A Rooster, A Baby Shower, and Family Shenanigans

June flew by in a whirl wind of stress so I was more than ready to kick off my summer break with time at Shuswap lake with my family. They say family is who makes you feel at home and not only do my biological family feel that way, but also my lake family too.  These are people I have known my entire life and who know me the best. It started years ago before I was born, my parents met this amazing group of people who became their best friends. These people had kids around the same time my parents did and in turn they became my other sisters and brothers. My parents friends became my aunts and uncles; people I can depend on and learn from.

So this weekend was nothing like I had spent at the lake in years. There were some strange occurrences that I would have never predicted.  The first being wild life that dictated how we operated in our daily lives at the cabin. The big brown bear that occupied the golf course and air strip meant that we had to be on alert in our yard, as we are situated between both locations. My nieces and my mom had a close call their first day there. Then the rooster, yes I said rooster, who was taking stake in the woods behind our cabin made sure we got up with the crack of dawn. My husband joked he was going to go up there and take care of it after the first early morning wake up call. I'm sure our dog would have loved the hunt.

The second weird thing that happened was my sister and I locked ourselves out of the cabin at 2:00 am. We were having one of our marathon chats on the deck and when we finally wrapped it up in the wee hours of morning we figured out all the doors to the cabin were locked. (I locked the last one). So while giggling our heads off we determined my sister could climb into the open window of her room. Something tells me we will never forget that late night gossip session.

The rest of the weekend wasn't strange but it was unexpected. We attended the best baby shower ever. I can say this as I traditionally hate going to them so this one surprised me. It was more of a party with the whole family, delicious food, sangria, champagne, a beautiful garden and a terrific couple who are about to have a baby. We ended the party with a spontaneous swim in the lake. I recall standing at the top of the embankment before I made my way down to the beach and took in the scenery. There before me, minus a few of our lake family, were the people I care so much about.  They were laughing, swimming and mingling on the dock.  To top it off Scott brought Triggs down for a swim and he had a blast.

Later that night another memorable moment happened.  Scott and my youngest niece chased one another in the moonlit yard playing a game of tickle monster and then before bed they coloured while discussing the art of camping. People worry that Scott and I are missing out for not having children of our own. I like to disagree. We have many children in our lives and lots of lovely family to keep us company. This weekend was a testament to that belief. I wish I had pictures to share but alas I got so caught up in the fun there was no time.

All Is Coming.

"All Is Coming" is an expression one of my yoga instructors taught me awhile ago.  Essentially it means that one day the thing you desire or hope for will happen.  This is important in yoga because most yogis strive to achieve certain poses which take time to do, so the idea that all is coming helps with patience.

Back in April I used this mantra several times during my 5 week serious yoga student immersion class.  When I first entertained the idea of doing such a series back in January I was apprehensive and yet curious.  Could I do this level of practice? Knowing who was going to lead the classes I recognized that it was going to be very challenging but at the same time very rewarding.  I knew it would not be easy and at times frustrating, uncomfortable and would leave me feeling sore.  Though after practicing yoga at a certain level for two years I knew in January I needed to take my practice to the next level.  I needed a challenge and a push to help me get to a level where I wanted to be, where I could entertain some higher level postures without feeling defeated. So when I heard about this immersion series, where for once a week for five weeks I'd get a glimpse of what yoga teacher training looked like, I knew this is what would take my practice to the next level.  But at the same time I was freaked out because what if I couldn't keep up with the class? What if I couldn't do the poses? What if I failed? What if?

For those who know me, I play the what if game anytime there is uncharted territory and all my what ifs are negative, leaving me imagining worst case scenarios.  Yet this time something inside of me said if I didn't take the risk I'd regret it. So I signed up and made a commitment. The weeks leading up to the first class I imagined what the class was going to look like; I imagined best case scenarios, like me getting into full wheel and crow. Imagined worst case scenarios like being forced to do a head stand (this scares me to death by the way). I imagined not being able to keep up.

