have no clue! They go for about 6 months. Lucky them :) Anyway, we had coffee, homemade cinnamon buns, and wonderful chat. I got home around 10:30, and I went straight to bed. I think I was on my phone for a bit (I know..it's a bad habit) before going to sleep.

Saturday: I couldn't find the TV remote, so I listened to music on my stereo (yes, I still play CDs on a stereo, and in the car....no judging!). and played on my computer. I left at around 1, and I went to the library, to Starbucks, and then went to see my brother and his family. I hadn't had a good chat with them in awhile, and I really hadn't seen much of H in ages, so I wanted to let him know that I am still around :) I ended up staying for supper, and then went to Wal-Mart on my way home. I think I went to bed around 11 or 12 again.

Sunday: I went to church. Alone. Again. I came home right after church, and I spend the day at home, which was nice. I had a few things planned, but they all ended up getting cancelled, which was fine by me. I really needed to rest my knee up. I ended up watching the old version of Father of The Bride, which was good, and then I watched some TV.

And now...Show and Tell Tuesday: Your Favourite Holiday!

I kind of fluctuate with Thanksgiving (in October), and Christmas (December 25). I love TG, as the weather is MUCH better, the roads are good, and you don't have to give presents (I love presents, but the money!). Not nearly has much money goes out, which is great. But, I also love Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus coming to Earth as a baby, and of course, there is the tree, the gifts, the food (oh, the food!), and snow (which can stay one the grass and hills, thankyouverymuch!). Also, Christmas is a two week long break from school (and lots of time celebrating), whereas TG is only a few days. (this part was done on Friday, November 3) But then we have music and decorations that go along with Christmas, whereas we don't have all that stuff to along with TG. I do find Christmas a lot of fun..there movies, lots to do, baking, decorations...and snow (which I don't like but it is pretty to look at and play in!). Anyway....it is a definite toss up between the two!!

Linking up with Andrea @ Momfessionals for Show and Tell Tuesday

...and Tiffany @ The Dwelling Tree

Five On Friday

Even though I didn't work last Friday (ProD Day!), I somehow didn't get to do the weekly post. Oh well. Here are some faves from the last couple of weeks. And now, it's Sunday :) LOL.

1) Fall Leaves: I finally was able to take some pictures of the fall leaves after I left work the other day. Between my driving (thus not being able to take pictures), and not getting out much (sore knee), and not cloudy weather, I haven't been able to take as many pictures as I would like. I usually take TONS! I hope to take some more this week. They are starting to blow off the trees.

 2) Fidget Spinner: Y'all, I finally got MY OWN Fidget Spinner. It is pink/purple and sparkly, and I love it.

3) Steeped Tea: I co-hosted a Steeped Tea party the other Saturday, and I ended up getting WAY too much stuff in the end. I got a ton of stuff, and I spent WAY too much money. But, we have tea for ages. 

 #teaforyears

4) New Haircut: I got a hair cut last Friday. My hair had been going crazy, and I was long overdue for one. I love it!

5) Knee: I hurt me knee at work two weeks ago, and I am SO THANKFUL that it didn't break, dislocate or fracture (well, I kind of fractured it). It is painful, and I will need a bit of physio, but I was able to (though I probably shouldn't have) go back to work the next day.

Show and Tell Tuesday: A Day in the Life

Happy Sunday!!! I am linking up with Andrea @ Momfessionals for this week's (or rather last week's Show and Tell Tuesday. This week is A Day in the Life. I ended up doing up the day that it fell on (last Tuesday, October 10), which was why I am getting to it now...that and the fact that was a week last week! 

Since it has been almost a week since I documented, I kind of forgot the exact times that things happened, but here it is...

By the time I decided that I was going to to document Tuesday, it was over an hour from when I got up....so here is a picture of my 2 alarms that wake me up in the morning. I am so not a morning person. I usually wake up btwn 6:30 and 7:30.

I usually sit on our bed and get out my laptop, play my game and eat breakfast, get my coffee, get dressed, and get ready for the day.

I will sometimes look at my blogs. I follow nealy 300. I have a problem. I don't look at all them every day, but it can still take a lot of time to read (or even scroll through) them

7:30: I play on my laptop...which of course involves Facebook.

 I look at my verse of the day.

 7:45: I end up not putting any make up on, but I do manage to put in on one of my CBA cuffs :)

I make my lunch.

7:50: I get ready to leave. I usually take a lot of stuff.

 ...and more stuff.

...

 Kitty sometimes sees me off.

 8:05 (approx): I leave for work. I get there for 8:11. I love my short commute to work.

 8:15-10:05: Work. I go to my desk, greet the teacher, and other EA in our room, and we talk about our day and weekends (we came back from a 4 day weekend!). I get ready for the day. We greet the students, and then get on with our day.

10:05: Recess! I end up throwing on some lipstick. Then I go into the bathroom and take a picture of it.

I am very happy to discover that there is a Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer in the fridge that someone brought in to the staff room. Yum!

I had an apple and pretzels for my snack.

10:20-11:55: Back to work.

11:55-12:25: Lunch. Sausage roll, yogourt and a granola bar for lunch. Yum!

12:25-2:55: Back to work/finish work.

3:15-6:15: A quick trip to the library, then to Starbucks.

 I have their Dark Mocha (which was supposed to be a Frap, but I asked for it hot. I also have my after school snack, and read magazines. Yum!

A friends asks if I want to go for coffee, and I say to come on over now, as I am here. We visit for an hour, and then we both head home. I think I go to the library after Starbucks. 

 6:30: I do dishes.

                                                   I make my lunch for the next day.

Anker has made pizza (well, from a box), and it is actually really good!

7:15-10:00: I eat supper, while watching TV. I watch some episodes of the Little Couple....

 .......and Big Bang Theory. Yes, I spend a good chunk of time in our bedroom. We are weird.

I don't remember the exact play by play of my evening, but it usually goes something like I watched TV, played on FB, and on my phone, and then go to bed around 10.