OPEN CONTAINER LAW

I've heard of open container laws in the US before, but it appears Canada has a law about open soup cans...

You will be hit with a gavel and charged a minimum of $500. 

Maybe I'm a bit ridiculous, but this sign makes me giggle every time I see it.

MOTHER'S LESSONS

I'm thankful for my mother for teaching me to say please, thank you, excuse me, and I'm sorry

...because apparently a whole bunch of other moms skipped that lesson. Happy Mother's Day!

THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND

Last night, I had the opportunity of attending a memorial service of someone whose family was very kind to me last year during my stay in Fort Mac. I was warmly welcomed into their home to join them for Easter dinner and other activities without us really even knowing each other yet. This got me thinking and made me so grateful that each time I go to a new place, there is that special person(s) who makes the effort to be my friend.

I can't express enough how much these kind gestures mean to me, whether it be a simple hello, offer to give a ride, or showing me around town and introducing me to others. Thank you (I wish I could post a photo of everyone here).

I'm striving to be able to extend my hand so that one day, if needed (and probably also if not needed knowing me), I might be that person who reached out to others with expressions of friendship, appreciation, and love.

DEEP THOUGHTS BY DEANNA

I don't write many serious posts because I remember sharing this journal entry below (written Nov 27, 2005) and I was told maybe my expectations were too high. But I don't think so. Come what may and love it...and I'm loving it EVERY day! I still believe this. Here's the post:

"Maybe I'm thinkin myself in a hole, wondering who I am when I oughtta know...Straighten up now, it's time to go." -Ben Folds

From this sea of discontent, I've wrestled with many feelings and learned a lot this past year. I've learned that I want and deserve many things in life. I want to love and to be loved. I want to talk, to listen, and to be heard. I want to learn and grow and develop new skills. I want to work hard and dare to achieve those things that others think to be impossible. 

I long to share all that I have with someone who desires the same....along that same line, I want to feel like I am the number 1 choice, not the choice after every other girl says no. 
I do believe in fairytales and know there can be a happy ending. I want to lead a life that will lead me to happiness; a life that will make me proud; a life that I love to live and can't wait for a new day/challenge/goal to come. 

I want to smell the flowers, hear the birds sing, feel the sun on my face, dance to each song, and taste the rain as it falls. I want to laugh, to cry (not too much), to love, and feel. 
Of course, I want to win, but I also don't want to be scared to lose. 

I pray I can forgive and be forgiven-to accept others faults because I know I have plenty of my own.
I desire to dare to take the path less traveled to places many don't know about. 

If I make a committment, then I want others to know I will keep it and I want to trust that others will do the same. I want to learn from the past and look to the future with hope. I want to meet each day with confidence. I will have courage to do what I know is right and will not let my values drop or faith be shaken. I want to live each day to the fullest because I've learned that life is precious and there sometimes won't be a "tomorrow" or "next time." 

I want to love...to love with everything I have and share that love with everyone I meet. You have to listen to be heard. You have to give to get. You have to step up to the plate and swing away. The best lessons might come from the most pain, but sometimes hearts are meant to be broken and wounds WILL heal. 

And finally, the best words of advice come from a familiar voice "You've got to know when to hold 'em; know when to fold 'em; know when to walk away; know when to run." WOW...SERIOUS FACE 

MAY DAY

On May 1, baskets are often made by little children, filled with candy or flowers and then placed on people's doorsteps or tied to the door handle, as they ring the doorbell and dash away before they are caught. If the receiver catches the person, the are supposed to exchange a kiss.

Alexandra is too young for kissing, but she sure did enjoy being sneaky and running away. I may have created a future door bell ditch monster!

HEELS

I've never worn a pair of heels this tall in my life. 

But they were just so cute, sparkly, and....drumroll, please....only $3! #bargainshopper

Guess I'll just have to date a volleyball/basketball player. 

Just saying...

DRUNK LAUGH

I was out for an evening with friends having a good time. Someone told a joke and, naturally, I laughed.

In fact, I couldn't stop laughing when the guy next to me leaned over and reassured me with this statement, "Don't worry, I have a funny drunk laugh too."

He pulled an 'awkward moment' face as I replied, "But I don't drink. This is just my laugh."

Guess we all have our own little quirks that make us unique.

KRAFT (MACARONI & CHEESE) DINNER?

I say Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

You say Kraft Dinner.

