Dani's Exciting Life

QCM Half Marathon

2009-02-23T03:52:15Z

Well I have officially signed up for the QCM Half Marathon, there is no turning back now. I have 6 months to prepare myself for it. On Wednesday I started some interval running and was super tired and I was trying to find motivation to keep going. I have decided I need to decide the reasons I have for even wanting to run this far. So here they are:

- To prove to myself that I can run that far

- To give myself a challenge

- To live a healthier lifestyle

- To run in memory of my Grandma Sylvia

I hope that these reasons may help motivate me when I really do not want to continue running. I am a tad nervous, but thankfully I have a lot of support. Brett is running is, as is my sister Michelle, my cousin Megan and her boyfriend Stephan, and I think my sister-in-law Lea may run as well. So there will be plenty of people to go for a run with.

Update on my Life

2009-02-15T18:45:18Z

Not much is new in my life. The last four weeks have seemed really busy. I probably spent at least one night a week at school until 9 or 10, this past week I spent 2 eveings at school one until 9 the other until midnight. But all in all work is going really well. I finally feel like I know what I am doing, which is a very nice feeling.

Yesterday Brett and I got tickets to Sugarland. I am pretty excited about that. They were really good at Craven, so I am looking forward to their concert. We made pancakes, whipped cream and strawberries and saskatoon's for lunch, and Brett made me sweet spaghetti for supper. We began watching the first season of Lost last night. We are about on episode 4, I like it so far. I am glad we found a new show to watch, we are running out of shows. Many of them are in their last season.

Hmm, what else is new. Nothing really. Brett is trying to convince both Michelle and I to run the half marathon this fall. I think it would be neat, I will just need to change my lifestyle a little bit I think. I bought an exercise ball and I absolutely love it. I could bounce on that thing all day long. My butt would get sore, but I would have one nice ass.

I live a rather boring life. Maybe when it warms up outside it will get more interesting. I am ready for spring to be here. I am tired of being cooped up in the house all the time. I want to spend some time outside in the sun, on the grass, in the warm air. Enough of this cold winter like temperatures. The sad thing is, we really haven't had that long of a winter yet. It didn't actually snow here until December. Terrible I know. But I am always cold, even during the summer I can be cold. Somedays I wonder why I stayed in Saskatchewan.

Well I should go and do something productive with my day. I hope everyone finds themselves happy and healthy.

Dani

Summary of 2008

2009-01-02T17:18:00Z

What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Got a permanent teaching contract.

Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make them because I can't keep them.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
No one.

Did anyone close to you die?
My great uncle.

What countries did you visit?
United States.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Spend more time with friends and family.

What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June (I got my permanent contract in the mail), July & August (my first summer off as a real teacher), September (bridesmaid for one of my closest friends, Amy).

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a permanent contract and learning to be a gardener (my new hobby).

What was your biggest failure?
Not spending enough time with friends and family.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not that I am aware of, had the flu twice (nasty) but it wasn't serious.

What was the best thing you bought?
Books to read over the summer.

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Brett for working full time, teaching a Master's class and taking a Master's class at the same time as being my husband.

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
None that I can think of.

Where did most of your money go?
Good question. Mortgage, gas for car, Craven, road trip, food, fun.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Craven.

What song will always remind you of 2008?
Too many.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder?
Happier

thinner or fatter?
Fatter, at this time last year I had the flu and did not eat for a week.

richer or poorer?
richer

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spend time with friends and family.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Not sure.

How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it at Lea and Bren's for Park x-mas, my parent for Tessier x-mas and my grandma's for Hoffart x-mas and then our house for mine and Brett's and Pixel's x-mas.

Did you fall in love in 2008?
More and more in love.

How many one-night stands?
None, my legs would get tired.

What was your favourite TV program?
Umm...Heartland.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I try not to hate anyone.

What was the best book you read?
Time Traveller's Wife.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ummm, nothing in particular.

What did you want and get?
A summer off.

What did you want and not get?
More time with friends and family (my fault I know).

What was your favourite film of this year?
Ummm, I have no idea. I don't get out for movies that often anymore.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went to work.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being less busy.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I wear clothes, most of my closet consists of work clothes or "teacher clothes" as Brittni puts it.

What kept you sane?
Brett & Pixel & my sister Michelle.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ummm, no one in particular.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Steven Harper asking the Governor General to prorogue parliament.

Who did you miss?
My grandparents.

Who was the best new person you met?
My co-workers.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Make sure to take time for yourself no matter how busy and crazy your life seems. That crazy busy life will always be there and it is okay if sometimes you need to stop and not be prepared for the next day. I will survive.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
not really one that does.

The Holidays

2008-12-27T03:10:15Z

Well the long awaited holidays are here, The past week has been busy traveling to see family, but it is worth it. After work last Friday, Brett and I packed up and went to Martensville for the Park family X-mas. Jarek is adorable. It is fun watching him grow up and learn new things all the time. We got to spend some much needed time together with Brett's family visiting, playing games, opening presents and just hanging out. It is too bad we all don't live considerably closer. Sunday afternoon we all went our separate ways, with us returning back to Regina. Monday was spent packing for the Tessier x-mas and baking my Grandpa Phil some meat pies and Lasagna. Tuesday morning we headed for the farm making a stop in Radville on the way down to see Grandpa. He is such a cute man. He really makes me smile and laugh all the time. And as we were leaving he gave me a hug without me asking for it, which made it all the more special. Grandpa is not a man to show a lot of emotion so it was pretty cute.

