April 30th, 2015
I have to get in one more post for April.
I've got A LOT to be grateful for this month and always, so I thought I should focus on that. It's always good to be grateful! Here a few things that have made me happy this month!
Start of April: This guy.
Warm enough in April for a frappacino. Even though they think my name is Grin.
Beer
APRIL 9th: First Patio Beer!!!
Eric Church Concert (April 10th)
OUR WINE!
POSSESSION DAY!!! April 15th!
First Picture in the New House!
April 21. Building Stuff
April 22. Not checking with coworkers to see if we match!
FOOD!
April 24th: A night out with the most handsome man ever. Jeans N Jewels Gala
Average Spring in Saskatchewan.
Too snowy outside, planting herbs inside! Great House Warming Present!
ONE DAY DIFFERENCE April 26-27
HAPPY LAST DAY OF APRIL!!! Regular Posts coming soon.
To end though: May goals:
Stop spending so much money. SAVE SAVE SAVE
Exercise
Write
Read
Organise and get everything unpacked.
Plan a House Warming for C and I.
Read a friend's book.
Love life.
BLOG
As always,
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
April 22, 2015
No updates or prompts today. I just want to pay tribute to a character that I grew up with. Jonathon Crombie passed away on Wednesday, April 15th. I don't know a lot about the actor, but I know a lot about a role he played. Hearing the news made me sad. I didn't expect that. He was a huge part of my childhood. Gilbert Blithe When asked which actor I had a crush on as a child or teenager, the first names that come to mind are actors from television shows. Actors that were in all the teen magazines. Mostly American actors.
There is one I forget about. It's not the actor so much as the character he played.
Jonathon Crombie was a Canadian actor. He played Gilbert Blithe in Anne of Green Gables.
I'm sure that anybody who has watched Anne of Green Gables, young or old, fell in love with Gilbert Blithe.
Gilbert was intelligent, full of humour, caring, and very loyal. I've read a lot about the actor and it sounds like Jonathon Crombie had a lot of similar characteristics.
Anne of Green Gables is full of characters you fall in love with. From Matthew to Marilla, and of course, Anne (with an E). Even Rachel Lynde is a beloved character from my childhood. L. M. Montgomery created a world I fell in love with. She created characters I will always love. I read the books with my mom, and when we went to visit my grandma, we ALWAYS watched the taped movie she had. It was back when you taped movies on VHS, and watched them in a VCR. I don't know how many times we watched it, but it was never enough. Anne of Green Gables will always be an inspiration for me in my writing.
My Grandma brought the Anne doll back from PEI.
As for Gilbert Blithe, without my knowing it, he became an example of a great boyfriend and a great friend. He loved Anne from the start. He loved her for all of her faults (stubbornness comes to mind). He was her biggest fan, and biggest supporter. He encouraged her writing, and always knew she would succeed. He teased her when he first met her, and Anne didn't forgive him for a long time. When she finally did, he accepted her friendship. Even though he wanted romance, as did almost every person watching or reading. Gilbert Blithe is always going to be a perfect character, and an inspired romantic to me. It's sad that Jonathon Crombie has died. I am sad for his loved ones who lost somebody who sounds like a wonderful man. The character he played, will live on. I will share Anne and her world with my future child (if I have one). I think that is reason enough to have a little girl. The first movie came out in 1985, and the first sequel came out in 1987. I've loved Anne and Gilbert since I was five (assuming I watched it when it first came out). That's a lot of years of loving an imaginary world. Anne beats out Pooh any day. I also loved Pooh. I am happy to say, that I have found my own Gilbert Blithe. Somebody who accepts me for who I am, and is my number one supporter. It took a while, but we found each other. I've been thinking a lot about the movies lately after hearing about the death of Mr. Crombie. They are a truly great Canadian memories, and I'm so lucky that it was a part of my childhood. I think many were reminded this week of their childhood, and of watching Gil and Anne.
