Concerts

So this summer I've been to a few country concerts already. I love outdoor concerts, especially country concerts. There is something about being outside listening to music that is just so amazing. It started out with the Ex concerts. Every year the schools get Ex tickets to give to students who read more than 20mins a day for 20 days the month before the Ex comes. There are always so many tickets left over that the teachers can take some for their own use. I took my share for sure (better than them going to waste!). So I invited Christine and some of her friends that we went with last year and I was super excited they wanted to go.  The main artist was Jason Blaine and the opening act was Small Town Pistols (The Wilkinson's minus the dad). Both were really good. It ended up raining on us and at first we went and hid under a roof off to the side but eventually I just gave in and got soaked. You couldn't hear very well standing off to the side where the roof was so I just enjoyed.

The following week George Canyon was performing at the Ex. A few of the ladies at my work were going and offered that I could join them if I couldn't find a friend who wanted to go. Unfortunately most of my friends don't listen to country and Olena, who loves going to country concerts with me, has a new baby at home and couldn't join me this year. I mentioned the concert to my mom however and she offered to come with me. It was actually really good and the weather turned out perfect.

Last weekend Doc Walker played at the Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park and The Show Was Free! (ok that was a sad joke based off of a song of their's, but it was actually free). Again I told my mom about it and she was even more exctied to join me after the last concert had been so good and she actually knew who the band was without me having to play their songs for her. On the day of the concert it rained all day and I was worried we wouldn't get to go but the skies cleared up just in time and we couldn't have asked for a better night. We bumped into several people there we hadn't seen in a while and just had a great time singing, dancing and laughing together. I love that my mom and I can go out and just hang out like a couple of girl friends.

Far too long...

So I realized that the last post I wrote on here was at Christmas time, over 3 months ago!!  I guess it's about time I update you on what is new and fabulous in my life.  Where do I begin?

The most exciting thing for me right now is that I am going to be an aunt for the first time within the month.  Olena is due April 28th and looks just too darn cute.  It really looks like she just stuck a basketball under her shirt, she is so tiny everywhere else.  I've gone back and forth on whether I think it will be a boy or a girl but here is my official prediction as of right now: I think it will be a boy, born on May 1 and let's say a weight of 7 lbs 8 oz.  Not really sure about the weight but we'll see how accurate I am on everything soon enough.

Secondly I am still seeing Jon and things are going great right now.  He's away again, but he only goes away for a week or two at a time so it's not too bad.  It's always nice having a reunion once he gets back too.  :) We've been dating for almost 5 months now, which seems kind of crazy.  The time really has gone by fast.  Sometimes I think about it and can't believe I've been in a relationship for that long.  Aside from Diego this is the longest relationship I've been in.  We'll see where things go.  It does worry me a little because I know he won't stay in Winnipeg forever.  I hate the idea of having to leave my family someday (especially now that I'm going to have a little niece or nephew here).  Somedays I think it would be okay and I'd enjoy a new city but other days I wonder about it.  Another thing I worry about is finding a job if I were to move.  I am so close to having permanent finally (fingers crossed this is the year) and if I move I'm back to square one again.  Actually even further back than that, as I will have no connections and have to take courses to be able to teach there.  I might actually end up pretty close to you Krista.

Other than that I am enjoying school this year.  I have a fabulous group of grade 6 students who make me smile and laugh each and every day.  I love going to school and I love being around my students.  The school I am at has a great feel to it. Just walking down the halls, you feel welcome and cheerful.  It's a very positive place to be.  Right now we are getting ready for our Spring Musical.  The grade 6s are acting in it and I have been helping out with practices every lunch hour.  The musical is called On the Radio and it takes you through the decades from the 1920s up to the 1970s.  The songs are really great and in between each song are skits that relate to the decade.  I can't wait to see it all come together.

I hope I am back at this school again next year and that I get my permanent contract.  This week my principal is evaluating me on 3 lessons he will come in to observe.  Tomorrow is my first one and then I'll have one the next day and then the day after that.  I am a little bit nervous but not overly so.  I am pretty confident that things will go well.

My spring break was great as well.  I headed down to Grand Forks for some shopping with a few teachers from my school last year.  I am so blessed that I am able to keep in touch with teachers I have worked with in the past and have made some lasting friendships with many of these teachers.  It was a great couple days with some wonderful ladies and a great way to spend part of my week off.

