So Long 2017...

Wow so much has happened since my last post.

2017 was one of the best years and one of the worst at the same time.

My other half found his son that he'd given up for adoption right before we got together 23 years ago. He's always been apart of our lives in thoughts of what it would have been like to raise him with his sisters, or wondering what he was like as a kid. Our dream came true when he decided to come and live with us in July and 3 weeks later he passed away...fucked up the whole rest of my year.

There was no getting back on track.

I'm still having trouble with that but I think of him everyday. His words or... word is tattooed on my skin and the memory of the last day we had with him was perfect and always will be.

It was a great day.

The impact he made in such a short period of time was massive and I'm so glad we got to see the best of him in that time. Every time I look at the mountains he's there with a look of pure fascination in his eyes. He was born here in BC but raised in Ontario so the mountains and ocean were awe inspiring for him. Even though the story I can't even tell yet was tragic on so many levels, it brought other people from his world into ours and made our family even bigger in turn.

He showed me to look at things with wonder and to have a big heart. He may not have been mine by blood but in my heart he was mine as much as he was Choo's.

So this year I've decided to focus more on me. I try that every year but just trying to get my shit together this time seems harder and like me the harder it is, the harder I hang on to it and I need to let things go. Goals are one thing but my general outlook on life is going to take some work. So I'm going to try and keep blogging, (the urge just hasn't been there) and keep working on the things that are my world right now, just keep pushing through it.

I have a list of things to get moving on and we'll see how that goes as the days go on but I'll keep you posted somewhere maybe through Instagram or Twitter but somewhere.

I love that you guys have stuck with me and those that are still here I'm thankful.

See Ya
S

Just Another Snow Day...Or 2

As we head into the first week of February here in BC we are covered in the white stuff yet again. Now I'm not one of those people that is going to complain about it except for the shoveling part because I'm not used to that, but after the December snowfall we were much more on top of it and diligent in our snow removal process so that resulted in my 3 shifts and Lo's 2 so far since Friday night. in some ways I'm even cheering on the snow as it decimates the incessant Blackberry bush that has taken over my backyard.

Another thing I'm going to have to stay on top of this spring but also there will be Blackberry wine that comes of the crop this year. I'm going to attempt it anyway because I have never made wine before so why not give it a try!

So after shoveling on Saturday morning I ran out to the only place I knew in my area that would have salt because people assume a store so small wouldn't have it so in turn they have lots! Which is awesome for us and by the time I got back everything I had shoveled was covered again. I am not salt savvy so I didn't want to just throw it on top of the snow so I shoveled it again before I did so. After two hours of being out in the fluffy white hell I was pleased with myself and when inside to where coffee was calling my name. As soon as I got inside the door I stopped and looked down. My boots were covered with snow and salt, my hands were red and my jacket and toque started dripping as soon as the warm air hit them and I have hardwood floors. I was much more worried about the effects of the salt on it than anything else so I willed my fingers to work so I could untie the double knots in my boots and that isn't easy when you have a 50-60 lb pit bull that's happy to see you came back because you know...I was gone forever.

Sunday was much of the same except that after shoveling there would be the Superbowl and wouldn't you know it...The Simpsons were right again. Probably the best game in many years and I'm not a Patriots fan but good job guys!

Warm comfort food being made early in the hustle and bustle of the house and I'm thankful. I still have 2 girls in the house and thoughts of them not being here after they go about their own lives makes my heart hurt a little but that's what we do as parents, give them life and raise them to live their lives.

I remember being a kid and being s happy when it snowed and all of us in the neighbourhood would go out in our snowsuits ( if our parents caught us in time ) and having a blast! Now as I watch the coverage of probably the biggest snowfall Vancouver has had in I don't remember when that unless you're on a mountain with a purpose in the snow, having it in the Lower Mainland sucks. No one can drive in it, no one can walk in it and I swear that the sales of snow boots hit an all time high this winter as people swapped out their rain boots for ones that would keep them on their feet. Then there's the freeze when everything turns to ice and you're lucky if you don't slip and slide one your way to do everyday things, after that there's the warm up and it all turns to water and the drains are covered as the young ones driving down the road go out of their way to make sure you get hit with a wall of water on your way to work.

That being said it's still pretty to watch fall from the comfort of a comfy chair with something warm in your hands and a good book in your lap. It's serene as the white blocks out the sounds of cars on the road and makes everything seem infinitely quiet while the big dog lays curled up at your feet happy that you're there for him to warm your toes.

Over all I may not like the Winter here but it's a nice change from the wet, damp darkness that takes over here until Spring and even though I want it gone, it's nice to see that instead of a rainy season we have an actual Winter to painstakingly get through until brighter, warmer days take over. So my feelings are mixed but memories are made and I'll always be thankful I have that.

I'll be over here with my dog and my book.

See Ya!
S

Welcome To 2017

    After a holiday break I'm back for another year of who knows what and all this snow making me stuck at home made me think about years past.

    2015 was a year to Roll With It, 2016 was Go Big and for 2017 it's Focus.

    So often I half do things, I'm so gung ho to get something started and then something else takes it's place and the original idea never gets done. With that being said this year I would like to be able to see things through to their completion.

    I have endless half projects as I continually put more things on my plate. That has to change so I have had to make some big decisions in regards to that. Lots of thinking was involved ( like I don't do enough of that ) and I've decided that if I really want to be an Author I need to finish the stories. I usually post small chapters every week or so...sometimes longer...ok usually longer but I need to focus on finishing the book. I gave myself a timeline and it's something that I want to see through so with that being said I've decided to stop posting the chapters online and complete the story. Part of the reason that I wrote that way was because I didn't have the work space to organize the tasks but now I do. I won't have the pressure to put out the content on a weekly basis and can concentrate on my word count and what needs to be done.

    Putting more focus into blogging is something else I want to do. I was stretched out between 3 and now it will just be Ordinary Girl that gets my attention. I was always in it for me and it's a lot about nothing and just very well might stay that way but at this point it's all I need. I will try to blog more frequently with some kind of engaging content, just remember though that it's a bit of everything. There are places that I'm going to stop posting it though so if I do it for you then Subscribe for updates and if not, it's all good.

    All of the bad things that have happened through 2016 shows me that I need to get stuff done and conscientiously be aware of making that happen. So somethings need to change or be slightly altered, I don't want to be one of those "I should have." people, I've been one of those way too long.

    Last year wasn't that bad for me compared to some of my friends. I learned how to ride a motorcycle, hell I own 2 and although I didn't ride nearly as much as I wished I had, I still learned. The nervousness hasn't gone away yet and probably won't until I get some more years under my belt along with the confidence of controlling a machine that seems to have a mind of it's own, but that's another thing I'll need to focus on in the coming year and get my license, you know...finally. That being said I actually have 2 licenses I need to get so yay me!

    Besides that my organizational skills definitely need improvement but I did manage to create some work space because all my work was pretty much done from my couch or my bed. I decided that since I have a kitchen table that just collects junk and cats so Lo and I went to town so that we both had a place to do our thing and it's glorious! I have been thinking about switching platforms though the pros and cons of it and I'm still on the fence but I figure I'll just do my research like I always do and get the opinions of my peers in order to make my decision.

So Lovelies thanks so much for hanging in there with me!

Have a great week.

See Ya
S