All I want to do now is read the books and watch the movies. If only I was done unpacking!
Happy Wednesday to you all. Another post will be coming, but possibly not until next week.
April 13, 2015 I do not know why I made so many goals for myself for this month. It's April 13th, and I have given up without guilt. I will finish my letter writing goal, but not this month. Specifically, not this week. I have one goal this week, and that's to move and unpack. We get possession on Wednesday, and will be moving boxes throughout the week, with a big move on Saturday. Then is time for unpacking and cleaning. In other words, I can not possibly stress about the fact that I haven't blogged because I have too many other things to stress about. I can also guarantee that for this week at least, the exercise is going to take a rest. It's too bad because I'll have to start again, and deal with the sore muscles again. The photo prompts I can do. It's easy, and doesn't take a lot of time. I've got big changes happening this week, and I am over the moon excited. I'll be sharing pictures and updates as I go, but won't be hard on myself for not doing the prompts until my new home is ready to be loved. Happiness Photo of the Day April 10 photo prompt was:Smile
We were all smiles on the way to a concert.
April 11 is Life
What is life without a new batch of wine for the new house.
April 12: Gift
Life is a gift, even something as little as planning out a week worth of outfits and getting the rest all packed away.
April 13: Animal
I don't have an animal. This guy made me happy from the very beginning.
April 10, 2015 Letter Prompts Day Nine I'm a day behind, but won't be doing two posts in any day. I don't need to push myself to do this all in a month. It's going to get busy in the next week, and I may have to miss more days. A letter to the leader of your country.
Dear Prime Minister,
I am really glad I don't have your job.
Yours Sincerely,
A Canadian Citizen Also an update on my other April goals: Exercise
50 Donkey Kicks 100 Bicycle Crunches
Only: Done yesterday: 7 minutes. (Again, from here: http://7-min.com/) Today: 7 minutes Happiness Photo of the Day Yesterday's photo prompt was Warmth:
Warm day, blue skies
Today's photo prompt is: Smile (I'll post it tomorrow.)
I'm not writing this letter. I am sure I have a product or company that I either love or hate. I'm also sure that at one point in my life, I said, "I'm going to write a letter!" Meaning either a complaint or praise. I never did, and for the life of me, I cannot figure out who I was going to write the letter to. I'm going to skip this particular letter writing prompt. It still counts as writing in April, but I don't think it would help me to write a post about a product or company. I'm trying my hardest not to catch a cold right now (or have it progress any worse than it is), and my head is not in the game, so today will just be a regular post. What's my post about? Life I guess. Just an update on my life. I've been so caught up in the prompts and letters, that I haven't really done a lot of writing about what's happening with me. I don't even think I made time for a gratitude post last month. Life has been pretty exciting. We are waiting impatiently for the possession date of the Clint-Erin house. We will get the keys next Wednesday, and then will spend the rest of the week moving in and cleaning. I'm almost packed up, and we are surrounded by boxes, so it'll be pretty exciting to move and unpack. It's also one more step towards our future together, and that's pretty exciting.
This is one room. The other boxes are settling on the kitchen table.
I haven't heard anything yet about my novel. I sent it in for a manuscript evaluation. I printed out the entire novel, and sent it away. I'm hoping I'll get some good advice so I can send it in to the next publisher with more confidence.
In the mean time, the next book on my reading list is about writing. Hopefully, I'll learn a thing or two.
