One Sleep!!!

53 days ago when I booked my flight home I thought the day would never come! Now at this time tomorrow I will be on an airplane ready to take off for a long nine hour flight. I just hope I will be able to sleep tonight and on the plane. Excitement might set in and then I'll be doomed. Plus there is the whole time change thing that might mess with my head. I leave here at 9:45am on the 14th of January and 9 hours later I arrive at the Calgary airport at 12:05pm on the 14th of January. If I don't sleep on the plane hopefully I'll catch a few zzz's on the drive home. My dad is picking me up solo (which is probably killing my mom...she'll survive though) but it means the car will be quiet!


I have already started booking coffee dates, lunch dates, and even a sleepover! I am planning on morning workouts with my wonderful Sister-in-law Sarah, lots of days playing with my niece and nephews, BreakForth, and so many other wonderful things!

On another note...I am going to miss my husband. This will probably be the hardest on him seeing as I help break of the monotiny of going back and forth between school. The freezer is full of meals and baked goods...but that doesn't replace me.


Anyways, just in case I don't get a blog post up while I am gone. See you all soon!!!

Christmas Greetings!

2011-12-24 – Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is here and we are going to head out this afternoon to look for WI-FI so that I can talk to my parents. Oh how I miss them. I try to be brave so as not to make everyone around me feel bad. I am having a wonderful time and I am so glad that we are here…it’s just this is only my second time away from my family for Christmas and the first time was two years ago and we were only gone for five days. We did the 23^rd with them then back for the new year. I won’t see them again this year. Wow. That sounds depressing. But things are going well.

We drove to Adare today and visited a beautiful Catholic Cathedral. It was all decorated for Christmas services and it was beautiful. We walked through it, I sent a prayer up for my family and friends and sucked back the tears for the umpteenth time. We then went to Limerick and found free WI-FI so that I could send a Christmas message to my parents. I didn’t get a chance to talk to them but I made peace with it and was okay.

It was dark on the way back and as we drove through the countryside we looked in the windows of the houses and there would be candles in every window of pretty much every house. When you looked out into the valleys or up into the hills it was the same. I don’t remember the full tradition of that but I think it has something to do with the travellers being able to see which houses were available to stay in for a Christmas drink…or something like that, I’ll need to research that and look into it a little better. It was the neatest when we got home and our driveway is down quite the hill and we can see for miles up and we looked out and all you could see where bright lights throughout the hills…it was very warming and nice.

Then we had a wonderful Christmas Eve Dinner of Ham and Scallop Potatoes, cleaned up, made up a tray of desserts then we a snuggled in front of a roaring fire and watched “A White Christmas”. It was truly a wonderful Christmas Eve. 

2011-12-25 – Christmas Day

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! I hope everyone has had a truly wonderful day celebrating the birth of our Saviour with family and friends. Our thoughts were with you all day and into the night.

We had a glorious day! We woke up and had coffee and pastries then opened our presents! I was so spoiled!! I got a book, two DVD’s (The Secret Garden and Black Beauty), a day planner, address book, socks, a t-shirt, Starbucks Christmas Blend, a puzzle book, some Body Works bath stuff, slippers, Christmas PJ’s and assorted chocolates. I love all that I got but I am enjoying my fuzzy slippers and Christmas Jammies the most.

After presents we had the traditional Gale Christmas Brunch; it is usually Waffles but we didn’t have a waffle iron so we had French toast, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit salad, Buck Fizz, and more coffee. After that Mr. Turkey went into the oven and we all snuggled down and read, watched movies, ate food, had naps all while staying in our pyjamas all day! Dinner was amazing and so filling, my favourite part was being able to stay in my PJ’s during it! I kinda missed dressing up for Christmas…but at the same time…I didn’t! We ended the evening by watching “The Kingdom” and “Furry Vengeance”. Don’t ever bother watching the second one. All in all a very fun and memorable Christmas.

On another note, I loved celebrating Christmas over here. Ireland and England. After Christmas people didn't take down everything and turn off the Christmas music. They don't until Epiphany (I asked). What is so awesome about that is that tradition wise Christmas is supposed to continue until the 6th of January. So, this year, do something different. Keep your tree up, keep eating, keep celebrating the birth of our Lord...way past the 6th of January.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us to you. :)

Sunday Morning Musings

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation.” – Psalm 68:19

Donovan and I have been reading a Psalm every morning for a couple of months now. Naturally we have missed the odd morning, but for the most part we have stuck with it. Sometimes I read it and when finished we just go on with our morning…but sometimes we talk about which verse sticks out the most to us. This morning my back is not doing so well so we decided that maybe going to church and sitting on rock hard pews wouldn’t be a good idea, so we read our Psalm, talked about it, meditated on it and listened to music.