Well hopefully my next blog post will come sooner than 3 months down the road.  I'm sure in a months time I will be wanting to share some pictures of a very special little baby with you girls. So stay tuned...

Countryfest Craziness!!!

Wow what a weekend!!!! This was my first time up to Dauphin Countryfest and I am so glad I had an opportunity to go.  I think anyone who is a fan of country music needs to experience this festival first hand.  If I go back, there are a few things I would do differently, but it was still a great time and I loved every minute of it.  I got to enjoy it with my brother and sister-in-law who had won the tickets and camping spot. 

Our campsite was CRAZY!!!!!  We arrived Friday night to find a beer pong table set up in the middle of our site, a bunch of rowdy drunk guys and pretty much every inch of ground covered with empty beer cans, bottles and cups.  One of the guys came over and informed us that someone came around earlier taking pics and named our campsite the dirtiest campsite there.  This was before we even arrived!!! They did at least help us "clean up" which consisted of kicking all the garbage under their camper to clear space for us to set up our tent.  Our crazy neighbours also enjoyed Techno Music which they blasted all night long on their THREE very large speakers using their incredibly loud generator.  Needless to say we did not get much sleep this weekend.  This on top of the sun beating down on the tent, turning it into a sauna by about 8am made for very little sleep.  Lying awake Saturday night listening to all this commotion I got to enjoy quite the drama occurring next door to us as one of our neighbours punched another guy who had gone into his trailer, doing who knows what, until one of the girls stepped in and tried to calm him down.  There was definitely no shortage of things to listen to as I lay awake each night trying to fall asleep.  I also got hit by a flying beer can that shot over their trailer at one point, splattering my clothes and all with lovely beer (this was not the first, nor the last time, I had alcohol spilled on me this weekend).  Glad I brought several changes of clothes, as I was unable to stay clean for very long.

We did get the opportunity to walk around and check out some of the other campsites which were quite elaborately done up.  It was obvious who has been doing Countryfest year after year as they know how to set up properly.  There were a lot of inflatable pools which would have come in very handy this weekend, and tarps for shade between other camp sites.  This was one of the coolest decorated sites we saw:

We did find ways to cool off though.  This creek was absolutely crazy.  We brought our chairs down to sit here on Saturday afternoon.  We stayed closer upstream in the creek though as everybody just tossed their beer cans down stream when they finished with them so you would get hit by floating beer cans as you sat there in the water.  There had to be 1000 people in this creek when we were there.  

On Sunday we opted to head to Rainbow Beach, just outside of Dauphin for the day and sat in the clear, calm water there.  It was a much more relaxing atmosphere.  When we got back we took several walks to the water mister that was set up outside the main stage area to cool off.  Steve decided to sit in the truck with the air on for awhile as he was feeling sick from the heat and so Olena and I headed to an afternoon concert at this time.  When we got back, over an hour later, the truck was still running with Steve (and both sets of keys) inside.  We tapped on the door to wake him but there was no response.  After 10 minutes of pounding on the door and yelling his name with no response, Olena headed to get security and see if they could help us break into the vehicle.  We were a little worried he might have had heat stroke and we couldn't believe that our loud pounding on the door by his head would not wake him up.  I stayed back and continued to pound on the vehicle with little success, as our crazy neighbours watched me with amusement.  Finally after almost 20 minutes of pounding, Steve woke up, and aside from being still a bit sick from the heat and very tired, he was fine.  

The evenings were filled with some amazing concerts.  Friday night we saw Ronny Dunn.  Saturday we saw Aaron Lines, Justin Moore and Zac Brown Band.  Sunday was Tara Oram, Chris Cagle and Reba McEntire.  We also watched Codie Prevost on Sunday afternoon and I absolutely loved his song "I'm OK" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJtG6xy2lAc  which I heard for the first time there.  On Saturday night we also enjoyed Clayton Bellamy (my favourite member of The Road Hammers) after the Zac Brown Band Concert. 

 

Tara Oram was hilarious.  She's got a little bit of a mouth on her, but she was so down to earth and connected so well with the audience.  She was telling all sorts of jokes between her songs and had me laughing quite hard.  

Chris Cagle was amazing.  He really connected with the audience as well and was picking out people all evening to comment on and talk to.  With that size of an audience it was amazing how intimate he made his concert feel.  

Zac Brown Band was by far my favourite.  They were so amazing and put on the most incredible show.  It just made you want to dance and sing along the entire time.  Loved it!!!  