That's my update. I'm waiting on the move, and I'm waiting on my manuscript. I'm tired, and have caught a cold. It's a very cheery day for me. Also an update on my other April goals: Exercise I was supposed to do this: 50 Donkey Kicks 100 Bicycle Crunches I woke up today, not able to move. I woke up many times in the night because my back was hurting, and I could only lie on my back or stomach. So this morning, I was exhausted, and stiff. Possibly, I've been overdoing it. I won't stop, but today, I am not going to do the heavy duty exercises. (I will tomorrow). I may be pushing myself harder than I should be considering I went from no exercise to lots of exercise. However, I did, of course do the 7 minutes because I am trying to beat my last 7 minute streak. Which, was only a sad 8 days in a row. This will be day 8. I did it when I get home from work. I was moving more slowly than when I usually do them. Plus, if I don't exercise, my body will probably stiffen up even more. 7 minutes. (Again, from here: http://7-min.com/) Happiness Photo of the Day Today's photo prompt was Memories. I have a lot of great memories, and I'm lucky enough to have them in my head. I'm lucky enough to remember, which is why for this prompt I chose a picture from our Walk for Memories. My mom, sister, and I walked for my grandmother. She wasn't lucky enough to keep all her memories in her last few years. It's a scary thought - losing your memories. I hope not to see my mother go through the same thing, or any other family member. Or myself.
Dear Mean Celebrities, I'm not naming names because to be honest, I don't know most of them. I don't think it is fair for me to judge celebrities that I don't know. We hear things about you, but how do we know if it is true? That being said, the rich and famous, the celebrities that could be making a difference in the world, simply by being nice, but choose to be mean to others instead: this letter is for you. You've received almost everything you've ever dreamt about, but apparently it isn't enough. Apparently you've held on to enough anger to still make you be mean and cruel to others. To the celebrities that are physically abusive to others, for the most part you've gotten away with this. Even though it changed your career, some people are accepting of it. I am not. Hitting other people is wrong. Hitting your girlfriend is wrong, hitting your boyfriend is wrong, or hitting anybody who is defenceless is wrong. There is no possible reason you should be able to get away with it. Sexual assaulting those that are unable to stop you, is called rape. It's an abuse of power, and it's something you should never have gotten away with. People use you as a punch line now. They also use the woman who were attacked. None of it was funny, and you are never going to be funny to me. You appeared to be the most trusted of men, but you turned out to be one of the most evil. You have been the biggest disappointment for somebody I've never met. I meant to make this a general letter, but as I started writing about things that shouldn't be forgiven, I remembered you. I'm not wasting any more of this letter on you, but know that you are truly despicable. Instead of making lives better, you made them worse. Last, to any actress or actor, or singer that seems to take pleasure from being mean and name calling. Why? What do you get out of being mean to people and judging others? People could have learned from you, and respected you for the good they see you in you. Instead they are learning that you can get away with being a mean person. Don't be mean. Here is my advice to you:
Write it on your hand, and don't forget.
Sincerely, Somebody you will never meet.
Also an update on my other April goals: Exercise 3 x 60 Planks 200 Jumping Jacks FYI: 200 jumping jacks makes it hard to climb stairs after. Ugh. And: 7 minutes. (Again, from here: http://7-min.com/) Happiness Photo of the Day Today's photo prompt was Faith. I don't go to church, and I don't put a lot of faith in religion. I have great respect for those that do, but it's not been my thing in the past few years. Here's what I do have faith in: myself. I have faith in myself first. I have faith that I will never give up. I have faith that I will be the best version of me. I have faith that I will survive. I have faith that I will be happy with my choices. I have faith in myself and those I love.
April 6, 2015 Letter Prompts Day Six A letter of your choice. I'm going to write a letter to my pets. Four in particular. I don't currently have a pet, and I can't wait until we get a dog. This idea just came to me, but there are a few times when it says letter of my choice, so I have to start thinking of ideas. Dear Pets, Coco. You were my very first pet. A beautiful white cat that I named Coco because I couldn't pronounce Calico. I wanted to name you after my Grandma's cat, but couldn't quite get it out. You and I were a team from the very start. Cats aren't easy to train, but you quickly learned that my favourite place for you to be was tucked under my arm. I had you for many years until you got cancer. You were my first loss, and it was tough. At the time, I couldn't imagine anything being worse. (I've since learned that there are many things that are worse.) I loved you with every bit of me. You loved me back. You were a birthday present, and to this day, probably one of the best presents I have ever received.
