It wasn't for me!
It wasn't for me!
I promise you, it wasn't for me!
I did have to buy TP --
but I promise you, it wasn't for me!
You see, my granny was getting low.
She's old, and frail, and concerned you know -
with what to do if she runs out -
in a town that had already hoarded, no doubt.
Our Costco was bare,
Our Superstore too...
What could this poor granddaughter do?
When suddenly what sort of post should appear?
On a town Facebook group that I now hold near and dear?
There was some stock of that important paper,
At one local store -- I could make it there later!
"Two per customer" the sign said on the pallet,
It was slightly overpriced but I was so happy I'd found it!
So, I picked up my two allotted packs
and guiltily paid for them, covering my tracks...
I told everyone in earshot, whether they cared or not,
that it wasn't for ME, oh, no, of course, NEVER...
We had already bought ours BEFORE,
we were CLEVER...
But my dear old Gran, she really ran low...
So I'm buying it for HER,
I'm a HERO, you know.
- "I Had to Buy TP": A Poem by Ms. Key
PS -- this purchase (very truthfully done for my grandparents who are 86 & 87 and still live in their own home out of town) was made PRIOR to our state of emergencies being declared and the request being made to self-isolate at home. I was already only very cautiously venturing out over the last few weeks, since a week ago I have not been to any public location at all. #stayhome
Showing posts with label fun fun fun fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun fun fun fun. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Local Musical Theatre!
So, a good friend of mine has been performing in a local theatre production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". I am so impressed with the performance! I had the opportunity to attend a rehearsal a couple of weeks ago, and then today got to see a real performance in the two-week run. I didn't know anything about this musical before. It is HILARIOUS. (It has some adult content (ahem, a song called "My Unfortunate Erection"!), so isn't really for "all ages").
The music is catchy and the story has a lot of heart, and I was so proud of the friends we knew who were performing. They are all so talented, it's amazing. I *love* musical theatre SO MUCH, and I wish I had the skills and courage to perform. I definitely have a "stage fright" sort of feeling, even at karaoke. I just get really nervous. However, I love attending these shows as an audience member and have really found a love for local theatre productions -- which are great to support anyway!
A friend and I attended a children's production this weekend as well, and I'm so amazed to see children in a range of ages have the courage to perform and sing solos like they do. It's just awesome! I can see how their self-esteem and ability to present themselves publicly (or for school presentations, for example) would grow and develop through theatre programs. Plus, it just looks like so much fun for them. I hope when I have children that at least one may be interested in trying musical theatre. I can live vicariously through them, haha. As a child I was a dancer, but was way too anxious to be comfortable performing solo on stage -- and that was without adding on the singing and acting that musical theatre entails. I'm just in awe of performers of all ages!
Anyway, it was certainly a great weekend of experiencing some wonderful local theatre -- youth and adult. I encourage you to check out your local theatre programs and try attending some shows. It doesn't cost nearly as much as the big shows downtown, and you can still have some wonderful experiences (and even if you attend a show that isn't perfect, it's usually still good for a laugh and a not-too-expensive night out)!
The music is catchy and the story has a lot of heart, and I was so proud of the friends we knew who were performing. They are all so talented, it's amazing. I *love* musical theatre SO MUCH, and I wish I had the skills and courage to perform. I definitely have a "stage fright" sort of feeling, even at karaoke. I just get really nervous. However, I love attending these shows as an audience member and have really found a love for local theatre productions -- which are great to support anyway!
A friend and I attended a children's production this weekend as well, and I'm so amazed to see children in a range of ages have the courage to perform and sing solos like they do. It's just awesome! I can see how their self-esteem and ability to present themselves publicly (or for school presentations, for example) would grow and develop through theatre programs. Plus, it just looks like so much fun for them. I hope when I have children that at least one may be interested in trying musical theatre. I can live vicariously through them, haha. As a child I was a dancer, but was way too anxious to be comfortable performing solo on stage -- and that was without adding on the singing and acting that musical theatre entails. I'm just in awe of performers of all ages!
Anyway, it was certainly a great weekend of experiencing some wonderful local theatre -- youth and adult. I encourage you to check out your local theatre programs and try attending some shows. It doesn't cost nearly as much as the big shows downtown, and you can still have some wonderful experiences (and even if you attend a show that isn't perfect, it's usually still good for a laugh and a not-too-expensive night out)!
Monday, January 04, 2016
Knitting!
Last summer I posted about wanting a hobby and never actually starting one (beyond binge-watching Netflix, which I've decided is a perfectly reasonable hobby -- how much can one person watch?! Let's find out!).
I amazed even myself by actually going out and buying some yarn and knitting needles. I decided, EFF MY FEARS, TIME TO KNIT!
You see, what happened was I was having momentary depression this past fall due to some factors (am better now, do not fret). I decided I needed to take some action to distract myself and then hoped that would help with the depression. For the record, it DID help!
Knitting seemed the easiest of my little hobby ideas to get started with. Yarn can be pricey, but other than that it isn't an overly expensive hobby and doesn't require too many things to start with, and a small project can be worked on over time. I taught myself the most basic of steps using YouTube (cast on, the knit stitch, and cast off). I feel so relaxed while knitting and so pleased with myself that I actually taught myself to do something, because usually Internet learning leaves me frustrated and disinterested.
I have taught myself the purl stitch, but do not do it well yet (I end up with an extra loop at the end of the row, so I need to sort out what I'm doing wrong). So for now, for my first little project, I am trying to knit a scarf and I am using the knit stitch the whole time. It looks great that way anyway, so I am perfectly happy to start with this.
I don't know that I will ever be A Knitter, but it's going fairly well so far as just the little hobby I wanted to distract me when I need it and to fill some extra time and slight creative yearning.
For Christmas, my grandmother gave me an adult colouring book... I can also easily see myself becoming obsessed with this new craze.
I amazed even myself by actually going out and buying some yarn and knitting needles. I decided, EFF MY FEARS, TIME TO KNIT!
You see, what happened was I was having momentary depression this past fall due to some factors (am better now, do not fret). I decided I needed to take some action to distract myself and then hoped that would help with the depression. For the record, it DID help!
Knitting seemed the easiest of my little hobby ideas to get started with. Yarn can be pricey, but other than that it isn't an overly expensive hobby and doesn't require too many things to start with, and a small project can be worked on over time. I taught myself the most basic of steps using YouTube (cast on, the knit stitch, and cast off). I feel so relaxed while knitting and so pleased with myself that I actually taught myself to do something, because usually Internet learning leaves me frustrated and disinterested.
I have taught myself the purl stitch, but do not do it well yet (I end up with an extra loop at the end of the row, so I need to sort out what I'm doing wrong). So for now, for my first little project, I am trying to knit a scarf and I am using the knit stitch the whole time. It looks great that way anyway, so I am perfectly happy to start with this.
I don't know that I will ever be A Knitter, but it's going fairly well so far as just the little hobby I wanted to distract me when I need it and to fill some extra time and slight creative yearning.
For Christmas, my grandmother gave me an adult colouring book... I can also easily see myself becoming obsessed with this new craze.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
On Naming our Dog
Mr. Lock and I don't really have serious discussions about baby names. We have always been the type to jokingly say we'd name our kids "Ektorp", after the name of our IKEA couch. That's the sort of way we discuss naming future offspring. In very silly ways.
Now that we're married, and are settled into our home, we sometimes toss around more realistic names which can be very fun. I've always been name obsessed, so I enjoy these moments very much.
While we aren't needing to name an actual human baby yet in our lives, we have made the choice to add a puppy to our home. I've mentioned this briefly in a couple of past posts. My best friend being a veterinarian, and my love for my parents' dog, has really led me to wanting to be a dog owner. I appreciate the company of a dog for times when I am home alone (even though I am 29.5 years old, I am still not a huge fan of being home alone), and I am a pet lover. I'm a caregiver, I have a lot of love to give, and having a pet feels right to me. Mr. Lock is on the same page, he is really excited to own a dog of his own, and he is looking forward to teaching our dog to catch a Frisbee, and to playing with it at the park near our home. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air is so much more common with a dog in your life, so we are both looking forward to that.
