i don't write on here anymore...

...so you can visit the blog I actually DO write on. www.kellileigh.blogspot.com
And you can leave me comments, I like those :)

A weekend devoted to me dang it

Finally, after all of these years, I get a whole freakin weekend dedicated to me! Well, not technically, I've sort of started proclaiming it "the weekend of me," but I think it makes sense and the friends I've suggested it to agree. Here's the plan for the weekend:

Friday (tomorrow): sleep in (but not tons) and run a few errands. Well that's not all that exciting I suppose but the night is all about ME, ME, MEEEEE!!!! My friends are having a BBQ farewell for me and they're not tell me much so I think there's something special and "surprise-like" included. Whooo! A BBQ just because they love me!

Saturday: sleep in (just a bit again), go to Knockabouts (Carman's equivalent of a West 49 ish type of store) and use up my gift certificate (= free clothes) then off to Winnipeg. For a night I've waited for for YEARS, to see probably my favorite singer in the world (other than Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake): Christina Aguilera. Holy freakin crap I can't believe I'm going to see her live, it seems a wee bit surreal. Ok, some of you may be laughing and thinking I'm being ridiculous b/c yes, this is the girl who brought us all "Dirty" (oh sorry..."Dirrrty") and that horrific duet with Little Kim. But for serious, not many people have pipes like Christina and if you've heard her new CD, you'd know why I'm so excited for this concert. There are lots of her songs I'm really hoping she'll sing, mostly my favourites off the new CD and "Come on Over," a good old classic which some friends and I memorized at CMU. Oh and opening for her is the Pussycat Dolls. Yes, the burlesque dancers turned "singers." Still, I'll jump up and down with glee when they sing "Buttons."

Sunday: Carman Mennonite is having a farewell potluck for me after the morning worship service. Basically like 150 people are going to come and say goodbye to me and fawn over me and tell me they'll miss me and they loved me. Yeah, it's all about me and I can't WAIT!! (Although, seriously I'm very sad about leaving this great church and my awesome youth).

So there it will be, the weekend devoted to me. And I deserve it dang it. (oh and don't worry, I'm going to sneak my camera into the MTS centre and I'll have pictures for you next week!)

Obsession: Online Tabloids

I have a new obsession, like a "I need to check it everyday or my world will fall apart" kind of obsession: online tabloids. Tmz.com is the one I hit everysingle day, but ocassionally I'll check out perezhilton.com although it can get a little risquay so I don't go there as much. But seriously, I feel that my vision of the world is SO much wider since I have been introduced to tmz. Like today I learned that last night Nicole Richie's bodyguard punched a papparazzi, that Anna Nicole's gravesite is the No.1 visited gravesite in the Bahamas and that Andy Dick (the actor) likes to use profanities whiile leaving clubs and bars in Hollywood. All VERY useful information you can see.
Go check it out www.tmz.com ... you can blame me when you're addicted too.

My hate-hate relationship with snow

There is no love in this relationship. It is purely a hate-hate relationship. I hate that my driveway has at least 2 feet of snow in it. I hate that my deck is so icy that each time I go outside I fear I may fall and break my hip. I hate that its cold enough that when the water drips off my eavestrough it freezes over my door so it won't open. I hate that the highways are so horrible that I worry if I'll be able to hang out with my friends this weekend. I hate that snow is blowing everywhere.

Snow is stupid. I want to move to Hawaii.

Why are we picking on Britney?

Many of you may know that I like Britney Spears quite a lot. I like her music, I think she's beautiful (well, sans bald head) and I think she's had a rough time at life at some points. This picture is one of my favourites of her and I actually have it hanging in my bedroom. She's always in the news, but these days, she's in there even more - and not for good things. Drinking, not wearing panties (therefore showing her ... to the world), shaving her head, going out with Paris, dating and hooking up with random guys, partying and seemingly neglecting her little boys, checking into rehab...then out...then in...then out...now in. People make fun of her, ridicule her and put her down.

