Long Overdue

Wow. Life has taken over, and I've stayed true to my promise not to blog as often. There's so much to blog about, but with a commute that's been extended by an extra 2 hours every day, there's just no chance to sit down & write it out.

I started this on the Teacher Convention days, and now, a few weeks later, report cards are done and I'm treating myself to a blog post.

Because I miss it. I really do.

But I hardly ever take out my computer after I get home from school. Most often, it's dinner, shower, bed. With a little time for meetings or wedding business or family/friend functions.

Nearly all school work needs to be done at school. Before school, after school, during prep or break. It's good that I'm teaching some very familiar courses, and that I've got a great co-teacher for the new course. I've also been getting some help with my 'easy' marking.

And, planning a wedding. Speaking of which, Ed & I got engaged! You knew that already, because I'm so slow that everyone knows despite the fact that my blog didn't, til now. You want some details? Okay:

• Engagement date: September 8th.
• Morning gift: Beautiful yellow flowers
• Place: Port Dalhousie (fave childhood spot of mine - Ed's first time :)
• Carousel
• Walk on the pier
• Walk on the beach
• Ring! "Will you marry me?"
• "Yes!"
• "Are you sure?" (ha!)
• Then I might have tooted. Elegant, right?

And then we went for dinner with both sets of parents = awesome! The waitress discovered that we'd just been engaged, so we got free champagne as well.The pictures should be coming, because I can't find them (thought I had them!)

And we started planning.
The wedding date: August 2nd, 2013. See the wedding page for any other details, as they come.

We had our engagement party on October 6th - it was so wonderful to see all the family & friends who came out to support us - probably about 75, and that wasn't even all who were invited! Thanks for coming out, everyone!

Gift table/Guest book signing

Where the party started...

Just a few great desserts :)

The whole party...!

Pukaskwa: First Official Paddling Day!

Finally. On Saturday morning, we headed out from the Puk River Campsite.

After just an hour or so of paddling we got to Imogen Cove and had the opportunity to check out the old Pukaskwa Depot, a logging town from the 30s. There wasn't much left to explore, but the bits and pieces left are enugh to inspire the imagination & have you seeing the old town alive again in your imagination!

Imogen Cove also had a beautiful long beach, and we ate lunch here (more like snacks & oranges.)

After leaving Imogen Cove, it took us another couple of hours paddling on the beautiful, calm lake to get to our destination for the evening: Bonamie Cove.

At Bonamie Cove, we found a surprise. Although there was no loo for us, yet there were real patio tables, a full size shovel, and a wire grate for over the fire. We took advantage!

Dinner at Bonamie Cove was supposed to be lunch....quinoa salad. We added the ham that was supposed to go with the evening nasi goreng meal and I have to say, I think it was my favourite meal of the trip!

Good-bye Puk River campsite!

Destination: Imogen Cove

Shaun checking out the remains of a cabin in Pukaskwa Depot @ Imogen Cove

My boat & Ed's taking a break on the beach at Imogen Cove

Our party at Imogen Cove

Ed filtering water at Bonamie Cove.

First group shot at Bonamie Cove on our wonderful, shoveled-out sand bench :) L-R: Richard, Shaun, Kim, myself, Ed

Sunset @ Bonamie Cove

Silhouette group shot. Who's who?

Pictures of the full campsite @ Bonamie coming tomorrow!

Meeting Kaylin :)

On the evening of the 7th - the night that we returned to our vehicles from our trip, a friend of mine had her baby!

Kevin & Andrea welcomed a daughter: Kaylin. She sure made her mommy wait it out - before we left on our trip she was expected to come any day. Still, at just one day past the due date, it's not toooooo bad!

I think probably the most excited person in the family was Kaylin's big sister, Serena! Serry is nearly 5 and has been talking about having a sister for years. Although, her 2.5 year old self had an imaginary sister named DW.....

Anyways...pretty cool stuff. This past Monday I visited Andrea & Kaylin for the morning and got to hold the 'little' peanut (9 lbs isn't so newborn anymore, but she still seems tiny!)

Winning the Lottery: Bonnechere edition

2 weekends ago, a bunch of us headed up to Bonnechere.

Funny story: we thought it would take us 3 hours to get there from Hamilton.

Try FIVE and a HALF!

My poor, sore, I-finally-did-some-physical-labour body was not having fun.

But, we got there. I survived. And enjoyed the lazy days.

Those days looked a lot like the pictures below, though it was sometimes at the campsite, sometimes at the beach. And finally...our own private little island.

Kirsten & Helen's second day reading on the sandbar/private island

My first day. The kayaks came in handy to get us, our chairs, umbrella & books out to the sandbar.

