Catching Up

So I thought I would update multiple things within one post.

First – for May and June I signed up for art classes. Something fun to do that will help me to gain some talent...here’s a few pictures of what I learned.

The 1st class was on basic drawing – shading. Check out that egg!

Second week we drew a bee...shading to make things rounded.

Third week was colored pencils and because that was my LEAST favourite there is no picture from that week.

Four week I missed because I was in Montreal

2nd class I signed up for was on perspectives. It was four weeks as well doing one-point, 2 point, 3 point and shortening. Here are the pictures that I finished (somewhat).

Maybe next time I’ll post my superman drawing...

So I mentioned I went to Montreal. I went there to present a paper with the Professor I work for and the other research assistant that works for the same Prof. It was at Concordia University. The conference took up most of the time with dinners and mingling that we didn’t get to go touring very far from the university. Next time I go to Montreal I hope to see Old Montreal but the shopping on Saint Catharine Street was plentiful. We stayed at the Gray Nun Residency which has an interesting history dating back into the early 1800’s. Smelled the forest fires in the middle of the night which I didn’t know were happening and so consequentially thought the building was on fire!

In June I also got to attend the Ballet with Toshina in Toronto. Grannie Annie babysat so that Toshina and I could go while Brian had to work. We came home to find out who was really in charge while we were gone...

That girl sure had Grannies arm in a twist and chomped on that thumb to show her who's boss. The love of a grandmother!

We also took that cute little girl to fireworks on July 1st. After she woke up and we covered her ears from the big booms, her eyes were as wide as saucers. Loved it!

So that is the big update...

The Parent's Spring Ballet

In life we look for those little moments of joy from seeing something beautiful. Most times, at least in my life, these moments come when they are least expected or sought after.

Well I was able to capture one of those moments of joy on camera in a series of shots that I'd love to share with you. Of course I'm not a professional and I'll never have a gallery show but I'm calling these pictures "The Parent's Spring Ballet".

Well maybe it really should be called the "Death of the Dandielion Ballet" but you can't see any dandilions in the pictures so...

While these pictures were being taken, my parents were unaware that I was capturing their movements on camera but that is what makes it precious because it is authentic.

So I'm just so proud of their cooperation, symmetry and flexiblity.

Measure Twice, Cut Once

Okay, so I know the drill...measure twice, cut once. Well I have to say that today that didn't work out so well for me. A while back I measured my TV cabinet because I wanted to add another shelf about my TV to hold the DVD player. I wrote the measurements down on a sticky note and stuck on my cabinet so that when I found the moment the saw was going and I could get a piece of wood cut to my specifications I was ready. Well, today was that day. Dad was working in the garage so the saws are going and bingo it was my chance. I proudly brought a piece of wood out and rattled of measurements. I was supicious of the cut wood after but hey, we were in the big garage and stuff looks smaller in big spaces. The joke was on me though. I had not measured twice for only one cut. My board upon trying to put it into the cabinet was...yes, you guessed it, too short!! After laughing my head off at my silliness I thought I should share this experience with you. (Cindy you may recind your previous offer of going into business after this one.)

(The one on the left is the correct one with the one on the right being my original not measured twice shelf.)

So everybody, measure two, three or maybe even four times before you go for the cut!

Maybe you want to be a spider

I was informed that people are SICK of Nova Scotia being on my blog so I'm just going to share a little ditty I came across about spiders.  Think of a spiders web. Normal spiders make them and they are for all intents and purposes of this post, beautiful and made with percision. A spider who has been given caffine makes a web that resembles a stain glass window more than a spiders web. But this is the fun part. A spider who is given marijuanna makes a web that resembles a normal web but just a bit looser in the weave and maybe one cross line missing. So which spider would you like to be?? Caffinated or marijuana? Maybe we should just all be spiders! 

Enjoy the crazy post and not the pics of Nova Scotia....

Nova Scotia Part 2...Finally!

Okay so my posting has slowed right down with the reentry into the all consuming world of school but I'm going to get this post out  finally.

So when I visited Nova Scotia, it was very relaxing. My first post was about the beach and the time I was there before Mom and Dad came out. Well they were there for hurricane Bill but after that we visited Peggy's Cove and were mesmerized by the crashing waves.

Look at those waves crash. I told Heidi to let me know if I was going to be swept out to sea!!

This is the damage that was done by the waves in the little hamlet that is at Peggy's Cove. The little store was pushed right off its foundation!

This sign was in Mahone Bay. I laughed because it got my attention and it's always good to acknowledge the uneventful spots as well.

Mahone Bay had lots a sail boats in it.

This is the Blue Nose at Lunnenberg where we saw a school built back in the 1800's along with a church. Both were beautifl. The fog was rolling in and the hilly streets made me think of San Franciso streets.

Blueberry picking!! We went blueberry picking on our way to Fort Anne and Tranquill Momments Bed & Breakfast.

This flower was found in the Public Gardens in Halifax. The Public Gardens was beautiful with fountains and water and of course plants and flowers. Gorgeous!!

We also went to the citadel. This is when they were changing the gaurds.

What fun was had in Nova Scotia!!!! I'm ready for another vacation.

Starting the school year off right

School started for me on September 10th this year. I was so looking forward to it because I had gone shopping with Cindy when she was down on the long weekend and I found a pair of pants for 14.50. What a great deal. So I thought I was ready to go. I had an 8:00am class which because I already new what I was wearing, didn't seem so daunting. I was actually looking forward to getting up and going to school. So the day came, I didn't even hit the snooze, and I was ready to go about 5 minutes before my actual deadline time. Then it crashed! Before my day really even got started, my car failed me. I got in, turned the key and got nothing back. What a disappointment. I tried again but it was in vain because I got the same response. So I went back in the house and luckily for me dad was up and I had him give me a ride into school.

By noon I had the diagnosis of what was wrong with my car. It needed a transplant - a heart transplant I call it. The battery was no long providing the juice needed to supply the body with motion....so now my car has a new heart and is running just fine!

Nova Scotia - First Half!!

I took 450 pictures in 12 days while I was visiting Heidi and Joel in Eastern Passage. I'm NOT going to share all 450 pics with you because 3 were actually videos and I don't want to sit in this chair typing out what they are and where they are. Some you would most definitely find boring, as I took 109 pictures at Peggy's Cove. The waves were coming in splashing on the rocks and it is just so hard to get a good splash one so I had to keep trying.

This is Lawrencetown Beach. We went there Monday night after I got in. It was high tide because there was very little sand to walk on. It was beautiful.

I wasn't paying attention and a big wave came and got my pants wet! He he he.

Heidi and Joel enjoying the ocean...

Heidi and I took Princess down to fisherman's cove to walk the board walk.

We went back to the beach on the hot day...but it was cool at the beach so I didn't swim. Princess had a lot of fun fetching her ball and jumping through the waves.

We also went to Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay, and Lunenburg (where the Bluenose resides). We saw Fort Anne and Port Royal which was the first settlement. I"ll have to post those pics next time!