As I read Psalm 68 this morning verse 19 really stuck out to me. As most of you know I have been struggling with keeping up with my daily Bible studies. I want to read my Bible every day; I want to grow closer to God; I just can’t seem to find the inner strength do to it. Of course, on the days that I delve in and study His Word, listen to Worship Music, sing at the top of my lungs, let the words penetrate my heart, those are the good days. In verse 19 it says “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation.” The emphasis on the word “who” was interesting to me. You’d think that the emphasis would be on “is” but it isn’t. The Psalmist wants us to focus on The One who bears our burden, The One who is with us no matter what, The One who carries us when we are down, and The One who is always by our side waiting for us to turn to Him. The One who is our salvation. No matter what I want to Bless my Lord and Saviour who is my salvation.

I find that sometimes we set goals for ourselves that we somewhere inside of us we know we will never be able to reach them; maybe one day but not on the day that we make them. (Or, at least I do.) So I have decided to make smaller goals and build from there. My goal for the next couple of weeks is to spend 5 minutes a day praising God; blessing His name, lifting Him up, thanking him for all that He does for me. I used to do that all the time, but I haven’t in a long time so now, it’s back to basics. Please pray that I am able to do this and in doing this grow closer to my heavenly Father and become strong in Him once again.

Blessed Sunday everyone and Happy 1^st Sunday in Advent!!! Bring on the Christmas Music!!!!!!!

The coming together of life.

This week I got to socialize with people again. Besides the odd “hiya, you alright?” between the odd person on the street we haven’t had much contact with the outside world in the last year. Last Saturday we went to a workshop at our church. “Going Deeper into the Psalms” and we talked to our Rector and he asked me what kinds of things I liked doing and if I was looking for volunteer work. I told him I was and he said he would introduce me to a few people on Sunday. During the announcements they mentioned that they needed volunteers to work at a Warehouse for three weeks processing boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I talked to the lady in charge, got very few details but was told to be there for 11. I didn’t go on Monday. Doreen (the lady in charge) called me Monday afternoon and asked if I was still interested. I told her I was and she said that people in the congregation would be willing to drive me if I wanted. So I went Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. It was so much fun!!! I have been coming home utterly exhausted, but it is a good exhausted. I feel like I am doing things and that I am being useful again.

I love that I can walk into the warehouse and people greet me by name and I return their greetings and it is wonderful.  And in these three days of working there I have joined a choir! Practice is Thursday nights and I don’t have to perform if I don’t want to. I can just come and sing! Apparently there are a few younger people so that would be good. I do not mind being around older people. It’s quite nice actually.

On Wednesday’s and Saturday’s our church has a Drop-In-Café for lunch. I went on Wednesday to help out and that was also great fun. I take their orders and bring them their food and smile prettily. Kids are still freaked out by accent, but I think eventually they will get used to it.

So, with all of this socializing I am feeling so much better about life and things. Now I just need to start working out a bit more and my goals will be falling into place!

Other than that not a whole lot is new! For the Fall Half-term break Donovan’s parents were here and we went down to the Southwest of England. Mainly the Somerset and Devon areas, but that didn’t stop us from driving all over the place. Every day was non-stop driving and sight-seeing. We saw three Cathedrals, thirteen Castles, two Palaces, two Stone Circles, lots of churches, one ocean…and lots of other things. It was great fun and I still can’t believe that I saw all of those things in a week!

Donovan is doing well, he is fighting a cold but I think he is winning! He has about 40 hours of marking to do this weekend, but things are doing well, he is enjoying working at the school and is making a good friend in the other male history teacher David. He is actually coming over for supper on Wednesday! (Apparently he likes my cookies.)

Things to look forward to in the future: My Birthday in London J and Christmas in Ireland or Scotland.

Many blessings on your weekend and I hope it is fantabulous!

Haircuts

I have been very spoiled when it comes to my hairdressers. My first hairdresser was also my babysitter. She cut my hair from before she was cutting hair till I moved to Spruce Grove. She knew me. I would ask for something new, she'd look at me and say "umm..no" and talk me out of it because she knew I wouldn't do it. I like having natural curly hair, even though I complain non-stop about it, I like it. I like being able to wet it scrunch with mousse and go about my day. Then when I feel like it I know I could straighten it, curl it, or put it up. It's perfect. Then my second hairdresser...it was fate that we would meet. I needed a haircut, I had gone through a bad couple of years of hair, terrible cuts where they would hack at my hair with razors and dye it blond and I see her in the Starbucks drive-thru...she had beautiful long curly hair and on a whim I ask her "Where do you get your hair-cut? I am new to the area and I need someone who knows how to cut natural curly hair" and it turns out that she is a stylist and she knows how to cut hair and she comes back with a card, I made and appointment and it was love at first haircut! She knows what colours I like and what styles I like and she also talks me out of silly ideas! (Like growing out my hair "shudders")

When I had to look for someone in Northampton, I waited until I couldn't wait any longer and I was spoiled once again. He cut my hair very nicely, he did use a razor....but he didn't hack at my head with it, so I let it go. I liked my cuts, it was all very good. But now, the time has come once again to find a new hairdresser. So, this morning I put on my shoes and my coat and out I went. I went into this place that I had seen the other day on a walk and it seemed nice so I went in...tentatively. I have an appointment on Friday at 10:00am. I am also getting my hair dyed...too many greys are peeping through.