This is really our first serious naming decision! This is good practice before we have to agree on the name of a tiny human. We have thrown around a variety of options. We did agree on a name if we end up with a male puppy -- we like the name Gryphon. We are old time friends from the University of Guelph, and Guelph's mascot is the Gryphon. The breeder we are getting our puppy from also happens to be in Guelph! So it seems meant to be, and we think the name is super cute for a boy dog. So, boy dog = Gryphon. Done.
The thing is, we will actually most likely be choosing a female dog. My family has always had female dogs (including my aunts and uncles in that), and of the Wheaten Terriers I have known before, the female ones were of a calmer temperament. I think I'd prefer a female. In the litter, there were 3 females and 2 males born so we will have to see which dog just seems to be "ours" once we get to pick our puppy at the end of January.
Female dog names seem harder for Mr. Lock and I to agree on! We have a few categories of names we are considering.
First Category: Winter/Christmas names
The puppies were born December 7th, and finding that out felt like a special Christmas gift! We have been toying with the idea of giving her a winter/Christmas name to commemorate her birthday. Some names in the running have been Holly, Ivy, or Clementine. Of those three, Mr. Lock and I really only agreed on Holly.
Second Category: Irish names
The soft-coated wheaten terrier was originally an Irish breed. We think it could be fun to go with an Irish name for our pup. We were looking at some of the names that have a fun/unique Gaelic spelling. We don't want to pick a name that could be a future child's name for ourselves or our friends, so that's why we are choosing names that could be unique/different. We think that works best for a dog. Our favourite Irish name right now is Caoimhe - which is pronounced "Keeva". We would spell the dog's name Keeva; but for ourselves we would enjoy the unique Gaelic spelling, haha.
Third Category: A play on "Wheaten"
Wheaten terriers start out with caramel-coloured fur, which fades to a blond "wheat" colour over two years. It could be cute to name the dog something that goes with this theme. Maybe a grain name like Barley. We also have been considering the name "Willow" -- which alludes to the actor Wil Wheaton. Many years ago, when he was first on The Big Bang Theory, the character Sheldon said the line "Fetch me Wil Wheaton!". This always made me laugh, and knowing that wheaten terriers were a dog breed I liked, I used to joke that I'd name my dog Willow, call her Will Wheaten, and then when you said that line, the word "fetch" would be so funny since it is also a dog term. The joke has lost its lustre after this many years, but sometimes I still go back to liking the name Willow since I was thinking about it for years.
I think the front-runner right now is Keeva, to be honest. It is really growing on both of us, we seem to agree on it. We like that it isn't a potential baby name for ourselves or our friends. So, we may go with:
Boy: Gryphon
Girl: Keeva
However, we are also waiting to see what name jumps out at us after we actually pick which puppy will be ours. We may meet her (or him, keeping my mind open), and feel like one name works better than others.
I'm really excited, and am enjoying this whole process leading up to bringing our puppy home! It's an exciting way to expand our family, and prepare us for the responsibility of parenting one day. I'll probably be one of those crazy puppy parents who will start sharing a ton of photos of our dog. I think it will actually make for some very cute blog fodder!
Now that we're married, and are settled into our home, we sometimes toss around more realistic names which can be very fun. I've always been name obsessed, so I enjoy these moments very much.
While we aren't needing to name an actual human baby yet in our lives, we have made the choice to add a puppy to our home. I've mentioned this briefly in a couple of past posts. My best friend being a veterinarian, and my love for my parents' dog, has really led me to wanting to be a dog owner. I appreciate the company of a dog for times when I am home alone (even though I am 29.5 years old, I am still not a huge fan of being home alone), and I am a pet lover. I'm a caregiver, I have a lot of love to give, and having a pet feels right to me. Mr. Lock is on the same page, he is really excited to own a dog of his own, and he is looking forward to teaching our dog to catch a Frisbee, and to playing with it at the park near our home. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air is so much more common with a dog in your life, so we are both looking forward to that.
This is really our first serious naming decision! This is good practice before we have to agree on the name of a tiny human. We have thrown around a variety of options. We did agree on a name if we end up with a male puppy -- we like the name Gryphon. We are old time friends from the University of Guelph, and Guelph's mascot is the Gryphon. The breeder we are getting our puppy from also happens to be in Guelph! So it seems meant to be, and we think the name is super cute for a boy dog. So, boy dog = Gryphon. Done.
The thing is, we will actually most likely be choosing a female dog. My family has always had female dogs (including my aunts and uncles in that), and of the Wheaten Terriers I have known before, the female ones were of a calmer temperament. I think I'd prefer a female. In the litter, there were 3 females and 2 males born so we will have to see which dog just seems to be "ours" once we get to pick our puppy at the end of January.
Female dog names seem harder for Mr. Lock and I to agree on! We have a few categories of names we are considering.
First Category: Winter/Christmas names
The puppies were born December 7th, and finding that out felt like a special Christmas gift! We have been toying with the idea of giving her a winter/Christmas name to commemorate her birthday. Some names in the running have been Holly, Ivy, or Clementine. Of those three, Mr. Lock and I really only agreed on Holly.
Second Category: Irish names
The soft-coated wheaten terrier was originally an Irish breed. We think it could be fun to go with an Irish name for our pup. We were looking at some of the names that have a fun/unique Gaelic spelling. We don't want to pick a name that could be a future child's name for ourselves or our friends, so that's why we are choosing names that could be unique/different. We think that works best for a dog. Our favourite Irish name right now is Caoimhe - which is pronounced "Keeva". We would spell the dog's name Keeva; but for ourselves we would enjoy the unique Gaelic spelling, haha.
Third Category: A play on "Wheaten"
Wheaten terriers start out with caramel-coloured fur, which fades to a blond "wheat" colour over two years. It could be cute to name the dog something that goes with this theme. Maybe a grain name like Barley. We also have been considering the name "Willow" -- which alludes to the actor Wil Wheaton. Many years ago, when he was first on The Big Bang Theory, the character Sheldon said the line "Fetch me Wil Wheaton!". This always made me laugh, and knowing that wheaten terriers were a dog breed I liked, I used to joke that I'd name my dog Willow, call her Will Wheaten, and then when you said that line, the word "fetch" would be so funny since it is also a dog term. The joke has lost its lustre after this many years, but sometimes I still go back to liking the name Willow since I was thinking about it for years.
I think the front-runner right now is Keeva, to be honest. It is really growing on both of us, we seem to agree on it. We like that it isn't a potential baby name for ourselves or our friends. So, we may go with:
Boy: Gryphon
Girl: Keeva
However, we are also waiting to see what name jumps out at us after we actually pick which puppy will be ours. We may meet her (or him, keeping my mind open), and feel like one name works better than others.
I'm really excited, and am enjoying this whole process leading up to bringing our puppy home! It's an exciting way to expand our family, and prepare us for the responsibility of parenting one day. I'll probably be one of those crazy puppy parents who will start sharing a ton of photos of our dog. I think it will actually make for some very cute blog fodder!
Monday, December 08, 2014
New Car!
I am getting quite excited! While I am of course disappointed that I was in a car collision, a silver lining from the experience is that I'm getting a brand-new car this week! I've never had a brand-new car, and Mr. Lock and I decided (since my insurance settlement for my car was quite decent) that we could afford to get me one I really like, and that's a slightly larger size than the two, small cars we had before. We just feel it makes more sense to have a vehicle with some additional trunk space available, and if we are fortunate enough to start a family of our own soon it will be wonderful to have a more spacious vehicle.
