The Second Annual April and Jill's Day of Fun

Happy New Year!!! My first post of 2019!! I cannot believe that it is 2019!!! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years!!! I will blog about our Christmas and New Year soon (probably in the summer..haha!), but I am still trying to catch up on some posts from the summer.  This post shouldn't be long, though...mostly filled with pictures :)

Last year, my friend Jill and I went on a day of fun to her parents' summer house (it is as fancy as it sounds :) ) two towns over to the East. This year, I decided to make our Summer Fun Day an annual tradition!!! Since, she loves me...she went along with it (because, who doesn't go along with me?? LOL JK...kind of!). You can read about our first summer fun day here. For this year (Aug 28), we tossed around a few ideas, and ended up coming up with going to SunPeaks Resort. I hadn't been up there in ages, so it was a win-win!!! Sun Peaks is only an hour (approx) from Kamloops, and it is a short drive, but a lifetime away!

We dragged  took her two kids, K, 14, and S, 12 with us, so it was a very interesting trip!!! We had a great day, and I took a ton of pictures! She loaded up the kids' bikes, so they were able to ride around the town, which they did. We had brunch at the Tod Mountain Cafe, and it was so good!!! We then wandered around town. There were a few places that I hadn't been before, but there were a few places  that I had been to. We toured Lone Wolf Gallery, and John Tod Trading Company, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Southside Board Shop, Sun Peaks Massage and Spa (to look around at the products), and a couple of other places that I don't remember. S decided to go on the bike ramp/trail thing, and he really loved that. The sun played peekaboo for some of the day, but we had fun wandering around, laughing, and talking.

After a few hours, we dropped the kids off at home, and at a friend's house, and we went on a drive around town. By now, it was getting cold, but we didn't really want to be done with the day...we went for a drive, trying to find on how to get to a trail that can be seen going up a mountain "behind" the city. We couldn't find on how to get to said trail, but we had fun trying!! It was a great day, spent with great friends!!! Now...where should we go next year???


Here are the pics from the day...if you want to see more, check out my IG page, or my FB page.

 The entry to SP :)

 The Go-Kart Ride in the background, and the bike trail-thing in the foreground.

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One of the many shops :)

If you haven't been to Sun Peaks, you really ought to go....you can go for the day, just to walk around....no skiing/snowboarding or staying over night needed!!! For dinner (if I can remember), I have eaten at Macker's (which is now another restaurant, and Bella's Italia, and to stay in, I would recommend staying in the Calhilty Lodge, or Hearthstone Lodge (I only stayed there, b/c I went to a few ladies' retreats up there, otherwise, I would have never have been able to have afforded to stay there).

Cookies, Coffee, and a Christmas Concert

Well, it is now the weekend, and THIS post is about last weekend. Oh well :) First off, can I get an Amen that it is now Friday before Christmas Break? You're welcome!!!! I am looking forward to sleeping in, eating, and enjoying family. I also hope to do some reading..books and magazines! So far, it hasn't snowed in our area of town (well, it did a few weeks ago, but it didn't last or stay long), which I am not entirely mad about.

Like I said, this is about last wknd...I had hoped to have gotten this out beforehand, but somehow, it never happened. So, here is a glimpse of my/our life last wknd (yes, I said wknd twice..lol).

Last Friday, we had our secret Santa reveal at the end of the day. I was super surprised on who had me. Then, I helped my sister-in-law for a few hours. She ended up feeding me supper, which is always a good idea! I decided to go grocery shopping, since it was pay day :) I came home, put away the groceries, and watched a movie and read magazines. It was a wild Friday night, let me tell ya!

