I love my slow cooker!

Coming home to the smell of dinner in the slow cooker when I walk in the door is the best ever! 

Beef vegetable soup with barley 

A surprise at church

Last night, I was not feeling it. I was too tired, I didn't want to go to church. Right now, as our choir leader has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons for the last while, I am both the organist and choir leader. So that means I pick out the songs for each service. And I don't mind in the least bit! This week has just been very busy at work, I'm behind in paper work and tired. So all I wanted to do last night was stay home and go to bed. However, that's not a choice for me right now. So off to church I went, where I found this waiting for me on the keyboard:

A new journal for the year, which I use to pick out and write down songs for the choir. 

And this wonderful card from one of the priest! 

The words inside may have brought some tears to my eyes. And it couldn't have come at a better time! It most definitely brought a smile to my face, and picked me up.

Pants shopping

So I've lost more weight, about 18 pounds in total so far. Im actually just below my target weight (now its just time to tone up a bit more). Needless to say, I have one pair of jeans that fit. That's it. Time to go pant shopping! So that's what I did today. And this is what I got: 

Haha, I know! But I couldnt resist! I did find a pair of jeggings, my first ever. I've never really thought I had the body for them, I'm still not sure I do. But I thought I would try. They're tight, but the next size fits too big. I've been reassured that they stretch A LOT. So we shall see! 

A wonderful surprise

Coming home to a letter in the mail box from my Omi is perfect 

Not much beats that! 

P.S: I cant remember the last time I received a letter via snail mail! 

Calgary weather

I think it's safe to say that Calgary has a lot of snow. 

Happy New Year!

So I totally disappeared for the rest of the month.

It was just crazy.  After my last post, I got hit with a really bad sinus infection.  My doctor is the other side of the city, and so I went to a walk in clinic.  It was a huge fight to get medicine, the first doctor wouldn't give me any, saying that antibiotics wouldn't help because the infection wasn't bacterial (but that's what a sinus infection is), and that I need to open my windows and keep my bedroom at 8 degrees Celcius with a towel by my head. I went back to a different doctor the next day, as I've had enough of these to know that this one wasn't going away on its own, despite my best efforts.  I finally, FINALLY got some antibiotics, and pain killers to deal with the pain.  Yes, it was that painful.  Stephan came home from his last shift to me crying on the couch. 

So THAT is how my holidays started. 

I had the week off of work of Christmas, and Stephan was home from work for 2 weeks, so I just to an absence from blogging to spend some much needed time with him.  He's on the road so often, so just two weeks of relaxing with him (ok, I still worked the 2nd week, but it was quiet) was absolutely wonderful.

I had a wonderful Christmas, we stayed in Calgary and went over to our Calgary family on Christmas day.  And New Years was quiet, just me and Stephan.  We went out for a nice dinner, and then spent the night cuddled up on the couch.

So, Stephan has gone back to work as of yesterday, and life is back to normal. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

So sorry!!

I'm sorry for the long and unexplained absence last week!

Things just got really busy last week, as I was finalizing and preparing for report cards to be handed out on Friday, and last night (Monday) was the kids' Christmas Concert at work.

So, it has been one heck of a busy week!  And on the weekend, all I did was catch up with sleep.  I have been so lately busy, staying up late and getting up early to get things done, that I was just exhausted.  I feel asleep on Friday night at 9:30, and only woke up for Stephan to drag me to bed.  I slept 11 hours that night, and still fell asleep Saturday night before 10pm.  I guess you could say I really needed the sleep!  Needless to say, my Zumba routine has completely suffered.  But I'm hoping to get back to Zumba class on Thursday!

But I am back, and looking forward to catching up on what everyone has been up to in the past week!