We decided to go with a 2015 Hyundai Tuscon. Mark has a Hyundai, and I really like his car. The Tuscon comes with some great features (without even having to go to the most expensive trim level), and it was really comfortable to drive. I've decided to go with a blue colour, as my previous car was gray and I just felt like a fresh start with a colourful change!
I should be hearing from the dealership tomorrow that the car has arrived, so hopefully I can pick it up in the next couple of days! I am really excited to drive something so new, and to have heated seats this winter, and to be able to put a USB key of awesome music in my car to listen to on my drive to work! It can be so fun to have something new!
We decided to go with a 2015 Hyundai Tuscon. Mark has a Hyundai, and I really like his car. The Tuscon comes with some great features (without even having to go to the most expensive trim level), and it was really comfortable to drive. I've decided to go with a blue colour, as my previous car was gray and I just felt like a fresh start with a colourful change!
I should be hearing from the dealership tomorrow that the car has arrived, so hopefully I can pick it up in the next couple of days! I am really excited to drive something so new, and to have heated seats this winter, and to be able to put a USB key of awesome music in my car to listen to on my drive to work! It can be so fun to have something new!
Sunday, May 04, 2014
Bachelorette Party!
Our wedding is less than three weeks away now. Talk about HOME STRETCH, omg!!!
I feel very prepared, but there's just a few things I know I really need to do asap that I must keep to the forefront of my mind otherwise I'll start to get a *wee bit* panicked. However, for the most part, we're incredibly well-prepared and ready! I will just have to remind myself of how well-prepared we are, so I don't start to feel worried unnecessarily!
This weekend, Mr. Lock had his Bachelor Weekend with his brother and friends. I think it went well, I haven't heard details yet! Last night, my awesome co-Matrons-of-Honour threw me my Bachelorette Night!
It was just the sort of night that was perfect for me. It started with dinner, and there were only four of us at dinner but it was really great. A few more ladies were invited, but they ended up having to cancel last minute, but all in all it worked out to be a nice meal.
Then, my very good friend Amanda from Multi-Testing Mommy joined us and we were off to go line dancing! We went to the place Amanda and I go to a few times a year! I just love it there!
For line dancing, a couple of other friends met us out there. I hope everyone had a good time -- I sure did! I joined in to LOTS of the line dances, and it was just awesome. I love following along, even if I'm not quite doing it right, as I try to learn a few more combinations. It's also great exercise, let alone how much fun we have!
I really had a good time with my few, close, best friends and that was all I was looking for in a Bachelorette night out. It was so much fun. Also, it was the last pre-wedding event until our rehearsal on May 23rd, and the big day on May 24th! Suddenly, time is speeding by... next thing you know, I'll be one half of an old married couple!
I feel very prepared, but there's just a few things I know I really need to do asap that I must keep to the forefront of my mind otherwise I'll start to get a *wee bit* panicked. However, for the most part, we're incredibly well-prepared and ready! I will just have to remind myself of how well-prepared we are, so I don't start to feel worried unnecessarily!
This weekend, Mr. Lock had his Bachelor Weekend with his brother and friends. I think it went well, I haven't heard details yet! Last night, my awesome co-Matrons-of-Honour threw me my Bachelorette Night!
It was just the sort of night that was perfect for me. It started with dinner, and there were only four of us at dinner but it was really great. A few more ladies were invited, but they ended up having to cancel last minute, but all in all it worked out to be a nice meal.
Then, my very good friend Amanda from Multi-Testing Mommy joined us and we were off to go line dancing! We went to the place Amanda and I go to a few times a year! I just love it there!
For line dancing, a couple of other friends met us out there. I hope everyone had a good time -- I sure did! I joined in to LOTS of the line dances, and it was just awesome. I love following along, even if I'm not quite doing it right, as I try to learn a few more combinations. It's also great exercise, let alone how much fun we have!
I really had a good time with my few, close, best friends and that was all I was looking for in a Bachelorette night out. It was so much fun. Also, it was the last pre-wedding event until our rehearsal on May 23rd, and the big day on May 24th! Suddenly, time is speeding by... next thing you know, I'll be one half of an old married couple!
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Off to Rick's Cottage!
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| Rick's lake, pic from Summer 2012 |
 |
| The cottage, pic from Summer 2012 |
I miss my family's cottage, which was sold about 8 years ago. I'm just so glad, and so lucky, that we get to take over Rick's parents' cottage for a weekend every summer. This year we've also been to Mac's family cottage, which is also a beautiful spot. So, since Dr. McVet and Quin married well into cottage-owning families, I luck out too! Way to go, ladies!
So, here's hoping for good weather, good drinks, and much laughter! Off to the cottage we go!
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| Love boating, pic from Summer 2012 |
Monday, May 06, 2013
Go Leafs Go!
I come from a very, very sports obsessed family. My dad has loved football all his life, and worships the Green Bay Packers. Hockey was a prominent sport in our home, being a very Canadian family -- my uncles all played, both of my grandpa's were hockey obsessed (well, the one who is still alive still is, of course). My dad's cousin played in the NHL, which was a Big Deal when I was a kid. Hockey, hockey, hockey all around me. Both of my brothers played/play hockey, and Scooter also plays football (as he has really followed in my father's footsteps as a football obsessed guy!).
The Toronto Maple Leafs getting into the NHL play-offs this year has been a Big Deal. It's the first time they've been in the play-offs since 2004! Whether or not they really have much of a chance after this first round of play-offs remains to be seen, but meanwhile we are all having fun cheering on the Leafs. On Saturday, Mr. Lock and I enjoyed Game 2 of the series against Boston with our Sitcom Group of Friends. Since the Leafs won, we decided it would be bad luck if we didn't watch Game 3 together, too! So, we're getting together tonight for Game 3, which is back in Toronto.
Normally, other than my family being sports obsessed, I couldn't care less about hockey... however, I'm finding this year's play-offs very fun! I think it all has to do with the excitement of watching it with my friends. Hoping for an action-packed game tonight!
Go Leafs!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Oops, missed the A to Z challenge AGAIN... however... I'M ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!
So, whatever letters I missed... TOO BAD! Big things have just happened!!!
It all happened last Wednesday! Mr. Lock and I had to go up to the sales centre for the new build home we are purchasing, it was our day to "firm up" on our purchase (no going back now!). Turns out, Mr. Lock had a very, very exciting surprise for me that day, too!
So, on our way to the sales office, he asked if I wanted to drive past our "pile of dirt" (our pet name for the lot our new home will be built on). He knows I like to go by it every chance we have. I said yep, and said I'd prefer to go past it on our way to the sales office rather than after.
Little did I know, Mr. Lock had gone up there earlier that day! He took the day off work, I didn't know at all! We arrived to our pile of dirt, and Mr. Lock said we should stomp around on it a bit. We got out of the car, and near the sign with the lot number, there was this rolled up blanket. I honestly thought someone was throwing their garbage on our property!
Then, Mr. Lock began to unroll the blanket, and I was very confused... I saw plant stems, and said out loud, "Oh man, they are throwing away old plants!".... then I saw more of the unrolled blanket, and said, "Oh. Wait. Those are really nice roses. OH MY GOD I THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO DO!".
Then I looked at him, and he was pulling a ring box out of his jacket...
"I DO KNOW! OHMIGOD, YOU ARE PROPOSING?!?!"
He got down on one knee, had time to say "Will you marry me?", meanwhile my hand was already out in his face and I was already saying, "YES, YES, OH YES!".
So, we have now been THROWN into wedding planning, let alone finishing up this house buying stuff! LOTS suddenly happened -- what a MONTH April has been!!!! Trying to blog every day, and then NO blogging time! Aaah! haha.
I am just SO impressed that he was able to surprise me.... I had NO idea it was coming!!! I thought maybe he'd propose by this summer... we are buying a home together afterall... but he did a fantastic job taking me by complete surprise! Turns out he was ring shopping well before all this house buying stuff began happening, so that was all just a happy coincidence.