Saturday, Anker had to run an errand, so I decided to go with him. It was BUSY, so we didn't stay in that particular area for every long. We had coffee at Starbucks, then came home. I baked cookies with my friend, which was fun. We ended up making gingersnap cookies. It was the first batch of cookies that I had made this season. Anker has made 3 batches (well, four, as one set was remade), but I haven't really been wanting to bake much. I might get a few batches done this wknd, but I highly doubt it. Our fridge and freezer need a wipe down in the worst way, so think that will be the first thing I do! After the cookie baking, I came home and watched movies for awhile, and then I went to my friends house for tea. We had a wonderful visit, and I came home at 10:30.

On Sunday, I woke up at 7:30 (am!), and I had plans on going to my brother and sister-in-law's church, as H had his Christmas concert. I ended up going to the 1st service, and I understand on why the first service is so popular....you're out by 10:30! He did so well in the play..I would have taken pics, but they had asked that we not post any pics that we take on Social Media, and I wouldn't have gotten any good pics of him, anyway. After that was over,  I very nearly went to "my" church, and I probably would have, if Christmas Break had already started...so I went to Starbucks, and I journaled, and then I read. I also went back up to A and K's, but I just wanted to have a relaxing day (well, time on my own, then watching movies). I left Starbucks at 1:30-2. I came home, and I hung out and relaxed for the rest of the day. So, that was my/our wknd!!

 Gingersnap cookies! My friend's mom also gave us tarts!!

 We found these glass ornaments for $18 at Michael's. We thought that for glass ornaments, they were a good price.

I spent a few hours relaxing at my happy place!

Weekend Wrap Up-The Birthday Edition

It has been almost a month since I have had my birthday, but I still want to blog about it. I do have a journal, but I often find it easier to blog (and then refer back to it) if I am wondering about what I did, or what happened. I am hoping that I can remember what I did :) Here goes!

This is the weekend from June 8-10, 2018

Friday: I got to school, and there were a few treats for me, which was sweet. I decided to make popcorn balls the night before, as bday treat for everyone :) It was a great idea, and I might do it again next year! It was a regular day at school....nothing major or exciting happened. After school, I don't remember what I did. I probably wen to the library, and then I came home and hung out. I think I watched TV/movies, etc.

                                                    My birthday treats that I got at school.

Saturday: My actual birthday! Anker made me pancakes with garden strawberries for breakfast! Yum!! We ended up going to the Farmers' Market. We met up with A and K, and they bought us coffee and donuts. My brother bought me a pair of earrings as a gift. Anker and I went to the dollar store on the way home to pick out/up a few things that I might want for/as a gift. We got home, and hung out for a bit. We spent some time out side in the garden. Then I went to Starbucks for a drink, and to read. I went to the library as well. I came home and got ready for my birthday party with the girls. We went to Kelly O'Bryan's for supper. It was really good. I had their fish and chips. Yummy! Then went to Scoopz for ice cream. I came home around 9 or so, and just hung out for the rest of the evening.

                                                  Anker made me pancakes with strawberries.

Turkish Coffee at the Market.

                                                                Dollar store gifts :)

                                                     The earrings that my brother got me.

                                                    Reading and drinking at The Bucks.

The Magazines I bought.

                                                            The birthday Girl!!!

Ice cream, even in the rain! I think I had salted caramel chocolate! Yum!!!

                                                  Love when your friends get you!

Sunday: I went to church, and then I think I went to Starbucks again, this time for lunch. I had a sandwich (can't remember which one) and a coffee or mocha. I also did some more reading. I came home and Anker and I hung outside in the backyard together again (I think). We repaired our outside swing's top cover. I think I might have even washed dishes or cleaned up. Then I watched a movie called Molly's Game. It was very interesting (at least, I think that is what I watched). I left around 630, as H was having a piano recital. After the recital, I ran to Wal-Mart to grab a few things. I also grabbed a movie that I have been wanting to see (that I still haven't watched yet), and The Greatest Showman Soundtrack. #ohyesidid Came home and pretty much got ready for bed.

                            I probably had the Tomato Mozzarella sandwich, as that is my fave.

                                                             The gifts that I got myself.

                                                      The owl has found its new home!

