Monday, November 29, 2010

JOY!

So I should be in a terrible mood right now...but I'm not. I'm telling you, this is a very strange feeling! I don't get this very often. I'm usually depressed or upset with I should be happy.

I got a call at work today saying that one of our sales centres had water pouring out the back door. Great...I rushed down there, to find 8 firemen crowding the back room of the sales centre. Okay, so maybe that was the best part of the day. :) And indeed, there was water pooling on the floor. Apparently my boiler blew. Perhaps a few days ago. The entire sales centre was like a shower. I walked in and my glasses fogged up. It was so humid.

Over the next five hours I would call the locksmith, drive around the city to get heaters, worry about if my water lines would freeze, wipe down walls covered in water, and watch my lovely sales centre swell up with water...

I should be upset, I should be mad, and I should be depressed...but I'm not. The only solution to this truly miraculous situation is that Jesus is giving me with good mood, when I should be in a bad one. I guess He's just an amazing guy like that! And I like when my emotions follow what He would want!

Here's me with my trusty paper towel today! Let's hope tomorrow is better, but just a good as today.


Thursday, November 25, 2010

Jenessa's Party

Back to my list of updates...I'm working on a "work" post, but will talk a little more about my BGs and our recent get together.

While our party themes have quieted down over the years, we still manage to have such a great time. Everytime I leave our parties I have this overwhelming peace and a renewed love for my girls. I love how randomly (but not!) God brought our little group together.

Not to go into too much detail. Our most recent party was Jenessa's. It was a chilly Saturday morning when we met at the Lougheed House in downtown Calgary.


We put on our dresses to enjoy a wonderful brunch, including much tea, yummy food, and delicious apple pie. :)



Gift time. For the past year we've been making jean quilts for all the girls. I first got one from my aunt, then I made one for Jess, then Jess and I made one for Elyn, and then all of us for Beverly's going away gift, and so on. So, it was Nessa's turn. She wasn't too surprised, but it was still fun to watch her open it and gush about the gorgeous colours. Okay, well, we all did a bit of gushing about our amazing choices.


After our lovely time inside we headed out for a few more photos.



We're very practiced at timer shots by this point, as we are a very camera happy group! But when the professional photographer watched us struggle with finding the "perfect place" to set the camera and offered to take a few pictures for us, we couldn't say no!


And a few more for fun.





What a delightful way to spend a Saturday. I love you girls. I'm so thankful that God placed you in my life.


Laura and Beverly, we truly missed you. Let's do Christmas, okay?


Friday, November 19, 2010

Chilly Morning


Perfect breakfast of a banana oatmeal muffin with a Creme Caramel  Tea Misto...

...on a chilly November morning. Working from home this morning with my warm tea and jolly thoughts of Christmas.

Three days ago the lake wasn't frozen at all. 

I have small feelings of guilt for working from home today as my brother was up at 6:00am to commute over an hour to work (outside!).

Thursday, November 18, 2010

November, Snow, Anger, Irony...JOY

Oh the irony of today. Recently I've been thinking quite about about my next blog update. From my list below, what would be the "thing" I write about. Life is getting busier and I needed to make the next post a thoughtful one, I thought...

Yes, I was thought I would write about my job. This year as been a very, very up and down year with work. I was having a great catch up day yesterday and a good week in general. God has placed the exact people on my "team" that I need. He's given me the most amazing boss ever. He's advanced me to places beyond my wildest dreams. It truly is amazing. I was writing this post in my head...until today that is.

Sigh, today has been one of those "November" days. Grey, bleak, long, frustrating, cold, snowy, and in general, not fun. 

I wanted to get up, have a warm shower and feel good before I started my day. I had this brilliant plan to hit the snowy roads before everyone else did.  But, I got up later than I wanted to. I should know by now *not* to turn the alarm off. So, I rushed out of the house, at the exact same time the rest of Calgary. After being on the roads for 20 minutes, I was actually about 5 minutes away from my house. I stopped at Starbucks, determined to not be frustrated. I hit the road again, and while my coffee was great, it wasn't helping as much as I wanted it to. I sat at a light for 5 minutes...for 10 minutes, moving forward a car length at a time. I wasn't impressed. 

"I should just go home." But, no, my cure for frustration is getting items checked of my list, not going home and moping. I was determined to get to work. My frustration reached the point of pulling a u-turn and heading to the nearest C-train station. Yes, I was that desperate. After taking the train for 4.5 years, I feel like I've done my "time"...I found a parking spot, very far away from the station, I trudged through the snow and wind, I waited for the train in the snow and wind, and I was getting more frustrated. 