On my first night I told myself that I was going to try to do everything I possibly could.   was going to repeat All Is Coming when my body couldn't twist and bend a certain way, and I was going to have fun. I got to class early, set up my mat and my journey began. Within a few minutes I knew I had arrived and was apart of something so special.  Everyone was in the same mind set; we were all here to learn. We were a community of serious yogis. It was so cool. By the end of the first class, where I had never worked so hard in a yoga class before, where I was attempting moves and holding plank for what seemed like forever (30 seconds.  Don't laugh, you try it and see how you do.) I felt so elated that I did it. I survived and I couldn't wait to come back.

On my last night, when we were all done, laying in Savasana, I realized I didn't master any of the poses I thought I would and I was never forced to do head stand but rather encouraged to try. Even though what I expected to happen didn't I realized that wasn't the point of the course.  The point was to realize my limits, stop beating myself up when I couldn't do something, and lastly how to be mindful while on my mat.  One day I'll master the poses, but that isn't the point.  The journey is the point.  And knowing that All Is Coming keeps me going.

Living Your Best Life

Last Sunday as I was sipping on a glass of Merlot, savoring the oakey notes, in the warm spring sun on the Township 7 patio in Langley, Scott turned to me and said this is the life. In truth, this is our life; we are fortunate to be living the lifestyle we want, with one another. In saying thus we don't drink wine at a winery every Sunday but we do try to make the most of our weekends. Our weeks are usually busy with work and keeping up with the household, so our weekends are the only real quality time we have together, until just recently. 

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but between the utter chaos of January -Spring break some strange shift occurred. Suddenly out of no where, Scott was home earlier from work than ever before and had more energy and thus provided more time together.

Last year was extremely trying with his hernia and keeping his business going.  We sort of went into survival mode.  When summer hit we found ourselves busy with our trip to Iceland, and planning a renovation, which took over our lives until early January. My work had been usually demanding this year and before I knew it spring had snuck up on us and like a switch everything changed. The air softened, became more fragrant, time slowed, and Scott and I found ourselves living what we describe as the best life. The new rhythm to our life was one we could embrace. Somehow Scott found work/life balance and I had spring break. Now back at work I have realized I need to find a better balance with my course load and I hoping by next September I will find that. In the meantime I'll focus on my home life with Scott. Finally after a long winter we can make plans for the weekends and enjoy our haven in the Fraser Valley- wine tasting, lunches on patios, antique browsing in Fort Langley, and dinners on our deck with our friends. Life is good, actually it is the best. Some of the recent high lights this spring has been celebrating my parents' 45th wedding anniversary in Fort Langley, with my aunt and uncle, spending time with our friends for dinners, including a memorable night with our God son and his parents, and Easter with the family in Shuswap.  

So whether you are kid- free like us, or living with children's laughter, you need to find out how to live your best life now, because you never know when things can change.  

Strength

Strength! It's my word for 2016. Most would interrupt the word as in the physical sense that I'm strengthening my physical body.  Lots of truth in that, but I'm stretching tit o mean my mind, and my relationships. I'd say in the last six months or so I have let my body go and some of my friendships. I have turned inward for too long and now I feel stagnated.  As an introvert this can happen as it more comfortable to draw inward than extend ourselves in social situations.  And in doing so I have lost contact with women who fulfill me.  It's one thing to see them in larger group settings but another in same gender settings or even one on one.

It took for a friend of mine to go through a divorce to make me realize I had been neglecting our friendship. Over the Winter holidays I went to visit her in her new place and she mentioned that her divorce made her see who her real friends are. I made the cut, but I felt I could have spent more time with her. Her comment also made me think about how many weak ties I have with some people who mean quite a bit to me.  In 2016 I want to strengthen bonds with a core group of women than spread myself thin with multitudes of friends. Stronger is better.

