A late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

decorations on the tree at the ranch.

I do realize its a little late. But merry christmas all. Hope it was enjoyable and magical for everyone. Happy new year! Let the festivities continue!

Frost and snow! Pretty!

Night life

After going out to On The Rocks, three times in the past two weekends I have had three completley different experiences. 1 being the booze induced fun time had by all with three other friends (group made up of two female, two male), 2 being a few casual drinks with a friend and the evening spent chatting and catching up, and 3 being no drinks, but hanging out with a group of people, few of which I actually know. I will break down the difference between the three and what I observed...

1) This was the funnest night. Now, i'm not sure if it was the fact that whiskey was involved, that I was with friends or if I was just in the right mood for the setting. But it was a good night. With chatting, laughing, drinking, and a small (ok, none for me) amount of dancing. There wasn't any drunk guys hitting on us, or constantly moving in on our table. I'm going to chalk this up to having guys in the group. Which turns out can be quite handy sometimes. Actually most of the time, because I know personally, I don't usually go out at night to try and find myself a future husband. I go to enjoy myself, have fun, and talk to people. I'm not casting my line and trolling for men all night. However sometimes it would appear so by the amount of drunks and cheesy pick up lines I have to fend off.

2) Ashley and I sat at OTR for a few drinks and chatted quietly in a booth at the back for a few hours. There were lots fo shiny pennies around, aka. good looking guys. So we had a nice evening enjoying the scenery and catching up. Only had to fend off a few random guys. Not too bad.

3) Last night, I was not in the mood to be out and about. Maybe being stone sober in a very crowded bar was the reason. Its usually enough to do me in right quckly. However it was nice for a while to chat and catch up with a few friends I haven't seen for a while. Also nice to meet some new people have just have general conversation and be slightly sociable. I have also decided that its the nights like these that I must have a large stamp on my forehead that says " desperate". When in reality is should say "stone sober, irritable, don't talk to me" It always happens that the nights I don't drink, are the nights that guys seem to really bother me. Maybe because i'm sober and they're drunk it seems taht much worse. But when I can't walk anywhere in the place without being stared at (i mean, really, i'm right here, I see you creeping) or cat calls or wolf whistles. Its annoying. Its not fun. It makes me leave asap.

so for now I have decided that the best combination is to go out with friends and aquaintances for some causal drinks and have a few guys in that group. It's fun, its sociable, you avoid the hangover, and I can make it throught the night without feeling like hitting people.

So, I realize it has been a while since my last post. Turns out I have been lacking inspiration of any kind to write. Let me think whats new...

1) I am working again. Nice to have some money coming into the bank again instead of just out. However work gets in the way of my life. Not quite as easy to pack up and head out whenever my heart desires...

2) Christmas is almost here. Once again I procrastinated on my christams presents. And now i'm rushing around tring to get things together... smart.

3) I have managed to be interesting and seem like a social person for the past three or so weeks. However, I had a feeling it wouldn't last and have now fallen back to my old ways of not being able to stay out late, not drinking and getting grumpy when the bar is too full and there are way too many drunk people. Just can't deal with it.

thats about all I have right now...
inspiration is still lacking...

As christmas time is nearing

only two weeks away

I keep on fine tuning

my wish list every day

Now I don't want much

just one thing will do

only thing I can think of

could make my dream come true

now santa if you could

please leave him by the tree

when I get up christmas morning

he'll be waiting there for me

no I don't need much

but I do have one request

tall, dark and handsome

and better than the rest

if he drove a nice ford pickup

i really wouldn't complain

can he please wear boots and a hat

to not would be a shame

if its not too much to ask

please make him nice and tall

cool blue eyes and strong arms

to catch me when i fall

while we're on the topic

please do ensure

he's thoughtful and kind

and has a heart that is pure

I'd enjoy a sense of humour

and smart just the same

pretty as a picture

with more inside the frame

i know you'll do your best

but it'd make my christmas morning

if you filled my one request...

New tunes

ok, so I realize it's been a while since i've last suggested some music for your playlist... anyway, heres some new ones. well not exactly new, but new to the playlist suggestion... bonus points for anyone who can guess the theme. And no, the theme is not "country" because I know i'm going completely country on you guys today...