From Radville we went to the farm. Pixel travelled well. He did have bloody claws from trying to claw his way out of his kennel, but he managed to settle in. He was quite excited to get out of the kennel though and immediately began tormenting Kitten John. Christmas Eve we managed to convince Grandpa Phil he was not going to celebrate himself so he decided to drive down to the farm (or we would drive up to visit with him). While Grandpa was enroute Brett and I went outside to help dad with chores. Well actually we went outside to run around in the snow. It was beautiful outside, the temp was perfect. I miss the farm. I am definitely my father's daughter. There is something special about the vast prairies and the smells and the sounds associated with that farm.

Once Grandpa arrived we spent the time visiting, joking around and playing Whist. Now I am a terrible card player. As kids we never played a lot of games (because of the competitive nature of our family) and so I have never picked up cards that easy, and well I have my own set of logic in and of itself. But since my aunt and uncle were coming for supper we needed to do something to keep Grandpa occupied and keep him from driving back to Radville so we played Whist. Thankfully Grandpa was willing to teach me to play. Unfortunately for Brett he was my partner. Haha. We won the first two games (don't ask me how) and then my logic must have kicked in and we went downhill from there. But Brett said my skills did improve.

Later that evening we opened all our presents, there was a lot of them (yay for new clothes) and set up my Dad's present (surround sound for the tv downstairs). Christmas morning I set my alarm for 8, listened and heard no one awake, so I set it for 9. When it went off at 9 I couldn't wait any longer and raced upstairs to wake everyone up. We ate breakfast, packed and got ready to drive back to Regina. Pix travelled well again, this time his only meowed the whole trip home. Christmas Day was spent at Grandma Marie's & Grandpa Jake's for the Hoffart x-mas. There was sooo much food, but it was great to see family. Christmas night around 9 we finally got home to open our presents. Brett got me 2 Ocarina's which I now must learn to play. Pixel is not too fond of them and the sound they make, I must be playing they pretty bad.

Today was a pretty lazy day for me. I mulled around the house, washed dishes, cleaned the stove, randomly put stuff away, watched some tv, took a nap, snuggled with Pixel. A nice day. I never got out of my Pj's. It was also Grandpa Phil's 83rd birthday so I called him to wish him a happy birthday. He told me he is still 28 years old. I guess he really liked that age, and I guess age is how old you really feel. I hope when I am that age I am as happy as he is.

Well not much else new here. I don't have a lot planned for the next week. New Years Eve will be spent with friends. Other than that I plan on hanging out, reading, snuggling with Brett and Pixel, playing piano (brought my keyboard back from the farm), watching tv, cleaning my house, the usual.

Enjoy the rest of the holiday season, travel safely and all the best in 2009!

1 week!

2008-12-13T16:50:17Z

I have 1 week left of work before X-mas holidays! Yay!

You know your from SK if ...

2008-11-30T17:22:01Z

Am I from Saskatchewan?
Bold those that are true to you:

You know you're from Saskatchewan when:

1. Losing sight of the horizon, for even a few seconds, leaves you with a feeling of disorientation and discontent for the rest of the day. (partially true, I dislike trees, where I live, trees don't grow)

2. You sort your laundry into three loads: greens, whites, and green-and-whites.

3. Your grandma out-drank that guy from BC and your girlfriend out-drank that guy from Newfoundland, both of which claim they are "hardcore drinkers".

4. You understand, and become quite emotional, when an outsider doesn't know the difference between a farmer and a rancher. There is a difference!

5. The bank teller asks to see some proof of identification and you point to the arm patch on your slow-pitch jacket.

6. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a combine on the highway. Haha, when I lived in Gladmar yes!

7. You've seen all the biggest bands ten years after they were popular.

8. You've ridden the school bus for an hour each way.

9. You've had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

10. Girls wear gitch and boys wear gotch, there is no such thing as underwear. That's the difference??

11. You install security lights on your house and barn and leave both unlocked.

12. B.C. is "the coast".

13. You know people who have hit deer, elk or cattle.

14. You have more miles on your snowblower than your car.

15. You live in a house that has no front step, yet the door is one meter above the ground.

16. You are often heard saying "hell yes!", "fuckineh!", "Git er dun!", "Let er buck!" or "Hold ma beer!".

17. You want them to bring back Vico, chocolate milk sucks. VICO!!!!!!!

18. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

19. You know what "Cow Tipping", "Garden Raiding" and "Snipe Hunting" are.

20. You carry jumper cables in your car.

21. You own only 4 spices: salt, pepper, ketchup and Cheese Whiz. Tobasco > you.

22. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.

23. You think everyone from a bigger city is stuck up.

24. You have never owned a vehicle that did not have cracks in the windshield.

25. Your idea of gun control is making sure the sights are firmly aligned on the gopher before squeezing, not pulling, the trigger.

26. You never realized you had a fear of heights until the day you made the mistake of peering down an open well.

27. Your pronunciation of "Saskatchewan" is down to 1 1/2 syllables: "Skatchw'n."

28. You leave your snow tires on year-round.

29. You overhear someone explain how he installed a counter binder on his combine's pulley-driven wheat flattener with a square head hydrostatic coupler, using a universal bushing degreaser, and you can't believe he left only 5 1/4 inches of clearance between the kernel rotor and the straw-feed regulator, the idiot!

