Good Time Girls

I love my friends. Bonnie, Cathy and I are so great (in a completely not conceded way). This weekend has been filled with many fun filled events.

1. Bonnie and I stopped at the classic Claresholm 7-11. 
That place is a bloody dream. A dream of fried chicken 
kabobs, potato wedges and corn dogs! YUM!

2. I love my friends. Seriously, there is something completely safe 

and comforting about going and just being yourself, and laughing. I 

have laughed so much this weekend. We say funny things, we do 

funny things. And I love every minute. We headed to the new C-town 

mall, and wandered. We ended the mall moment in Le Chateau. Cathy 

found THE dress. The one that is perfectly suited to who she is as a 

person. This dress is her. As such, it was magic. Bonnie and I also 

showed a couple little numbers. By the end, we almost had Bonnie 

convinced to buy the leather dress she tried on. All sorts of hilarity. 

And dont get me started on leather jackets... boy oh boy. My friends 

are funny.                                     .                    .                                . 

3. The Wilderman family. Erin Wilderman was in Cath's dental hygiene class and when we go to Calgary we stay at her parents house. This family is hilarious. And wonderful. They made us breakfast both mornings (pancakes and french toast + bacon). They helped deck Bon and Cath out for the wedding we were going to. And are the most wonderfully hospitable family I've ever met. Saturday we spent the entire day just laughing and talking. And there wasnt a moment of boredom with them around.

4. The fact that the wedding program was BRUTAL. And had a one woman show. 

Just so its known, talking awkwardly about the couples' terrible break ups... not kosher. 

Bon Tron, C-Fresh and I have made a pact that no awkward break up talk will be part

of our wedding programs. I mean for heaven's sake, this woman sang "Its raining men..."

and "Celebrate good times" ... It was a train wreck. But we couldnt look away.

5. Meet Peter

If only Peter hadnt been too cool two years ago.

He's a Saskatchewan friend with Cody and Trent.

And hilarious. He was a welcome addition to our

usual five. Funny guy. Real shame we werent 

friends sooner.

6. Both Friday and Saturday we ended up at Cody's house.

And even tho we just sat around talking and laughing, it was

such a good time. Call us for a good time. For real. We are great.

7. Funny moments where first I was teaching Bonnie how to snuggle. 

Which did not work out so hot. But I will give her an award for most improved. 

But she left me for Cody (understandable) and Cathy and Trent invited me to

join them. As they spooned on the tiny love seat. So I had Peter push the couch up

to box me in. It was super funny. Especially when Cody's roommate Jordan came

home and got a three handed wave from the love seat. Cause without the three

handed wave, pretty sure he wouldnt of been able to see Cathy. She's just a little

girl who got absorbed into Trent and my bodies. Hilarious moment? Yes. Are

my friends and I a little too comfortable with each other? Most likely.

8. So after church today we watched 

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Can I just say that I am in love with 

Christian Slater. Seriously... he is

a nineties dreamboat. The entire movie

I was in love. Might have been a bit 

much. But after the movie finishes, 

Bryan Adams "Everything I Do"...

Cathy and I start slow dancing. Yup... 

stop judging. We were slow dancing 

and it was going quite well if I do say

so myself. I mean, after we figured out

who was gonna be the boy that is (me

FYI). So I tell Cath I cant remember

how to dip someone and am gonna try.

Cathy is all for this. So I spin her in, start

to dip her and my feet and hers come out 

from under us. Cathy slams her head into

the tv stand, speaker and table. And then

has me fall on top of her. I felt so bad. She's laughing tho. And Bonnie tells

me that, that was really awkward to watch. Bonnie called my dancing

awkward... thats saying something. So we're laughing on the floor and I'm

apologizing to Cath. She's feeling her head and pulls her hand away... and it 

is bloody. Now I'm really apologizing. I dropped her and she smashed her

head and cut it. I felt so bad. Needless to say, I dont think we'll be dancing

again. Sorry Cath. My bad. Turns out I wasnt meant to be the boy.

