Birthday & A Flames Game!

Over the weekend we celebrated my Dad's 50th Birthday! I couldn't believe it's that time already!! It makes a person sit back and just try to figure out where the time went.

It was a good weekend though, he came up to Calgary and we had fun shopping, and playing Wii and eating big dinners. The best one was his birthday supper which he had on January 17th. Steak with sauteed mushrooms and onions, baked potatoes heaped with sour cream, bacon bits and cheese, garlic bread, ceasar salad, the works! An Alberta meal at it's finest. Then came the cake, complete with lemon icing (yum) and all 50 candles. Oh, AND a hidden ticket to the Calgary Flames game, for that night. Dad had been going on for months about how that is all he wanted to do for his 50th birthday, and I think had deep-down hopes that the reason he was in Calgary that weekend was because of the game. It was obvious he had given up hope though by the time supper was being made and we told him we were going to Flames Central (pub dedicated to the Flames) to watch the game. He was a good sport though, and really excited to at least be going there. That is, until he got part way through his piece of cake. That is, until he saw some plastic in his cake and unfolded the photocopied ticket. THEN, Flames Central was forgotten! I managed to capture the exact moment that he realized what was in his hands. It was priceless!!

So Happy Birthday Dad!! I know you had as much (ok, much more) fun at the game than I had!!!

Here's where he realizes he's holding a ticket for the Flames game:

At the game, in Section 106, Row 5 (you can even count the rows to the boards here):

We were so close, I tried getting some good pictures of some hits against the glass, oh well.

At least I got a good shot of Iginla.

New Years Resolutions!

Ok, so just like every other year, I have a set of resolutions. Although, I hope to actually pay them some mind this year! I'm hoping that by sharing them, I'll be more motivated to keep up with them!


1. Get in touch with (and stay in touch with) the old (and new) friends that are closest to my heart! I'm terrible for this! And yes, Facebook is wonderful (blah blah blah) but it's only a portion. If I sent you this blog in an email, you're one of those friends.

2. Actually use this blog site! It's a great site, and I usually have something to say, so I'm going to keep it updated. Yeah, I say this every year. Maybe 2009 is the year I listen!

3. Go to bed earlier. Currently I go to bed around midnight and get up around 5:30. And I wonder why I'm tired...

4. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit. For those who know my eating habits, you know I'm a health nut. BUT, I don't eat enough fresh veggies or fruit. A habit I hope to kick.

5. Get the house organized and get at least 3 things accomplished on my renovation to-do list. One of the things on my list is to paint these shelves for in the kitchen. That is it, just paint them. I primed them... and there they sit. Terrible. Or painting the entryway. I've painted the ENTIRE kitchen and living room and dining room and for some reason not the entryway... makes no sense.

6. Take a few extra minutes in the morning to coordinate a better outfit. I feel better about myself and my work when I look professional. I go through stretches though where my hair isn't really done, and a pair of jeans is all I want to wear. This HAS to change.

I'm sure there's more to add, but I'm going to keep it light for now. These are just the things off the top of my head. 2008 was a great year, but I hope 2009 will be better. Last year was supposed to be The Year of Fun and ended up being the most stressful year we've had. We're calling this year The Year of Appearance. Sounds a little weird, I know... but we mean it in the best way possible! Look after ourselves more and be an appearance in people's lives. Something like that. I wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2009!

Enchanted April

Ok so who wants to go to Italy? I DO I DO!!! We went to a play last night and I tell you, it was semplicemente favoloso (simply fabulous)! It was about two women who are lonely and somewhat lost in their married life. They see this advertisement about a villa in Italy for rent and on a whim plan to go! They can't however afford the rent (60 pounds for one month - a castle even! This takes place in the time of WWI) so they put up an ad for two more ladies to come with. The mix of people turns it into a comedy - 2 married women, 1 young beautiful aristocrat, and one old (and strict) woman. It's really cute though the friendships that blossom, and the realizations about their lives that they make.

The lady who is the maid/cook at the villa was soooo adorable too. I didn't understand a word she was saying (she only spoke italian) but you got a pretty good idea ;) They had a lot of fun with it, that's for sure!! I really liked too the feeling I got from it. It reminded me that maybe I need to take a step back and take a break, so that I can fully appreciate everything in my life.

And speaking of appreciation - before the play Chad and I went to eat at The Vicious Circle. I love the place. Anyways, I had a martini, as usual (they have an amazing martini menu) and this time tried the Banana Split martini. WOW! I hope to perfect it so I can serve it to guests some day. Very good. And the food there is always so great. If you ever find yourself there, order the Thai Chicken Pizza. Well, I guess that's it until next month which - Beauty and the Beast. This one looks unreal!!! I can't wait :D

Theatre Calgary

As every other month, on the last Tuesday (in this case, today) Chad and I go to a play at Theatre Calgary. I decided to start writing about them because after every single one I walk away going, "Oh wow, i think that is my new favorite". It seems like they out do themselves every single time. And just when you think they can't do any better, they blow the audience outta the water.This season's opener was "The Wars" by Timothy Findley which is a fictional narrative of a young Canadian officer in WWI. It was really captivating as it hit on true emotions. It showed just how devastating war can be and how it can play on the mind.

The next play was "Vigil" by Morris Panych which was TRULY delightful. What was really captivating is that there is a cast of only two people but there isn't a moment that you lose interest. Their actions alone kept the story flowing. I think they managed to get the entire audience laughing, then crying, then laughing again, finishing up with the notorious 'i'm not sure if i'm laughing or crying but i'm about ready to burst' emotion. I definite must read if you can't see it.

And THEN came "A Christmas Carol" by the ever famous Charles Dickens. I have been to it now for the past 3 years in a row. Every year they add something new and it's incredible. If you look at the picture you get an idea of what the set it like. It's very mysterious and haunting. It really sets the mood for that era

And tonight it was "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder. What was so incredible about this play was the lack of props and absolutely NO set/scenery. but yet, there wasn't a moment that you couldn't picture the scene that they painted for you. You could see the stage hands waiting on the sides to move the few chairs around as needed, you could see all the lights, the mechanicals, the trap doors, everything. Even the ice cream parlor was made from a board balanced across the back of two chairs. You were carried through the entire production by the 'stage manager' played by our very own Dave Kelly. He was the narrator in a sense, filling in parts as necessary, whether it be the ice cream man or the minister at a wedding. The audience was part of the play and there was action happening all around. I really just showed every day life, but in a bold, matter-of-fact way that got you thinking and observing your own life.

So keep tuned because I will be going to "Enchanted April" the last Tuesday in February and then *drumroll* "Beauty and the Beast" at the end of March. yaaaay!!! :)

New Addition to the Family

A few weeks ago Chad and I got a new kitten from the MEOW Foundation and boy is she precious! They had called her Ariella there and we decided to keep it since it's such a princessy name and this kitten is a little princess! We call her Ariel for short, like from the Little Mermaid. So here's a couple pics of her that I had to share!

There she is sleeping in the bed we bought for Xander, he has no interest in it what-so-ever so it worked out really well for her!

I love this picture, she just looks so priceless. She had come right up to the camera and sat still long enough for me to snap it!

tee hee Chad used to be so hairy! Love it!

My New Ride

Well, if I had to look at the positives of the accident, I would have to say that this is it:
I finally FINALLY own the car I've wanted since the day I got my licence - a VW Jetta. And not just any Jetta - a 2006 Jetta TDI that is loaded. It's so fun to drive too, the turbo engine gives it some amazing zip. The gas mileage on it is unreal too - for a 50L tank you can get between 900 and 1500 kms! California - here I come! :)