30. You can't understand why those stupid American television networks never settle on a schedule instead of shifting all their programs back and forth an hour every spring and fall. God bless time shifting.

31. You're confused when cars come equipped with options that would never be needed, such as curb feelers and turn signals and yet, obvious options such as trailer hitches and air conditioning, are extras.

32. You've attempted to set new land speed records on Sask's highways.

33. Americans think you live in an igloo.

34. You find -20 degrees "a little chilly". I am always cold.

35. The local paper covers national and international headlines on one page but requires 6 pages for Hockey.

36. You know what a Prairie Oyster is, and have a recipe for them. Nasty, no recipe, but I can cook tongue for you.

37. You know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction.

38. Your radio antenna is an old clothes hanger or piece of baling wire.

39. Driver's Education was a joke for you and all your classmates since you all had been driving since you were 10. Correction Since I was 2.

40. The first question someone asks you after they meet you is "Are you from a farm?".

41. Canadian Tire on any Saturday is busier than the toy stores at Christmas.

42. At least twice a year, the kitchen doubles as a meat processing plant. You bet, nothing better than home grown meat.

43. You know there are only two kinds of booze . . . Wisers and beer. CR is better than Wisers.

44. Americans give you weird looks because the name of your province and/or town sounds funny.

45. The municipality buys a zamboni before a bus.

46. You have 10 favourite recipes for wild meat.

47. You know that the giant green turtle in Turtleford is one of a kind

48. There's an expired license plate hanging on your living room wall.

49. You think the stock market is a place to buy cattle and hogs.

50. You got drunk in a barn, or more specifically the hay-loft.

51. You got drunk at the Legion.

52. You got drunk in the church basement at your cousin's wedding.

53. You got drunk in the park.

54. You can play road hockey on ice skates.

55. You have a refrigerator just for beer.

56. You consider yourself a "professional" beer drinker.

57. You plan weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries around the Rider Game. I haven't yet, but others should.

58. You know someone who's shot themselves accidentally.

59. Your hometown has a fully functional hockey rink, curling rink, town-hall gathering place, churches and bars, but under 500 people. Haha, ya right, with 50 people in my hometown not likely, but between the 3 towns that are 5 minutes apart we do. Even better!

60. Your lawn furniture used to be your living room furniture.

61. You have spent more on your pickup truck than on your education.

62. Ethnic diversity in your hometown consists of the Asian family who own the restaurant.

63. You've been ice fishing several times, but you always get too drunk to get around to the fishing part.

64. Your dog rides in your truck more than your wife.

65. You've never thrown away a 5-gallon pail.

66. The trunk of your car doubles as a deep freezer.

67. You walk knee-deep in snow.

68. You've been too drunk to finish a curling bonspeil.

69. Directions to your house includes "turn off the paved road" and "the road will curve to the left". Yup, most people don't understand which way they are driving, so you have to give local directions.

70. Your boat has a built-in beer cooler.

71. You are going to cut the weeds with a whipper snipper, you have no idea what a "weed wacker" is.

72. You talk about Elbow and Eyebrow and people think you're talking about body parts.

73. When Craven is more important than Christmas. Haha, it should be a holiday!

74. You've moved to Alberta.

75. If duct tape or WD-40 can't fix it, then it needs replacing.

76. Everytime you and your buddy go drinking you are deemed "those guys".

77. You are going to meet for dinner, and by dinner you mean lunch NOT supper.

78. You know what a SARCAN is.

79. There are three kinds of beer - Pilsner, Bohemian, and Great Western. Period.

80. You've frozen a part of yourself to something else.

81. You have had to wash off in the backyard with a garden hose before your wife [mom] would let you in the house.

82. Tomorrow you are gonna take your useless shit to the nuisance grounds, NOT the garbage dump.

83. Plastic Mickeys are permited only when snowmobileing so they don't break when you fall off or roll your sled. I

84. You become quite irate when you see someone driving improperly on a grid road. If you're going up a hill, MOVE TO THE FUCKING RIGHT.

85. You've slept in a shed.

86. You've slept in a van.

87. You've slept on someone's front lawn.

88. You've slept in a hammock

89. You swear that you are gonna pistol whip the next person who calls a bunnyhug a "hoodie".

90. When someone asks you for directions you reply with "It's just down the road".

91. You've shoveled snow or scraped your windshield with a hockey stick.

92. You can tell what time it is by looking at where the sun is in the sky.

93. Your gonna have to wait for the snowplow to clear the snow off the football field before you play the provincial final.