Seriously. So sorry Cath. I love you?

This weekend was excellent. Right now dinner is in the oven. I have great friends. Seriously GREAT!

P.S> This is love

: ... ... .... (

Things I dislike today:
- people feeling obligated to include me
- people pitying me
- people who dont mean what they say


That is all.

To Brittney and Cathy - Suck It.

Melissa and Bonnie here.
You should be afraid girlies. Very afraid.
For those who dont know, Brittney and Cathy are known to be work out hardcores. So when they found out Bonnie was coming south for the month of February, they suggested a friendly competition - long haired blondes vs. short haired brunettes. The name of the game? Log the most work out hours (with a two hour cap per day of course... we arent insane). Really what it comes down to consistency.
They think they have this in the bag. Bonnie has been to the gym a total of six times in the twenty one years of her life (all of which were last week). Melissa has had her moments of hardcoreness... but they involved Cathy and her slave driving.

But we will not be beat. The gauntlet is thrown down.  

Lets log todays battle:

4:15 - 4:19: Get monthly gym pass

4:19 - 4:21: Put our earthly possessions in a gym cubby (its safe, I promise!)

4:21 - 4:51: Bike-o-rama (and yes... Melissa asked after fifteen if she could quit. Did she keep going tho? Double yes!)

4:51 - 4:53: Lets get hydrated... at two separate water fountains... sometimes we hate lines for water.

4:53 - 5:37: Arm weights and leg weights (And yes... Bonnie is a weight lifting machine... there's nothing she cant rock)

5:37 - 5:40: Hydration Yo!

5:40 - 5:55: Convinced Bonnie that running isnt the worst thing ever (aka we totally hopped on the treadmills) ... And now she agrees.

5:55 - 6:05: Stretch that. Cause we needed it. And its healthy.

6:12 - 6:34: Winsor Pilates Abs... Bonnie claims she's aweful... its not true. She worked it like a pro.

Check that! TWO HOURS BABY!

To the victors go the smoothies.

Pineapple

Psych gave me a brilliant idea.

Pineapple smoothie.

YUM!

Cousin Time

Last night I've never regretted not bringing my camera more. I shoulda known that my cousins Jesse and Maikal are a good time. A picture worthy time. I mean I used to do Summer Fun with Maikal. And every moment was picture worthy. I should of known hanging out with him minus the roadtrips and minus Matt wouldnt change that. 


So Jesse comes over last night to wait at our house before the dance. Lethbridge YSA dances scare me. Mostly I just remember the first dance Lindsay ever took me to. There was like fifteen people at most and they were weird and I just remember thinking that dances were not for me. And going to dance without a group of friends. Well that is just asking to stand awkwardly by the side by yourself. Taking one friend isnt good enough. Cause if they get asked to dance you are left standing awkwardly by yourself. I mean sure, there's always the "walk around with a purpose" ploy... but I often feel dumb power walking no where. 


Besides the point. Jesse and I are close to be being friends, despite that we're already cousins. We have common friends but we arent quite to the point where I could call us friends. So he asked if I was going to the dance and I hedged. Cause without a solid invite, going to a Lethbridge dance, where I dont know anyone and have no Cathy or Bonnie, does not sound like a good time. It sounds so not like a good time that I was planning on going to a movie by myself. Because that is guaranteed to be quite enjoyable... whereas dances are totally hit or miss. 


But after asking a couple times if I was going, Jesse asked if I wanted to come with him. I forewarned him that I would be hovering after him the entire night, to which by his laugh I took that as an agreeance that was an acceptable deal, and we headed out. When we arrived we walked into the gym and immediately both wished we could walk right out. The music was blaring and some YSA were DJing. But in the gym there was maybe fifteen people in an awkward circle just dancing their little hearts out. With one ultra-confident person dancing alone in the center. Jesse and I both knew we should have waited longer to come. But we'd figured that the first half hour would be enough leeway time for a crowd to show up. Oh how wrong we were!