Unluckily, Ed & Maarten had to stay back at the beach - they both cut their feet earlier in the trip & didn't want to risk infection :(

On the way home, we stopped a few times. To shop, and to enjoy a beach because it sure was hot!

A Joyful Noise!

Last Saturday, I headed out to my favourite waterfront park with friends to enjoy a day of Christian music - free! The concert was called "A Joyful Noise" and this theme came from Psalm 98 - one of my favourites.

It was a gorgeous, warm, sunny day:

Mandy, myself, Alyssa T enjoying some rays :)

Adam was there too! It was like a mini-KY reunion :)

Kevin - Lake Ontario was actually quite warm!

Hillside seating, & vendor booths

Stage & sound booth

Gorgeous sunset - it kept changing!

Music's still goin' on!

NewWorldSon - got the crowd moving!

Still the same sun setting :)

Rink came! Yay!

Guaranteed to Make me Smile

I have a chalkboard in my "front foyer" (&<-- a ridiculously fancy sounding name for the place where I drop my shoes off before entering my apartment.)

I will [very occasionally] write messages on this board. So occasionally do I change these messages, that I don't generally look at it too often, because it always says the same thing: God is good - all of the time!"
(And by not looking at it often, I mean I don't read it often, but I do know it's there and just by that I'm reminded of the message!)

But then, I  noticed an addition:

• "Hugs from Le'

Quite awhile later, I noticed another addition:

• "Hugs from Le. & Ed"

Then, later yet,

• "Hugs from Le. & Ed. & Kim"

Now, a few months later, it's changed again and I notice it nearly every day and smile.

I am loved. And I love that.

Wedding Photo

I managed to get one photo of wedding related stuff.
Just one.
Good thing they had awesome wedding photographers. If I can, I'll share some of those photos later. They snapped a few of Ed & me that I can't wait to see :)

If I say "church mouse" or "hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock," what do you immediately think of? This, maybe?

This was in St Andrew's Presbyterian church, where the wedding ceremony was held. I love the sense of humour people at this church have. The mouse was fake. Excellent.

(Also, I took this during rehearsal Thursday night - not during the wedding ceremony. Just so we're clear, okay?)

Since I can't believe that was the only photo I had, I took some of my bouquet the morning after the wedding. The big lilies have all opened up now, and my house smells like lilies.

quite beautiful :)

It was a great wedding. I like great weddings.

Wedding weekend!

Last night, we set up tables & chairs in the tent.
Tonight, we rehearse.
Tomorrow, I don't go to school.
Because she's getting married!

WOOT!

Pictures to come...

But for now, one from before:

NOT her dress! No spoilers here :) Her dress is clearly far more beautiful even. And I'm confident Jason won't see this, so we're alright.

Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada

You might recall my goal to visit all of Canada's national parks. If you don't recall, that's ok. I'm telling you now: one of my bucket list goals is to visit as many of Canada's 42 national parks as I can in my lifetime.

Last summer, I visited all of the national parks in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, & Prince Edward Island. That totaled five. Bruce Peninsula is number 6. And it is gorgeous! You can easily see why it's been designated as a national park.

It's the first of at least three that I hope to visit this year. The rest will likely be in Ontario too (on the 'perhaps' list: Pukaskwa, Point Pelee, Georgian Bay Islands, St Lawrence Islands.)

Here's some gorgeous photos from Bruce Peninsula National Park!

:D

Lamb & Shar - splash effects courtesy of Ed.

Such clear water. LOVE this shot!

An obliging (and very friendly) dog posed for me! What a pensive thinker.

The rock was falling, with Joel on top! So Ed stepped in & saved the day! With his finger!

Rock climbing.

Mike & Ed conquering the 'bridge'

Underwater tunnel in the grotto

Rink & I in the grotto :)

This is where the Arrogant Worms got their song from...

So guys, which way IS north?

It was an awesome couple of hours - it's incredible what variety of creation God allows - even in such a small area!



For the Arrogant Worms Song mentioned above, go here.
(The videos on Youtube aren't great, but the song is!)

First Paddle of the Season!

Easter weekend was the perfect chance for Ed & I to take out our kayaks for the first time. We were joined by Joel, Etta & Shaun in the two kayaks Etta brought along.

Saturday morning was sunny, just a wee bit breezy, and perfect for a paddle! The water wasn't even that cold, amazingly.

My boat! See the others way off in the distance?

Ed enjoying his boat

Yay, my boat!

On-water group :)

Everybody and/or their kayak is in this one. Can you spot them all?

Stopping on a little island

Love this girl :)

:)

My kayak up on a sandbar

Warm enough to wade around & enjoy it!

No paddler :)