94. There's a road sign from your hometown on your living room wall.

95. You had to "cut through the field" on your way to school.

96. You say things like "cut through the field".

97. You know the location of every Co-op and Offsale within a 100 mile radius of you.

98. Someone says "That's a nice rack" and you reply "Ya talkin about my gun rack or my hat rack".

99. You wore shorts on Monday and a parka on Wednesday.

100. Every shirt and/or hat you own is free out of a case of beer.

101. You have walked through a drive-thru when you are loser pissed.

102. You say screw the grids roads to get back you'll make your own path, the yellow grass is only 1 meter high.

103. It doesnt matter how high the snow pile is, you will still park half on it, half off it.

104. You are not racist but you hate Eskimos.

105. You think Tony Gabriel and Paul McCallum are swears and when spoken allowed they must be followed by a spit.

106. You know that Kent Austin, George Reed, Ronnie Lancaster and Eagle Keys have a God-like status.

107. Corner Gas is your favourite show.

108. You stick your head out your door before you get dressed to see how many layers you will need to wear.

109. You attended a school with 3 grades in one classroom.

110. Hunting is seen as necessity, not a sport.

111. You don't need to drive into town when your truck breaks down cuz you got 3 more in your yard for parts.

112. Your pickup truck is louder than most semi trucks.

113. Your family reunions are a yearly event at the Labour Day Classic.

114. You see little kids running around with knives.

115. You'll gladly take your old truck, that gets 12 miles to the gallon, to a pit party because you needed wood and you can take the wood from your work because it's cheaper for you to take it then for the company to throw it out.

116. You have driven either a tractor or grain truck to school.

117. Your definition of "Designated Driver" is the least drunkest person.

118. You've shot a deer in your underwear from your kitchen window.

119. You're more proud to show off your 25 year old truck that has a 2x4 for a tail gate, than a fancy new import.

120. Going to Lloydminster is a trip to the "big" city. Lloydminster is too far away. If you have McDonalds, Tim Hortons, Walmart or street lights, you are not a small town.

121. Your playing shinny in -35 degree weather, and don't wanna go in and risk losing.

122. You can go to the bar, take any field home and still know the way.

124. You measure distance in hours, not KM.

125. You don't find anything funny about the word Regina.

126. You drive deep down into the states with your car and people see that there is a plug-in at the front of your car and think it is an electric, although it's the block heater.

127. You have a picture of your truck as your facebook display picture.

128. Whenever you're going to a buddies place anywhere but Saskatoon or Regina, it's "just off main street."

129. You would much sooner drive a vehicle with a standard transmission then an automatic transmission.

130. You leave your Christmas lights on your house all year long.

131. A knife is seen as a tool, not a weapon.

132. You have tied a sled to the back of a truck during the winter and been pulled around. Haha, yes I have. That is what happens when it dies out in the field.

133. You know of someone who has created their own driveway, without city permission.

134. You can relate to almost any country song. Haha!

Wow, most of this applies from when I lived in Gladmar. Too funny! It feels like a completely different world when I live there.

135. You make a group on facebook about Saskatchewan.

Almost Halloween

2008-10-24T03:55:15Z

It has been a while since I posted last. Work has been incredibly busy. I scheduled and ran 3 volleyball tournaments this fall. I was also the head supervisor helping out with Entertainment books sales as our major fundraiser. I am glad things at school are going to slow down for a little bit. I need it to. Work is actually going pretty decent. Some days I wonder what the hell I am doing, I usually wonder if I am even capable. Some days I surprise myself. Work is getting better though. It was a major learning curve for me, but I really like it.

I have taught a lot of different things is the past year. I have taught, Social 9, History 10, History 20, History 30, IB History 20, Computer Tech 9, FIAP Math & Language Arts, VAP Family Studies, and VAP Social Studies. Some people wonder if teaching Special Ed is less work. Somedays I wonder. I am usually exhausted at the end of the day. Hell, I am exhausted after period 2. I have an extremely high needs class. It is actually quite entertaining to watch, it is a little wonder I am still sane. But there is something about it that I love. Maybe its the fact that I need try and find new ways to learn things that I find easy to understand so I can help my students understand. Take money for example. It seems pretty simple, but for some of my students it is extremely difficult. I actually enjoy trying to understand they way they understand money.

But enough of work. Halloween is next Friday. I am looking forward to the Halloween party. I still need to go buy some supplies for my costume.

November means our trip to Minot is just around the corner. I am also excited for that. It is such a fun weekend. And we get to go water sliding too! YEAH! Actually now that I think about it, November is filling up pretty quickly.

Well, I hope all is well with you.

Dani

Holy Crap its October!

2008-10-03T00:54:34Z

I cannot believe it is October. The past month went by extremely fast. I haven't even had time to plan for Brett's 25th birthday. Poor guy! But with October being here, that only means one thing. I can decorate for x-mas soon! Yay! That makes me happy.

Work is going good. Keeping me really busy, but that is always a good thing. Although the lack of sleep is crappy. Good thing I have a 5th period prep. I generally yawn through the whole period while I am working. I should try go to bed earlier, but it just doesn't seem to happen.

Thanksgiving is next weekend, we are going to Brett's Grandma's for the weekend I believe, back home on Monday. Well that is all I have for now. I have to head out for volleyball and to buy some glue sticks for my craft at school tomorrow. I hope all is going great with everyone.

Dani

Back to school

2008-09-03T01:57:29Z

Well I am back to work. Today actually felt like I was teaching again, instead of banging my head against a wall. Last week work seemed really difficult and exhausting. It seemed like I had too much on my plate, and I was pretty stressed out. But now it seems better.

Michelle moved to her new place yesterday. It is a super cute apartment. But my house is extremely quiet now. I think even Pixel misses her.

I am looking forward to Friday. Brett and I have massages booked at the Spa and a night out. Which should be great. Hopefully the weekend is quiet and I get some work done.

