For the fifth year in a row the kids and I went to Canmore to watch the parade. Things didn’t go exactly as planned and we ended up leaving early, but still it’s awesome that we have these traditions. We also ended up missing my aunt’s annual party, but I’m learning to accept that life doesn’t always go as planned.
We still ended up having a nice and quiet Canada Day. I’m so grateful we live in this country 🇨🇦.
We went to one of my favorite family parties tonight. The hosts throw the absolute best parties and are some of the kindest people I know.
Added bonus is there’s a lot of extended family who goes to this party who I don’t get to see at other times of the year.
Canadian/American tug of war 
Tonight was the awards banquet for the kids’ 4H club. Our club is small enough that each kid gets at least one award, which is awesome considering how much work everyone does over the year.
I was feeling very blessed as we were there tonight. For a few minutes I was overwhelmed with sadness as I looked around at the grandparents and relatives from other members who were there to celebrate. But then I realized that since we are related to half the club, my kids also had family there! I’ve been really missing my parents lately and I think this is how it came out
However, the evening was a huge success and much fun was had by all.
Tonight we spent almost an hour laughing as the boy tried to get Siri to set up our tv.
He was too stubborn to type the commands and Siri wasn’t understanding him.
It’s such a good feeling to have long laughs about small stupid things.
The boy just walked by me and asked why I haven’t been blogging lately. I said I felt like the fun has been kicked out of me and I just don’t want to.
In the elegant words of a teenager he told me to stop my whining and start appreciating all that I have.
I hate that he’s right, but he is. There are a lot of blessings in my life and I should remember to be grateful for each and every one of them. Even though I just couldn’t make myself do it for the last little while, I really missed finding a moment of happiness in every day. They’re still there, but I feel like I need to celebrate them more.
So, tonight I am happy and grateful for the sound of girl cousins giggling as they play games from their childhood. Balance is coming back to life and that is a wonderful blessing.
A few days ago I read on Keystone Equine’s Facebook page that the best way to get the skunk smell out of a dog is Vagisil. Yeah.
I tucked that information away hoping I wouldn’t need it, but sure enough last night Bear got face to side with a stinky black and white
Omg the smell. I thought I’d pass out. I used some of the pet store skunk stuff I had but it didn’t really make a difference.
One sad night for our poor dog.
Today I left my pride at the house and went to Walmart asking for the largest container of Vagisil powder they had.
I’m glad I don’t have much pride because that stuff worked miracles. I now has a fresh, non skunk smelling happy dog.
That is a happiness moment.
17 years ago tonight I was in the process of a life changing event. Tomorrow at 3:06 am my baby boy made his grand entrance into the world. Becoming his mom changed me completely. I have learned to love harder, forgive more, be gentler, and find strength I didn’t know existed.
All of this I learned from him. He is one of the brightest stars in my sky and one of my greatest sources of happiness.
We always have a family show we watch together. Right now it’s Schitt’s Creek which is silly and stupid, but also really funny and we can relate to it.
A family who used to have money and suddenly doesn’t? Ummm yeah.
It’s Canadian too which is extra cool. But mostly I just like that it’s a way we gather together and unwind and spend time together.
Family is what it’s all about after all.
We had our second annual start of summer potluck at the community hall tonight.
I love this community we are part of. The roots are deep and the love is strong. It was so awesome to visit, laugh, eat, play cards, and share time with family and neighbors.
We are fairly unique these days in that we have so many families who have lived together for generations. Having flown solo for so many years in our gypsy era, I appreciate even more the grounding joy of our loved ones.
We are blessed.
Every new beginning comes from some other new beginning’s end.
This song keeps playing in my mind today. We have had lots of endings lately, and some new beginnings. Today was a new beginning day and I think it will be one giant leap towards greater peace and happiness.
I was thinking today how important it is to let the endings – good and bad – be behind me so that there is space for new beginnings. Some things I hold onto for too long, sometimes it’s not me, but I am chased by someone trying to project an old memory onto me. Either way, I need to keep space for awesome new beginnings.