It was a wonderful weekend, really. It was the best (except for maybe last year) that I had had in while. I went in to it with really no explications. I enjoyed just relaxing and doing whatever I wanted. We all ended up having my bday dinner on my actual birthday (it wasn't really planned like that, but it just happened), which was nice (and probably why I wasn't disappointed when nothing else happened)

Five on Friday

 I actually cannot blv it's Friday already! This last wk went by fast! I had a great week, and I hope you all did, too. Here are some of my faves of the week (not in order).

1. Steeped Tea Party

On Sunday evening, I hosted my first ever (of any kind) online party! B/c our place is small, and I stress about having people over, not to mention that fact that Anker doesn't get out of the house, having an in-house party stresses me out a bit. I know that these online/FB parties are all the rage, and I have even been invited to, well, LOTS (I don't think I have actually really "gone"to one!). Well, I gotta say that I had fun, and that I would definitely do another one. I love that I can shop in my jammies, just chilling out at home. I love a night out with the girls as much as the next gal, but I also love me a night in. Plus, you can invited 100 people! I had gone to a tea party at K's before Christmas, and although I hadn't bought anything, I did love their products. Most everyone who came to my party bought something, so I got a lot of credits, which turn, allowed me to try some of their stuff.

2. Coffee with a Friend/Trying a New (to me) Coffee Shop 
My friend Jill, and I have been trying to get together for MONTHS! Btwn my being a hermit, our living on opposite sides of the city, to her busy life, to my getting sick, Christmas, etc..well, it's been awhile. We FINALLY got together on Wednesday for an hour visit, while her daughter was at gymnastics. I also got to try out PDK Cafe, a place that has been open for just over two years, but, b/c of the location (downtown, pay for parking), and to my forgetting about it, I have never been had the chance to try it yet. It was SO GOOD! Their donuts are fabulous (I even was nice and brought one back to Anker, plus I brought one home for the next day). Their mocha was DELISH! I will be definitely be going back.

3. Victoria on PBS

I am loving this new series! Yes, I do realize that most of these are things that I have previously mentioned. Well, what can I say? Really, what can I say? These are the exciting things happening in my life. Ha! Seriously, though..this is going to be a great series. I am not sure on how many seasons it will air...maybe 10?

4. Winning A Pasta Dish

I won a pasta dish from a local pizza place (not sure why I am having issues with posting links right now). I ended up buying another $8 pasta dish, and they were both really good. Plus, I have found one of the best garlic breads ever! I always love winning things!! I had actually one a few GC's from  them before, but I had never redeemed them, b/c they were only $5 (when a regular dish is usually $20+, you tend to not worry so much about going clear cross town to grab a measly 5 buck GC), but I thought a pasta would be worth it. Plus, I picked it up after church on Sunday. Bold Pizzeria.
 


5. A Great Week.

I generally had a great week. Anker got some (sort of) unexpected money from PWD, a spent Thursday evening with a friend, the work week went well, and tonight, A and I met up with my aunt and uncle and K, and we went to the movies. The guys saw Star Wars, and we girls saw Hidden Figures. Amazing! Watch it. I also cleaned up my blog layout a bit, and I am deleting some blogs that I no longer follow/inactive blogs. I went out for coffee (alone, of course), had some library time, read magazines, got kicked off of the FMC bloggers group...(true story)..it was a great week! It really was! Oh, and Anker started taking down the tree this week, and we are having a turkey dinner (just the two of us) tomorrow evening. Or maybe just the turkey. Who knows?

Have a great weekend!

TToT (First of these in A While)

EEEK!!! I haven't done a TToT in, well, FOREVER!!! The last one I did was two TToT's in one, back at the end of December.

So, I am linking up with Liz for the weekly Ten Things of Thankful.

As some of you know, we are in a bit of a rough patch right now. Between work (or lack there of), finances, health issues, etc,  I am finding it hard to think of things to be thankful for. Well, not so much hard, as I am really having to find (and be conscious of) things to be thankful for. And now, it looks like our car will need work, too.