That is all that is new here.

Less than a week

2008-08-19T22:12:04Z

Well in less than a week I am back to work. In a way I am looking forward to it, but this summer has been nice and relaxing.

Today Michelle and I went into the school to work on setting up my classroom. We spent a couple of hours in there, swore a lot (I couldn't get my posters to stay on the wall, and Michelle was having difficulty with the stapler).

Tonight is our last night of beach. Should be a lot of fun. I am looking forward to it. I need to go shopping for clothes for work, and to grab a few more items for my classroom. I have no storage in my classroom, so I have to pick some stuff up.

Summer is almost over.

2008-08-14T17:34:38Z

Well it is almost time to go back to work. I am so glad that I decided not to work this summer. For once I got to relax, it was extremely nice. But my brain is now out of summer mode and back into Campbell mode. I had Campbell dreams last night. My brain was reeling. I could not sleep. Every time I closed my eyes I thought about my classroom, what I was going to teach, what routine I was going to set up. So after lying in bed for an hour I decided that I needed to get up, find a new notebook and start writing down some of my ideas. Then I was on the computer doing some research and found some great websites. So needless to say for the second attempt at bed it was 1:30. Crawled back into bed, both Brett and Pixel were sleeping. But the dreams kept coming. So I got up again and went and turned on the tv. I ended up watching the movie Scent of Woman, then I turned off the tv when it was over and decided to sleep on the couch. At 5:30 when Brett gets up I crawled back into bed. By 6:30 Pixel was hungry and was pawing at me to get up (his new habit).

Hmmm, what else. I need to go buy my gym pass soon, and start that routine right away. That is going to be my stress outlet this year. I am going to need it. September is going to be very busy for me at school. I need to get my passport pictures taken and go hand it in so my passport can get verified. I need to go to school and set up my classroom, I need to finish buying supplies for this school year. I need to buy some more new clothes (my stuff is starting to wear out), I need shoes. Oh it sounds expensive. Oh well.

I hope your summer was as great as mine!

Thunder Storms

2008-07-23T17:36:49Z

Since I have moved to Regina I have come to realize that Regina doesn't get that many great storms. There have been maybe a handful that I would call a good storm since I moved here 6 years ago.

Yesterdays was better than I have seen in a long time. The thunder and lightning were awesome. I watched it from the front step of my house. I swear I jumped every time it thundered. That is what I get for counting to see how far away it was. Nonetheless I was satisfied with the storm. And then a second storm hit around 10:30-11 last night. Brett and I crawled out of bed (yes we are old) and got up to watch the lightning. It was a pretty close storm so Brett decided to unplug the computer and tv downstairs. I followed him, went into the laundry room looking for something and I could hear water running. Thought hmmm, that is weird. So I was like Brett, I don't think we should hear water that close. And low and behold, the water was coming into the basement. Shit. So Michelle grabbed some pails and we bailed water and poured it into the sewer drain. It was raining so hard, our eaves couldn't get it out fast enough, so it just spilled over, into our flower beds, into the weeping tile, into my basement. Ahhhhh. Around 11:30 it finally stopped thank goodness. I should have counted how many pails we poured into the sewer, but it was a lot. But disaster was averted. Only a tiny piece of carpet was wet. Thank goodness we hadn't slept through that storm, or it could have been way worse.

I think I would give last night's storm a 7 out of 10. The one I drove through last summer was a 10. It was nasty and beautiful all at the same time.

Four

2008-02-20T03:42:20Z

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1) Substitute Teacher/Part Time Teacher
2) Play Leader for Play Escapes
3) Lifeguard/Swimming Instructor at Minton Swimming Pool & OMRP
4) Guest Services at Deer Valley Golf Course

Four movies I would watch over and over (and have!):
1) Legend of the Falls
2) Shawshank Redemption
3) Fried Green Tomatoes
4) Tombstone

Four places I have lived:
1) Farm
2) Luther
3) Gladmer Park
4) New house

Four TV Shows that I watch:
1) CSI
2) House
3) One Tree Hill
4) random shows

Four places I have been:
1) Ottawa
2) Edmonton
3) Calgary
4) Minot

People who e-mail me and message (regularly):
1) Mom
2) Michelle
3) Ash
4) Leann

Four of my favorite foods:
1) Taco Salad
2) Italian Bread Wedges
3) Corn Chowder Soup
4) Homemade noodles

Four places I would rather be right now:
1) The Farm
2) Sitting in a hot tub
3) Snuggling with Brett and Pixel
4) Relaxing somewhere

Four friends I think will (might) repost:
Does it matter?

Things I am looking forward to this year:
1) Craven
2) Amy & Kevin's Wedding!
3) Spring/Summer (warmer weather in general)
4) Going to visit the farm (I miss the farm)

It has been way too long!

2008-01-28T02:43:21Z

I looked at the calendar today and realized that January is almost over. Where did the time fly? Holy man! Teaching has been going great. Finals begin this week, new semester starts next week. I will be teaching half time until end of March, in which I will pick up a maternity leave (cover for a Social Studies teacher) until the end of the school year. Not entirely sure yet what I am teaching next semester. But I believe it may be Computer Tech 9 and then some history classes.

