Man this post is old. The photos are so cute that I still had to post them.
Back in May our nephews, Lucas and Rowan, came to stay at our house for a few nights.

We had fun making noise at the park.

We had fun slashing in the tub after a hot day.

Weekend in Rocky

We spent this past weekend at Peter's grandma's near Rocky Mountain House.

Anna's goats had kids.

Who nose?

Llama.

Lucas with his new bike.

Rowan trying to tie his own shoes.

Play Ball !

Excuse Me For Laughing

Some co-workers and I went out for breakfast this morning after a night shift. I can imagine that to those sitting around us we probably sounded like a triplet of heartless jerks. Discussing the precarious and delicate state of our patients and laughing. And catching up on "nursing stories" from the daily grind on our unit.

Yes I laugh at my patients. If I didn't laugh and try to see the humour in it all - I would cry. The sad situation of a dementia patient. Someone's mother, someone's sister - losing their mind and no longer able to recognize their family member. But to me they're a pleasantly confused lady who speaks her mind (however socially inappropriate and embarrassing to her family) and I find her funny and frankly - refreshing. But I keep her safe.

Sometimes I even ignore what you say. If I didn't let things slide off my backs - I would become an emotional wreck. The patient in with alcohol withdrawal who was raped and evicted from her home for not paying rent. You are mad at the world and tell me that I am bad at my job. I don't hate you for telling me that - I'm pretty sure you don't really mean it. And I'm still here to listen about how much your life sucks at this point in time and to tell you're still loved (by the way your daughter called looking to talk to you).

So excuse me for laughing, or turning the other cheek, but it's probably the only emotion I have left; all my emotions of sadness and remorse have been depleted.

Last Sunday, February 22, we were invited to an "Oscar's Party".
We were asked to dress up as character from one of the nominated films.
Peter and I dressed up as "Kung fu Panda". Peter was Po (aka Panda) and I was Master Shifu.
It was a lot of fun.

Sarah and James dressed up as as Robert Downey Jr., as Kirk Lazarus in Tropic Thunder.
Great costumes guys.

Brunch Theatre

In celebration of our first anniversary, Peter and I went to a dinner theater today. The tickets were a lovely gift from my mum. Having never been to a dinner theater, it was a first.


The Show: One Hit Wonders - we often hear great hits and hum along to familiar songs, but often those songs and artists come and go. Ever heard of 'Katrina and The Waves' or 'Buster Poindexter'? Neither had I, but I know their songs and could probably sing along. I made our reservations weeks in advance to ensure we got top-notch seats. Score! Front-row. This is going to be great.

Front row, I didn't know at the time, meant that your chin would be resting on the stage. Male singers would kneel down, asking for your hand, as they sang love ballads. People hopping-and-a-bopping on stage would drip sweat on you. When they rocked out, screaming the words with all their might, you would be spit upon. And you could see the knickers of the girls who wore short skirts. Front-row was a little more than I bargained for.

None of the above however put much of damper on my enjoyment of the show. Made for a different perspective of the show, an experience for sure. It was fun rocking out to familiar songs I have not heard in a long time. There were a lot of grey-haired people there that were shaking what their mama gave them, to songs of their generation. It was great. But, if I go to dinner theater again (and some advice from new-found knowledge) I would choose a seat a little further from the stage.

Our Humble Home

This is our Humble Home:

It is so nice to have a place of our own.
A place to entertain and a place of refuge from the world.
Our little sanctuary.

When the house was built, pink was all the rage.
We're still in the process of painting.
I took this photo and then realised how pink it really is.

The small spare room is currently in the process of being painted.
A smoky blue (quite dark in this photo).

The spare room.

The master bedroom and ensuite with jacuzzi tub (mmm nice).
The beautiful wallpaper border will be going.

The Kitchen.

And the living room.

2009 Here We Come...

Wow, it's been over a year since I last posted on the blog.
Where to start?
Well after the honeymoon I move to Calgary. We've been married just over a year now (Dec 22) and it just keeps getting better. I look forward to growing old together.

Professional Endeavors:
Peter completed his time as a Professional Engineer in training and completed, and passed, his professional exam. On February 28, 2008 he became a Professional Engineer and was inaugurated into the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). He continues to work down-town for Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.


In August 2008 I completed my fourth year of nursing. After completing, and passing, my professional exam in October, I am now officially a Registered Nurse (RN). I am currently working as an RN on a General Medicine unit at the Foothills Medical Centre here in Calgary.







Babies Abound:
On May 8, 2008 Alexa Brook Duncan was born to Glen and Melissa. Glen (my brother) was excited to share is birth date with his new bundle.









On July 9, 2008 Elijah was born to Linda and Michael Milan (peter's sister).










Our Quest at Staying Fit: I recently purchased my first pair of cross-country skis. We have been spending most of our weekends skiing in the mountains. It's nice that most of the trails are only about an hour drive from our house. Peter is training for the Edmonton Birkebeiner ski race (Feb 14) - 55km with 10 pounds on his back.























Hobbies and Fun:
Peter has spent the last year rebuilding a dirt bike. He is looking forward to days spent riding this coming summer.

I have been rediscovering my interest in photography. My awesome husband bought me a Digital Canon SLR for Christmas. I am fortunate that my good friend Rachel is also a photography enthusiast. We have been known to go on spontaneous 'photo-trips' to the mountains. Landscapes are a very forgiving subject when I am still learning the ins and outs of my camera.


We are still the stages of renovation and upgrading our home. We are currently painting the upper level bedrooms. We have plenty of space, with two spare rooms, and love having people over - so don't be shy.