We quickly went out to the hall and used the phone to call Maikal. Strength in numbers. Between the time it took to walk the other side of the church to phone and back, and waited the minute or so for Maikal to show up, when we walked back into the gym it was a different story. You could no longer see through the crowd. And standing, arms folded to the side, was now an acceptable option. 


Dont get me wrong. I actually really like dancing. Dance parties are a good time... but having a group of friends to dance with, is pretty mandatory in my books. I knew that if I committed to being there and got Maikal and Jesse to do the same, they could be my group and we'd have fun. But building the energy to do that... to get into the dancing mood... that took a little time. So for the first while we sat to the side and watched everyone. I love watching other people dance. People are just so funny when they're dancing. 


So the dancing occurred. But slow songs are my nemesis. Mostly cause Jesse and Maikal are good boys who ask girls to dance. But as such that left me alone every time a slow song came on. And I no longer know anyone in Lethbridge (dang friends getting married). So a slow song would come on. Suddenly I'd be standing completely alone. Jesse and Maikal are quick and would instantly vanish into thin air beside me. So I would make my way to the outer edges of the dancing, sidestepping many a couple. Once reaching the outer edge though, I would realize each time that I had no where to go. I'd look to and fro but to no avail. But standing alone, surveying couples dancing... well that makes my insides go awkward. So I would see a group of people talking and would sidle up. "Hi, I dont know you but I'm gonna stand by you. Ok? Ok." It actually turned out ok the two times it became necessary to do so. Had a lovely little chit chat with Matt McDonald, who I went to highschool with. He's a funny kid. 


But the dance ends. And I'm ready to head back home. But I drove Jesse and he is still being social and chatting. So I hover near him and Maikal. Jesse then informs me that I need to pick out a cute boy (any cute boy I see) and go over and talk to him. I inform him there are no cute boys. Hahaha. But him and Maikal leave me to go talk to Landon Hatch. I wander behind them. Landon went to the same mission that Josh is at. And as such, right before Josh left, I heard quite a bit about him. He's a nice kid. 


But it gets decided we're going to some James kids house. Maikal, Jesse and I drive over there together. We get there and it was awkward. We could of really used Maikal's Bag of Fun idea... Jesse bailed to get food, so it wasnt even like we could just leave without him. Maikal sent me a text pleading to drive him to his car - Dear Maikal... I definitely did not have my phone on me. And received that text when I arrived home. Sorry. But Landon busted out some sparklers... I like sparklers. We played with those outside. And he informed us, he was trying to get us away from the awkwardness of the inside of the house. Like I said... Good kid. 


So he comes up with an idea... Tie a tube to the back of his truck and go truck sledding. Maikal, Angela Bridge, Meaghan Maxwell, Alex, and I are definitely down for that. So we tie the tube, fill it up with air, and stop. We need someone to step up and go. As anyone who knows me knows, I sometimes avoid doing things, just because I havent done them before. I hate feeling stupid and awkward, and doing something I dont know how to do... thats just asking to feel both of those. But there must of been something in the air, or maybe it was me trying to impress four people I didnt know very well, but I offered to go first. 


So we stopped the truck. Pulled the tube, tied with string out of the truck bed and set it on the packed snow on the road. I sat down on the tube. Angela came out to sit in the truck bed for moral support... and to make sure I didnt die. And Landon got back into the drivers seat to start driving. He started off and let me tell you... It was really fun. I thought I'd be a little more nervous, but I forget that on occasion I can be fearless. He pulled me through alleys and onto streets. And I slid to and fro. It was seriously great. The only dodgey moment was when he crossed a street that didnt have any snow on it. Ya... that felt like the tube would pop. But it didnt and so we continued on our merry way. 