So, this was all VERY, VERY exciting and suddenly I am overtaken with the fun of celebrating being engaged, and planning a wedding -- we need to find a venue a.s.a.p before places we like are booked up for 2014.
Squee!!! ENGAGED!!!! WHEE!!
My ring...
It all happened last Wednesday! Mr. Lock and I had to go up to the sales centre for the new build home we are purchasing, it was our day to "firm up" on our purchase (no going back now!). Turns out, Mr. Lock had a very, very exciting surprise for me that day, too!
So, on our way to the sales office, he asked if I wanted to drive past our "pile of dirt" (our pet name for the lot our new home will be built on). He knows I like to go by it every chance we have. I said yep, and said I'd prefer to go past it on our way to the sales office rather than after.
Little did I know, Mr. Lock had gone up there earlier that day! He took the day off work, I didn't know at all! We arrived to our pile of dirt, and Mr. Lock said we should stomp around on it a bit. We got out of the car, and near the sign with the lot number, there was this rolled up blanket. I honestly thought someone was throwing their garbage on our property!
Then, Mr. Lock began to unroll the blanket, and I was very confused... I saw plant stems, and said out loud, "Oh man, they are throwing away old plants!".... then I saw more of the unrolled blanket, and said, "Oh. Wait. Those are really nice roses. OH MY GOD I THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO DO!".
Then I looked at him, and he was pulling a ring box out of his jacket...
"I DO KNOW! OHMIGOD, YOU ARE PROPOSING?!?!"
He got down on one knee, had time to say "Will you marry me?", meanwhile my hand was already out in his face and I was already saying, "YES, YES, OH YES!".
So, we have now been THROWN into wedding planning, let alone finishing up this house buying stuff! LOTS suddenly happened -- what a MONTH April has been!!!! Trying to blog every day, and then NO blogging time! Aaah! haha.
I am just SO impressed that he was able to surprise me.... I had NO idea it was coming!!! I thought maybe he'd propose by this summer... we are buying a home together afterall... but he did a fantastic job taking me by complete surprise! Turns out he was ring shopping well before all this house buying stuff began happening, so that was all just a happy coincidence.
So, this was all VERY, VERY exciting and suddenly I am overtaken with the fun of celebrating being engaged, and planning a wedding -- we need to find a venue a.s.a.p before places we like are booked up for 2014.
Squee!!! ENGAGED!!!! WHEE!!
My ring...
Thursday, April 04, 2013
D is for.... Dance!
I was a bit late, but it's still April 4th, so I'm still getting my post in for today! Phew! Today is a bit of a hard day, because it's the anniversary of my grandfather's passing... I was very close to him, he lived in my household with me from the age of two so he was more like a second father than just a grandpa. I cannot believe that it has actually been NINE years since he passed, it still feels like just yesterday. I still miss you, Poppa.
On a happier note, my actual post for today isn't about D for Death... it's about D for Dance! So, I'd rather focus on that!
My mom and I had been talking for years about taking an adult beginner's tap dancing class for exercise and something fun to do together each week. We both needed a way to get active, and we had both been tap dancers as children (I only did tap for a couple of years at around age 7 and 8, my mom was a tap dancer through her teens and into her early 20s!). Finally, we took the plunge and signed up for a class. We began last September.
We are LOVING IT. To the point where we've actually added a second class, so now we go to tap dancing every Tuesday and Thursday for an hour each. It is amazing exercise! It is so fun to move to the music, and tap away on our shoes, and just laugh and have a good time together. There are five of us in our Tuesday class, and just three of us on Thursday. We are all having so much fun.
Dancing has always been my favourite way to get exercise. I was a ballerina from ages 3 to 16, did tap, jazz, and hip hop dance classes throughout that time, too. In University, my friends and I signed up for a session of hip hop dancing which was a blast. I also love, love, love going line dancing with my friend Amanda who writes at Multi-Testing Mommy. We aren't afraid to hop down onto the dance floor and follow along with the much more expert line dancers on a Saturday night. It is so fun if you can release your inhibitions and just dive in!
For Christmas, I received a Kinect for Mr. Lock's X-Box, and the game Just Dance 4. I live in a small space, but I've found a way to make the game work for me, and I work up a huge sweat following along to the dancers! I end up dancing away an hour or more without even thinking about it -- it is just so enjoyable.
I'm just so happy to still have dance in my life! I'm not great about going to a gym to work out and use the machines, so dance is my best way to burn calories and keep in shape. I've actually lost 5 pounds since starting my tap classes, which makes me feel a bit more toned and happy about my body. I hope my mom is up for continuing our tap classes again next fall!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Academy Award Nominations are in!
On to what I'd prefer to be blogging about.. Academy Awards nominees! I love this time of year. The Golden Globes air this Sunday, and I look forward to seeing which movies take home a Globe -- since it's usually an indication for good Oscar picks for my family competition! Last year I won, and I beat Mr. Lock by a mile, so this year I feel intense pressure to prepare myself for another successful bet!
I have to admit, I'm not *in love* with the Best Picture choices this year, only because many of them are not movies of a genre I enjoy. Not that I don't agree that these deserve to be nominated, but they do make it a little more of a challenge to try to see every nominated film, because I'd be forcing myself to make it through movies I just don't personally care about. However, as is tradition, I'll try to see whatever I can. The nominated films for Best Picture for the Academy Awards this year are (with IMDB.com links):
Les Miserables
Lincoln
Argo
Life of Pi
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty
Django Unchained
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Amour
I have never heard of "Beasts of the Southern Wild" or "Amour", so I need to look them up. I've only seen "Les Miserables" and "Lincoln" so far off this nominated list (darn!). This weekend Mr. Lock and I are going to go to "Silver Linings Playbook". I wasn't interested in "Django Unchained" because I typically find Quentin Tarantino to be too dark for me, too gruesome in some scenes... but I will look more into the film, read some synopsis online, to try to make a decision about seeing it in theatres.
I now wish I had seen "Argo" before, but I didn't... I will have to track it down, a few select theatres may still be playing it I think, or it may be back in theatres for a bit as a Best Picture Nominee. I am wavering on "Life of Pi", because I had no interest in it and have never read the book either... I didn't realize it would be so nominated (also has a Golden Globe nomination). I'll probably try to see it before the awards.
"Zero Dark Thirty" didn't interest me, because a lot of military films make me feel very anxious, I've never really been a fan of films with guns. I will, again, have to research it online to see what I think about the potential plot to see if I can handle it in theatres.
So, all in all, I think the theme this year of these picks is "depressing"... most of these films have quite intense, sad, dark, storylines if I remember correctly what I know about them. Some may have great endings, but I find it hard to watch too many intensely depressing scenes -- I need to mix in some comedy and light-heartedness to keep my personal anxieties at bay. I will try to see what I can though! As usual, I'll share my thoughts here. More for myself than anyone else (because everyone's thoughts and opinions about movies can be so personal, it's all a matter of personal taste), but that's why I blog... I love journaling and this is one more journal outlet for myself.
The Academy Awards air on Sunday, February 24th! I'm excited! Love this time of year!
I have to admit, I'm not *in love* with the Best Picture choices this year, only because many of them are not movies of a genre I enjoy. Not that I don't agree that these deserve to be nominated, but they do make it a little more of a challenge to try to see every nominated film, because I'd be forcing myself to make it through movies I just don't personally care about. However, as is tradition, I'll try to see whatever I can. The nominated films for Best Picture for the Academy Awards this year are (with IMDB.com links):
Les Miserables
Lincoln
Argo
Life of Pi
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty
Django Unchained
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Amour
I have never heard of "Beasts of the Southern Wild" or "Amour", so I need to look them up. I've only seen "Les Miserables" and "Lincoln" so far off this nominated list (darn!). This weekend Mr. Lock and I are going to go to "Silver Linings Playbook". I wasn't interested in "Django Unchained" because I typically find Quentin Tarantino to be too dark for me, too gruesome in some scenes... but I will look more into the film, read some synopsis online, to try to make a decision about seeing it in theatres.
