What Would Jesus Do?

Myrna is here for a few days from Nfld, she came to finish packing up her house for the big move back to The Rock. Last night I was going to go visit her when she said she needed to go out to run some errands, so I offered to drive. What better girl time then shopping and lots of giggling and chatting. Eventually the conversation led to story about a co-worker of mine....which really makes you think about life and who you are as a person.

This co-workers brother is going for surgery next week to have a kidney removed...but here's the kicker, it's not because he's sick. It's because his best friend is sick and needs a kidney. Yep you read right....he's donating one of his kidney's to his best friend. Apparently the best friend was born with only 1 kidney and now he's not doing too well so instead of waiting on a long waiting list, my co-workers brother said, hey how 'bout you take one of mine??? And so, he is.

So Myrna & I were discussing this, and I said isn't that just amazing? And Myrna agreed, she said "you're literally saying I'm willing to die for you", because this sort of surgery is way harder on the doaner. And who knows what could happen once you go under the knife.

Then I said to her but Myrna if donating a kidney meant saving her, or any of my close friends, family or husband I really do think I would step up and say, sure you can have a kidney. If I were able to save any of my friends, I would do whatever I could in my power to help them. I say "think" because it's easy to say I would until I were faced with the situation. But yes, I'm pretty sure I would. I care about them THAT much.

It just makes you think about your life and put's things in perspective. We're so lucky to have our health, friends/family, decent jobs, and so on. Sometimes we think we have it rough or we're so stressed out but really it's over small things that don't matter. Look at the big picture and what you can do to be better person...not saying to go out and donate a kidney to a random person BUT if that's what you feel you are called/meant to do, then why not? It's acts like this that make the world a better place. Try to keep that in mind the next few weeks as tomorrow is Dec 1st & we'll be full swing into the Christmas season. Let this not be the only time of year to feel generous, let's start the new year's resolutions today to aim to be better people and live each day to the golden rule:

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

And if you're not really into the golden rule then remember this when you're not being so nice...

"Karma is a bitch"

Introducing.....

Congratulations to Corey & Vicky Cullihall on the birth of their first born...a boy.

Reed Cullihall....weighing in at 8lbs even on Nov. 27th @ 4:01pm

I'm actually in pretty good spirits today, I've had my few moments where I've been sad and mourned for Pop. And even though the funeral is today I'm feeling fairly happy. Not sure if I should be feeling guilty about this, but oh well...that's life.

With that being said, today's post is just a couple of shots I took about a month ago. Sometimes I find "nature" shots are better in sepia, but it's all personal preferance.

Old Fence

Random Tree
Can you believe that as of Sunday it's only 1 month til Christmas?!?! Craziness but so exciting :)

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

In Memory of Fred Louis Ball - 1919 to 2007

It with much sadness that I do today's post....my grandfather Ball or Pop as I call him passed away last night. He'd been sick since April, that we know of....and last night he had enough of the pain & suffering and is now gone to a much better place.

I say, that we know of, because Pop is "old school" he would never admit he wasn't feeling well, he would never go to the Dr, and just wouldn't give up and take it easy like sometimes old people should do. When my Aunt & Uncle tricked him to bring him to the Dr in Sept I think it was...yes they had to trick him, my Aunt hopped in the car and said we're going to the Dr. And you know what Pop's response was...."Why...who's sick?"

Yes....who's sick...well you are....so off to the Dr they went. It's been just over a month since he was admitted to the hospital and it's been a very difficult month. First because it's hard to hear my parents tell me how he suffered and secondly because I've never had someone this close to me in my family pass away. I remember 3 of my great-grandparents but I was young when they all passed so this time feels different. I'm old enough to understand now.

I just want to share a few pictures from my last visit with Pop & Nan this past Aug 27th during our trip home to Nfld.
I have no idea what Pop & I are laughing at here...could be Kayla taking the picture, he wasn't much for cameras.

And this is me fighting with Nan & Pop to let me help them do the dishes and clean up from lunch. Pop was even lifting up the VERY heavy chairs and I pratically had to race him to get to the chairs before him. No reason for him to be doing that but in Pop's mind, no reason for him not to be either I guess.

Then of course, the family photos...just in case. Everytime I visit my grandparents I know it "could" be the last time I saw them, I just didn't know it "would" be this time.

The three of us, in the kitchen that slants down into the side of the hill. I love that house, it's sooo old and full of great childhood memories.