Other relationships I want to strengthen are with my nieces and my parents on both sides.  I feel I don't spend enough time with them.  My nieces it's tough as they live in a different province, but technology can help with that.  And I want to see my parents and in-laws, who all live close by, more often. Who knows when their circumstances might change.

My other focus is my physical strength.  For years I have been caught in the never ending losing weight gaining weight cycle.  So concerned about the size of my stomach or thighs that I never realized the physical strength and beauty of my body.  And since I have sciatica it makes it nearly impossible to lift weights, but I have learned that yoga can be my strengthening tool for both my body and mind. I'm excited to challenge myself with some new classes and instructors, and keep the ones who serve me best to help me take my practise to a new level.

Here's to a strong 2016.

2015 Reflection

Last night we rang the new year in with vigorous and zealous delight. 2016 could not have begun soon enough for Scott and I. Though there were some tremendously joyous times with friends and family they flickered swiftly and we were left with rancorous periods of time that dragged like molasses.  Here were some of the highs and lows of 2015 for us.

#1 In Sickness and In Health
From January to May all our energy focused on trying to get Scott hernia surgery. Between dealing with BC's underfunded medical system and pain management we nearly lost or minds. I felt helpless in the whole situation; just watching the love of my life go through so much pain with no certainty that it would ever end. Finally after months of waiting Scott ended up with near emergency surgery thanks to a friend of ours who called in a favor.

We let ourselves have a break in March with our annual long weekend trip to Sechelt. Massages, a stroll on the beach, eating at The Lighthouse pub and one fine dinner, at the place we said our vows- Rockwater Lodge, fit the bill. This reprieve helped us solider on until surgery.



#2 Traveling
By the summer we needed to recharge our batteries. July kicked off with a trip with our friends to Shuswap lake for sun, fun and lots of laughs. And of course an enormous amount of scrumptious food.

Then Scott and I embarked on our Icelandic adventure; a 10 day road trip that reignited a spark in us.  We saw things we could never imagine seeing, ate some of the best food in the world, and fell in love with this awe inspiring country and its people.  My four part blog series certainly captured the passion for Iceland.

Once home I ventured off again to visit with my family back in Shuswap. Went tubing with my nieces, which was something I haven't done in years.

In November the Brookswood crew vacationed in Whistler for Cornucopia Wine
and Food festival. An epic first vacation together. Thinking this will happen again in 2016.  Then I visited my sister and her lovely family in Drayton Valley. It was what I needed as the chaos at home was a brewing.







#3 Bittersweet Renovations
One hot summer night, over a bottle of wine we entertained the notion of a kitchen and flooring renovation. Even though it was exciting to start this house transformation it did not happen easily. Delays on the kitchen cabinets pushed time lines out and before we knew it the time Scott had off to do the renovation disappeared. So we had to work on the renovations during the  weekends.  Thank goodness for a few helping hands along the way.  I learned a lot about large renovations, like they never go as planned, though the mess and chaos seem endless it is worth it when it's done, and that you need to be organized. People joke that the fine renovation dust that covers your house is called divorce dust. We didn't come close to that during the renovation but there were some tense moments, and in true Margo fashion a few tears.

While the renovations took place life continued to move along.  I started my 10th year at Sullivan Heights, Triggs had surgery on his neck, and Scott had to entertain new clients as his main one went belly up.  And sadly one of my aunts passed away.

There we have it. 2015 all wrapped up. Here is hoping 2016 is even more magical, with lots of love and health. Happy New Year my dear friends and family.