I now wish I had seen "Argo" before, but I didn't... I will have to track it down, a few select theatres may still be playing it I think, or it may be back in theatres for a bit as a Best Picture Nominee. I am wavering on "Life of Pi", because I had no interest in it and have never read the book either... I didn't realize it would be so nominated (also has a Golden Globe nomination). I'll probably try to see it before the awards.
"Zero Dark Thirty" didn't interest me, because a lot of military films make me feel very anxious, I've never really been a fan of films with guns. I will, again, have to research it online to see what I think about the potential plot to see if I can handle it in theatres.
So, all in all, I think the theme this year of these picks is "depressing"... most of these films have quite intense, sad, dark, storylines if I remember correctly what I know about them. Some may have great endings, but I find it hard to watch too many intensely depressing scenes -- I need to mix in some comedy and light-heartedness to keep my personal anxieties at bay. I will try to see what I can though! As usual, I'll share my thoughts here. More for myself than anyone else (because everyone's thoughts and opinions about movies can be so personal, it's all a matter of personal taste), but that's why I blog... I love journaling and this is one more journal outlet for myself.
The Academy Awards air on Sunday, February 24th! I'm excited! Love this time of year!
Friday, January 04, 2013
"To Do" in 2013
I'm not good at "resolutions", I always forget them immediately after I write them down! Ah well. I am going to set out a bit of a goal list or "to do" list for 2013, though, and see if I remember to keep track of it! These are in a totally random order, just whatever comes to me as I go along.. so they aren't meant to be chronological, just a free-flow of things I hope to do this year.
1) Participate again in "The Weekend to End Women's Cancers" 35 km charity walk -- raise at least $2000 for the Campbell Family Institute at the Princess Margaret Hospital (along with whatever my teammate(s) raise!!). Here is my link for YOU to donate, if you feel so inclined!! (And I would be so appreciative!).
2) Participate in City Chase Toronto again -- we missed last year, but had done it two years in a row before that. I want to register again this year, it was so much fun before and amazing exercise!
3) Secure a permanent teaching position (please, please, please?! It's all about luck and timing, let this year be my year!).
4) Try to see all of the Academy Award "Best Picture" nominees. (The nominations aren't announced yet! January 10th, I believe!)
5) Read at least 20 novels. Last year I read 15, as far as what I kept track of on GoodReads.com . I did actually finish a couple more before 2013, but I forgot to update GoodReads. I think I made it to 17. This year, I really want to get through 20 at least! (I've really reduced my goal from the time I tried to read 100, hahaha).
6) Travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with my Sitcom Group of Friends -- this is in the planning stages, most likely will do it in July! I can't wait to have a road trip together, and show them the place I've vacationed my entire life! (Ever since my parents bought a condo down there, I've been itching to go back and stay in it!).
7) 26 "Random acts of Kindness". Ann Curry has been promoting this idea, and since I *love* Random Acts of Kindness, I am so in!
8) Open up an RRSP. I haven't done this yet, and I know I should. I do have a TFSA and such, but since I'm only just starting to put savings aside (seeing as how I'm only in my third full year of employment as a teacher, and am still not a permanent teacher) an RRSP just didn't feel possible until now. I'm planning to do this really, really soon. Then, keep contributing to my TFSA as well. I'm hoping to save a lot more this year, so I'm going to be better at budgeting and watching my spending!
9) Cook for Mr. Lock more often -- he's the resident chef in our condo, haha, but I'd like to contribute more in the kitchen.
10) Visit my uncle's new cottage, spend a weekend with him like "old times", take advantage of his open invitation to use the cottage for a weekend getaway with Mr. Lock.
11) See "The Book of Mormon" when it finally comes to Toronto (if it comes in 2013 as it's supposed to).
I also have an invitation to participate in the CN Tower stair climb in April, but I need to research more about that before I decide if it's on my To Do list. I think it could be a good thing to have on my so-called Bucket List... but I'm undecided how I feel about it as I *hate* heights. Anyway, it's a "maybe".
So, there we go. Lots to do this year... what's on your 2013 To Do list?
1) Participate again in "The Weekend to End Women's Cancers" 35 km charity walk -- raise at least $2000 for the Campbell Family Institute at the Princess Margaret Hospital (along with whatever my teammate(s) raise!!). Here is my link for YOU to donate, if you feel so inclined!! (And I would be so appreciative!).
2) Participate in City Chase Toronto again -- we missed last year, but had done it two years in a row before that. I want to register again this year, it was so much fun before and amazing exercise!
3) Secure a permanent teaching position (please, please, please?! It's all about luck and timing, let this year be my year!).
4) Try to see all of the Academy Award "Best Picture" nominees. (The nominations aren't announced yet! January 10th, I believe!)
5) Read at least 20 novels. Last year I read 15, as far as what I kept track of on GoodReads.com . I did actually finish a couple more before 2013, but I forgot to update GoodReads. I think I made it to 17. This year, I really want to get through 20 at least! (I've really reduced my goal from the time I tried to read 100, hahaha).
6) Travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with my Sitcom Group of Friends -- this is in the planning stages, most likely will do it in July! I can't wait to have a road trip together, and show them the place I've vacationed my entire life! (Ever since my parents bought a condo down there, I've been itching to go back and stay in it!).
7) 26 "Random acts of Kindness". Ann Curry has been promoting this idea, and since I *love* Random Acts of Kindness, I am so in!
8) Open up an RRSP. I haven't done this yet, and I know I should. I do have a TFSA and such, but since I'm only just starting to put savings aside (seeing as how I'm only in my third full year of employment as a teacher, and am still not a permanent teacher) an RRSP just didn't feel possible until now. I'm planning to do this really, really soon. Then, keep contributing to my TFSA as well. I'm hoping to save a lot more this year, so I'm going to be better at budgeting and watching my spending!
9) Cook for Mr. Lock more often -- he's the resident chef in our condo, haha, but I'd like to contribute more in the kitchen.
10) Visit my uncle's new cottage, spend a weekend with him like "old times", take advantage of his open invitation to use the cottage for a weekend getaway with Mr. Lock.
11) See "The Book of Mormon" when it finally comes to Toronto (if it comes in 2013 as it's supposed to).
I also have an invitation to participate in the CN Tower stair climb in April, but I need to research more about that before I decide if it's on my To Do list. I think it could be a good thing to have on my so-called Bucket List... but I'm undecided how I feel about it as I *hate* heights. Anyway, it's a "maybe".
So, there we go. Lots to do this year... what's on your 2013 To Do list?
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Busy as a Beaver!
Oops, that was an unplanned two-week blogging break! Hello, friends!
This has been a hectic, and fast, start to the school year. I cannot believe we are already coming up to Halloween, and NOVEMBER. Two months of school already done?! No way! I don't know where time is going.
I'm proud of myself this year, because a 3/4 split is a very new teaching challenge for me... and while September was exhausting and stressful, I think my grade partner (yes, fortunately there's another 3/4 split in our school) and I have come up with a great routine for planning. We feel a lot more organized, and we're starting to plan weeks at a time (along with all our photocopying) so we can stay ahead of the game. Phew! I'm so glad we've figured out a routine, because it started off a bit rough!
I'm also enjoying a few new things outside of work. On Wednesday evenings, Quin and I are taking a beginner French class through a continuing education program for adults. This goes until December 5th. I'm excited to practice a language that I did quite well with in school growing up. It's been so long since I've taken language classes, I'm really pleased with our progress so far. It's fun to have something to do in the evenings with a friend each week.
I've also found an adult tap dancing class to take with my mom on Thursdays. We just began this past Thursday. We had both danced as children, my mom tapped all through her teen years as well, so we thought it would be a fun way to get some exercise each week. It was SO AWESOME to put on tap shoes again, and to practice moves that I remember from childhood (shuffle, ball change, shuffle, hop step anyone?). We had a great time, and I'm looking forward to our upcoming classes over the next seven weeks!