And my favourite picture and last picture of Pop....he's grinning at me cause he had just finished saying put down that 'ol camera....lol. I'm like just one Pop, just one :)

I have so many great memories, he would always let me play with his hair (well the comb-over that he had) and I remember once getting a comb so badly tangled that it took Nan at least 10 minutes to get it out of his hair. We have pictures of when I put all my favourite bows in Pop's, Dad's and my Uncle Scott's hair. He was just that type of guy...goofy and fun. Would let the grandkids do whatever.

I remember he always smelled like soap.

I don't remember him having a bad temper per se...but I do remember him yelling at us if we were being unruly or out of order. That's when we were way younger.

He was always peeling potatoes...it seemed like whenever we went to visit they always cooked big meals. Fish and potatoes, jiggs dinner with potatoes...Pop was always peeling potatoes.

He always helped Nan with the dishes.

I remember driving around in the trunk of his green station wagon.

And my favourite memory was having a glass of Big 8 cola with him in August. I had water poured up and Pop kept bugging me...have a glass of coke, have a glass of coke. He would pour up a "drop" as he called it, drink it, then pour up another drop...so I said hold on Pop I'll have a glass of coke with ya. I remember Kenda & Kayla laughing cause I was trying to get my water drank so I could have a glass of coke with Pop. I'm so glad I had that glass of coke, I know it doesn't mean anything but life's too short to not share and appreciate the little things.

Rest in Peace Pop, I'll miss you.

Acton Santa Claus Parade - Nov 17th

I went to my first Santa Claus parade in Acton this past weekend. I was thoroughly impressed for such a small town. Sorry there's no pictures of the floats but the bands are my favourite.

Acton Citizen's Band

Bag Pipes & Cadettes

All tuckered out.....

Vicky enjoying the parade, she's due this FRIDAY!! Looks great doesn't she?

Halton Hills fire brigade passing out candy...very impressive :)

Steph & Tristan enjoying the parade

Every now and then Tristan would go "ooohhh" I was just waiting for the "aaahh"

Absolutely LOVED these horses!


And then the man himself...who I did NOT get a good picture of. Wouldn't know but he's saying...damn papparazzi...please no pictures!!

I love how they did the whole Santa being pulled by "white horsed, open sleigh"

Tristan didn't even make it to the car and he was OUT like a light

This picture would be much nicer if I took the time to figure out photoshop but I just don't have the time right now. But even so, I still like that you can see the red maple leaf in the stream.

I've been busy busy, with Christmas shopping, Santa Claus parade (pics tomorrow if I remember), work, volleyball, and this weekend is the Acton High School's 12th Annual Craft Sale. Did I mention I love this time of year? Despite being so busy I love everything about this season....can't wait til Dec. 1st to take all my Christmas stuff out and start listening to caroles :)

Happy Monday!

Poppy Manuel's Boots

....is my new favourite picture.

I think because they're just good 'ol pogy boots (newfie slang) that everyone you knew owned a pair....from grandfather, father, brother, and sometimes the women too. No matter how poor or rich you were it wasn't part of equation when trying to decide if you were going to buy them. For Nfld life ...more in the past then nowadays, they were a necessity. And who could forget the good plaid coat that they all wore with it too, in either blue, green or bright red. Reminds me of my childhood when I saw dad dressed in his or Pop dressed in his, it meant they were either going to cut wood, pack wood in the shed, or any number of "outdoor chores" And then seeing Poppy Manuel with his on the other day with the same purpose in mind, hit a soft spot with me. I'm just so glad I have happy childhood memories like these. Also knowing that I'm surrounded by hard working men...regardless of their age. It's their mentality til they die, a heritage that I'm very proud of.

Terrible Two's.....

...and Esau certainly fits the title. He's busy, into everything, pushes the limits to see how much he can get away with....and is just so freakin' adorable! Look how evil he even looks in this pic :)

Here he's just like Daddy...fixing the tire on the truck. It took him no time to figure out exactly what to do to change a tire. If he were stronger this picture might not be so cute..ha ha.

I'm a hockey bunny

Kristen and I joke around about hockey bunnies all the time...the girls who go to hockey games just to hook up with a player after the game. Kind of like girls who are groupies for rock bands.

So I guess that makes me Kristen's hockey bunny....ha ha. I've been going to almost all of his games on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. The teams have been playing pretty well....not all losses :)

I love watching him play....sometimes I'm loud and cheer him on. Other times I just like to stay quiet and observe (especially on Sundays...I usually enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate from the bar)

I think some of the other wives/girlfriends don't get why I go....I think they see it as me being clingy (I could be wrong but it's just my feeling) but I go because I want too, I go because I like being social with the other wives/girlfriends, I go because I love to watch him play. AND even though Kristen would never admit it, I think he likes me being there to watch and support him. So I do...now...just to convince him to come out to my volleyball games!

