Bumper stickers to live by :)

Reverb 11

- Did you try anything new in 2011?
I tried new classes - and they were amazing.  They changed me soooo much!  They changed my relationships with my children, they changed the way I react to situations, they changed the way I see the past, present and future....they changed the way I see myself and they helped me see what I want from life.  They made me BRAVE.  They gave me COURAGE to go after what I want.  They showed me how to LET GO of all the things that were holding me back.

- What was the most memorable gathering you attended (or held) in 2011?There were so many....I'm not sure which to mention.  It has been a fabulous year :)  Perhaps Canada Day?  Because I was able to introduce Nigel to Samantha :)  

 - What storm did you weather in 2011?

I know this probably means 'bad times' and I guess I could say about how my Ex husband decided to be a selfish idiot and turn his back on his children by leaving them financially ruined...and yes I found ways around it - and 'weathered that storm'....but I will instead talk about a weather storm - the week we went to Banff for my Sons birthday and we had an amazing time celebrating at one of his favourite places!  It was fantastic and the weather where we were was wonderful!  But back here in Edmonton they had a HUGE winter storm that left several feet of snow...we ended up being told to stay an extra night because things were not good back there - roads were bad etc.  We were so worried that we might not be able to even get back up our driveway and we envisioned a long tiring walk up our driveway with cases and bags after a 5 hour drive home!  When we did drive home though, roads were fine all the way to Leduc and then they got a bit nasty - we saw cars sliding off the road and several semi's with their loads in the ditch.    We made it home safely and I almost cried with happiness when I saw our wonderful neighbour Dwayne had cleared our driveway!!!  I think that was the best thing I had seen in a LONG time :)  Such relief!!  :)   So all in all it was a good weathering of the storm as we missed it completely - ended up with an extra nights holiday and came back to a lovely clear driveway!!!  Sometimes I am utterly grateful and feel so blessed :)

 - Did you discover a favourite song or musical artist in 2011?

Adele!!  And her cd - 21 will forever remind me of driving to Canmore with Susannah back in the Spring :) We played it constantly and knew all the songs off by heart by the time we came home :)  I think my favourite song this year is probably Kelly Clarksons Stronger.  Although there have been sooooo many great songs this year that I am not sure...

 - Five things you do not want to forget from 2011?

My weekend in Canmore with Susie.
My week in Vegas with Laurence
My special date night with Sam at Milestones and Marble Slab Creamery
My special date night with Abby at the Fondue Restaurant.
Sitting in the hot tub with Nigel - ten years after our divorce :)  

 - What was your favourite gift given and/or received in 2011?

I gave the gift of a few classes to people.  I gave JYC to Val as a birthday gift, and so each December from now on she will be able to join me in receiving Shimelle's wonderfully festive Emails for 38 days :)  
I also gave the gift of Soul Restoration 1 to a few people.  I don't know if they did the work or if they finished the class, but even if they watched a few of the videos and read a little of the Emails, made a few truth cards, I know it will help.  I KNOW this work, this class can change you - can change your life - and can bring amazing people in to your life - if you do the work!!

 - What was your funniest story from 2011?

Far too many to mention.....I don't think we have stopped laughing this year....it has definitely been a year full of laughter :)  I love that these days this house is always full of laughter...




 - What was the quote or saying that most resonated with you this past year?
"We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned so as to accept the life that is waiting for us".

 - Was there anything you were feeling nostalgic for in 2011?
To have my children small again.  To know then what I know now.  To have a second chance and to be able to raise them the way I raise them now.


 - 10 things you were thankful for in 2011?


In no particular order:


1. Brave Girls classes - for the people I met and the things it taught me. For all it brought to my life and the person it changed me in to.  

2.  My lawyer.  One visit to his office and I feel all calm again :)  He is such a great guy - always asks how the kids are doing...always reassures me.  


3.  I am thankful for my 5 amazing children  all of whom make me incredibly proud - all of whom are so amazingly different but so fabulous and astound me constantly!!


4.  Rosie - my gorgeous golden retriever who loves me unconditionally.  Who hates when I leave...who gets excited every time I arrive home.  Who never says no to a cuddle.  


5.  Instagram - my new addiction :)  I think I use it every single day :)  My FAVOURITE app and a great way of meeting new people around the place....


6.  My iphone.  


7.  My friends....my REAL friends - you know who you are....you are AMAZING and I love you all xxx


8.  Facebook - for the way it allows me to communicate with friends, share links, share pictures, send messages, arrange get togethers, plan field trips and events.....


