Dear World . . .

Here are my thoughts on this end-of-summer-Saturday-morning . . .

• I miss posting on my blog everyday. Yes, yes I do. I thought I would be relieved and thankful for the break, but really it just makes me feel like I am forgetting to do something. I'm not sure what the remedy to the situation is.
• I have been spending a lot of time thinking about the past. Maybe it's because of our whole family being together again for the past two weeks. Or maybe it's because I saw Mr. R.'s memorial video. Either way, many memories have resurfaced over the past couple of days.
• People ask me if I'm excited to go back to school, and I don't know how to reply. It's not that I'm not excited, but I wouldn't say I'm excited . . . Help?
• Everyone needs to listen to Come to Me by The Loft Sessions. We did it at The Experience last night. When I listen to it, I think of the words "violent love". Does that make sense? I know it's an oxymoron, but no other word describes the passion with which the song is sung.
• I feel like this year is a game-changer. And I'm not even sure what that means.
• The house is very quiet now. I enjoy the quiet, and I enjoy the full house. So which do I prefer? I have no sweet clue.
• Have you watched The Hunger Games yet? Because I did. And convinced Dad to watch as well. Still slightly obsessed with the movie. Once my DVD copy comes in the mail from Amazon I'll be watching it again. How many days until Catching Fire?
• So in the past few months of swimming lessons, I have {a} been kicked in the eye, {b} gotten serenaded by a 3 year old singing Big Green Tractor, {c} been bitten in the shoulder, {d} been asked where my bed is by a 3 year old {she thought I slept at the pool}, and {d} received four hand-drawn pictures. Verdict: A successful summer of teaching :)

No. 356 - August 2012 Desktop Calendar

Enjoy the last official month of summer!

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No. 354 - And This Little Piggy Went . . . Buh, Bye

Seriously, who gets to be a part of something like this!?!? Love it so much!

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No. 352 - Shelf Re-Decoration

Remember this post about my new shelves above my bed?

Well the whole purpose of the shelves was to change up the display every once in awhile
 in the hopes of reflecting the current season or holiday. Today I figured it was time for a change-up.

Here is the old design.

And here is the new design, embracing the theme "Summer".

Couldn't get rid of the "Summer Fun" Printable just yet, 

and here is the link for the DIY ticket book.

A few easy summer reads. Check out my thoughts on The Help here.

My Valentine's bear, Philip, and my DIY berry bucket.

Ode to my favourite TV show {sadly on hiatus}, Once Upon A Time.

What do you think?

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No. 344 - A Berry Adventure

Remember that berry bucket DIY I did yesterday?

Well, here is the adventure that prompted the berry bucket making.

My brother, Eric, and Elizabeth {three of my favourite people} went raspberry picking :)

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No. 343 - DIY Berry Bucket & The Tango

Easiest DIY EVER! I love my berry bucket, 

and I hope to have a variety of uses for it besides just berry picking.

All you need is a bucket and stickers.

Tune in tomorrow for our berry picking adventure.

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So for some reason this dance sequence has been in my head for the last couple of days.
It's from the movie "Take The Lead" where Antonio Banderas teaches ballroom dancing to a bunch of highschoolers from a rough neighbourhood. Here is a tango where he tries to convince them that dancing is worth their time.
Check it out.

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No. 290 - YA

I truly am surrounded by a great group of young adults who are just content to share life together.

This was the first bonfire of 2012 and so much fun {and ice cream sundaes} were to be had.

A little long skirt/nail polish picture . . .

All the sugary goodness.

I was not the only one there with a camera.

Baby kisses were to be had.

Take 1

Take 2 {Love this}

Some pretty serious hacky sack was played.

Warm, toasty fire.

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No. 288 - Summer BBQ

I hope this summer has many more moments like this one.

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No. 270 - I've Got Sunshine & OUAT

Waking up is so much easier when it is sunny out. 

Goodbye darkness. Hello sunshine.

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As sad as I am that the first season of Once Upon A Time is ending, they are really going out with a bang!
Here are my thoughts about last night's episode "An Apple as Red as Blood".

• Best Moment: All the callbacks and crossovers to previous episodes. They really brought things full circle here. Jefferson/Mad Hatter. The ring from Daniel the Stable Boy. Round table scenery. 
• Worst Moment: I actually didn't care for the dream sequence at the beginning. It just felt too . . . forced.
• Surprising Moment: If Emma dies, the curse breaks??? Is that the answer then??
• Unfortunate Moment: August W. Booth pulling out of the Convince-Emma-Train. I love August W. Booth and Henry's interactions, but the fact that he gave up was sad.
• Girl Power Moment: MM giving Emma what-for for kidnapping Henry.
• Best Line: "Is this how our lives will be? Taking turns finding each other."
• Suspicious Moment: Where is Mr. Gold planning a trip? Can he leave?
• Cliffhanger: Henry ate the apple!!!!!!!!!!
• Next Episode: Season Finale

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No. 268 - Go A Little Crazy {or Neon}

Check out the awesome neon nail polish I got recently! I needed some fun colours in order to match my spring/summer mood. Brother suggested I paint each nail a different colour, but I think I was already risking enough reputability just wearing neon nail polish. Anyways, I went for a bright green in the end.

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No. 257 - Back To The Water

Alright, so some of you know, but here is my summer plans announcement . . .

I am going back to lifeguarding/instructing!

To be honest I never thought this day would come. When I resigned at the YMCA last June, I figured that was the end of my aquatics involvement due to the direction school and nursing is taking me. However, as March rolled around, I realized that I still need a summer job and one of my fellow-lifeguard-classmates convinced me to re-certify my NLS and then apply for a job at MacDonald Island, which I can now say I have received. My first day was yesterday. Although at first, I was really resistant to going back to the chlorine, I can now say that I am happy with how things worked out.
All in God's timing. 

(No picture of the pool, because I figured it would be creepy trying to take the shot.)

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P.S. Happy April 24th :(

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