Ok, so here we go...

1. New Hair.

I already posted this on Friday, but bear with me, people. Who says duplicate things don't count? I got my hair cut last Tuesday. I love it!!! You can check my other post from Friday for pics.

2. New (to me) Wardrobe.

My friend and neighbour gave me about two garbage bags of clothes. I love them!!! Shirts, sweaters, and even some leggings and bras. I am so stoked!!! I think they look pretty good on me, if I do say so myself.

3, New Job (s).

I am working two (albeit) casual jobs. I love both, but I wish I had more hours. One is in a group home, and one is as a mother's helper.

4. Anker's Good (at least for now) Test Results.

We had no clue what was going on, but Anker has been sick since the new year. There were some markers regarding his liver, and he had another BT and an US, and so far, everything looks good. We are waiting to hear back from a GI specialist (we just can't make them ourselves in Canada), which we hope won't take too long. He also seems to have a bit more energy.

5. Friends.

A friend gave me season 4 of Downton Abbey. Another friend took me to lunch today. Other friends have taken us for supper and lunch, and given us GC's, and cash to help us out. Our Aunt and Uncle have also been lending us some money to help us along (yes, I consider them my friends, too!!!). We are blessed, even if it doesn't feel or look like it at the time.

6. Getting Closer to Spring.

Yah, it's still chilly out, but hey, at least most of the snow on the ground is gone (well, on the cement, anyway). I can't wait until I start seeing grass (actually I have seen a bit..yay).

7. The Friends I have made through Blogging, my FG groups and Games.

Ok, this is similar to #5, but please, give me a break:) I am LOVING all the new friends I have made through Fluff Friends (well, that game is gone, now, but I have kept a lot of friends), and Trainstation, and of course, from Blogging and my FB groups. I am almost thinking that they are my true friends as of late. They are the ones I often go to if I am having a bad day, or whatever. Love you all!

8. Family.

I am really missing my family lately! Esp the little people. I need some serious Skyping time!!

9. Canada Kicked Butt at Sochi.

I am SOOO proud to be Canadian today!!  We did well! 25 medals, baby!!! Not mention we took Gold in mens/womens curling and mens/womens hockey!!

10. Favourite Returning Shows.

Amazing Race and The Little Couple are back!!

The Tale of 3 Baby Showers

I have said this before, but I really dislike going to baby showers, but I somehow got wrangled into going  to one, and then I felt like I had to go to the other one, then the last one I went to was last wknd, after our Church's Family Day Wknd Lunch after service, so I just stayed on.

 To be perfectly honest, I think it is odd to have a baby shower before the baby is born. But I guess that is the way the people are doing it these days. I just think it is odd not having the baby there; like having a birthday party for someone, but the guest of honour isn't there. Or, "I want a baby shower, but I don't want the baby here". I guess people do it so that they have the stuff when the baby comes home from the hospital, and also so that she isn't tired, and doesn't have to get out? I don't know. I mean, what happens if there is a problem? But hey, that is just me, I guess :) I have to say, that all three showers were kind of fun. I loved chatting with the ladies, the food, and the babies, and even seeing the gifts as they go around. The games? Not so much, but they were fun, too. I am not going to camera dump all the pics on/of all three showers, but here are a few...

                                    The first one I went to was for Brittany. She is/had a girl!!

                         The ladies in our church that are pregnant. Sadly, I didn't get the memo!!

                  A friend in the church makes these as gifts for the moms. A cool idea!!!

                                                        Brittany (momma to be)

The shower (1 of 3) was actually kind of fun. Brittany was so gracious and thankful. She has since had her girl, Matea!!

                                                              Pink juice for a girl!

                                                       She got a ton of gifts!!!

 This is me holding baby C. I missed her shower, since I was doing my first aid that day.

