Years ago, during high school, I used to write for a column called “Teen Talk”.  This column was in the city newspaper every Friday night.  I went to different group events throughout the school, as an example a theatre production. I would write an article about the production coming up, introduce the actors and tell more about the person in real life and on screen.  I wrote many articles during my high school years.

I had always planned to study journalism after high school but changed my mind and went another way.  I have always loved writing and I am so happy that I finally decided to write a blog.   I had approached a publisher online and asked if she would be interested in having a blogger. I didn’t want to get paid, it was just for the experience and to get back into writing.  She agreed, not even knowing me from a hole in the ground and I am extremely grateful. You know who you are, I am so happy that you gave me a chance and I really appreciate it!  I am having so much fun with it that I would love to see it lead into a paid position.

I am also studying fundraising management at the moment which is another area I have had a lot of volunteer work experience. I love the field so much that I decided to take a certificate program and finally take the training for the position I would so love to work in.

I am still moving forward with my writing, volunteering for special events and having a FUN time with it.

So in the end, what I am trying to say, is that I feel I am on the right path for me and even though I am starting after I have raised a family for so many years, I think it is a wonderful thing to do what I love to do.  I am grateful that I have these opportunities.

If there is something you want to do, it isn’t too late. Just do it!

Halloween Day!  A time for candy, costumes and safety!

When trick or treating, remember to stay in groups, wear something reflective on your costume so that people can see you in the dark and Do Not eat any candy unless your parent or an adult checks it first.  Otherwise, have a fabulous time!

I am working on finishing a man to sit on my bench, have to make my halloween music playlist and get my children organized for the big night!

Ashleigh is Katy Perry this year and she looks amazing!

Justin is an alien morph, Samantha is Belle the Princess and Melissa is Cat Woman!

Happy Halloween and Boooooooooooo!

You are probably wondering what a Liebster awards is!  Until I heard today that I had received this award, I had never heard of it before either!

It was announced today that I have received the Liebster Blogging Award!  Awesome that your writing gets recognized and I think that is fabulous.

I have been trying hard to make my blog exciting (getting better as I write, I hope!) and thank you to my friend Laura Scriver who nominated me!  She has an excellent blog  about travelling and recipes and knows how to make a killer sandwich and help you save money planning your trips away. Please check out her blog at Laurascriver@blogspot.ca

This award is given to a blogger from another blogger.  This is a means to celebrate with each other the successes and also to get to know each other as well. The way it works is that I will tell you 11 things about myself, answer 11 of the questions asked to me by my nominee, and then I will ask 11 questions to the bloggers that I will award the liebster award to.

About me:

1.  I have 4 children.

2. I have 4 pets – a , cat, rabbit and chinchilla.  At one point, I had more. My bird got out of the house 9 days ago and hasn’t been seen since. 🙂

3.  I love steak, chicken wings, ribs and chilli. (when I am not watching my diet)  mmmmm!

4. I enjoy running but need to give myself a kick in the butt to do it!

5. I enjoy writing.

6. I enjoying reading on various subjects. Currently reading a book called “Wheat Belly”.

7.  I love cooking and trying out new recipes.

8.  I would much rather listen to music than watch television.

9.  Laundry is my worst chore. With 6 people in the house, it is never ending!

10. I am very family oriented!

11.  Seriously, 10 things isn’t enough?  I have to come up with 11?  Hehe!   I love renting a cottage every year with my family and making more memories! And ice cream trips on vacation!

Okay, so there you have it. There are a few things you may not have known about me!

My friend had also asked me some questions to answer:

1. What time do you get up in the morning?  6:30 am
2. What do you want to be when you grow up? My husband asked me this yesterday- succesful blogger/fundraiser/media guru 
3. What was the best birthday gift you ever received? anything my husband has bought me
4. What was your last dream about? something that makes no sense as always, cannot recall
5. What was on your wall when you were a teenager? GQ photos and Freddy Kruegger
6. If you could live anywhere (and job and family/friends weren’t considerations), where would you live? Italy
7. Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever been? Why was it interesting? Canada , True North strong and free
8. What is a useless piece of information that you know?  hehe selective
9. If you could spend the day with any public figure (celebrity, author, politician, historical figure), living or dead, who would it be and why? Terry Fox.  He inspired as a kid with his courage and will never forget watching him run past me. I remember watching his funeral at 8 years old, on tv and crying. Such a great role model for children and adults alike.
10. What is your biggest pet peeve? Being late
11. Chips or chocolate? Hard call, I love both but no contest, chocolate beats out chips any day!