We need to stop. I'm not saying this just because I do like her, I'm saying this because she is a real person just like the rest of us. Depression and going through self destructive behavior is a REAL thing, not just something splashed all over tabloids. She is a real person who is really going through these things. She has family and friends who love her and 2 little boys who need their mother to get healthy so she can take care of them again. Yes she has made mistakes - who hasn't? We all have regrets, we've all done things we shouldn't have and look back on and think "what the HECK was I doing?!"

As someone who has dealt with depression in my own life, I know what its like to feel out of control, like you don't really know what you're doing and if its right or what. What message are we showing other girls out there if we ridicule a girl who obviously has some issues with depression and is in need of help and support, not sexist and rude remarks, calling her a drunk and a crazy?

jumping to conclusions with judgement

Last night I flew from Winnipeg to Saskatoon where my mom lives to spend a few days with her while she has 'spring break' from school (let me tell you, there's nothing 'spring' about it...its -40 here today). Anyways, as I was waiting in the departure area, waiting for my delayed flight to take off, I noticed that the woman sitting in the chair behind me was yelling into her phone, said something about not being able to reach an asshole (her words, not mine) and was very upset. Then when we got up to finally get on the plane, she was at the front of the line only to tell the flight attendants she didn't have her ID with her, thus holding up the line of VERY annoyed other passengers. Geesh, I thought to myself. What a kook...can't she be organized and normal? Once I finally got on the plane, guess who was sitting right beside me?...yep, the crazy lady. She IMMEDIATELY started talking to me and asking me tons of questions and I could tell she was a very nervous flyer. Oy. So we kept talking (or at least she did...I kind of nodded my head here and there) and she told me about how she used to live in North Battleford and hated it and on and on and on. But then she said "I'm flying to Saskatoon because my daughter is in critical condition. She has meningitis and may not live." Oh my goodness, I felt absolutely horrible. She went on to explain that she had felt SO bad for holding up the line because she was in such a rush and not thinking when she left her house and forgot her ID. Totally goes to show you that sometimes we jump to conclusions and think people are crazy when instead they are faced with something else, something more that we know NOTHING about. God totally taught me that I need to be much less judgemental and need to be open to all kinds of people because we all have emotions and feelings.

Baby time!

Haha, it kind of looks like I'm going to be telling everyone I'm pregnant in this blog! Well, you guessed it...I'm not! My good friends Carl and Leanne Doell had their first baby on Wed. night!!!!! His name is Ezra Cole and he was (get ready for it...) 10 lbs, 10 oz and 24 inches long. Yes, folks, that is 2 feet long, over half of a third of my own height at 26. He is just the CUTEST thing and has tons of hair, actually he has a mullet (but Leanne doesn't really like it when you say that). And I am proud to say that I have been appointed his official stylist! (no joke, there's such a job as being a baby stylist. Angelina and Brad's kids each have one). This is my first close friend to have a baby and I'm so excited!

thought a LITTLE too soon

You may notice that there is a blog missing that was here before about me moving to BC to go to school to be a fashion merchandiser. Well, I guess I posted that one a LITTLE too quickly. B/c I'm not going anymore. After thinking more about it and praying a lot I know that it isn't what God wants me to do. Instead I'm back to original plan A...moving to Winnipeg and getting a job/maybe going to school and taking a course to be a Medical Administrative Assistant. I just can't leave Winnipeg, I'd miss the snow too much ;) (yeah right...that's pretty much the only reason I WOULD leave). Who knows...maybe next week I'll want to be an astranaut. Don't worry if you can't keep up with my life, neither can I.

changes, changes....changes

So yes I've changed my blog address to something more hip. I thought it was a little boring and lame that it was just my name before.
Keep checking back in the next few weeks...changes are ahead in life. I can't say too much right now but soon and very soon I will. I feel like my dream might be starting to coming true right before my very eyes... haha, I know that's going to keep some of you in suspense for a while :)

26 is still mid 20's

Last Friday, January 19 was my 26th birthday. I am now past 25 which I thought at one time was the end of life. But I guess its really not, because now I'm 26 and still alive. It was such an awesome birthday weekend...And yes, 26 is still considered mid 20's. This is the scale according to ... well, me: 20-24 = early 20's, 25-27 = mid 20's, 28-29 = late 20's. Therefore, I am still in my mid 20's...and for another whole 2 years!!!