Adult Only Section, Please

Picture yourself with the one you love, sitting at a white linen covered table for two, candle light glowing, gazing into each others eyes, enjoying an exquisite feast, when all of a sudden two screaming toddlers hurl themselves down the aisle of this well appointed restaurant. Poof romance gone; date night ruined. This scene happens all to often to my husband and I that we are getting to the point where we don't know where to go for a romantic dinner, as kids seem to be at every restaurant and any given time.  This doesn't mean all kids who are at fine dining places act like this, but there seems to be a trend of young children eating at eateries that do not cater to such a young clientele.  Places where there isn't a change table in the washroom, no kids menu or high chairs.  Case in point, my birthday dinner at Eighteen 27 in Fort Langley, last year.  We arrived at 8:00 pm and were seated next to a couple with an over tired baby, who was throwing his food on the floor and screaming.  Parents were sitting there pretending this wasn't going on.  Later in the night I met 'mom' in the restroom and she complains to me that there isn't a change table so she changed her son in the middle of the washroom floor.  I rolled my eyes and proceeded to wash my hands and leave.

My husband and I lead busy lives so our date nights are precious to us, and since we don't have children we don't want to be disturbed by them when we go out for a nice dinner.  In order to avoid this we try to eat at expensive establishments, where one would not find kid friendly atmosphere or food; it doesn't help. We try eating later when little Johnny and Suzy should be in bed; it doesn't help. Our only saving grace were pubs; not the most romantic of places, but at least no one would be throwing a tantrum at the next table, while I'm engaging in an adult conversation.  But ever since the new liquor laws in BC have come into effect kids can eat almost anywhere. Long gone are the pub style breakfasts, where I used to be able to drink my mimosa and eat my 'eggs benny' without a whiny kid complaining he doesn't like the food.  No kidding he doesn't; it didn't come in a pirate boat with a toy.

I can understand that parents want to eat in nice places too, but you must consider the other guests when you bring your children along on date night.  Can they sit quietly for the entire meal without throwing food, a fit or running around? If not, then don't take them to the hottest spot in town, where couples are having a night out. I can guarantee my evening will be ruined when little Johnny is bored without his colouring book or i-Pad and he tells the whole restaurant.  Or worse yet he runs around bumping into patrons chairs or the servers.  Its' rude and disrespectful.

My date nights are just as important as your nights out too so please respect that.

In Memory of Joy

As the trees surrender their leaves and spiders silently spin their webs it is time to slow our pace as nature does and turn inside.  It the season of reflection.  And this past Thanksgiving weekend, amongst the yard work and consumption of turkey and pumpkin pie I found myself thinking of my late auntie Joy.  She untimely went heaven on Oct 3 2015.  She was the only one of my aunts that I call auntie.  This terms holds a softer tone most fitting for Joy.  She was more of a grandmother to my sister and me growing up as I believe she thought of us as her grandchildren.  I didn't know her past and what she was like as a young woman.  I only knew her in her later years. And sadly in the last handful of years I only saw her a handful of times.  My most vivid memories of Joy are all from when I was a little girl and our family would visit Joy in Winnipeg.  I can still recall her scent,- gentle like a Spring morning, and comforting like a hug from a friend.  There are flashes of memories of her that flit through my heart making me smile when I recall them- her reading to my sister and I in a huge comfy chair in her living room.  My favourite story she read to us was Billy Goats Gruff because she did the character voices, and though I'd get a little scared I felt safe in her arms on her lap.  Late at night, snugly tucked in our beds she'd sit on the edge patting and rubbing our backs until we drifted off to dreamland, and while we sweetly slept she'd wash and iron our clothes.

Joy always pleased and took care of everyone and I never once saw her angry or upset.  She made play dough and paste and huge amounts of popcorn to keep us happy.  But now when I recall those times the thing that makes me happy is the memory of her voice.  I can faintly hear it in the back of my memory, like an old tune I can almost remember the words to.  I don't have many memories of Joy the older I got, except for 10 years ago when I was getting married for the first time.  She lent me her pearls as my Something Borrowed, and at the end of the night, when I tried to return them she refused to take them back.  She said they looked beautiful on me and that I should keep them.  When I wear them now I think of Joy and wish I could hold her hand one more time.  Hear her laugh one more time.  Smell her perfume one more time.  See her milky blue eyes one more time.

So many of us will miss her forever and remember her always.  I love you Joy.