Tag Archives: alberta

happiness

Friends in low places 

26 years later my oldest bestest friend and I did a return to watch Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood in concert at the Saddledome. When we went in 1991 it was their first time touring, barely any of his songs were known, and until tonight it remained the best concert I had ever been to.

Man those two put on a show y’all.

Aside from how amazingly awesome the concert was, it was so fun to go with my dear old friend and her family. We laughed that years ago we had been each other’s maid’s of honuor and now we were each other’s plus ones. This friendship will last well into the nursing home. We went for dinner and swapped new horse stories and laughed about some old ones. We rolled eyes when Garth played much too young to feel this damn old and remembered how we used to say that in our youth. We were such innocent fools.

It was SO MUCH FUN! So much happiness.

As a bonus happiness moment, I went and saw my stylist today to see if I’d be able to get my head into the sink next week to deal with the chaotic mop my hair has turned into. She washed and styled my hair for free so I’d look good for the concert. What an act of kindness. She is such a good soul.

 

 

 

 

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What I know 

I know nothing about how to ride western. I know how to grab onto the horn, I know it’s totally different from English, I know I’m not very good at it. 

I don’t really know why I spent most of the summer riding my green horse in my Western saddle instead of my English one. I kept thinking that I would learn I guess. And I kind of was, but it’s still not where I’m comfortable. Actually, before I smashed to the ground, I had switched back to English for a few rides and we both were happier. 

I’ll still learn how to ride Western – or at least how to hang on better in my saddle – but I remembered tonight how much I love jumping. It’s what I know. I love that adrenaline rush and the trust that comes with a really good jump. 

I was playing with Drishti and decided to do what I know. So I put together a really rough style jump and asked him what he knew. 

At first he was a little snorty, but still game to play. 

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By the end he was quite enjoying himself. This was about 2’6

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This is totally in my comfort zone. This is what I did forever. I know how to play with him with poles and fences. I know how to build up our trust and confidence doing stuff like this. 

And it’s fun. I love it. It’s happiness. 

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The memory keeper 

My dad was the family photographer, in effect he was our memory keeper. Everything that we did that was recorded was thanks to his passion for photography. I appreciate it even more now that he’s gone and we no longer have someone snapping shots of the good moments in our lives.

Jenna needs a new computer for school this year and my mom said that she could use dad’s old laptop. For the first time in 2+ years it got turned on and we took a look at what dad left behind (as an aside – when I die I need someone I trust to go through my things and delete, delete, delete).

Here are some photos from their trip to Virginia in 2013 to visit us. Our lives took a HUGE turn sideways within a day of my parents going back home, and it was good to look back and see some really happy memories from a time I’ve tried to wipe out.

So, here’s a little trip down our memory lane. I’ve found it hard to look at Dad’s photos – they bring back such bittersweet memories. But today we looked at them and it was Jenna’s turn to laugh until she cried. There were a lot of good times. A lot of happiness.

This was Easter 2013

 

Neither Jenna nor I have any idea what this is. She says I look so proud of it, but it looks like poop. So there you have it.

Swimming was always a huge part of any grandparent visit. My kids inherited dad’s love of the water.

Day trip to Monticello – one of our favourite spots – I loved Charlottesville.

Jenna rode this scooter everywhere. Interesting that I made her wear a helmet here, but there’s no helmet on the toboggans at home.

Those of you who know me understand how emotionally scarring this was for me. Freaking mascots.


These girls love doing this still.

 

And these from 2010

 

These kids and these cats – good buddies. We lost Tawny last year in an accident 😦

I grew up being super close with my cousins – I love that this tribe of cousins has kept their close bonds even when we had thousands of miles between us.

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Slow it down 

One of the best things about life back at home is how we have been able to slow our pace and learn to appreciate the small things in life. That’s something we started to put in practice in Virginia, but it’s so much more enjoyable here at home. 

I was remembering today how before we left Rhode Island we went to walk around Walden Pond and see Thoreau’s cabin. Simplify simplify simplify. Our life back then seemed to be complicate complicate complicate. Slowly but surely we are learning to relax into stillness more and appreciate the small things in life. It’s part of why I love our house so much. It’s so simple, but there’s so much attached to it as well – our heritage, but it’s been our safe place. It’s full of love. 