Maikal joined me on the tube. And it was great. Then we let Meaghan and Alex take a turn. Landon totally swung them into a wire. But when we stopped to assess the situation we saw a discarded couch in the alley. The cogs were a working as someone suggested we hook the couch up. So what did we do? Yup, we placed the couch, on top of the tube. It was ridiculous. And Landon kept saying "Seriously, does no one have a camera?" Maikal, Jesse and Alex rode the couch at first. And then we Lowry's decided to take it for a run. 

Honestly, I felt so fearless last night. Someone who would be up for anything. I liked that I was the girl who went on the totally sketchy couch ride. Liked that I laughed so much. Maikal came to the conclusion that his Bag of Fun will include Landon Hatch. I support that decision.

I'm Dying To Tell...

I’m dying to tell you I miss you.

But the words stall on the edge of my mouth.

Because I know you don’t want to hear them.

And as they die, I wrap them carefully.

A daily burial for things left unsaid.

I’m dying to tell you I miss you.

But you have become the epitome of a broken heart.

And now you have several names and faces.

I think of you and remember all the others.

Remember how no one could stay.

I’m dying to tell you I miss you.

Because I wanted you to be different.

The one who could beat the odds.

But I know now that you cannot.

Because I have stayed the same.

I’m dying to tell you I miss you.

But my better judgement tells me not to.

So instead I bite my tongue until I taste the regret.

Hoping that maybe you’ll prove me wrong.

Remembering me fondly, instead of forgetting me completely.

I Do What I Want.

This was probably a bad idea.
But I dont care.
I did it cause I wanted to.
Plain and simple.
I wanted it done.
I didnt want to wait.
So I did it myself.
I didnt pro-con it.
I didnt even care if it turned out badly.
I wanted to do it.

I came home from work.

Took the scissors out of the cupboard and hacked off my pony tail.

For better or for worse.

I love short hair.

And I was holding onto my long hair for reasons similar to why I wanted to be a dental hygienist at one point in time.

It was stupid.

And I'm tired of acting like I'm stupid.

Cause I'm not.

Be Small.

In this moment I need to be small.

To fit into a tiny square of space.

Need to hold my breath so I dont ache.

But I cannot hold my breath.

Who I am rushes in and leaves me staggering.

It is too much.

I want too much.

I need too much.

I am too much.

So I will continue to make myself smaller.

Folding myself inward.

Because being big is being seen.

But if you are seen, you can be unseen.
And there is comfort in being invisible.

Ryder is Five

This child is now five.

Its insanity. He's such a big kid now. I still remember the day he was born. I arrived at Grey Nuns hospital in the morning with Steph. It was crazy snowy that day. Steph and I were the first ones to see him. And I was so excited. My nephew. David Ryder. I love Ryd so much. And am so glad I got to be around this year to celebrate with him.

We arrived to see a few gym games going on (freeze tag, what time is it Mr. Wolf?) and of course the Astro jump.

Basically it was just a big family/extended family party. There was pizza and cake and lots of crazy children to play with.

Na-na-na-na-na-na-na... Batman!

So Ryd practised blowing out his candles.

But in the end Katie swooped in moments before the end of the Happy Birthday song and blew them out for him.

Good cake Ryd?

Cake... YUM!

Katie was quite helpful unwrapping presents.

She may have completely unwrapped a couple.

Its not a birthday till someone cries... preferably the birthday boy.

Ridiculous crying? Check.

Good thing Uncle Ben could talk him off the ledge.

But how about everyone helping him with his transformer helmet. Awesome right? It was kinda complicated.

Is it mean to say the birthday boy

had some serious mood swings?

He's pretty cute though.

I'll give him that.

This girl too.

She'd drag me in the astro jump... have me run in circles either chasing or being chased. She's kinda hilarious like that.

And this work of art.

Cone head. By Ben Lowry. Featuring Iohane Lowry.

Good Mornings.

This morning I woke up to a small rap at my door. Followed by the entrance of this...

I am a bleary-eyed child.

But my eyes are open enough to know that this is really sweet.

And that this is a good kid.

The End.