Just NB

 I’ve been reading old Madagascar posts & glamorizing that lifestyle. It was so busy, so different from day to day, had a bunch of Africa Magic thrown in for good measure, & I didn’t really have to face my own reality.  I look back at those pictures & remember them as perfect, happy times. I was in a bit of denial. They were far from perfect.  These days it feels like I face reality a bit too much. I’m working hard on a really big, life changing project…that lacks the glamour & fireworks of the international jet setting lifestyle.  To update my very sad last post, there’s a new addition to our family.    Meet Lucy.  More than 2.5x bigger than Maggie. She came home around 15 weeks. She’s been attached to me ever since.  When she was about 5 months old, I was hospitalized due to *virus* complications & I didn’t see her for about 3 weeks. I cried every night thinking she would forget me & OMG - this little dog follows me aroun...

  On Sunday, Maggie was sick…and I knew it was « time ». She’s been the most marvellous pal anyone could have imagined. She had THE BEST day on Saturday! We made jokes that she’s « obviously dying » because she was clearly living life!  Thank you to anyone that’s been in Maggie’s life…she somehow managed to make everyone fall in love with her. ❤️

If anyone ever tells me that everything happens for a reason & the tough times make us stronger, I’ll punch them in the face.  We hear all of the glitz & glam of crazy successful influencers, movie stars, ultra elite people that used their pain to help them grow….& I think it’s a load of bullshit. I don’t believe that those influencers, movie stars, or ultra elite wake up happy every morning because of how they conquered their suffering, nor do they live blissful & beautiful lives. With the exception of monks (who I think suffer in their own way), everyone has pain, everyone suffers, & if you realize it or not, you’re totally cracked in some way…you might just hide it better than others.  On that note, here’s an update for the old blog.  I’m 42!  How did I go from 29 to 42?!? Even 31 seems more like it…like…I’m within spitting distance of being middle aged?  Thankfully my 42nd birthday broke a 3 year spell of horrendous birthdays. 39, 40, ...

Christmas Eve spent at a family friend’s with their family & a few other guests. Probably the best meal & the most relaxing day of the holidays.  A holiday wouldn’t be complete without some Maggie shenanigans.  Including accidentally eating one of Blue’s epilepsy pills. Nothing like going blind, shallow breathing, & 12 hours on an IV, with some charcoal mixed with wet food to start the holidays off right. 🙄  I don’t know how this dog is still alive. Her sight has returned (apparently it’s very common in neurotoxicity to lose sight & regain it slowly), she’s getting her spunk back…this was a fright.  Christmas afternoon at the family’s…& then off to Podunk.  Delivered my favourite Christmas gift. A DIY barn wood coat rack complete with little fish cast iron hooks.  Lots of time with Blue.  A few nights out. Hockey game, supper, a couple of movies.  More spoiled dog antics. On Christmas Eve she was the boss even around two dogs ...

My blog used to be a holy place where I would write nearly every day. Some breakthrough, some kind of adventure, daily life ramblings…whatever. I miss my little blog (not enough to pay for a proper website again) and it surprised me to see that my last post was in July.  So much has happened since then, in six month’s time I feel like a different person almost…but looking back, not much has changed in my life.  For anyone unfamiliar to the term “Podunk”, it can be described as, “  a small town regarded as typically dull or insignificant”. These are my favourite kinds of towns…and I spend my time between Edmonton and Podunk, Alberta*.  (*not the actual name of the town, in case you’re not picking up my joke here). Summer was full of adventures, a trip to Vancouver, a few camping trips. Fall was softball shenanigans fuelled by low-carb alcoholic spritzers & laughter. And now it’s winter.  Real winter with a lot of snow (although much less in Podunk).  Mag...

The last eighteen months have been the most difficult, challenging, heartbreaking, soul smashing eighteen months of my life…BUT, the last four months have been the most transformative & life changing. I'll share my journey one day. When I do, I know there will be others that can relate (or at least enjoy reading about it), but it’s not time yet.  While I’ve been going through hell & back a few times…lately, I’ve been blessed with some amazing memories…and these need to be shared. Today I'll post about my visits to the mountains.  Day Trip to  Kananaskis  Country I had never been to Kananaskis and it's so beautiful. Yes, there are a few pics of a man...and yep, I have a boyfriend, I'll have to post about that another day as well.  The bf and I were in Olds, Alberta, which is roughly two hours from Kananaskis Country. BF is a seasoned Kananaskis traveller and wanted to show me this spot. The weather had been horrible that week! We managed to find a day whe...