9.  My home.  For how warm, safe and secure it is for my children - how much they love being here and love coming home each day and love bringing their friends here....and how it is filled with laughter and comfort.


10.  Art and creativity - for the way it has changed my life in the last year - for how it relaxes me, for how it has become my income, for how it has brought so many changes/friends and good things into my life.

 - Did you form any new, or strengthen any existing, relationships in 2011?
I made so many new friendships in 2011 :)  Some amazing people came into my life this year.  I won't mention them all as I don't want to forget anyone....I can't not mention Ki or Niki though....and recently Doug :)  Kathy, Sandi......Bea :)  so many others!!

 - What was something you planned to do in 2011 but didn't?
I had a whole list of things I wanted to do before I turned 40 - my 40 before 40 list :)  I didn't cross many of them off :)  but I'm not too bothered!!  They are things like 'get a tattoo' (I even had the artist draw it up for me) and bungee jump at WEM Waterpark....and go skinny dipping....so I'm not bothered that I haven't done them - they don't actually feel all that important any more :)  Maybe i'll do them one day and maybe I won't....I'm a very different person to the one I was a year ago...and I don't feel the need to do those things any more....whatever will be will be :)  

 - What was your biggest indulgence in 2011?
My trip to Vegas....even though it was so VERY cheap and cost next to nothing to me personally, it was still quite an indulgence to take that week without the children and go!!  It was so indulgent to be in a hotel for a week somewhere hot and be a tourist and fly by plane and relax and it was lovely :) And I got to spend all that time with just Laurence and we had such a wonderful time and laughed sooooo much!  You really know you're in Vegas when you're standing on a side street and Elvis walks up and nods hello at you like its just a normal thing to do!!  Hahaha  It was so funny :)  He was just strolling by like it was just so normal to be dressed as Elvis....and then the Criss Angel show!!  Wow!!  AMAZING!!!  So yes, it felt very indulgent :)

 - What was the best meal you enjoyed in 2011?
In Vegas in that place in Caesars Palace that Daniel and a few other people had recommended - The Cheesecake Factory!!  Not to be mixed up with The Cheesecake Cafe or whatever they have here!!  Totally different!!  Food was fantastic!!!  

- What was your favourite photo taken OF you and/or the photo you loved best that you took in 2011?
My favourite picture OF me was taken by Nigel I think - and I am sat on the bridge at Cascade ponds.  I asked him to take the pictures (I have two or three) specifically because the bridge is an important symbol in Soul restoration 2 - a class I was taking at the time.  I love the picture because of what it represents...
I also like the picture of Nigel and I taken up by Lake Minnewanka as it is almost a double of the one taken in 93 of the two of us when I was pregnant with Christopher :)  
My favourite picture that I took this year.....hahaha how can I pick ONE???  All I do is take pictures....hhmmm I took a picture of Abby with a goat....we were at the zoo and she was cuddling the goat and it came out so well and I LOVE that!  Also the pictures of Abby and Sam with Santa - just because they have refused for YEARS to see Santa!!  :)  And the picture of all the children at the airport with Nigel before he left.  Thats a great picture :)  Oh and the ones of Nigel in the water with sam at cascade Ponds ;)

 - What was your most memorable moment with family in 2011?
Far too many to mention...which just goes to show how lucky we are.....maybe playing Quelf with Nigel - and watching him dance with Laurence.  

 - What was the bravest thing you did in 2011?
A blind date I went on.  He was really cute and I wasn't sure whether to go or not...but I went and we had a really nice night - great dinner and lovely evening - and he turned out to be such a sweet guy!  In fact too sweet - not my type at all....would have been like dating a brother!!  hahaha!  I'm so glad I went though.

 - Did you visit any place that holds special meaning to you in 2011?
Canmore as always.....and Banff...several times.  We love going there and it gives us a chance to switch off from all the nastiness that a certain person seemed to want to inflict on us. 

 - What was your most surprising revelation in 2011?
Matt Goss is BALD!!!!  Hahahaha  Holy CRAP!!!  The love of my life is BALD  :(  This totally sucks :(  

 - What did you change your mind about in 2011?
I booked a place at Brave Girls Camp - they only take 25 women from around the world at each camp and I managed to get a place.  You are sent for a week into the middle of the forest in the mountains and have no contact with anyone form the outside.  You're put through intense therapy.  By the end of this year though I felt that I really didn't need that kind of therapy...and really didn't need a whole week of no contact from my children - and right now they don't need to NOT be able to contact me either....so I sold my place to a friend who is very happy to be going, and I'm very happy with my decision not to go.