So, there's been lots happening between work and my new hobbies outside of teaching. I am happy to have a few organized learning/sports to participate in again! It makes life that much richer when you learn something new, or re-learn something you haven't tried in awhile!
This has been a hectic, and fast, start to the school year. I cannot believe we are already coming up to Halloween, and NOVEMBER. Two months of school already done?! No way! I don't know where time is going.
I'm proud of myself this year, because a 3/4 split is a very new teaching challenge for me... and while September was exhausting and stressful, I think my grade partner (yes, fortunately there's another 3/4 split in our school) and I have come up with a great routine for planning. We feel a lot more organized, and we're starting to plan weeks at a time (along with all our photocopying) so we can stay ahead of the game. Phew! I'm so glad we've figured out a routine, because it started off a bit rough!
I'm also enjoying a few new things outside of work. On Wednesday evenings, Quin and I are taking a beginner French class through a continuing education program for adults. This goes until December 5th. I'm excited to practice a language that I did quite well with in school growing up. It's been so long since I've taken language classes, I'm really pleased with our progress so far. It's fun to have something to do in the evenings with a friend each week.
I've also found an adult tap dancing class to take with my mom on Thursdays. We just began this past Thursday. We had both danced as children, my mom tapped all through her teen years as well, so we thought it would be a fun way to get some exercise each week. It was SO AWESOME to put on tap shoes again, and to practice moves that I remember from childhood (shuffle, ball change, shuffle, hop step anyone?). We had a great time, and I'm looking forward to our upcoming classes over the next seven weeks!
So, there's been lots happening between work and my new hobbies outside of teaching. I am happy to have a few organized learning/sports to participate in again! It makes life that much richer when you learn something new, or re-learn something you haven't tried in awhile!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
I'm so excited, I'm so excited, I'm so scared!
I recently acquired these:
That's Saved by The Bell, seasons one through five. All the high school years.
For... ever(?) I watched this show after school, religiously. I watched every repeat there was. For awhile it aired before school too, and I'd watch it while eating my breakfast. My best friends and I all had crushes on Zack Morris - or A.C. Slater, but I was a Zack fan. Zack Morris was probably my first TV crush (other than when Leonardo DiCaprio played Luke on Growing Pains).
I began to have a marathon of these DVDs, since I live alone in a one-bedroom condo and as I putter around and do various things after work, I usually like to have the TV on in the background anyway. I've made my way through quite a few episodes quite quickly (if you've seen my Twitter updates lately, you'll already know that!). It's so hilarious and exciting to rewatch this ridiculous show.
My Observations:
1) The show has such an obvious formula: Zack narrates to set up the episode. Zack and Slater fight over Kelly. Zach manipulates someone and ends up with everyone mad at him for some reason or another. Everyone is friends again at the end.
2) I don't actually know WHY Kelly ends up with Zack... he drives everyone on this show crazy enough that it makes no sense, though they were my first "ship" for sure.
3) Interestingly, I did some IMDBing and discovered that the cast members actually were 12 through 17 years old when the show began. Screech was 12, Zack, Kelly and Lisa were 15, Slater was 16 and Jessie was 17. Jessie did always seem older, but I'm still impressed they were actual teenagers! Unlike.. oh say... every other high school based show.
4) This show is FULL of plot holes. They are so bad with continuity. Also, a lot of the episodes make no sense in the order they aired. Plus, the Tori years are unexplained on the show... they happened because Kelly and Jessie didn't sign on for additional episodes when the final season was extended... so Tori showed up as a replacement, out of the blue... then the graduation episode aired, which was apprently filmed well before, which is why Kelly and Jessie are back for the finale! I used to think maybe the Tori thing was when Kelly was away being a model for a month in Paris. Um, nope. The model-in-Paris episode is from season ONE... and plus, there was no follow-up in the next episode about that, she was just there again.
5) Mr. Belding sure spends a lot of time teaching classes for a High School Principal. I didn't even know who my high school principal was... how small is this school?!
6) Ahh.. the 80s. So neon, so pouffy-haired... the first season of this show aired in 1989, and it does not disappoint with the 80s stereotype. Everything is so Lisa Frank!
7) Saved by the Bell is as good now as it ever was when I was watching it in repeats growing up. I'm super excited to be able to pop it back on "after school".
8) Oh, how I wish they fully succeeded in a Saved by the Bell reunion on Jimmy Fallon.
And... just because...
That's Saved by The Bell, seasons one through five. All the high school years.
For... ever(?) I watched this show after school, religiously. I watched every repeat there was. For awhile it aired before school too, and I'd watch it while eating my breakfast. My best friends and I all had crushes on Zack Morris - or A.C. Slater, but I was a Zack fan. Zack Morris was probably my first TV crush (other than when Leonardo DiCaprio played Luke on Growing Pains).
I began to have a marathon of these DVDs, since I live alone in a one-bedroom condo and as I putter around and do various things after work, I usually like to have the TV on in the background anyway. I've made my way through quite a few episodes quite quickly (if you've seen my Twitter updates lately, you'll already know that!). It's so hilarious and exciting to rewatch this ridiculous show.
My Observations:
1) The show has such an obvious formula: Zack narrates to set up the episode. Zack and Slater fight over Kelly. Zach manipulates someone and ends up with everyone mad at him for some reason or another. Everyone is friends again at the end.
2) I don't actually know WHY Kelly ends up with Zack... he drives everyone on this show crazy enough that it makes no sense, though they were my first "ship" for sure.
3) Interestingly, I did some IMDBing and discovered that the cast members actually were 12 through 17 years old when the show began. Screech was 12, Zack, Kelly and Lisa were 15, Slater was 16 and Jessie was 17. Jessie did always seem older, but I'm still impressed they were actual teenagers! Unlike.. oh say... every other high school based show.
4) This show is FULL of plot holes. They are so bad with continuity. Also, a lot of the episodes make no sense in the order they aired. Plus, the Tori years are unexplained on the show... they happened because Kelly and Jessie didn't sign on for additional episodes when the final season was extended... so Tori showed up as a replacement, out of the blue... then the graduation episode aired, which was apprently filmed well before, which is why Kelly and Jessie are back for the finale! I used to think maybe the Tori thing was when Kelly was away being a model for a month in Paris. Um, nope. The model-in-Paris episode is from season ONE... and plus, there was no follow-up in the next episode about that, she was just there again.
5) Mr. Belding sure spends a lot of time teaching classes for a High School Principal. I didn't even know who my high school principal was... how small is this school?!
6) Ahh.. the 80s. So neon, so pouffy-haired... the first season of this show aired in 1989, and it does not disappoint with the 80s stereotype. Everything is so Lisa Frank!
7) Saved by the Bell is as good now as it ever was when I was watching it in repeats growing up. I'm super excited to be able to pop it back on "after school".
8) Oh, how I wish they fully succeeded in a Saved by the Bell reunion on Jimmy Fallon.
And... just because...
Friday, May 04, 2012
May the "Fourth" Be with You!
Happy Star Wars Day, everybody!
The little boys in my class love Star Wars (well, Lego Star Wars and I think something called Star Wars Clone Wars?). They dress up as Darth Vader at Halloween and all that. How could I *not* plan some Star Wars activities for May 4th?
All week, after telling them about "May the fourth be with you" and Star Wars Day, they have been getting increasingly excited for the big day. It's really, really cute! So, I cannot let them down!
The only problem is... I only have a cursory knowledge of the Star Wars universe. I have seen the original trilogy many, many times -- though it's been years now since my last viewing of those films. I never saw the new films (episodes I, II and III). I'm definitely not big into the Star Wars fandom, but of course I know some of the general, pop culture influencing, references.