The next shower I went to was for Stef. She is STILL waiting for her baby BOY to arrive!!! I took these with my phone, so they aren't great quality, but her are a few, anyway...

 One of the games we played (well not really a game, but activity) was we had to put advice on diapers and put roll them up, and put them in a plastic container. We called it "Daddy's Tool Box.

                          The lovely thank you gifts. C's momma planned Stefs ENTIRE shower!!!!

                                                             The mommy to be!!!

                                                                       Her gifts!!

                                                      Blue Juice!! It was really good!

                                                               Cs Mom at work again!!!

The last one I went to was last (well nearly two wks ago, now I guess) Sunday. This lady, AG, is fairly new to our church. They are from Africa, but prior to moving here, they had been living in Ontario for years. She has a two yr old boy, who is adorable. She named her little bundle of PINK Jemimah!! It is quite common in Africa, and it means beautiful. And she is!!! Again, I took them on my phone...but here are a few...

                  AG opening my gifts. I gave her very practical things. She got a TON of clothes!!

                                                         Jemimah. Isn't she adorable!

                                  C's mom did another one!!! I don't know how she does it!!!

                                                        A picture of the gift table.

By the time AG's shower came around, we were all a bit tired of playing games, so we just sat and visited, ate food (not that we needed it, we were full from lunch), and enjoyed baby J and the gifts.

Weekend Shenanigans/Tell Us Tuesday

Hello, Fellow Bloggers!

Yesterday was a bit of an odd day, so I didn't get time to blog. I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Friday, I spent the morning relaxing, then went to run a few errands. I went to Starbucks armed with Christmas magazines from the library, and I enjoyed a nice hot drink, whilst reading:)

I came home and started cleaning our fridge. It took a couple of hours. I hate cleaning the fridge, but it looks so much better; both inside AND out! I had to rush out, as I was meeting a friend downtown for a ladies home business/craft fair evening. I had thought that it had started at 7, but I messed up on the time, and it started at 5 (I hate the 24hour clock! Thanks, FB!). In the end, we couldn't have left any earlier, anyway. We parked at her work, and walked a block to the craft fair, which was a bit of a disappointment, as we thought there would be more of a program, but I saw some ppl I knew, and it was fun to browse. We were hungry, and we went to McD's. The food and fellowship were really nice. I came home around 9 or so, and just hung out. I think I watched TV:)

Saturday, I had a nice sleep in, and FB'd, and watched TV (can't remember what I watched), and I made cookies for a friend (and for us, too). I made the gingerbread cookie dough, then I headed out to meet up with a bloggy/FB friend of mine. I forgot to take my camera, and I even forgot to take pictures of us on our phone! Oh well. We had a nice visit, and it was nice to meet her kiddies.

I ran errands, and came home and finished baking the cookies (hubby was sweet and started them), and I found some Diabetic Sugar Cookies on Pinterest. They turned out really well, despite my not having any brown sugar, no cake flour, and my corn syrup was one big lump, and I had to use honey instead. You can find the recipe here I visited my friend/neighbour, and we watched stuff on NF, and visited, and had cookies and eggnog/coffee.

Sunday, we had great plans on going to church, and then going to the SPCA Craft Fair, but hubby wasn't feeling well, and I didn't feel like going alone. So, we stayed home and watched movies:) I did manage to go the library (the downtown library is open on Sundays over the winter..love it), to pick up my holds. I grabbed a snack at McD's on the way home, and I came home and we watched the Grey Cup (CFL). I finished making cookies, made some icing, and iced some of the cookies, and went to visit my friend for a bit, then came home and watched Twilight, Breaking Dawn Pt 2.

I am meeting up with my boss today to give her back the keys for the store. I am also meeting up with mom and dad for a few minutes. Today is another kind of lazy day, but I am not complaining. I hope to have most of this house cleaned up by the wknd. Hubby is doing pretty well in/with his part. I am still waiting for sure to hear back from the job; re: a few things. I hope to know for sure by the end of the week.