T'was The Night Before Christmas Eve

T'was the night before Christmas Eve, my shopping complete,the house was decorated and the baking ready to eat. The presents by the tree were wrapped with such care and the spirit of Christmas was thick in the air.

The family was coming in only one night to join in celebration by moon and candle light. The kids all excited for the the man dressed in red but far too sugared up to get straight to bed.

So we sit and reflect on the crazy last year. Some smile, some laugh and some even shed a tear. Through the good and the bad together we stand, ready to brave the next year standing tall hand in hand.

Now hug the ones you love and tells them how much you care because life is so short, it's not always fair. Forgive others freely and love with all your might. And don't forget to wish them a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy night!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays Everyone!

What I Know I Learned From Degrassi

Over the past few weeks with assistance from my good friend Netflix I have reconnected with my old time Canadian classic friends...Degrassi Jr. High and Degrassi High.  It had been a long time since we had last seen each other but like any true friend we picked up where we left off and spent a good couple of weeks together until we said good bye again today after sharing one last moment together with its farewell special "Schools Out".

Now in reconnecting, I came to realize that Degrassi has taught me some very important things in my life, and in our brief re-encounter I learned, if not relearned some very paramount things...

1. Degrassi was the only school in T.V. history where all the beautiful people DIDN'T attend.  All of the students were normal, regular, average, ordinary Canadian teenagers.

2. If you were too attractive or were getting too attractive your role didn't last very long - Jason & Stephanie from the Jr. High years

3. If you are a girl and you really want to dress up your look or try to look more mature for your age, blue eye shadow is the way to go!

4. Being called a Narbo or a Broom-Head were the worst insults that could be thrown at you in the halls of Degrassi.

5. When you have a band as awesome as the Zits (formerly The Zit Remedy) you only need one song - Everybody Wants Something

6. No party is complete without the sweet sounds of Gowan

7. No concert ever costs more than $20 and when there is a concert you can be sure most of Degrassi will be there!

8. Someone at Degrassi has had every problem EVER!
Drinking and Driving - Wheels (his parents were killed by one and he killed someone doing it in the finale special)
Pregnancy - Spike, Erica & Tessa
Teen Parents - Spike & Shane
Abortion - Erica & Tessa
Drug Abuse - Luke, Shane (who became brain damaged), Kathleen, Melanie, Diana, Yick
Underage Drinking - Pretty much all of them!
Alcoholism - Kathleen's mom
Anorexia - Kathleen
Abuse - Kathleen (by her boyfriend Scott - looking back this chick had it rough!)
HIV/AIDS - Dwayne
Suicide - Claude
Seizure Disorder - Caitlin
Stealing - Lucy
Absent Parents - Lucy
Over Protective Parents - Diana & Michelle
Adoption - Wheels
Teen Marriage - Alexa & Simon
Sexual Abuse - Liz
Interracial Relationships - Michelle & BLT
Homosexuality - Snakes (his brother)
Bullying - Dwayne & Joey
Cancer - L.D.

9. None of them learned how to swear until the School's Out finale special

10. When I was younger I totally thought junior high and high school was going to be like this with the same kinds of people and characters.  I was sadly mistaken.

Now I know Degrassi was only a T.V. show but it was classic Canadian television that has been revamped for a new generation but can never be fully duplicated to the amazingness that it was back when it first aired on CBC.  So thank you Degrassi for all of the life lessons you have given me and so many others and I look forward to seeing you again in the not so distant future.  Until then stay awsomely 80's and truly one of a kind!

In the Spirit

Well ladies and gentlemen, it has happened. I have been bitten, the venom has spread and it doesn't look as though there is a cure.  

Christmas has arrived at the Young household and the spirit is cursing through my veins!  

Over the past week every time I look online or go out to the store, inspiration hits me and I can't help but want to start my holiday preparations.  I am not usually one to start so early, usually my aim is the last weekend of November or the first weekend of December but this year I am aching to start.  So I have.

