The rain held out for us today! We went to the local park for a Canada Day party complete with cupcakes, music, the local fry truck and games. We missed the parade due to a cranky baby but we won some free slushies and enjoyed the cupcakes. I have been going ever since the girls have been born with my parents and it’s always a nice afternoon out. Here are a few pics from today.
I am not too good on boats but it won’t stop me. There are some pretty amazing things to see on in the open ocean. Being in Canada, we have some amazing choices for Whale Watching. Check these articles out here and here. I don’t live somewhere where I can just go see them. I would have to leave the province but I am okay with that. I will do this… I know it!
Source: Shutterstock.com
I am not a very good swimmer. I can get by. I took lessons and learned how to swim but I don’t go too far from shore. I did almost drown in Mexico. I got caught in an undertoe and I will never forget the feeling of helplessness. I could feel the sand give way underneath my feet and I remember opening my eyes and all I could see was swirling sand. Fortunately, I got a break and could feel the sand underneath for a brief second and I got up. My friend’s boyfriend was already out to get me as he was a lifeguard and seen what happened. I got lucky that day.
So, when it comes to water activities I feel a bit skeptical and afraid but I have also had some amazing experiences just from going out of my comfort zone. This next story is one of them. I will never forget it. It was AMAZING! When George and I were on our honeymoon in New Zealand in 2006, we had a chance to take a boat tour (not one of my favourite things) and swim with the dolphins in Kaikoura. I could not pass this up! I love dolphins. George opted out (he’s not a strong swimmer either). I was so excited to do this until the day came and then the scary thoughts started happening. I won’t swim somewhere where I can’t see or touch the bottom but I am going to be in the middle of the ocean, who knows how deep? See where my train of thought was going? I was beginning to doubt myself and if I could actually do it. I had to wear a snorkel which I was not very good at and I didn’t know if I would be able to swim that much. It was a scary thing for me.
I did it though! We found a huge pod of dolphins and we pretty much jumped in the middle of them. They were swimming all around us. I remember the guide telling us to hum while in the water because they like that. I liked that! It kept my mind off of what I was so afraid of and enjoyed the whole thing. I even had a dolphin swim right in front of my face. I could have easily touched it but they told us to respect them as that was their environment and we shouldn’t do it. They are very fast! I had a fantastic time. I couldn’t keep up so good but I was proud that I didn’t drown and now I get to say I swam with the dolphins in the wide open ocean!
Trying to appear calm before jumping into the great big ocean
Can’t back out now!
Trying to keep up!
We have dolphins!
Look at the beautiful scenery…
And then a different look for the scenery…amazing!
This was my favourite shot. I took it once i got back on the boat to watch them swim away from us. Beautiful!
This is a bit of a different “FUN” Friday post. It is typically my Bucket List but today’s entry will be that of an actual activity I can cross off my list! It may be a bit of an unexpected one. I grew up in a small town and we have a Lawn Bowling club. Whenever I was at the park, I would see it and all the “older” people bowling on the grass. I never thought much about it for a long time but in the back of my head I thought someday I might try it.
It came about a funny way. There was an ad in the local paper saying “Looking for players alive and barely alive”. The club was having an open house for members of the community to come and try it out. I cut it out and had it on my fridge for a long time. My brother and sister-in-law were over one day and noticed it. They said they were thinking about going for the open house too! So, that’s what we did.
It was a few weeks ago on a hot sunny afternoon that I could finally cross something off my mental bucket list. (I have only started writing it down now… on here). It was a fun afternoon, we all enjoyed it and who knows… maybe as the kids get older I may just join a league!
Givin’ it a go…
Two old fogies?
Bucket List Item… Lawn Bowling… Done!
I am afraid of fire.
I never ever liked fire trucks as a kid.
The only way I get near an open flame these days is to roast marshmallows for my smores’.
That’s why this next bucket list item kind of scares me. It’s not just the fire but the only thing between you and the ground is a wicker basket!
I imagine it is beautiful up there. If it’s anything like the peace you feel when floating down from an airplane jump after your freefall, it would be worth it.
We discovered last Christmas that my daughter was frightened out of her mind by a hot air balloon in a Christmas parade. A local company had one of their balloon baskets in the back of their pick up and they were doing the fire thing along the way. She did not like it one bit and the rest of the parade was pretty much a write-off. I have never told her about my fear of fire so it was interesting to find out that she has one as well.
All the reason to do it, right? Face the fear. One day… as long as I can where a fire-retardant suit and a parachute?
Photo Credit: Apex Balloons
I have been up in the air before with nothing but a beautiful coloured shute and a life jacket. I went Parasailing in Aruba. It was a 10 minute ride over the Caribbean Sea and beautiful Palm Beach. The scenery and peacefulness was awesome but I have to admit… I’m glad it was only 10 minutes. I was starting to feel a little “seasick” from the wind knocking me back and forth. I am so glad I did it though. I kept thinking to myself that this must be what it’s like to be a bird… it is a very ” free-ing” feeling.