Trapper: You were my first dog. You came after Coco, and had to deal with the fact that she did not love you. You were a beautiful and loving dog that probably would have loved living on a farm. I sometimes regret that we couldn't let you roam free more. My love of big dogs came from you. You died while I was away from home (after high school), but it was still tough. You lived a good life, and you were loved. I have so many memories of you. You were my pal.
Rolo: You're the cat version of me, so I obviously love you to bits. You have an ego, like to make people jealous, and you know who you love the best. I got you at a time in my life when I thought I'd keep you forever. Unfortunately, life changed, and I travelled. You've had more than one family, and more than just me to love you. You are careful with giving love, and that's probably my fault. If it helps, I once bought you a condo because I couldn't find a place to rent that took cats. Unfortunately, when I arrived back in Saskatoon, I couldn't afford a place that took cats. Cameron kept you temporarily, and then my sister took you. I couldn't be happier with you and Jo. You still get to be in my life, but you also get to be Jo's cat. You needed her. You're a great little guy, even when you're hissing at Dad.
Karmen: I only got to live with you for a year. When I moved to Saskatoon, you stayed with Cameron. You were the best dog we could have had. You were loving, happy, gorgeous, and wonderful. You made me smile all the time, even when you were hogging the bed. I don't see you often, but I know you are where you are supposed to be, and you are getting all the love you deserve. I'm grateful for the time I had with you.
Dear New Pup: we don't have you yet, but will love you like crazy! I can't wait to meet you. Love, Somebody you used to know. (Or will). Also an update on my other April goals: Exercise 50 Supermans 50 Squats And: 7 minutes. (Again, from here: http://7-min.com/)
Happiness Photo of the Day Today's photo prompt was Friendship It may seems strange that I'm choosing a double chocolate chip frappaccino to be my best friend. Seriously though. You heard the name. How could you NOT want this drink as your best friend. Also the Starbucks guy called me Grin, instead of Erin. So basically, I'd also like to be friends with him. (I didn't see any friends today other than my awesome work friends, and we were busy working.)
April 5, 2015 Letter Prompts Day Five A letter to a celebrity you like. Dear Taylor Swift, I've been meaning to write to you for a while. I want to apologise to you for a lot of people who judge you because of your social life. I don't know you personally, and never will, but I still have respect for you and your success. You are young, and you are allowed to date. You are allowed to date! You're also allowed to break up. It's unfortunate that your heart gets broken, but you know what, that's allowed as well. People heal. You heal through song writing. And you ARE NOT the only person to write music about your heart break. Not everybody is lucky enough to find the love of their life at a young age. BELIEVE ME, I get that. It took me 31 years to find mine, and it will take other people longer. If I had been judged for my younger me dating choices, it would have been pretty hard to take. On that note, if you don't find the love of your life, and do have fun dating while selling many albums, good for you! I see bloggers (myself included) tell personal details about their lives all the time. Your songs are like your journal. You are getting things out, and they end up being great songs. Congratulations. You are a writer, who is lucky enough to sing your songs. Also, you aren't the only one who sings songs about your life. You're honest, just like many other singers. Everybody is unique, and everybody has different experiences. You still have so much life to live, and you are an inspiration to many in a great way. I don't know a lot about you, and I probably never will. From what I do know, you seem like somebody who is never going to quit doing what you love. Please don't let these people get you down. Don't stop looking for your happiness. Wherever it may be. Also - I will be taking your advice as well:
Also an update on my other April goals: Exercise 100 High Knees 75 Russian Twists And: 7 minutes. (Again, from here: http://7-min.com/) My body is starting to feel it. As in - my legs are pretty sore. Happiness Photo of the Day Today's photo prompt was Fun We were invited over for Easter dinner with some friends. It was fun! Also, involved lots of baby cuteness!
First Picture in the New House!
ONE DAY DIFFERENCE April 26-27
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