I finally sat on the train, with no book. Great. Now I was bored. Yes, I know, I'm being over dramatic. But this is exactly how I felt. By the time I got to work (2 hours after I left home), I was just down right angry, and wasn't shy about telling people either.

I let out my frustration out on organizing, which usually helps. It didn't today. In my head I was just getting more and more frustrated. I was angry at customers. I was angry at family. I was angry at the weather. I was angry at co-workers. I was talking on Skype with my boss and finally had to tell him I couldn't talk anymore and I'd call when I was happier. Now, does that sound like a 3 year old or what?

"What can I do to put myself in a better mood?" I tried to think of something, but you know what? I was enjoying my anger. I didn't want to pray for the joy of the Lord. I didn't want to listen to cheerful music. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I wanted to be angry. That's a scary feeling.

How ironic. Just yesterday I wanted to write about how much I loved work. Now I was sitting at work, angry. Don't worry, I won't end here.

I finally pushed past the anger, just a bit, and found some music. Step one. Okay, it was my "angry" music (we all have a bit of that, right?). But, sometimes my angry music is my bridge to reality again. As I started to listen and just sit there (step two, forget about the work you should be doing and calm down!). Breath. Calm. Down....and gradually, I started to chuckle a little, as my music pounded in my ears. I got to a point of looking at my morning and realizing how terrible it *wasn't*. I let myself give into the little irritations of life. Yes, I had lots to be frustrated about, but nothing to be angry about.

As I sat I started to read other blogs by friends. We all have "blah" moments (using Breanne's term). But, even in the blah-ness and frustrations, there is joy. I start to look at my cleaner desk, and find joy in the fact that it is tidier now than earlier. I look outside, and while the cars slide around, the sky is just a bit brighter than before. I look at my phone and I have a one word text from a friend reminding me of an inside joke and I start to laugh. I start to think about the little things that bring me joy. Chai tea lattes, little girls with a silly sense of humour, a warm office, choir, Christmas, friends who will text me one word :), a boss who cares about how I feel...and gradually, my frustrations seems to fade, and the music changes. Now I *want* to be in a good mood.

So, now, I'm back. Back from anger, with fewer frustrations. The Christmas choir music is on (and I can even smile at the Gb+ song I need to learn), and I imagine myself drinking chai (it's too cold to go out for one!). Now I want to call Alex back because I'm happier. I want to write about how much I love my job. I want get work done. And, above all, I can pray for the joy of the Lord to over take me...I can pray that I make a melody for Him this afternoon, and not one of my own.



Tuesday, November 16, 2010

So much!

Wow, so much as happened in the last week. Like, so much! Currently this post is simply a reminder to myself that there is a lot to catch up on:

  • Jenessa's Party
  • Memorial Service
  • New West Concert (and the awesomeness of my choir/orchestra)
  • Christmas Business
  • First Snow
  • My amazing job
  • My nieces
Is that enough yet? It's coming, I promise...sometime...

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

My BGs

It was BG time again. That is, "Birthday Girl" time. Since I was 18, the seven of us have been celebrate each others birthdays with some unique way of celebrating. That first year we had surprise parties for everyone (yes, we surprised everyone!) and wow, what a year it was! Pride & Prejudice, Barnyard, Dress-up, Women of History, Gangster, and Clown. 

Since then, we've been getting creative or just plain having fun. But more than that, these girls have become my best friends. Through all our fun and craziness, we've developed a friendship like no other. Seriously, there is nothing that I love to do more than to hang out with my BGs. 
We love,  we laugh. 
We talk, we share. 
We talk about God, we talk about each other.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Meeting Her!



I made a short day trip to meet my new little niece. What a darling little girl! 


Monica was born on November 3, which was my great-grandma's birthday (my dad's grandma). Her name was Mary Kathleen, so when I got to Lethbridge, Lisa told me that they added the middle name "Kathleen". Therefore, she is Monica Kathleen Jewel Fehr. Lisa called and told my grandma, who was very touched.

It was such a joy to see her, and her sisters. Alanna, Megan, and Cadence are so excited about her and all fight to have a turn to hold Monica.



Megan is very concerned about Monica's umbilical cord. I probably heard the word "umbilical" over twenty times this afternoon. She wanted to know when it was going to come out, and if it hurt, and wanted to make sure I was very careful with it. We were constantly assuring her that everything was okay.


Cady loved holding the "cute little baby" and had a few meltdowns when it wasn't her turn with the baby.


 I love this little girl so much already!


 I can't wait to see the girl that Monica grows up to be and how she'll fit into our family!