The boy and I went to church today where they reminded us that when we are broken, instead of trying to fix ourselves (yep) that it’s essential to ask for help. I hate asking for help – but things happen every once in a while that put me in the position where I have to. It’s important to know how to both give and receive help. I needed that reminder. 

The boy made me laugh so hard this morning I was crying. I thought I’d rebroken my arm it hurt so much but I couldn’t stop laughing. We all need someone in our lives who is like that. He cracks me up and I feel so grateful that God put him in my life. He’s happiness 

I’m also grateful for this dude. He is teaching me a lot this year as well. Reminding me of who I used to be, and to keep working for the things I really want. 

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Let’s be Italian today 

The boy very kindly accompanied me to an unplanned doctor appointment this morning. Thankfully I have a great doctor and I think I’ll have some better luck with pain management. One can hope anyway. 

Since we were already in South Calgary it only made sense to go to our favorite place in the city- the Italian Centre. We made the bad choice of shopping while hangry but it’s not like any of it will go to waste. Yum. 

We grabbed lunch at the cafe when we were done and it was like we were transported on a mini vacation. 


The boy said it was like we were in Italy, to me it felt like we were at a bistro in Quebec. I miss our Quebec meals and the culture there. We had some good times, and sure learned how to appreciate a good meal. 

When we got home my mom asked if we wanted to go to Bragg Creek for supper and eat outside on a patio. Off to the Italian Farmhouse we went for another perfect Italian meal. 

And best of all, the chef cut up my meal for me – so it came out looking pretty and I could eat it! 



It was a pretty blessed day. I have to say I started it off feeling kind of sore and grumbly. But seriously – what a lot to be grateful for. Good medical care, awesome food, and my tribe. Life is good. That is happiness. 

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The boy and his bag

I played a little bit with my boy this evening. It’s the first thing we’ve done in over a month that didn’t involve him getting treats. We started playing the friendly game with a dreaded plastic bag. Considering he started out faking a heart attack to get away from the monster I think we did really well. He sniffed it by the end of the evening. 

It felt so good to get to do something with him again – it was good for both of us. And if I can get him so he’s better on the ground that will make things better in the saddle. 

Happiness

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Rehydrate 

I met my good friend for tea today – both of us have been kind of disasters the last few weeks. She was sick and I was broken – we have made an interesting pair. 

She had gone to the pharmacy to get something to help her rehydrate because her meds had left her totally dehydrated. A lightbulb went off for me. I’ve been on these meds for a month and I know they’re dehydrating me. 

So we both started chugging electrolyte drinks and have continued until now at bedtime. I have to say I feel so much better. I’ve been working at upping my water intake anyway, but the electrolytes really have made a difference. It’s so important to listen to what the body is saying

Hydrated happiness 

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I did it myself 

For the first time in over a month, since I fell off and shattered my shoulder, I was able to put a halter on dear Drishti. It may not seem like a big deal, but in my world it was HUGE. It means I can catch him, groom him, play with him, and start to do some groundwork with him. 

It’s a next level happiness. I love that boy. He makes my spirit feel free. 

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Pages and ponies 

I did some of my coursework today. I’m learning so much and really enjoying it even though it’s going slower than I had wanted thanks to my shoulder. But slow steps forward are better than none at all. 

I saw my boy this evening and did some quiet   groundwork with him. I’m trying to look at this time as an opportunity to bond and do some schooling on the ground. I wish I was riding – but we don’t always get what we wish for. 

I feel like the last few years have constantly taught me to look for sunshine on cloudy days. 


He’s my sunshine. And a constant source of happiness. 

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Baptism ranch style 

The church held their annual baptisms in the creek at the ranch today. It was at my favourite place on earth and it was fun to see people come to God in what for me has always been a holy place. 


It amazed me how much the water had dropped since the last time I was there. The dam the kids were building a month ago had been totally under water then. Not so much now. It sure has been dry. 

No matter what it’s like,  it’s always my happy place there. 

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