Thursday my mom came to be with me for the weekend. I am so glad she came for my birthday - it made it so great. Friday was spent at the mall...my home away from home. I didn't buy ANYTHING for myself!!! I know, it was a miracle! But I found the most amazing blazer at Tommy for $35 (so seriously cheap) and my mom bought it for me for my birthday! Oh and side note, I found a skirt that I am in love with. Like literally...in love with. It's navy blue, A-line but with some pleating at the top and some extra fabric underneath and, and, .... IT HAS POLKADOTS!!!! (white). Polkadots are my favourite. If only it wasn't $188 :( Anyways, back to my birthday. After the mall, my mom and I went to Olive Garden. I just love that place, it has so many wonderful memories for me (my CMU graduation supper, Misty's birthday, Larissa's birthday). Then it was off to Chapters for some serious book shopping (well looking at, not so much buying). I had got some birthday $ from my Grandma so I got the last Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants book. I can't wait to read it (but first I'll finish the other great book I'm reading..."Fashionably Late" by Beth Kendrick). Oh how I love Chapters...especially the Fashion book section. I spent an hour straight just in that one area.

Saturday was also really good - my mom and I went to Lisa's cafe in Rosenort for Waffles and Egg Muffins...mmmmm :) Sunday was my birthday party with my friends. We went bowling at Academy and then to Applebees for appetizers and drinks. Let me tell you, I LOVE my friends, they're awesome. Our team (the best) which was me, Larissa, Lisa, Kelly, Mike and Misty have developed the new sport of speed bowling. Look for it at the next Olympics, its intense. Here's some pics from bowling.

So anyways, that was my awesome birthday weekend. I guess 26 isn't all that bad...

Crying and the Crocodile Hunter

So I'm kind of an emotional person - I cry during sad movies and in every single episode of Grey's Anatomy. I even had to stop watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition because I was getting headaches from crying so much. And you know that Coke commercial with the penguins and then the baby polar bear slides down the hill and joins them?? Yep, I cried during that. And March of the Penguins. And Happy Feet. And throughout all of Free Willy.

There is something about ANYTHING to do with Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter that makes me cry. During his memorial service I litterally bawled as I watched his little girl Bindi read a memorial to him. Then a few weeks later Barbara Walters interviewed Terri, his wife. If it had gone on a minute longer than it did, I would have had to turn it off because I was getting one BAD headache. The worst part was when she told Barbara that she had lost her prince. Oh dear, that did it for me...tears were pouring down my face and kleenex was all over the couch. Then yesterday, Terri and Bindi were on Ellen. Seriously Bindi is the cutest thing in the whole entire world and of course yes...I was crying by the end of this too. She told Ellen that all she wants is for her Dad to be proud of her. Oh goodness...

I tried to put the videos of these things on here but they weren't working...just search Terri and Bindi Irwin on youtube and you'll find them.

What on earth is it about this guy that makes me bawl everytime I see his family talk about him??? I mean I watched his show and I thought he was entertaining but now I just can't stop crying when I watch these things! Yeeesh.

Larissa's birthday + YA retreat = F-U-N

This week has been interesting. In some areas of life its kind of sucked. But that's not what I'm going to talk about. No, no...I'm here to talk about FUN!!!

Wednesday was Larissa's 25th birthday which means for the next 12 days we will be the same age. It was a great day. She and I went shopping for the afternoon and she spent her Xmas and birthday money and I spent...well, my money. Then we met up with her sister Rachelle, her aunt Rose and our friends Sarah and Sherisse for supper at Olive Garden. Oh it was GOOOOOD. I had shrimp and asparagus on risotto with creamy tomato sauce and I think its my new favourite thing there. The day helped me remember what a great and wonderful best friend I have and how awesome it is that we help each other through so much stuff. God has truly blessed me with her!

