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....