The following people have been awarded the Liebster award. Congratulations!!

1. Joe Cornelisse  http://sonicmoremusic.blogspot.ca

2. Tays mom http://www.lifeoftrout.blogspot.com

3.  Stevie Williams http://www.womantowomanblog.com/

4. Kim Constable www.kimconstable.com

5. Green Travel Girl www.GreenTravelGirl.org

6. Older Mommy Still Yummy http://oldermommystillyummy.com/

7. Judy Brunton www.judybrunton.ca

8. M McKenna http://www.girlempowered.com

9. Juggling Mama http://jugglingmama.com/

10. Coo Coo for Cooking http://coocooforcooking.com/

11. Busy Mom Blog http://busymomblog.com/

So now, I will ask a few questions to the bloggers receiving awards.

Camping or cottaging?

What extra curricular activities do you do?

What type of music do you enjoy?

If you were deserted on a desert island and could bring one thing, what would it be?

Do you have any children? If so, how many?

Hockey or baseball? or both?

What celebrity would you like to have lunch with? And why?

What is your favourite holiday and why?

This particular post took a long process to write.

Now your job is to answer the questions I sent you, list my blog at the beginning of your post (plug lol) ,list 11 things about yourself, 11 bloggers you will award this to, questions for the bloggers you nominated to answer and the award continues on.   Please feel free to use the Liebster award picture, just right click picture and save as!

Congratulations everyone!!!

After years of trying out new recipes for ribs, I finally found a winner!

This recipe is from http://southernfood.about.com and the writer’s name is Dianna Rattray.

Sorry that I haven’t written for a while, I have been busy with life, blogging, fundraising…. you know, the norm in my life. But I LOVE it!

Will write more soon, I promise! 🙂

Ok so I didn’t publicize this but I went in for an interview last week for a part time position in Newmarket.  I really thought the interview went well. I felt that my skills were definitely an asset to this company and that I could perform in this role beyond expectations.  I was advised today that they have gone with another applicant but were impressed by me.

I had told my family and friends that I would be okay I hadn’t been picked for this and I am, but I cannot help feel a bit disappointed. I feel that I am doing the right things with my blogging, my fundraising course and other miscellaneous projects I am working on.

I am not going to dwell or sweat the small stuff and continue trekking on.  Whatever will happen in the future is meant to be and I will not let anything get me down.

This year in March, I walked a half marathon in Burlington.  In May, I ran a half marathon run in Toronto.  Today, I was supposed to run another one!  I sold my race bib to someone else who had trained really hard and deserved to run. The past few months, as much as I hate to say, I have gotten a bit bored of running and also find it hard to fit it in as often as I needed to.

Although I knew that I could have done this run/walk today and definitely finish it, I felt that without any training, it was better for me not to.  Should have, could have, it will get you every time if you let it!  I made the decision not to run because I thought it was the best thing for me.

I have no regrets. For now, I do not want to sign myself up for any registered runs and just run on my own and have been thinking of trying to get past 6 days of p90x.

I am not always consistent I know but at least I am always moving.  🙂

This past Sunday, my cockatiel Tinker flew out of the house.  She was sitting on my daughter’s shoulder watching her play with her ipod. My other daughter opened up the back kitchen door (not realizing bird was out of cage) and the bird flew right out the door.

I am holding out hope that she may be returned to us somehow but I am realistic at the same time that her chances of survival are slim. 🙁

Wherever you are Tinker (birdy as we called her), we all miss you and hope you are okay!

I just wanted to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to my family and friends. I am thankful for my family, husband, children, pets, friends and acquaitances and for living in such a wonderful country, Canada!  🙂

Have a wonderful day! xx

Things are going well for me.

I recently decided to start writing (blogging) again after years and am loving it!  have contacted a few people about blogging for their websites and am now on my way  to write articles for them.  It is soooo exciting! I received my first course mark today for my fundraising course and got 100 percent. I am fundraising for my children’s school also.  I really think I am meant to do what I am doing. Although I am jamming alot in to my time, I am loving it!

If there is something you want to do, it is never too late to get it!  Take it from me who has been home for years raising a family, it feels fabulous to work on yourself , and make your own opportunities!

Seize the day, you can do it!