Not much else new here. Brett and I have managed to get back into our gym routine (2-3-4) times a week, and we continue to play volleyball on Sunday evenings. I do not know much else. I live a pretty sheltered life (work, gym) that is about it. I hope all of you are enjoying the new year.

Dani

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T18:39:29Z

Well I rang in the new year, however 30 minutes later my flu kicked in. This flu is nasty. I spent most of the first 6 hours of the new year in the washroom. I felt terrible for anyone at my house. Needless to say I am still not better, and I have heard this can last anywhere up for 3 to 7 days. Uggg! I have no energy, no appetite, major headaches and achy skin and body parts. And then to top it all off, yesterday our sewer lines were plugged and we had to call the Roto Router guy, very expensive I might add, to open the lines up. Crappy. Also found out we get to dig up our front yard, and replace the pipes from our house to the street. Yeah for being broke.

Not much new here. Not much getting accomplished since I am sick, although there is a lot I could/should be doing. I hope you are enjoying the New Year thus far!

Almost the Holidays!

2007-12-17T04:21:29Z

Well it is almost the holidays! I am really looking forward to the holidays. One week of school left before the holidays. The students should be interesting this week. They had enough trouble focusing last week.

Brett and I are going to be celebrating our Christmas on Friday after school. I am excited. Then on Saturday we are driving up to Shellbrook to Brett's Grandma's for x-mas. We will be celebrating the Park x-mas on Christmas Day. We are coming back to Regina on the 26th for Hoffart x-mas and Brett works the 27th and 28th. If the roads are good, and weather is good we will then drive to the farm to see my mom and dad and to Radville to see Grandpa Phil. Then back to Regina on the 30th to prepare for our house warming party.

This year doesn't really seem like Christmas. I think because I have been so busy, I have not had the time to slow down and really enjoy the season. It snowed today, which was nice. It was actually pretty to watch. Brett and I then went out and shovelled the driveway. It was pretty nice outside, so it wasn't too bad. This weekend was good. Friday I went out shopping with Michelle (we got dad's gift and Brett's gift), then came back home. Brett had friends over and were playing poker, then Bomber Man on the Wii. Saturday was relaxing for me. I snuggled with Pixel who was feeling a little under the weather. Saturday night was my staff party. It was pretty good, food was yummy. Roast Beef, Crab, Shrimp, Ribs, Chicken Wings, Veggies, Dessert, jello shooters. We left around 1:30, stopped at Walmart just to see what it was like at 1:30 in the morning. There were more people there than I expected. Today Brett and I spent cleaning the house, shovelling the driveway, wrapping presents, hanging out, and watching some tv.

I hope everyone is doing well. Have a safe and happy holiday. Travel safe!

Danielle

A thingy!

2007-11-27T02:09:47Z

"2007"
Share
12:05pm Today
1. Have you had any relationships this year?
yes...with Brett

2. Have you had your birthday yet?
YUP

3. Kissed two people in the same night?
umm, yup...Brett, Michelle, Pixel and probably numerous others

4. Been on a diet?
nope

5. Pulled an all nighter?
ummm, not really sure

6. Drank Starbucks?
Yeah

7. Went camping?
yes, a few times

8. Bought something(s)?
probably too much

9. Met someone special/who changed your life?
I'd say so

10. Been out of Province?
to BC and Alberta, North Dakota

11. What are you thinking about?
Bretty coming home from Toronto

12. Hugged someone?
heh yeah

13. Slept in someone else's bed?
probably

14. Got a job?
Hellz yeah

15. Loaned out money?
probably

16. Got in a car accident?
nope

17. Gone over your mobile phone bill?
nope

18. Been called a bitch?
probably

19. Done something you regret?
I regret nothing

LAST:

Last person you hugged?
My Grandma

Last person to call you?
my sister

When was the last time you felt stupid?
sometime

What was the last thing you yelled?
WOOOO!!!!!!!

TEN FACTS:

1. Hometown?
Gladmar

2. Natural Hair Colour?
brown

3. Initials?
DMP

4. Hair style?
long

5. Eye colour?
blue

6. Height?
5'7

7. Pets?
Pixel

8. Mood?
missing Brett

9. Where would you rather be?
with Brett

10. What was the last thing you drank?
milk

THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE ♥ :

1. Have you ever been in love?
yes

2. Do you believe in love?
course

3. Why did your LAST relationship fail?
poor communication

4. Have you ever been heartbroken?
no

5. Have you ever broken someone's heart?
I don't know

4. Have you ever fallen for your best friend?
nope

7. Have you ever wanted someone but never told them?
course

8. Are you afraid of commitment?
no

9. Have you had more than 5 different serious relationships in your life?
no

EMOTIONS:

1. Are you missing someone right now?
yes

2. Are you happy?
I'd say so.

3. Are you eating anything?
no

4. Do you like someone right now?
Of course I do

Riders going to the Grey Cup!

2007-11-19T03:38:01Z

WOOT WOOT! The Riders are going to the Grey Cup! And quite possibly so are Brett and Jay. They have already booked flights to Toronto, and Sim may have tickets for them (they find out tomorrow). I would have loved to go, but alas I cannot. I cannot get time off of work to go. Being a new teacher in that respect sucks.