Thursday wasn't really a major day but in one way it was GREAT. Kelly and I watched the first episode of the new season of Beauty and the Geek and it looks like this one is going to be a WINNER of a season! My favourite couple is Nate and ... Candice??? is that her name?? Anyways, I like them. My favourite guy is most certainly Piao (but you can call him pi as in the mathematical figure). Seriously, there were a few moments during the show I thought I was going to lose it it was so funny. And P.S. I'm an expert in things I know.

This weekend I went to the Young Adult retreat at Koino with Kelly and Leah. It was a super awesome weekend! Friday night we just hung out, had our first worship session and ate the world famous (at least Mennonite Manitoba famous) Koinonia cinnamon buns. Oh and played broomball. I am not good at broomball and I think the guys on my team were kind of annoyed when I accidently shot the ball away from my net. oops. Saturday we had another worship session and then in the afternoon Leah and I (and another girl Nadia) decided we'd go on a little walk outside. That "little walk" turned into a 45 minute hike in the deep, deep snow. I was pretty sure death was upon me I was so exhausted. But it was a good workout and definitely wore off whatever calories were in those cinnamon buns the night before! Sat. night we played some serious dutch blitz (I lost the first game and got 2nd last in the other) then everyone but Todd and I went tubing down this toboggan slide they have there. Which brings me to one of the funniest things I find about living in Manitoba. In Sask, its pretty flat but I come from just outside the Cypress Hills and my grandma's house was right across the street from the biggest hill in Swift Current. So we don't need to build artificial things out of wood to toboggan. I think toboggan runs are the most hilarious thing about Manitoba. Oh...other than the Blue Bombers ;) Anyways, then I was deemed "official photographer" for broomball, mainly b/c I was NOT making a complete fool of myself again and then proceeded to stay up until 1:30 when I had told a few people I'd be in bed by 11:30. It never works out how you think it will! Today we had our last session, had the very predictable lunch of Taco Salad and said our goodbyes. And Kelly thanked the camp manager Matt for sleeping with her... haha, you won't live that one down Kel!

Going to the retreat was really good for me. I needed to get out among different people for a bit and it was nice to see some people from CMU I hadn't seen in a while. The worship was amazing (as always) and being able to sing those familiar songs brings me so close to God and I am so thankful for that. That Backstreet Boys sing-a-long was pretty good on the way home too... :)

Christmas celebrations 06

So I finally figured out how to put pictures into my posts. I feel very intelligent right now. So anyways, here are some pictures of some stuff in the past few weeks: Christmas parties with friends and family and the snow fall I wrote about (p.s. Lisa and Larissa both got here and it was a SUPER fun New Years!)

<--Me, Misty, Ty and Mike. Yes that's Last Holiday, yes we all got it as a gift from Kelly and yes its a bad movie.

-->Lisa and I made everyone calendars with all of our pictures of everything we've done together the last year. We were so proud of ourselves and I think everyone really loves them.







<--I have been wanting one of these huge vases with a gerbera in it forever. I guess Lisa's been listening because she had Michael make me one for Christmas! Its so super nice.

<-- Jarrett is not a very good present wrapper. This is him wrapping my gift. To the right is the final product. And if you're wondering, that is in fact wedding paper.

-->Cassie even got presents! (3 jingle balls, a fake mouse toy and some left over ribbon from Jay's wrapping experiment)

<--my Grandma Smith and I. One of the most influencial women in my life. She has worked as a seamstress for over 65 years and it is from her I get my love of fashion. I just wish I had thought to put makeup on that day...

<--Jay and my Grandpa Downey at my Dad and Edith's. The following photos are curtesy of my 8 year old cousin Emily. my dad (yeah I know, nice), Edith cleaning up, my cousin Kyle, Brett, Em, hanging out in the sunroom

My car buried under the snow.



My street after it was plowed.