However, I wasn't going to let that stop me from doing something fun for my kids at school. So, I reached out to friends on Facebook, and their humorous responses did not disappoint. Quin had a fun idea that I told some of the boys about today, and they got so excited over it! Weather permitting, we're going to go outside tomorrow for Daily Physical Activity and play a hide-and-seek / tag sort of game that the kids have now named "Droid and Go Seek", and essentially half of the kids will be the hiding "droids", who ARE "the droids you're looking for".... hehe. Anyway, my grade twos seem to love this idea!
I'm letting my kids bring Star Wars books, costumes, and even Star Wars Lego from home tomorrow. They can have some time to share what they have, and we can share some of their books with the whole class. I'm going to give them a bit of time to play with their Star Wars Lego, hopefully just before going outside for the other game in the later afternoon.
I found some printable ideas at StarWars.com, so there's a literacy game where they use the letters in a Star Wars phrase and have to make as many other words out of those letters as they can. There are also colouring pages, and I found a cute Yoda popsicle stick puppet template that we may or may not try (I might adapt the Yoda art into something slightly different).
Either way, this is a really fun experience and a way to bring a huge love of the boys in my class into the classroom for a day as a special feature. They have just been so motivated over the concept of Star Wars Day coming, I'm just so glad I took the plunge this year and decided to recognize it for them. This is how we motivate our students, we need to be flexible and allow them to share and celebrate their personal interests. There is still an educational component (and, it isn't going to take up our WHOLE day), but also there's good, old-fashioned fun in this. And frankly, I think school always needs an element of FUN!
Not trying to toot my own horn too much, but ... I mean, there must be a reason why I have so few behaviour problems in my classes each year? Even when I have the so-called "behavioural" students? Hmm!
May the "fourth" be with you!
The little boys in my class love Star Wars (well, Lego Star Wars and I think something called Star Wars Clone Wars?). They dress up as Darth Vader at Halloween and all that. How could I *not* plan some Star Wars activities for May 4th?
All week, after telling them about "May the fourth be with you" and Star Wars Day, they have been getting increasingly excited for the big day. It's really, really cute! So, I cannot let them down!
The only problem is... I only have a cursory knowledge of the Star Wars universe. I have seen the original trilogy many, many times -- though it's been years now since my last viewing of those films. I never saw the new films (episodes I, II and III). I'm definitely not big into the Star Wars fandom, but of course I know some of the general, pop culture influencing, references.
However, I wasn't going to let that stop me from doing something fun for my kids at school. So, I reached out to friends on Facebook, and their humorous responses did not disappoint. Quin had a fun idea that I told some of the boys about today, and they got so excited over it! Weather permitting, we're going to go outside tomorrow for Daily Physical Activity and play a hide-and-seek / tag sort of game that the kids have now named "Droid and Go Seek", and essentially half of the kids will be the hiding "droids", who ARE "the droids you're looking for".... hehe. Anyway, my grade twos seem to love this idea!
I'm letting my kids bring Star Wars books, costumes, and even Star Wars Lego from home tomorrow. They can have some time to share what they have, and we can share some of their books with the whole class. I'm going to give them a bit of time to play with their Star Wars Lego, hopefully just before going outside for the other game in the later afternoon.
I found some printable ideas at StarWars.com, so there's a literacy game where they use the letters in a Star Wars phrase and have to make as many other words out of those letters as they can. There are also colouring pages, and I found a cute Yoda popsicle stick puppet template that we may or may not try (I might adapt the Yoda art into something slightly different).
Either way, this is a really fun experience and a way to bring a huge love of the boys in my class into the classroom for a day as a special feature. They have just been so motivated over the concept of Star Wars Day coming, I'm just so glad I took the plunge this year and decided to recognize it for them. This is how we motivate our students, we need to be flexible and allow them to share and celebrate their personal interests. There is still an educational component (and, it isn't going to take up our WHOLE day), but also there's good, old-fashioned fun in this. And frankly, I think school always needs an element of FUN!
Not trying to toot my own horn too much, but ... I mean, there must be a reason why I have so few behaviour problems in my classes each year? Even when I have the so-called "behavioural" students? Hmm!
May the "fourth" be with you!
Thursday, March 08, 2012
I Am No Sweet Genius
Another Academy Awards tradition (yes, I'm still posting about the Oscars, apparently... they're a big deal for me this time of year and I meant to write this story awhile ago, and ANYWAY, I just really want to share this experience and am not going to let it slide like so many other topics that come to mind inevitably do)(that's a long enough digression, holy moly)...
Where the heck was I? Ah yes.
Another Academy Awards tradition is that I make cupcakes for dessert for the event. It all began when I decided I wanted to make Oscar statues out of icing to decorate some cupcakes a few years ago. It became a big joke that I would try to write funny images in icing on my cupcakes. Lately, however, I've been too lazy to deal with all the different coloured icings. Hopefully I'll get back into that tradition sometime.
However, I still wanted to make cupcakes. I decided to try a new idea from these cupcake recipe cards I received as a gift a long time ago. My family loves black forest cake, and cherries and chocolate are a winning combination for especially my dad and I. I made a basic Devil's Food chocolate cake mix (I'm still not quite at the point of making my cakes from scratch, haha, one day!). The next step is to take canned cherry pie filling, remove 24 cherries to save for garnish later, and then add a teaspoonful of pie filling to each bit of batter.
I was so determined this would be Awesome and Amazing, I had the foresight to take some pictures of the process.
So, of course... this totally. did. not. work. hahahaha.
When the cupcakes were done baking, I went to remove them from the pans... and the cherry filling must have been too heavy, so it all went straight through the batter and in the bottom of the pans.
Disaster!
I had the genius idea to flip them over, however, and make them into cherry-upside-down-cupcakes. Fortunately the plan was to smother them with a whipped cream topping, and they still tasted very good.
Let's just say... I won't be applying for the Food Network's Sweet Genius TV program JUST YET...
Where the heck was I? Ah yes.
Another Academy Awards tradition is that I make cupcakes for dessert for the event. It all began when I decided I wanted to make Oscar statues out of icing to decorate some cupcakes a few years ago. It became a big joke that I would try to write funny images in icing on my cupcakes. Lately, however, I've been too lazy to deal with all the different coloured icings. Hopefully I'll get back into that tradition sometime.
However, I still wanted to make cupcakes. I decided to try a new idea from these cupcake recipe cards I received as a gift a long time ago. My family loves black forest cake, and cherries and chocolate are a winning combination for especially my dad and I. I made a basic Devil's Food chocolate cake mix (I'm still not quite at the point of making my cakes from scratch, haha, one day!). The next step is to take canned cherry pie filling, remove 24 cherries to save for garnish later, and then add a teaspoonful of pie filling to each bit of batter.
I was so determined this would be Awesome and Amazing, I had the foresight to take some pictures of the process.
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| Adorable batter-with-cherries! Feeling SO ULTIMATE BAKER-LIKE! |
When the cupcakes were done baking, I went to remove them from the pans... and the cherry filling must have been too heavy, so it all went straight through the batter and in the bottom of the pans.
Disaster!
I had the genius idea to flip them over, however, and make them into cherry-upside-down-cupcakes. Fortunately the plan was to smother them with a whipped cream topping, and they still tasted very good.
Let's just say... I won't be applying for the Food Network's Sweet Genius TV program JUST YET...
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Nearly Wordless Wednesday: Random Act of Kindness
A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Lock and I walked past this poster board pinned up in the parking garage in my condo building:
It was only up there for a couple of days. I have no idea who did it, or why, but it was so random and uplifting.
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| It reads: "Give Someone a Flower! Who's the first person that comes to your mind? Why?" |
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Let's Make Some Wine!
Mr. Lock enjoys buying Groupons, and awhile back I think he bought a bunch of them and then never used them. One of the coupons was for a bottle-your-own-wine place, you get about 28 bottles of a wine of your choice for half the usual price (and then the cost of the bottles at $1 a bottle or something). I'm not really a wine drinker, though there is a Grapefruit Wine that Dr. McVet had for her wedding that I'm loving these days, so Mr. Lock chose a pinot noir to bottle as he prefers red.