Reba finished off the show on Sunday night and although I am not a huge Reba fan it was still amazing to see her perform.  There is no doubt she is one talented lady.  The crowd went wild when she came out to do her encore of Fancy in her stunning red dress.

The concerts were packed.  It was amazing to see all those people there to watch the shows.  I just loved the outdoor concert vibe and the weather was so wonderful.  Even though we were outside the sound was amazing and it was all so well done.  

We decided to take our time coming back today and drove through Riding Mountain and took a few stops along the way.  Steve and Olena had never been so it was fun doing a little site seeing with them on our way home.   We drove through the Bison enclousure at Lake Audy and did some shopping in Wasagaming and had some lunch there by the beach.

What a GREAT weekend!!!!!!!

My Sunday and My Family

I am combining My Sunday and My Family together for this My Life photo entry.  Tonight I got to celebrate Easter and several birthdays with my mom's family.  It was such a great time.  It was my second time getting to meet Owen James Michael, my cousin's new baby who was born on April Fool's Day.  Paige who is 3 just loves being a big sister.  Here are some photos from our evening together.

Paige cutting and pasting

Paige and Owen with their "Grandma Great" 

Owen with his mom and dad

A birthday message from Grandma

Owen and his proud Grandma

Beautiful Family

Paige and Owen with their Grandma and Papa

Olena, Leah and myself with Paige and Owen

My Evening

It may have been Friday the 13th and it may have been dreary and drizzly outside but that didn't stop the fun times for Olena and I.  We had all sorts of plans that revolved around the weather being nice outside but we didn't let the rain stop us.  

Here was the plan:

• Olena would come over after work with Buddy for supper
• Use my new BBQ to make dinner
• Take Buddy for a nice long walk
• Get ready for a social
• Walk to said social (5 blocks or so from my house)
• Stumble our way back and spend the night at my place

Here's what really happened:

• Olena came over with Buddy and some hard as a rock freezer hot dog buns
• Olena threw out these buns and headed to Superstore for some fresh buns
• I barbecued for the first time ever on my new BBQ, which works fantastic by the way
• We had a delicious dinner of hot dogs, noodle salad, regular salad, and baked yams.
• We washed dishes where Olena cut her finger on a piece of broken glass from a cup
• Olena put on 3 Band-Aids to stop it from bleeding
• She dried dishes and had to add two more Band-Aids on top of the old ones to stop the blood from seeping through more than it already was
• We got ready for the social
• We grabbed our umbrellas and headed to the social
• We arrived at the social, bought some prize and drink tickets and then added another Band-Aid or two to Olena's growingly fat finger. (It may have been a worse cut than we originally thought...)
• We drank, we danced, we said hi to some people from high school, we ate, and then...
• My number was called for one of the social prizes.  Could it have been for the little make-up collection or the Yoga pack or any of the other smallish prizes... No apparently not.  I of course won the microwave and Epicure prize pack.  As the girls helping with the draw asked me if I would have enough room in my vehicle for such a large prize I laughed.  I had a fair bit of difficulty just getting the huge box and spices back to my table where Olena was in a fit of laughter seeing me with the largest prize there.  
• Luckily the spices came with three Epicure bags that allowed me to take apart that section of the prize and make it easy to transport home.  There was no way of making the microwave any easier to carry however.  Olena and I devised a plan where we would each carry one end of it and somehow manage to maneuver around puddles down the streets back to my place.  Just the thought of this put us into fits of giggles.  
• As we carried the winnings out of the social the bride-to-be stopped us and refused to let us carry the microwave home.  She was very kind and offered to have someone drop it off for me the next day.  I am glad we agreed to let her drop it off, as our walk home would have been very difficult around all the puddles and I'm sure anyone driving by would have been laughing as hard as we were seeing two girls carrying a microwave at 1 in the morning on a Friday night.  
• When we did get home we looked through the prize that we were able to carry home, made some dip with one of the spices, watched SNL and then headed to bed.

Giddy Girls after a Great Night!

The spices I won, no Microwave yet.

Vases and Flowers

So unfortunately tomorrow is the last day of Spring Break, however I must say that this has been the most relaxing Spring Break I have had thus far.  I got a bit of stuff done around the house, did some planning and had a fair bit of time to go out with family and friends while still finding time to relax and just enjoy having some time off.  