Cady just couldn't get enough of her sister.

 How did these girls grow up so fast?


Just having fun together!


My amazing sister with a few of her girls!

I grabbed Alanna and Megan and headed out for the afternoon to give my Mom and sister a little bit of space. We headed to Starbucks (Auntie's favourite place) and met with Miss Laura for an overdue coffee date. Alanna and Meg brought along some colouring so they weren't bored.

Alanna is now in a booster seat. She loves being able to move around a bit more and can now turn around a look out the back window. So exciting! And Meg is now sitting in the back seat beside Alanna and this is quite fun. She keep telling Alanna to look our her side of the window.

  I grabbed this shot while they were jamming to the constant van noise of "Bullfrogs and Butterflies". I loved driving them around, singing right along with them, and hearing them sing about God.

Thank you Lord for my beautiful family!














Thursday, November 4, 2010

Monica Jewel

She arrived! At 5:50pm on November 3, 2010, my fourth niece made her way into the world. Monica Jewel is a happy addition to our family and I can hardly wait to meet her and hold that tiny bundle in my arms. Praise Jesus!!



How my sister managed to look this good after hours of labour is beyond my understanding...

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

The Baby Call!

I just got the baby call. My sister is due to have her fourth baby next week, but has been feeling quite ready for awhile. 

I told my mom last week that I was treating every phone call from her as the "the baby call". Basically, meaning, don't call for a silly reason, call when the baby is coming! Well, she didn't quite understand that, and did manage to call me to ask if I wanted her to buy a pumpkin or to ask me if my friend liked the garland that her mom bought. She made me laugh.

But, the call came this morning. My next update will be a baby update. Keep my sister in your prayers.


A new munchkin will soon be added to this group of crazy, but loveable girls.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Home Alone

My week of house-sitting has just started. I am so excited! Call me crazy...or shall we say adolescent, but I'm very excited to be on my own for awhile. Now, yes, please understand that I do love home and know I will be very lonely by the end of the five days, but for now, just let me be excited, okay? :)


Evelyn's house is so adorable. Full of bold but cheery colours. It is a bungalow in a older neighbourhood, but the house has been redone and is quite cozy.


This is Mango, my new friend. Well, I'm sure if we're friends yet or not. He was pretty excited for food, but has since been sleeping on the bed. But, I'm sure we'll get along famously.

And I do have a picture of my first meal. Call me pathetic, but this is big stuff. But, my camera is being silly and won't let me upload it. While I realize that I do need to hit the store, I did manage to scrape together a salad of mixed greens, craisins, nuts, cheese, and balsamic vinegar. And while some of you may say that is no meal, it is for me.

And now, sitting in the comfort of my home, I'm off to enjoy my salad, listen to Annie Moses, and do as I please.

p.s. I've managed to turn on the Christmas lights and I have no idea how...oops...

Monday, November 1, 2010

Mondays...

It was a relaxing, but stressful weekend. Meaning, I literally had nothing to do. No places to be, just little odds and ends to finish up. These always take longer than they need to when you have no deadlines. But, I find that when I don't have things to do or deadlines, my mind starts to go...and go...and go...and all of a sudden, because I have time to actually think (and not just rush from one thing to another), I start to stress. I stress about all the things that need to be done at home, all the things I haven't done at work, all the relationships that need patching, all the people I need to communicate with, all the music I need to practice, all the decision I need to make about "life"...It truly is overwhelming. Which, prompted the "Jesus" prayer that I wrote about below. All weekend, while thinking about all the different aspects of my life that seem to be cascading upon me, I'd just sigh and say "Jesus". I can't say that He provided me with any answers, but the amazing truth of just being able to call His name and know that I didn't need to be the one in control is so comforting. Hopefully I can get some clarity and answers to my brief but plentiful prayers over the weekend.

Today is Monday. I can't say that I really like Mondays. I always fee like I need a weekend after my weekend First off, I've usually had ringette the night before, and while I love to play ringette, I don't appreciate going to bed at 12:30 and sleep by 1:00/1:30am. While it's true the late nights happen on a regular basis throughout the week...Monday mornings are a whole different story. I'm tired, I got up late, I didn't get to shower this morning, I nearly fell asleep while driving to work, I have lots of work waiting for me on my very messy desk (well, let's be honest, I currently have four desks filled with my junk, not joking)...

But, today, Monday, my least favourite day of the weekend, I've made the decision to have a great day. It sounds quite silly, but when I make the decision to have a great day, than things go way better. So it will be. I hope that my decision to be happy, but productive is a melody for Christ today.

L