Not much else new here. Had a really good weekend! Friday night the guys bottled wine and started 3 new kits, while I cleaned my living room. Then we went over to Ian's to visit until 5 am. Saturday I went wedding dress shopping with Amy for 4 hours, then came home and slept for a bit, then off to the Tartan curling club for a Campbell staff social. It was a lot of fun, and both Brett and I came home with $10 gift certificates to Brewsters. Today we slept in, went to Southland for a bit, made lunch, watched the end of the Winnipeg/Toronto game, then watched the Riders beat BC. Then Brett and Jay spent 2 hours deciding if they wanted to go to Toronto, and booked a flight. So it was a pretty decent weekend! Right now I am doing a bit of planning for tomorrow (previewing a video I am going to show in my History 30 class about Louis Riel). Pixel is napping on the couch!

We are still planning on going on a vacation during the Easter break in March. Within the next few weeks we really need to pick the resort and book though. December is going to be an expensive month. That is about all I know.

My social studies teaching job has been extended for another 3 weeks, which takes me into December. Which is great for me. I am really enjoying it now, and I am actually starting to feel like a real teacher. I am not beginning to feel comfortable with what I am doing, and where I am going, which I might add, is a great feeling. Midterm report cards have gone out, Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews went great! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Love,
Danielle

November Long Weekend!

2007-11-13T03:16:47Z

Well the November Long Weekend was awesome. Brett, Jay and I left Thursday afternoon around 5 for Minot. We crossed the border without any problems, and made it to Minot around 9-10ish. The boys promptly went to the Loaf N Jugs to fill with gas, and buy some beverages. Becky came over to visit. We were probably up until 12-1ish. Went to sleep, got up the next morning around 10. Went to Best Buy so Brett could buy his Ipod Touch and grabbed some groceries. We went back to Monique's, the boys played Family Feud until Monique came back. Monique made an awesome taco salad, and we stuffed ourselves. The boys played some ball in the hallway, while Monique and I did some work. Later in the afternoon around 4, we went to the mall for a quick look, bought a few items, and then back to the apartment. Becky made us an amazing supper. Stuff chicken breasts, green beans, ceasar salad, garlic toast and garlic mashed potatoes. It really was amazing, and on top of that she had bought some incredibly yummy chocolate cake. We then spent the rest of the evening, visiting, playing Battle of the Sexes until the wee hours of the morning (around 3-3:30ish).

Saturday we slept in until 11 or so, went for lunch at Space Aliens (for Jay's birthday). It was pretty good. Then we went over to the mall and shopped, and shopped and shopped some more. We did so much shopping. Like 5 hours of shopping. We bought a lot of stuff. Then we went out to another restaurant (I forget the name) and ate supper in a Tipi. It was pretty cool, and supper was yummy! Went back to the apartment, visited, then went 10 pin bowling. I bowled 142 in one game. I was rocking! We went back to Monique's and played Taboo until 12-1. It was pretty fun. We then went to bed, got up around 9 and drove back to Regina.

The football game was awesome. We were in Section 27, row 3. Pretty awesome seats, I was quite happy with them. It was pretty awesome to see the crowd, and hear the crowd. And we won too, so it made it even better. Got home from the game, I was pretty tired, so we watched "I now pronounced you Chuck and Larry" which was pretty funny. Today, I didn't get a whole lot accomplished. Slept in, made lunch, watched some tv, did some laundry, snuggled with Pixel, hung out with Brett, went and picked my parents up from their bus trip, visited with them. Watched "License to Wed" (not bad, although I fell asleep). So all in all, it was a pretty busy weekend. A nice weekend though. I haven't had that much fun in a long time. It was nice to get away and relax.

November Already!

2007-11-05T04:26:53Z

Wow, time has passed by quickly. I cannot believe it is November already. This weekend proved to be quite relaxing. I managed to take some time for myself and not do a whole lot. I watched the football game, I watched some movies (Transformers, American Gangster & In the World of Women) I enjoyed them all. I did some shopping, I put up the Christmas tree, and hung up some decorations, I wrapped my first x-mas present, I slept, I played with Pixel, I actually spent some quality time with Brett. All in all a wonderful weekend.

The upcoming week will be busy. Report cards, Modest Mouse concert, and Thursday we are leaving for Minot, back Sunday for the Rider Playoff game and then Monday off to recoup and plan for the next week. So all in all pretty busy. Hopefully we can get to the gym this week (if it open, they are on strike). The count down is on for x-mas. I am so excited. They are playing x-mas tunes in the stores already. I love this season, the colourful lights and cheeryness. Well, I should get some more work done. Have a good one!

Love,
Danielle

Lost my voice!

2007-10-20T21:41:29Z

It has been one hell of a week. This week I had an elementary tournament that I set up and supervised. I had the principal come into my classroom to watch me teach. I also had CIVT which is a 3 day, senior volleyball tournament, that I set up, ran, and supervised. Needless to say I also got a cold this week. So now I have no voice. Seriously. I can only whisper, no sound comes out f my mouth. It is crappy. I hope I will be able to talk on Monday. On Friday I only had to teach 1 class in the morning, and I could not talk, so I wrote everything on the board. The afternoon I had a sub in so I could supervise at the tournament. But still a lot of talking was required. Last night when I got home around 9:45 I was wiped. I slept in this morning, and still feel like crap, and still have no voice. Oh well, all this tournament stuff is done this weekend. Then I can focus on teaching and relaxing. Haven't really done a lot of that in a while.