Chris Young- Getting you home
Jake Owen- Hard not to love you
Easton Corbin- A little more country than that
Blake Shelton- Hilbilly Bone
Josh Turner- Why don't we just dance
Billy Currington- Thats how country boys roll

chivalry, almost extinct... but not quite

There may no longer be Knights in shiny armour riding around on horses defending the kingdom and saving the damsels in distress. However that does not mean that chivalry rides off into the sunset of history with those galant men of every womans dream. It seems that with more and more feminism movements and talk, chivalry is slowing slipping away. Is it because the older generations are not passing down the ideas of simple courtesy to the younger men from day one? Or is it because those young men are afraid of being chastised for viewing women as needing help? There are many ideas and could be explanations for the reason that it is less common in this day and age.

As a very independent woman, I can see both sides of the issue. At one point, I was just fine opening my own door, and somewhat annoyed if a guy went out of his way to do it for me. Not that that happens very often however... Now, maybe due to my old age (just kidding!), it is the opposite, if a man opens the door for me, insists on paying, gives me a hand over an icy patch and so on, it actually catches my attention. It works in his favor and its that extra little something that shows he really cares. I'm not saying that those who don't do these small acts, don't care either, its just it isn't reinforced. Acts of chivalry are attention grabbing. They open up our eyes to the fact that you're a gentleman and that there might be some more to you than we originally saw. Yes, I can open my doors, I have all my limbs, I make my own money and usually I do go running over the ice just to see how far I can slide, but no woman is going to resist that little extra attention. Atleast no woman in her right mind. Really what woman doesn't want to be taken care of every now and again? Don't get me wrong, we can handle all the vicious world out there on our own, but its nice to know there's someone beside (or behind at some times...) you just incase, or to give you that extra hand when you may need or appreciate it most. I know from my experiences of chivalry, and like I mentioned earlier they are few and far between, it is eye catching. But every act has stood out in my mind as well as the man who was behind it.

Now guys, i'm not saying dress up in shining armor and ride a horse around the city in order to protect the girl. I'm pretty sure that would have the opposite effect and make her run the other direction. However show that little extra effort and consideration and it will take you far. A single flower for no special reason, insist on paying for dinner, hold the door open for her, open her car door first, offer a jacket. Whatever it is, it doesn't make you weak, it makes you knightly.

No Chivalry isn't dead, it's just on the endangered actions list. Almost extinct. So gentlemen, step up and bring it back to life.

Well after being back in the city I have accomplished a few things... I think...

Wednesday I met up with Eric and Jason for dinner and drinks. We were later joined by Brett. What started out as an evening ended with us closing down the pub at 2 am. Turns out we started playing pool and played for quite a while! Time flies when you're having fun, and of course the fun didn't end there. We all headed back to Jasons place for a few more drinks and once again stayed up until 4 am. Too bad for the boys who had to get up early for work.

Friday night watched Ice Age 3. Highly recommended for a great light non thinking movie. Halarious. Very enjoyable.

Today (saturday) was spent sleeping until almost noon. Perfect way to spend a snowy saturday morning. Jason and I went for lunch at Montanas so we could visit and harass Brett while she was working. I then have spent the remainder of the day/evening/night working on leather and finishing a few projects that I had on the go. Brett is here as well and we are working away while watching movies. Great way to spend a snowy saturday night!

new creations...

New leather creation...

after 1 hour of prep and pattern tracing, 5 hours of tooling and 2 hours of lacing I finished my first handbag! I can only hope that it will get faster the more I do... but turned out good for first time attempt!

tooling the leather piece.

finnished product front and back...

small credit card holder

Brett working hard on her leather creation.

ok, winter is really here...

Monday morning I awoke to lots of snow at the farm, it snowed and snowed and snowed until the later afternoon. I then decided to go to edmonton. No one ever said I was smart all the time... 4.5 hours later I arrived in the city. Highway 11 was fine, but highway 2 was reallllyyyy bad.

white out!

Winter is here...

winter is here. First day of snow at the farm since being back from the states. It was still super warm out though. I ventured outside to split some wood, wander around and visit all the animals.
stripe came out of hiding in the shed to visit me at the fence.

snow on the bales!

Squeak, being curious like usual.

Dane, being well... Dane. Weird dog...

perfect snowflakes! Sunset after the snow stopped falling...

I love winter!