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...!

Sunny!

I missed being Sunny this summer.

For the first summer in 8 years (9?) I did not go to Campfire! as a counselor. I didn't even step foot on the property. HUGE sad face right there. Especially since a good friend of mine is on staff this year.

But, I've been busy and sometimes, you need to make [very] unfortunate sacrifices :(

That's not why I got these, but I still think my first "bought" flowers from Ed should get some recognition. Since they're so cheerful, and sunny, and I rather like them, and all. Hope they survive so I can enjoy them some more once I get back from the cottage!

They even match my Bible cover!

Pukaskwa Trip - Arrival Day!

After a brief blip in our last few hours, we got to the park at about mid-day.

(I wasn't driving....but yes there was a little green slip of paper. Grrr.)

Finally, arrival at the 7th park in my goal to visit all 42 Canadian National Parks!

After we arrived, we had to sign in, pay all of our fees, have a back-country orientation & then figure out if all of our gear fit into our boats! (And I managed to get in the last hot shower for the next ten-ish days!)

Richard & I packing our boats (it all fit in!)

Ed's boat, Kim & Shaun packing their boats

 Our gear fit (barely), we unloaded again, and in came the water taxi to take us to our first campsite at the Pukaskwa River mouth.

water taxi incoming!

Drop off at Puk River

First kayak campsite!

First kayak sunset!

:D

My Love

^ That's literally what I titled this photo when I saved it.

This guy...is so unbelievable! He has done SO MUCH for me this past little while, and put up with me while I was grumpy too.

And he smiles while he does it.

I am so blessed. SO blessed.

Yes, he's doing some electrical for me. And those baseboards? He installed that too. And helped me paint the walls. And more things that you can't see in this picture...
(More moving/reno updates coming soon!)