Dani

It has been way too long!

2007-10-03T00:05:42Z

I don't know the last time I posted. I suppose I could look, but that requires to much effort right now. If you want to know, look for yourself.

September was incredibly busy, or so it seemed. Being a new teacher is incredibly draining. I spend all day at school planning, and then all night planning. When I crawl to bed I pass out, only to hear the alarm go off in what seems mere seconds later. Also not having a permanent contract can be very confusing when it comes to pay. I have a 0.5 contract, then I moved to another job placement which was technically called subbing. So when I got my first paycheck (which was actually 2) I had no idea how much I was supposed to make. So now I am in the process of calling random people at the board office to try and figure out all this random crap. I went to university for 4 years and I still don't understand all that bullshit.

Oh and I just completed my first Volleyball tourny that I set up and ran. Still it was a very long weekend. In the next 2 weeks I have 2 more tournaments to set up and run. Ahhh! Okay. I can do this, and well I have to do this, so I am going to stop complaining. But if you do happen to see me, bring a London Fog with you, I will be much happier! Haha! Joking.

In other news, I get to go to the farm for Thanksgiving. That will be nice. Nice to get out of the city, nice to relax, nice to visit with family, nice to spend time with Brett and Pixel and it is my Dad's 50th Birthday party. So it should be a good weekend. I am looking forward to it.

That is about all I know. I hope everyone's September was good, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, and it is almost Halloween, which means soon I can put up the Christmas tree. Yes I said it. I have been waiting for months!

Love,
Danielle

Finally a relaxing weekend!

2007-09-16T22:23:21Z

Well I managed to have a relaxing weekend. Thank goodness. I really needed one. Friday after school, I came home and helped Brett make supper. Jay and Monique came over and we had Kabobs, and corn on the cob and potato salad. It was sooo yummy, but it took us like 2 hours to eat and make the Kabobs. It was totally worth it though. Then we headed over to my Aunt's house (she lives a block away) to sit in the hot tub. Also incredibly nice. We had a few drinks, a few good laughs, and relaxed 9 (much needed). Then we went inside, Brett and Jay went downstairs to play Beer/Wine Pong while Monique and I chatted for an hour or so. Around 1:30 we came home, put on a movie and all four of us fell asleep. Around 3 we decided we should go to bed. I got to sleep in until 10 the next morning, and it was lovely.

Saturday at 11:30 Brett and I had massages booked at Jane's Skin Care and Day Spa. It was so relaxing I almost fell asleep. I love massages. Then we made a stop at Canadian Tire for a rake, then a stop at Sport Check for some new running/gym shoes, socks and a volleyball. We came home and mulled around here for a while. The football game was on at 2, and it wasn't online, so we went to Leann's to watch the game (very disappointing I might add). Then back home to eat and continue working on some stuff. At 9:20 we went and watched Stardust at the Southland. I really enjoyed the movie. Again another great sleep (I think I am still tired from the 6am mornings). Did some house cleaning, laundry, moving stuff around, work outside, and teacher prep.

All in all a pretty decent weekend. I cannot complain. Hopefully the quiet weekends keep up for a little while. It feels like I am always busy. I think that is because during the week I am at work from 7:30-4:30ish, come home and eat, then do teacher prep all night until I go to bed, so it never feels like I get any Danielle time or Brett time or Pixel time. I have been told it does get better, but probably not until my 5th or so year of teaching. HAHA! I must say thus far, the good days are outnumbering the bad days. But the bad days really do a number on my nerves and emotions.

Well I hope everyone is doing well.

Love,
Dani

My head is above water, just barely though!

2007-09-12T04:25:12Z

Well I have been teaching for about 2 1/2 weeks now. I started out teaching special education part time. Now I am teaching social studies three quarter time for a couple of weeks, and then I will go back to special education part time. It has been a whirlwind 3 weeks. A major learning curve. Not a bad experience, a tad stressful, definitely feel lost and incompetent at times, but it could be worse, right?! Thankfully the staff has been extremely helpful and supportive in my first and new venture as a teacher. I am even the coordinator for the annual CRUSH volleyball tournament held at Campbell for Juniors at the end of every September. That too has proven to be quite the experience.

I am still not used to getting up at 6 am every morning, be at work by 7:30, come home between 4:30-5:30, eat, check my email and then continue to plan for several more hours and finally crawl into bed exhausted around 11:30-12. I look forward to a quiet weekend of relaxation, although I know I should do a lot of work, it might help to relieve the stress load a little bit. Anyways, that is all for now. I am off to bed to catch some shut eye. I hope all is well with you!

Love,
Danielle

Job update!

2007-08-30T22:33:45Z

Okay, so I have been working at Campbell this week for 4 days now. I was just starting to sort of wrap my head around what I was doing, and now I have a new teaching assignment at Campbell for 1 month. I will now be teaching IB Social Studies 3/4 at Campbell for a teacher who is out on a sick leave, and then when he comes back I will go back to my .5 time as a FIAP teacher. So on Tuesday I begin teaching the social studies. So tomorrow is my last day with my FIAP kids for a month, and I technically only work half the day, but the second half of the day I am going to spend with the teacher to learn the ropes of his classroom and see what I will be doing for the nest month. So it has been an interesting first week for me. I will let you know how it all goes.

Love,
Danielle