Little by little.  Bit by bit.  Christmas is coming out at the Young's.  I have baked and created some treats - rice crispy squares, chocolate peanut butter cherries and pretzel kisses.  I made a new wreath for my front door and started to add Christmas touches to the mantle above my fire place.  I've started to make hot chocolate reindeer for my students as a gift to them so each of them get something special this year as well.  Not to mention I have even started my shopping and my pile of goodies for others is quickly growing.

Although Christmas Eve is still 37 days away I'm going all in!  Christmas is my favourite holiday and the season is so short so I am going to enjoy it now and for the next 37 plus days.  I hope the spirit has found you and if not yet then soon.  And I hope the grinch's who try to ruin it for you get bit by your infectious spirit and join you in the celebration!

Happy Holiday Season Everyone!!

CIBC Run For The Cure

Every year at the beginning of October or the end of September CIBC holds its premier breast cancer awareness and fundraising event The Run For The Cure.  For the last seven of those years I have been a part of this event with my friends, walking along the thousands of other Winnipegers hoping to one day bring an end to this terrible disease.

It becomes more and more apparent each and every year that there really is no one out there who hasn't been affected by this disease or any other type of cancer.  This year the love and support was seen in full force as young children walked for their mothers, aunts or grandmothers.  Older people walked for their daughters and granddaughters.  And others just walked for everyone who has been affect and one day will be affected by breast cancer.

It is always so inspiring to see the love and support that shows up so early on Sunday morning year after year.  Hopefully one day we will see an end to this fundraiser because they don't need to research anymore and instead we come together to celebrate those who have been cured, and cured for good!

Welcome Jackson Young!

Earlier this week Jamie and I became an aunty and an uncle again.  Jackson Paul Young was born on October 1, 2013, 6lbs 4ozs.  He is perfect and beautiful and we are so happy for my amazing sister in-law Lindsay and brother in-law Jeff!  We can't wait to watch him grow up, grow into his own personality and be a part of all of it! xoxo 

What Could Have Been

Since we had our celebration for Jacob at the end of July I have felt a huge sense of closure and release. Although I still get emotional from time to time, what Jamie and I call "moments", they have been less frequent and emotionally draining.  I do still think about Jacob everyday.  I say hi to him when I pass his memory box and teddy bear but I don't break down each time I do it anymore.  I know he is with me wherever I go and will always be.

As I said, I have had fewer "moments" however, the last few weeks have seen more of those moments than the last few months combined.  If all had gone according to "plan" it would be at this time that I would be exhausted from lack of sleep but extremely joyful because we would have just brought Jacob home.

With this hovering in the air I can't help but wonder what could have been and what would have been if Jacob had made it home to us instead of leaving us so quickly.  I often find myself looking down the hall thinking about how his room would have been decorated and how our lives would have been changed so drastically for the better.  But instead of that being reality they are only thoughts.  Dreams.

For those of you with little ones at home hold them close, hug them tight and love them with all you have.  I know I will when one day we are given the opportunity again try this all again.

It's About Time

Banjo Bowl.  The one day a year that Winnipeg is invaded by a sea of green on our streets and in our stadium.  It has been a number of years since the last time the Bombers walked away with a win in this battle but today was our day!

The first win for the bombers at Investors Group Field, and the title of Banjo Bowl champs for 2013.  Finally there was a good game on the field to match the awesome parking lot party that shows up week after week.  

We may be 2-8 but you couldn't tell by the showing of the fans tonight. Congrats Blue Bombers, keep the momentum going!!!

Many Fest

Last night Jamie and I ventured downtown for an evening of fun at Winnipeg's Many Fest.  A weekend event put on to draw Winnipegers and visitors to our fair cities downtown area to enjoy a variety of events including food truck wars, a movie in the park, a farmers market, a dance and many more.

We were lured down to the event to check out the food truck wars where for a small price you could check out some sample sized nosh from a number of local food truck vendors. And as we walked up to the event in Memorial park we could see we were not the only ones in the city who had this idea.  Thousands of people packed the park last night for the food trucks, beer and wine tasting and the movie Up which was projected onto a giant blowup screen.