Aruba- Palm Beach
December 2, 2009
Strawberry Darth Vader
I have always wanted to Bungee Jump. Yes, I would be scared sh****** but it’s the thrill. I am not an adrenaline junkie, I don’t go looking for crazy things to do everyday. Sometimes, I just need/want to do something different. I almost did it in New Zealand but our tour truck was acting up and I was the only one who wanted to do it, so we skipped by the site. I wish I had of did it. I still want to do it but now I have 2 little babies and priorities change so I’m not sure I could do it. It’s still staying on my list… for further assessment.
All was not lost in the “crazy out of my mind” category while in New Zealand. I did do something just as crazy and it was awesome! I jumped out of a plane! I did it in one of the most amazing places on Earth.
I will never forget the feelings of sheer nervous-ness as the plane climbed to 12,000 ft above earth’s surface. It seemed to take so long. The scenery was incredible. I was flying over top Fox Glacier and the images will forever be engraved in my mind.
As I was hanging out of the side of the plane, I couldn’t help but think “am I really doing this”? I really didn’t have time to back out (I wouldn’t have anyway) but that free fall at 200 kmph really puts things in perspective. The only thing I remember thinking while falling was that my fingers were freezing. At least it wasn’t fear that the instructors chute wouldn’t open or he would have a heart attack while on my back!
Here are some pics from my experience….
I’ve been dreaming of the beach. You know- the hot sun, the sand beneath your toes, a humid breeze, the smell of suntan lotion, the swaying palm trees…. and the DELICIOUS drinks that are served whenever you want. I’m going back to November 2009. I went on a girl’s trip to Aruba and enjoyed many many many of these delicious drinks! If anyone can please please please tell me what kind they are and how to make one-I would be forever grateful. I would like to be sipping on one or two of these whenever our summer arrives.
Today’s musical focus is on Billy Pettinger aka Billy The Kid. I had the pleasure of seeing her open for Raine Maida on his solo tour back in 2008. She was great! My brother and sister-in-law got to know her and they invited us to see her again, this time in 2010. She has been very busy and and is going on tour with Chuck Ragan. Check her out if you get a chance. This is us in 2010, with my parents and my little bambino who was ready to enter this world at any moment!
I have always wanted to go on an African Safari. I made it a goal for my 30th birthday to get there and it didn’t happen. Boo! Although, it seems a bit harder to go at this point in my life I have hopes that someday I will make it there. I want to see all those amazing animals roaming freely in their habitat.
Photo Source: Unknown
Speaking of amazing animals… and in honour of World Penguin Day (which is today)…
I had the opportunity to see some when I visited New Zealand in 2006. We took a tour to the Otago Peninsula and got to see yellow eyed penguins, sea lions, seals, sheep and albatross all in the same day. You could get so close to the sea lions. They are beautiful, massive creatures and a bit scary at times when they open their mouth!
I could have watched the penguins all day. They were roaming around the field with the sheep and down to the beach. There was a particular couple I had my eyes on though. They were expecting and the male was constantly carrying things up to the nest to make it more comfortable for his little lady. He would not leave her side. It was amazing to watch. Here are some of my pictures. If you get the chance to go, we went with Elm Wildlife Tours.
It’s funny… when we are younger we just think about what’s going on for the next night or the weekend. There is no worries. We go to work, go out after work with friends and repeat. We have friends that we may see once in awhile or hang with one’s we have had for a long time.
I come from a small town. We were always going to the city “next door” to go out. The city was not a big one but it had enough bars for us to go back and forth to. You would always run into someone you knew and would never have to worry about losing your friends as there was always someone else to hang out with until you found them again. When you go out that much, it’s almost like you are friends with everyone because you see the same people every single weekend. Of course, we don’t know them all personally but you know them enough to give them a nod in passing or a quick hello.
We don’t tend to think too far into the future when it come’s to how everyone’s life is going to turn out. What kind of job will they end up in? Where will they live? Will you stay in touch?
Now that I am older and we have so many social media outlets, it’s definitely easier to get in touch or stay in touch with those we used to know. The next person (Greg) is one of those people from my past. We went to school together. He was a little younger than I. His sister was one grade ahead of me. We didn’t hang out in the school years but we would often meet up in the bar crowds.
Greg has went on to pursue a music career. He is a singer/songwriter and is pretty amazing. I feel so happy for people like him because being any kind of artist is a hard deal. They inspire me with their dedication and drive to do what they love. It’s not an easy way to live. I’m sure between studio, touring, promoting etc. it get’s pretty gruesome at times. I can’t imagine. I would never be able to do that kind of thing (I’m too shy), so I have even more respect for those that can get out there and pour their heart and soul out in front so many people.
My musical inspiration for today is Greg Ball. I haven’t had the opportunity to see him perform live yet but he has been with me on roadtrips and while doing my housecleaning… hee hee. I missed out seeing him last year but the next time he comes to town, I will be there. It would be nice to reunite- it’s been a very long time. Please check him out and support his music. You will love it!
This picture was taken a long time ago… good times (he’s on the left!)!
Chasing Dreams & Flingin' Beans 