Now I finally understand what the Barenaked Ladies (because *ding ding* they're Canadian) are talking about in their If I Had A Million Dollars song when they sing:

If I had a million dollars

We wouldn't have to eat Kraft Dinner
But we would eat Kraft Dinner
Of course we would, we’d just eat more

JUDGE NOT

Fort Mac is a special town, full of special people, with special circumstances. I think this video should be shown to everyone once a month in a town council along with a big group hug. Does that make me weird?

I have met lots of nice people here and I kinda just love all of them!

EASTER

I know Easter isn't just about coloring eggs, getting presents from a big bunny, and eating jelly beans for breakfast...

But all that sure is fun!

JOHN 3:16...er 17

You would think that St. Martha's Catholic School could get the verse right...

When I suggested to the lady in the office that it might be John 3:16 in stead of 17, she looked at me with a blank look and said, "Well, I don't know!"

Keep on spreading the word, St. Martha staff.

SLUSH CUP

Spring is here and we all know that means the time for the winter ski hill to close is near. But not without an annual pond skimming competition full of crazy costumes, lots of crashes, and freezing cold water (it is Canada after all).

 We didn't pack any skis to the event, but that didn't stop me and my friend Party Bob from jumping in on all the fun.

 Thank you Vista Ridge for the fantastic Slush Cup Party.

POUTINE

I never thought in my lifetime I'd eat anything with poo in it.

But when in Canada....

Maybe I should explain a little bit more. There isn't actually poo in this dish.

It is called poutine (pronounced poo-teen). 

I think it comes from the Frenchy side of Canada, oui...eh?

It consists of fries, cheese curds, and gravy.

And it kinda made me feel like my heart might stop for a bit.

FORT McMUDDY

By the looks of it, you'd think the driver of this car had a fun day off-roading in the mud. It's not the case. I'd say 83% of the cars in Fort McMurray look like this right now just from simply driving around town.

I've heard the town referred to as Ft McMuddy, and our driveway is sure evidence of the name.

Many places have signs asking you to remove your shoes when you enter the door. I assume it's because they don't want to have to hire someone to mop every 10 minutes.

It's interesting. Let's just say I've never had to take my shoes off at the dentist office until now and black socks are a new staple in my wardrobe here.

LEGGINGS DEBATE

Please tell me why I hear people saying leggings are not considered pants.
I know tights are opaque pantyhose, and usually much too thin to be worn without something covering them.
I've seen skinny jeans that are just as tight as leggings.
So what's the big fuss over leggings being worn as pants?! 
If wearing a tshirt under a sleeveless top makes it "modest", why can't you wear leggings under a shirt or sweater that isn't quite long enough to be a dress? I just don't get it.

UNDERCOVER SANTA

No matter how old I get, I still wonder if every jolly guy I see with a round belly and white hair/beard might be Santa undercover.

He's making a list and checking it twice!

PROFILING

I have heard many people complain to me about others "racial profiling" them though the years. And all I can think in my head when they are talking is 'Oprah is a minority, and look at her rockin it!' People are people and life is tough for all of us. Get over yourself. Life can be SO awesome, but you have to want it and make it that way.

I think Ben Folds had it right when he sang:

Ya'll don't know what's it like
being male, middle-class, and white.

Yeah...feel my white girl pain. Sham on.

PARK ELSEWHERE

Am I a bad person if I want to have a handful of copies of this sign with me at all times to hand out (especially during early morning school drop-offs)? Seriously, people, a small walk might actually do you some good.

QUARTER COLLECTION

A very nice kid at the library helped me with my photo copies the other day. Once he found out I'm from the states, he asked if I would mind trading one of my quarters for a Canadian quarter. It's not the best trade (currency rate wise), but he told me he only needs a few more to complete his collection of all 50 states and I'm a sucker for people with funny accents. I pulled out my change, but he already had the coins I had in my possession. So I told him it was my goal to get him those quarters.

I mean, he was nice, and his hair and stylish outfits reminded me of the old House Party movies starring Kid n Play.

This is where I'm asking for help. It's a little bit hard for me to search through quarters when I'm handling foreign monies. So I'm wondering if any of you out there want to help me with this small act of kindness by pulling out your change jars.

I am looking for 5 quarters from Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Idaho, and Illinois. 

I'd be more than happy to pay you back when I return to the states and cover shipping costs.

WINTER PLAY

**Don't mind the messy hair and creepy hood...it's cold out here**

When water freezes in Canada, what's a town to do besides put together a festival and call it Winter Play. Really, we were walking on the frozen Snye.

Our day of fun was full of ice sculptures

a snow maze

a few ice slides

And our favorite spot of the day...

the warm up tent.