In theory the food truck wars is a great idea - we got to try some delicious and different food from 3 of the 12 vendors who were there.  However the waits were LONG!!!!  First you wait to get tickets for the samples, then you wait to order the samples and finally you wait to receive your samples. Some people waiting over an hour at one truck to try their tasty treats.  And it is nothing against the food truck workers, they were working their asses off, but there needs to be a better system to make the food more accessible to more people with less of a wait time.

However, for us we were in no rush and enjoyed our time together in the park taking in the sights of interesting people who came as we did to check it all out.  We even got to sit and watch part of Up as we ate our last bits of food and drank some Farmery beer.

So if you have some TIME today or tomorrow go and check it out, it is worth it I promise you!  Just don't make any plans to be elsewhere anytime soon.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the fun of Many Fest and try something yummy from some of the trucks if you can!!

Here is to a Memorable Long Weekend!

In only a few short days, myself along with thousands of other teachers will be heading back to their classrooms for yet another year of educational adventures.  For some teachers it will be there first time, others their last and for the majority of us it will be yet another year under our belts filled with hilarity only other teachers will understand.

For those of you who head back to work after this always too short long weekend, enjoy these last few days of relief and relaxation. Don't think about work, or spend your last few moments of freedom planning, just enjoy and spend it with the ones you hold closest. No matter what you think you still need to do, it will all get done, trust me!

To everyone else who are out enjoying this long weekend, Happy Labour Day Weekend! Make the most of it and make life long memories!

Cheers!

Party in Peace Abbey

 

Last night along with hundreds of others I said goodbye to a vibrant young lady who was taken from us far too soon at the age of 19.  A woman with her bright red lips, cool vintage style and uncontrollable laughter that sucked you in, you couldn't help but call her one of a kind.

Abbey was the type of girl who had no fear.  She loved life, her friends and family and all aspects of the arts. She was one of those people who was a force to be reckoned with when it came to the arts - she drew, wrote, sang and acted.  And in a few short days she was supposed to be jetting off for Toronto to attend a performing arts school, which with no doubt in my mind she would have taken by storm.

I was lucky enough to have been Abbey's drama teacher for two years.  Once as her student teacher when I was finishing up my degree, then again the following year when I covered for my friend and mentor Carrie while she was on maternity leave.  In class Abbey was hard to miss.  She was loud and out there and sometimes stubborn when she didn't quite buy what you were trying to teach her because she was so passionate about theater.

Hearing so many great stories, songs and videos from her friends and family last night was a true testament to who Abbey is and how she touched everyone she came into contact with.  She is a presence that can never be replaced or forgotten and somebody that we should all try to be more like.  As one of her friends said last night, "there is no way she is resting up there so I will say this, Party in Peace Abbey."

Before we left the celebration last night we were asked to write a "Dear Abbey" letter for the family to look back on our memories of their daughter/sister/niece/cousin and remember who Abbey was to everyone else, so that is how I am going to say my goodbye.

Dear Abbey,
     You are crazy!  No not kinda crazy, but CRAZY!!!  But that is was I love about you.  You are not afraid to be you with your own sense of style and your bright red lips.  I will never forget teaching you in the MMC theater and watching you bounding in everyday with some story to tell.  Hearing you laughing non stop from across the room and watching you light up the stage every time you stepped onto it.  I remember you telling me after your Children's Theatre performance in grade 11, "Ms. Young I swear all I could hear was you laughing out in the audience!  I always know you are out there when I hear your laugh and I love it."  You are a shooting star Abbey but unfortunately you star will now be shining down on all of us from heaven.  I love you and all your craziness. Be wild, be unique, be yourself. Party in peace Abbey.
Love Ms. Young

Let Me Help You

Dear Winnipeg Drivers;

The above picture is that of a speed limit sign which you can see scattered around our great city on a number of different streets.  If you are still unfamiliar with them they are used for safety and to help control the flow of traffic.  They are NOT optional NOR are they a mere suggestion for you interpret into whatever speed you so choose at that moment.

Driving 20 km under the posted limit in perfect weather conditions and outside of rush hour is completely UNACCEPTABLE!!!! Do this on Sundays, on back country roads and when I am nowhere near you!

And in case you were wondering about any of your other annoying and ridiculous driving habits here is a list of other unacceptable traffic snafus that I encountered while I was out and about on this lovely afternoon.