I wanted to go with him for the experience, the first night was last night. We decided to drive there in his sweet new ride, which he's enjoying a lot.
It was a 7 pm appointment, so it was dark. When we got to the address of the place it was in one of those industrial blocks of buildings. Totally shady looking from the outside.
It turns out it was a pretty cute place on the inside, though I didn't end up snapping a photo because I wasn't sure if I should. It turns out this appointment took all of two seconds. Mr. Lock just had to add a small packet of yeast to the bucket o' juice that will make his pinot noir.
Apparently this two second step is what makes the difference in this being a Make Your Own Wine For A Fraction Of The Cost and Needing to Charge An Arm And A Leg as a Licensed Liquor Selling Place. Or something. I don't know, I don't speak wino (I may occasionally speak whine-oh -- boom-boom boom CHING! I'll be here all week, try the veal!)
So, seven or eight weeks from now we get to go back. I'll be sure to document the bottling process. I don't think I'll enjoy the wine, as it isn't Grapefruit or a very light white, but I'll give 'er a sip anyway. I'll also be sure to do that swirly thing in the glass. As well as sniff it deeply and talk about it's "bouquet". Oh! Oh! I'll also gargle it mouthwash style. Fake it 'til you make it, amirite?
I wanted to go with him for the experience, the first night was last night. We decided to drive there in his sweet new ride, which he's enjoying a lot.
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| Photo slightly wonky, I took it on a weird angle. Let's call it.... "artsy". |
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| Make Wine - Save Big! Creepy wine |
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| Do you see the fake image of the guy with the grapes? Looking like he's from "The Old Wine Country"? HA! |
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| The Bucket 'o Juice, eventually... pinot noir. Notice the warning label: Do Not Let Small Children Fall Inside This Bucket. |
So, seven or eight weeks from now we get to go back. I'll be sure to document the bottling process. I don't think I'll enjoy the wine, as it isn't Grapefruit or a very light white, but I'll give 'er a sip anyway. I'll also be sure to do that swirly thing in the glass. As well as sniff it deeply and talk about it's "bouquet". Oh! Oh! I'll also gargle it mouthwash style. Fake it 'til you make it, amirite?
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas Eve Morning!
Hi all!
It's the first day of my vacay from school, a Saturday too... and yet I woke up at 7:30 am and can't go back to sleep. The anticipation of Christmas gets me just like it did when I was a kid! I am loving that Christmas Eve is a Saturday this year, and that our winter break from school begins right at Christmas week.
This morning, Mr. Lock and I are having a mini Christmas morning just the two of us. We spoiled each other, or so it would seem looking under my condo Christmas tree! We're going to open gifts and then have brunch. Then, I'll be packing up to get ready to go to my parents house. We're first going to have an afternoon visit with Mr. Lock's family, then he's driving me up to my parents where he'll stay to have dinner and an evening visit with my family. My uncle is also coming to town tonight to join us for dinner. Then, Mr. Lock will drive back to his family home.
Our Christmas Eve tradition is to have all appetizers / finger foods for dinner. We then have coffee or hot chocolate and eat Christmas cookies around the tree. Then, my dad always takes my brothers and I for a drive around the neighbourhood to see the Christmas lights. I'm 26-years-old, but I still want to go for my Christmas Lights drive tonight. There's just something about traditions!
Then it will be Christmas morning with my family tomorrow! We'll have a huge brunch, and later a big turkey dinner ("Repeat Thanksgiving" as I call it -- but for my American friends, remember that OUR Thanksgiving was back at the beginning of October!). On Boxing Day, my mom, dad and brothers and I will head to my paternal grandparents home and have another Christmas Day with my father's side of the family.
I love having this all begin today, and take up the whole weekend. It just seems to be making it that much more exciting! I love how Christmas takes me right back to feeling like a kid again, haha.
Merry Christmas, one and all, if you celebrate it! I hope you have lovely visits with family, delicious meals on your table, and a little bit of fun opening up some surprises and gifts. My favourite part is the giving of gifts, I'm so looking forward to everyone else opening up what I've wrapped for them!
Now I'm going to watch the 1947 version of Miracle on 34th Street while I wait for Mr. Lock to be as awake as I am!
It's the first day of my vacay from school, a Saturday too... and yet I woke up at 7:30 am and can't go back to sleep. The anticipation of Christmas gets me just like it did when I was a kid! I am loving that Christmas Eve is a Saturday this year, and that our winter break from school begins right at Christmas week.
This morning, Mr. Lock and I are having a mini Christmas morning just the two of us. We spoiled each other, or so it would seem looking under my condo Christmas tree! We're going to open gifts and then have brunch. Then, I'll be packing up to get ready to go to my parents house. We're first going to have an afternoon visit with Mr. Lock's family, then he's driving me up to my parents where he'll stay to have dinner and an evening visit with my family. My uncle is also coming to town tonight to join us for dinner. Then, Mr. Lock will drive back to his family home.
Our Christmas Eve tradition is to have all appetizers / finger foods for dinner. We then have coffee or hot chocolate and eat Christmas cookies around the tree. Then, my dad always takes my brothers and I for a drive around the neighbourhood to see the Christmas lights. I'm 26-years-old, but I still want to go for my Christmas Lights drive tonight. There's just something about traditions!
Then it will be Christmas morning with my family tomorrow! We'll have a huge brunch, and later a big turkey dinner ("Repeat Thanksgiving" as I call it -- but for my American friends, remember that OUR Thanksgiving was back at the beginning of October!). On Boxing Day, my mom, dad and brothers and I will head to my paternal grandparents home and have another Christmas Day with my father's side of the family.
I love having this all begin today, and take up the whole weekend. It just seems to be making it that much more exciting! I love how Christmas takes me right back to feeling like a kid again, haha.
Merry Christmas, one and all, if you celebrate it! I hope you have lovely visits with family, delicious meals on your table, and a little bit of fun opening up some surprises and gifts. My favourite part is the giving of gifts, I'm so looking forward to everyone else opening up what I've wrapped for them!
Now I'm going to watch the 1947 version of Miracle on 34th Street while I wait for Mr. Lock to be as awake as I am!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Kahoot Kids!
I am so happy to be able to share something I've just begun, a brand new writing opportunity that I'm really excited about. I'm a featured blogger on a new site, called KahootKids.ca . It's a deals site, much like Groupon or similar, that is located out of the Ottawa, Ontario area but will feature daily deals nationally across Canada.
I'm going to have a post featured every Friday on the KahootKids Blog. I'll be posting about educational topics, and there is a comments section so I do hope I'll get some good discussion going over there too!
This should help bring a bit more traffic to my personal blog as well, since I'm so eager to build this blog back up and even begin writing some reviews and hosting some giveaways! Fun stuff is coming, I just know it!
I hope you'll come by and visit me at KahootKids.ca ! You can find the general blog by clicking this link. You'll find me under the tag "School-Time", or just make sure to come by on Fridays (and every other day too, there is a different featured blogger each day of the week). My good friend, Multi-Testing Mommy is also blogging there, sharing great arts and crafts ideas on Thursdays!
I'm going to have a post featured every Friday on the KahootKids Blog. I'll be posting about educational topics, and there is a comments section so I do hope I'll get some good discussion going over there too!
This should help bring a bit more traffic to my personal blog as well, since I'm so eager to build this blog back up and even begin writing some reviews and hosting some giveaways! Fun stuff is coming, I just know it!
I hope you'll come by and visit me at KahootKids.ca ! You can find the general blog by clicking this link. You'll find me under the tag "School-Time", or just make sure to come by on Fridays (and every other day too, there is a different featured blogger each day of the week). My good friend, Multi-Testing Mommy is also blogging there, sharing great arts and crafts ideas on Thursdays!
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