A couple weeks ago I finally used up a Home Sense gift card I received as a house warming present.  I thought I'd share a couple pictures of two of the vases I purchased with the gift card.  It was a lot of fun picking stuff out for my home, not having to worry too much about cost.  I must say I really enjoy all my purchases I made that day.

The Vase under the yellow Gerber Daisy picture

I was down in my basement thinking I haven't posted new pictures of it in a while.  Christine came into a sofa set and TV recently and it has made our basement a lot more inviting, homey and practical for us.  I set up my Wii down there and must say I use it a lot more than I did when it was upstairs (in front of a large window and on some very creaky hardwood floors).  I thought I would share some pictures.

My sister-in-law also picked up the vase I painted when we did pottery for her birthday the other weekend.  There is a bit of a glare in the picture but you get the general idea.  I had decided on a black and pink flower theme to match my basement decor.

Amazing Weekend

I wish I had some pictures to share but unfortunately I did not take any pictures with my camera this weekend.  I will have to get some from my sister-in-law to share at a later date.  I just had an absolutely amazing weekend and I wanted to share.  Friday night was pretty quiet but I did get to go for a nice long walk with my roommate.  It's been a while since we've actually had a chance to spend some time together.  Funny how we can live in the same house, yet I feel like I barely get to see her.  Saturday the festivities began.  In honour of Olena's birthday we planned a full day of fun.  We started out by getting our nails done and then met up with some friends to paint pottery at Brushfire.  I painted a vase for my basement.  It needs to be fired in the kilm so I won't be able to pick it up for at least a week.  After that we went to Kawaii Crepes for dinner with some more friends. It was absolutely delicious and I will be going back there for sure.  I had a crepe with chicken and yams in it for supper and then a peanut butter and cheesecake crepe for dessert.  There were so many crepes to choose from it was hard to decide.  After dinner a few of us headed to the new country bar, The Ranch Saloon.  It was a lot of fun.  I went back to Olena's for the night and then she made me a wonderful breakfast.  I'm so lucky to have such an amazing sister.  On Sunday we went to a friend's baby shower and I got to spend some more time with my awesome friends and had some more delicious food.  By the time I got home on Sunday night I was exhausted, the good kind of exhausted though!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well.  The above average temperatures and the feeling that spring is already in the air, just added to the beauty of this weekend. :)

Strawberry Shortcake Party

Last night I got to attend a very special Strawberry Shortcake Party for my cousin's little girl.  She was as adorable as always and by the end of the night my cheeks were sore from laughing and smiling so much.  She is currently the only member of our family under the age of 18 so she is quite spoiled and gets a LOT of attention.  But she deserves every bit of it as she is the sweetest, smartest and most special little girl.  I can never get enough of her.  Here are some cute pictures and videos from the night.

Delicious cakes my cousin, Bill, decorated.  

Playing "Hide and Seek" on her bed

She loves Minnie Mouse, so much so that she is convinced her parents will let her name her new little sister Minnie.  When asked what they'll name it if it's a boy she responds with "I don't want a little brother, I'm going to have a little sister."  At one point she gave in and suggested that IF it is a boy, Goofy might be a good name.

How much presents do I got?

Showing off her gymnastic skills

Showing off her newest dance move taught to her by a 5 year old at her daycare.

Say Cheese!

She got this cool Minnie Mouse camera for her birthday and on the back is a screen that shows pictures of Minnie, Mickey and other disney characters. Every time you "snap a picture" a new image appears on the screen. As she took pictures of everyone at the party, she would look at the screen and if Minnie showed up in that picture she would declare "You look like a girl" or if Mickey was in that picture she would tell you "You look like a boy."   Her poor daddy was a girl every time. :)

Licking the cake off Strawberry Shortcake's feet

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweetie! 

Born in the Wrong Decade

Last night I had a wonderful evening with my sister-in-law.  We had planned to go to Hot Yoga but when we got there the class was already full.  Instead we did some shopping at Safeway and Giant Tiger and headed back to her place.  There we spent a couple hours playing Wii and then sat back for a classic movie.  There is just something about old movies that are so innocent and sweet.  I just adore them.  We chose Funny Face this time with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire.  What a great evening it was.  Nothing fancy or crazy, just an enjoyable evening with a good friend.  I love that we have so much in common that we can just spend an evening doing almost nothing and have a blast just being together.  Love you girl!