1. Tapping your breaks every 15-30 seconds for good measure.  (BAD!)
2. Racing up the inside lane to get in front of me then slamming on your breaks and slowing down once you are in front of me. (LAME!)
3. Not using your turn signal.  (I don't know if you are aware of this but they are not an optional feature on your vehicle!)
4. Merging onto a busy road into an open lane slowly, but staying in the merge lane until someone comes up that open lane then cut them off. (STUPID!)
5. Texting while driving. (You know it's illegal and you now get 2 demerits for that right???)
6. Riding my ass and honking at ME when traffic is backed up and there is nowhere for ANYONE to go. (A**HOLE!)

I'm not saying that I am a perfect driver, (obviously, check out this road rage!) but have some common sense and some common decency or one day you might come face to face with THIS

Sincerely,

Megs

Pay It Forward

A few days ago I was contacted by a lovely woman who shared with me a story about hope, courage and unwavering faith.  She told me about being 36 years old with a beautiful 3 1/2 month old baby girl and being given the grim prognosis of only having 15 months to live.

Heather Von St. James was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare and extremely deadly form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos and that takes the lives of most of those who are diagnosed with it. Now 7 years later, healthy, happy and full of life Heather is spreading the word trying to inspire others and give them the faith and encouragement to fight.

So I encourage to you take a look at her story and her fight here or click on the link below and check out her blog.  Heather's goal is to inspire and to pay it forward so please help her in doing so because without even knowing it you may be helping others just by passing this along.

Heather's Blog

Wedding Week

In a few short hours one of my husbands best friends Mike (aka his brother from another mother), will be walking down the aisle to say "I do" and we have been lucky enough to have been apart of this awesome week of fun and preparations!  

There has been great food, cold drinks and many laughs along the way during these celebrations.  We've gone to watch baseball (where we watched a girl get a number on a baseball tossed by the ball boy), golfed a little and sang some sweet karaoke on the wedding eve.

So here is to Mike on his and his bride Kim's big day! Cheers!

Family Day at The Forks

For the past week my parents have been in town visiting from BC.  It has been a great week spending time at the lake, eating great food, drinking mass quantities of wine and shopping 'til my mom and I could drop.

Today we took full advantage of the beautiful weather on this Holiday Monday by going down to The Forks and The Exchange for some geocaching (dad's 1st time) and just to take in the great day.  Plus there weren't a ton of people out there today so it was the perfect opportunity to be sneaky and stealthy as we hunted for hidden treasures.

Well, it would have been perfect if would could find more than 1 of the 6 we looked for, however we had a great time together and my dad got his first taste of a hobby Jamie and I enjoy!

Not to mention we took a detour in the exchange and feasted on poutine at Smokes!!!! Mmmmmm....

You've Made THE LIST!

Recently, Jamie and I made a trip out to Kenora Ontario and decided to check out their new Lake of the Woods Brewery.  Located in an old red brick fire hall, it is a nice addition to the seasonal town.

Now when we stopped by the brewery they had only been open for the last few days so they were still working out the many kinks that come along with opening up a brand new restaurant including, slow service, extremely long waits for food in the kitchen, a VERY limited sample menu because their full menu wasn't quite ready yet, and none of their own signature beer was ready for tasting.

Fast forward 3 weeks and it is no better than the first time we ventured there.

As soon as we walked in the door they said everything they possibly could to make us turn on our heels, walk out the door and find some place else to go for lunch and a drink.

"Just so you know our kitchen is a little backed up and there is about a 30 minute wait for food."

"There is a list for the patio because we only have two servers out there at this time." (Mind you there were only 3 tables seated out there when we arrived)

"We are a little busier than expected sooooo..."

Well Lake of the Woods Brewery I gave you 2 chances and you have officially blown it.  Since you can't seem to get it together then I can't seem to give you any of my business.  Good luck to you!

However on the bright side my mother found a wine glass sippy cup for her red wine while we were wondering around. Now she can drink her wine on carpeted surfaces! Cheers!

And for your enjoyment a little sign we found in the same store.