There were also rumors of other events like curling, concerts, hockey, and sled dog rides throughout the festival. Canada rocks.

NEVERMORE

Edgar Allan Poe got it right when he described the raven as a "grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore."
I've yet to hear one say "nevermore," but they sure do make the creepiest sounds as they roam the streets and rummage through garbage.

I'm not sure if these photos do them justice, but believe me, they are freaking HUGE. 
In fact, I think I'd be 

more afraid of one of these guys than a dingo eating your baby!

"Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting —
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! – quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
            Quoth the Raven "Nevermore."

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.

THINKING POSITIVE

I wouldn't say waking up to -25 degrees C with wind chill is my favorite thing, but it gives me an excuse to wear my cute mittens.

FAMILY FEUD FAST MONEY

It's funny to see what people say under pressure. For that reason, I like to watch Family Feud when I workout. Even if it means giggling on the stair stepper and getting looks from others around me.

*Question #3 on the fast money round was: give a woman's name that starts with D. Sad to say my name got ZERO points.

*Question #1 was name a place you'd hope to never find out your child had pierced.

*The final question was: name a job that's dirty but somebody's got to do it.

BABY OLIE TALK

I'm not a fan of baby talk when speaking to small children.

For that reason I cannot stand a certain television show that is loved at this house.

Does it make me a bad person to want to punch the creators of Rolie Polie Olie.

SNOW ANGEL

Alexandra helped me make my first Canadian snow angel today.

What's next to do besides warm our buns up by the fire, eh?

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Phish might have had a better song if they'd seen these northern lights. #welcomethisisafarmhouse

SO AMAZING! Thank you, Canada, for making my night awesome.

RUSH DELIVERY

There were only 10 people on my flight and they managed to lose my bag.

With over 12 (less than 1 hour) flights a day from Edmonton to Fort Mcmurray, you'd think it wouldn't take 3 days for me to get my baggage.

Thanks for the "rush" delivery Air Canada.

LATE

Even though The Vow movie plot was too utterly slow for me, it helped come to a realization. I HATE BEING LATE TO A SHOWING AT THE MOVIE THEATER. Am I the only one? If we're gonna miss the first 10 minutes, I'd rather wait to see the show or catch another on a different screen.

CAKE POPS

I'm cool. I'm trendy. I cake pop.

GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR

It all started with that dang girl at Victoria's Secret. 

She was standing behind me in line and asked about a coupon I had in my hand for free panties. I wanted to just give her my coupon for some reason, but then remembered I had a text coupon on my cell for buy one get one free. I told her about it and she gave me her digits so I could forward it to her. I left the store.

If someone shared a code with me, I would text them back and say thanks. I received no text. This was bugging me all night that she seemed so ungrateful.

ALL I WANTED WAS A THANK YOU TEXT. Is that too much to ask.

So I decided to pray to appreciate things more.

Then people started cutting me off, bumping into me in stores and not apologizing or saying a simple 'excuse me', and just plain annoying me.

So I prayed again and asked

WHY ARE YOU PUTTING THESE ANNOYING PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHEN I'M TRYING TO BE MORE APPRECIATIVE OF OTHERS? WHY?!

And then it hit me. I'm pretty sure God has a sense of humor. He answers our prayers...just maybe not the way we expect it. I don't want all of these rude people to cross my path, but it helps me appreciate it more when people are polite. Thanks.

LESSON LEARNED.

I should've learned from a previous experience when I prayed for patience.

PEANUT BUTTER PIE

You don't have to wait until 3.14 for another pi party to eat this peanut butter pie.

It's super easy and delicious...just a few ingredients and even fewer steps.

You can buy a pie crust (that's my fave option) but for those of you who like to make everything from scratch you can make your crust this way:

• 25 whole Oreos OR 1 box graham crackers (choose your crust...don't use both)
• 4 Tablespoons Butter, Melted

Crush the Oreos/graham crackers until they’re fine crumbs. Pour melted butter over the top and stir with a fork to combine. Press into pie pan and bake at 350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes, or until set.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Filling:

• 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 package (8 Ounce) Softened Cream Cheese
• 1-1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 package (8 Ounce) Cool Whip, Thawed

Beat the peanut butter with the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Add in the Cool Whip and beat mixture until smooth, scraping the sides as needed.

Pour filling into crust, evening out the top with a knife or spatula. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

 This is my entry for the AEG picture perfect pie competition!  You can enter too at Being Frugal and Making it Work