For the Nights I Can't Remember - Hedley

Absolutely love this new song by Hedley:

I see it in the way you would do

When no one else could ever get through

Holding back til I come around

Time and time again you wait for me to comin'

And did you really look my way?

Cuz no one coulda seen this coming

I would never let you down

If I was running backwards in full time

So I can and I will and you'll see your hero come running

Over and over tonight

And I do wanna love you

If you see me running back

And I do wanna try

Because if falling for you girl is crazy

Then I'm going out of my mind

So hold back your tears this time

Me, I'm used to being tired and bloody

But you believed that I could be somebody

You put your world on hold for me

Gave away to follow, failure through the fire I need you to know

I will Believe me girl I'm so tired of running

I just wanna hold your hand

Stare at you like you've got everything I need

And I can so I will and you'll see your hero come running

Over and over tonight

And I do wanna love you

If you see me running back

And I do wanna try

Because if falling for you girl is crazy

Then I'm going out of my mind

So hold back your tears this time

And what if I never said to you I was dynamite

And what if I never told you I'm afraid to cry

What if I never let you down

And said I'm sorry for the nights I can't remember

What if I never said to you I would try

Yeah Yeah Yeaahh

And I do wanna love you

(If you see me running back)

And I do wanna try

Because if falling for you girl is crazy

Then I'm going out of my mind

So hold back your tears this time

Photo Shoot - Vicky's Mat Pics

Just wanted to share a few shots from my photo shoot with Vicky for her maternity photos. I'm quite pleased with the results...you know, with being a rookie and all :)

This one is my favourite!

I was pleasantly surprised with how well the fence shots turned out

Eat, Pray, Love - Update

As previously mentioned, I am reading a book called Eat, Pray, Love and as promised here's an update.

There are 3 sections to the book, Italy (eat), India (pray), and Indonesia (love) I'm currently reading the Pray part where she (Elizabeth Gilbert - the author) is in India.

So I'm reading the other night and a certain part just strikes me as such an interesting definition/theory.....let me explain....

The girl who wrote this book was crazy in love with a guy named David but they had a terrible love/hate relationship. They loved each other so much, but every time they tried to make their relationship work, it ended up being a disaster. So now she's met this guy in India named Richard from Texas :) (they are JUST friends) And this is what he's telling her a soul mate is....oh and he calls her Groceries (that's a whole other explanation)

Richard says:
"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. Thank God for it."

Then he goes on to say to her.....

Your problem is, you just can't let this one go. It's over....groceries. David's purpose was to shake you up, drive you out of that marriage that you needed to leave, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles, and addictions, break you heart open so new light could get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you had to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master and beat it. That was his job, and he did great, but now its over. Problem is you can't accept that this relationship had a real short shelf life.
The last part isn't really part of his definition/theory but I like that he's giving her heck for not accepting that it's over.

So yeah, that's how far I am. And loving it! Will keep you posted with more updates :)

Leafs Game

So it seems like ages ago since Kristen and I went to the Leafs game, but anyway...here's a few pics:

Loved all the blue lights just before introducing the teams and singing the National anthems

My fav player Darcy Tucker during the warm up...notice Kaberle and McCabe behind him
And just some shots outside the ACC after the game

Halloween 2007

Sorry I'm late posting these....I'm trying to get caught up :)

Our front porch on Halloween night

Steph & I dressed up for work, she the 70's go-go dancer and me the biker chick
And who could forget Tristan the Puppy :)

Kristen's Deer 2007

This is the earliest Kristen has ever shot a deer...it's usually in December and much closer to Christmas. His first deer was on Christmas eve which I'm sure I've mentioned before.

This year he shot probably the biggest deer yet, a doe, not even a buck. She's quite the brut :)

But here's where the story is so funny.....Kristen & I have discussed on NUMEROUS occassions how practical it would be for us to purchase a truck. It would just make sense with the hunting, camping, and so on. However, it's just not in our budget to buy one...even a used one.

Yet when Kristen backed up to the garage and this is what I saw sticking out of his car, I couldn't help but laugh and capture the Kodak moment. We still won't be getting a truck in the near future but we defintely need to figure something out for poor 'ol Kristen ;)

And he still has more deer tags to do more hunting....guess we'll see what happens. I'm proud of ya hunny, and congrats on the first deer with your compound bow.