 - Do you remember any of your goals and resolutions from 2011?
I know I was going to be closed for restoration....hhmm I don't remember my word - maybe it was RESTORE...I wanted to get to know myself, learn about myself, become a better Mom, a better person, become calmer......just work on myself...and I DID...I spent all of 2011 in therapy and in going through endless work on myself that changed me in sooooo many ways....and I NEEDED it....and I'm sooooo glad I had this chance...and I really like the person I have become :)  

- What was your most memorable trip in 2011?
Vegas Baby!!!  :)  Not really my kind of place - it's crowded, smelly, dirty, loud, full of rude people, full of drunks.....but somehow it has this draw...and there really is no place like it...although I said I'd never go back, a part of me is already desperate to go back!!  Hahahaha  Maybe because it's so cheap!  Maybe because it's soooo different!  I can't wait to take Susie there!!  It was a wonderful week of crazy experiences and I'm so glad I had that week with Laurence!!  :)  I so wish I had managed to get the picture of the lady at the bus stop!!  Sigh.....

- What was your most saddest moment in 2011?
Two come to mind....having to say goodbye to our cats.  Knowing how much this upset the children.  Knowing there just wasn't another answer.  Knowing I had to make it as easy as possible for them and explain it to them as best I could - knowing they've had so many losses to deal with in the last year or two and this was just another to add to the hurt.  The other one was just a couple of weeks ago when Susannah was let down by her Dad.  She was heartbroken and she - like the others - just doesn't understand what has happened to the Dad they used to know.  It's heartbreaking to see them hurting and knowing that all I can do is be the best Mom I can be but I can't make up for his failings and they are just going to have to grow up dealing with it themselves :(  It's hard to watch it happen though :(  

- What phrase or saying did you pick up in 2011?
I can't think of anything new.....I write 'oh my gawd' on FB a lot....

- What do you believe in? 

I believe in...love, astrology, therapy, journaling, art and creativity, friendship, happiness, enjoying life!!

- How did you celebrate your birthday in 2011? 

Ummmm   well I have pictures of me blowing out the candles on my cake and I had a sparkler on my cake :)  And I remember the video of the children singing to me :)  I can't remember anything else about my birthday!  omg how old am I???  How bad is my memory???  

- What could you have done without in 2011? 

Selfish self centred ex who doesn't think about what he is putting his children through as long as he gets at me :(  It's so sad.  

- What did you regret not getting to or not doing in 2011? 

I don't really have regrets...life is too short to have regrets.  I did have a list of 40 things to do before 40, and I didn't do many of them - very few actually, but I don't regret that!  Life changed and I changed, and the list didn't seem to matter the more the year went on....oh...Nigel and I still joke about the fat that our 'chaperones' didn't let us get it together hahahaha....he got given a bell for Christmas that says 'ring for sex' and he says I didn't 'ring his bell' hahahaha....hhmmmm  :)  so maybe I should say I regret not ringing his bell hahahaha!!  We still tease the kids that we DID though....just to gross them out ;)  And of course all my friends wish we had - just to make cute babies :)  

- When did you feel your most authentic in 2011? 

I always feel my most authentic when I am in Canmore...when we take Rosie and have lazy days there...heading out for walks....walking into town, the dog park, flattening pennies on the train track, paddling in the lake, eating in the pub.....bliss :)

- What was the most important, or potent, lesson you learned in 2011? 

"The more you know who you are and what you want, the less you let things upset you".

- What is your greatest wish for 2012? 

That the children's Dad will finally wake up to what he is doing to THEM...and realise that it isn't me he is hurting.  That he will grow up, take the parenting after separation course and finally become the Dad we all know he can be.

One Word - rollercoaster

Vices - Goodwill, Facebook

Virtues - saving

Superpower - I'm a BRAVEGIRL :)  

Theme song - Kelly Clarkson 'Stronger'

Catchphrase - Happiness is a choice!  I choose to be happy :)

Achievement unlocked - 'selling my art and starting my business/ teaching art'

Welcoming 2012 with open arms....

Well, 2011 was a wonderful year - full of so many amazing experiences...so many wonderful new friendships and cherishing friendships I already had, learning so much about myself, growing closer to my children, letting go of the past and feeling excited about the future.

2012...I am looking forward to every adventure you bring me :)  

xxx