I realize that next to other great calamities in the world this is EXTREMELY trivial...so if you all scoff and think to yourself "Beth, get over it." I will not be offended. ;)

Hopefully I am able to explain what I want (which is something I am terrible at) and that she understands what I want and it goes well...and no hacking with razors occur.

Oh I also hope that Donovan doesn't faint when he sees the price list....... :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Today is Thanksgiving day and instead of eating Turkey until I am too stuffed to think; I am sitting in my very clutered living room listening to the workmen fix my bathroom!! (Yipee!)

Saturday was a wonderful day. Donovan and I headed into Bedford around 11 and shopped. He bought some new shoes, shirts and ties. I bought a few new shirts, jumpers, and trousers. (I'm trying to say the proper British words). AND! I bought a beautiful new purse. It is so purty...I love it. We also got a coffee grinder so we can finally grind the coffee that friends have been sending us in packages! We ground some this morning and it was yummy. All in all it was a wonderful day...exactly what we both needed. It got us out of the house and doing things other then sitting in our flat watching TV.

Coming back to the Thanksgiving theme...my church back home had this challenge a couple of weeks ago to post something once a day on Facebook that you are thankful for...I decided to also do this challenge and I did for a few days, but unfortunately I stopped. I have been having a really hard time being thankful. I miss my family terribly and September/October are bad months for missing friends and families birthdays...my nephew, brother, niece and three friends to be specific. I also get so bored sitting in the flat every day. I was really excited about the job I had applied for...and on in the Saturday mail was a letter saying I didn't get it...rather disappointed. But, I am trying to have a good attitude about it. God has something better planned for me and something amazing in store for me and I need to hold on to that and believe it. Also on top of not having the best thankful attitude I have not been sleeping so I wake up ready to kill every morning. The alarm goes off and I have already been awake for hours...This morning I pretty much had to keep myself from talking to Donovan because I was ready to bite his head off at every corner. What makes me the most frustrated about this new me that is emerging...is it isn't me. I am not a grumpy grump. I am the half full girl...I am the sunshine and rainbow girl, the girl who annoys all of my friends and family with the positive side of things. And I am turning into Eeyore!! I like Eeyore...but I am not him. I'm Tigger! So, I request some prayers that I get off my butt and start working on these areas of my life that I'm not happy with. That I start working on my heart, soul and body. That I stop watching 6 hours of TV a day and get outside and meet people. I know that I am never going to be happy continuing on as I have been. I need to turn my worries, fears, and grumps over to God. I need to rejoice that I am alive, healthy, and so very blessed.

So, this was a bit of a vent blog...but being honest is the first step.

Oh, and I was totally going to post a pic of my new purse...but my computer doesn't want to load my pictures off of my camera for some stupid reason known only to it. Maybe another time.

Life in England

Well, I took the jump. I applied for a job. It is a TA position at St. Swithins Lower School. (In Bedfordshire they still do Lower, Middle, and Upper). The job closed last Friday, the day I applied, and it is now Tuesday and I haven’t heard anything. Which at this point I know is nothing. They have to call all of the references on everyone’s application and set up interviews and everything…I probably won’t hear anything till at least Thursday if not later. The position is in Nursery 0-5 year olds…I’m sure I will have some great stories to share with you all about them. Especially since when I talk to kids their mouths hang open and they stare and their moms apologetically say “It’s your accent” I just smile and tell them its okay and that I understand.  The job is only two days a week…Thursdays and Fridays…which would be perfect! It still gives me the rest of the week to do things around the house, maybe volunteer somewhere, teach piano if I want to. Plus it pays fairly well.

In other news Donovan and I were asked to be a part of the St. Swithins Choir! (The church we go to) On Sunday I started talking to a lady and found out that she was the organist and leader of the choir and she asked if I sang and when I said that I did she jumped all over that. I am still thinking about it but I think it could be a lot of fun. Everyone in the choir is over 50 I’m sure (and that is being generous) but such awesome people. We are really being welcomed and we feel a part of the church family already. Not a whole lot of young people, but I think we’ll find people eventually. Even just getting out and talking to anybody is good!

I am so ridiculously homesick! I don’t know if it is a good thing that UK doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving or a bad thing. On one hand we won’t have to drive around and try to make our usual 3 or 4 dinners and weigh an extra 10lbs…but on the other I miss my family so much. I’m doing okay though…looking forward to visiting whenever we actually get around to it. We do have a visit to look forward to though…Donovan’s parents are visiting us during his October break!  I believe a trip to Wales is planned and of course we have to go to London (this will be trip #5 for me) and who knows where else!

For those of you who have been asking about the mold situation. Our landlady came last Monday to take a look at it and she gave the go ahead to have the work done…but I haven’t heard anything yet and it has been a week…so hopefully soon. And…our new mattress gets delivered next Monday!!!!! I so can’t wait to get out of my Living Room and to have things looking normal again…well, never mind again…just looking normal.

Well, that’s about it. We have had an extended Fall…for the last 8 days we had temperatures of 25-30 degrees and full sun…until today. It was 19, breezy and overcast…perfect in my books!