Our version of Club Med

The water was a little green as opposed to turquoise. However, the couples were still hot, the water sports were still happenin' and there were definitely some good times had by all.
I spent some quality time this weekend lounging and reading about celebs and their fabulous vacations. I was a some friends' cabin in SK thinking that somehow, I had it better then those famous few. We had glorious sun, no paparazzi, a sweet cabin, lots of food, a boat with all the toys and some great friends. I love summer!

A Healthy Glow...

I think I made a slight mistake while painting my bathroom. For the first time ever, I did not choose to buy the $5 paint pot from Benjamin Moore. I just wanted to paint and I didn't want to have to go back to the store to buy the gallon. I talked to the lady who has given me great advice before. I told her I wanted celery green that did not look old lady minty or look like a highlighter. I did forget to mention a nuclear glow... sigh.
Three coats of celedone green. I think I expected it to get a little creamier with each coat.
Poor Trevor patiently put the new vanity together and put the toilet tank on. I'm pretty sure he's not to fond of our new bathroom. I s'pose we'll live with it until I can muster up the courage to pick a new colour.
Bah... until then, our bathroom will have a healthy glow!

Moaning Myrtle

VS.



I'm trying to paint my bathroom. I'd like it to be celery green by the end of the week. So far, I've managed to get the white trim done. Strangely enough, this painting project will probably take me a while longer then some of the bigger rooms in the house that I have managed with ease. You see, when I was painting those rooms, I was not also trying to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
I am currently on page 460 of the book and it's really hard to put it down. I have no urge to do a single thing but read, read and read.
Rowling has outdid herself in the pace of the plot as well as adding twists and turns that leave me quite frantic for pretty much all of the characters. It's really hard to pick up a roller when somebody's fate could be determined in the next chapter.
Therefore, I am left like Moaning Myrtle. I'm stuck in the bathroom but, all the while, I'm dreaming of the adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron.

P.S. The Outlander series is as equally intense as the Harry Potter series. I was lucky to finish just last week.

My green thumb???

It's beginning to dawn on me that my green thumb is a healthy shade of mediocrity.
I am aware of the obstacles against me. The weeds were allowed to rule my yard without question for many a year. The Virginia Creeper was encouraged to climb almost as high as our roof and make not so subtle attempts to creep inside our siding. The back yard was the very large toilet of a healthy chocolate lab. This, I was prepared for.
I am still sad that my Bleeding Heart seems to have bled to death. What the heck, all the research I did on this thing stated that Bleeding Hearts were foolproof. Don't I feel foolish.
I don't understand why I can get Edelweiss to grow and not poppies.
Why why why did the previous owner think yarrow was pretty? Now it's all over my front grass.
All the other hollyhocks I've seen have flowers by now. Somehow, mine are stunted. At this rate, I will have hollyhocks blooming for Labour Day.
My healthiest plants are petunias, impatients and pansies. These are happy little flowers. I'm thankful that they have the grace to grow in my yard despite the heat and my inexperience.
What do I do? I think I will continue to water my blooming mess, learn from my mistakes and try again next year.

By invitation only...

Yesterday, I helped Karri (my brother's fiancee) make wedding invites. It was really fun to work with her and her sister. It was a girly day followed by a good swim.
I love how happy my little brother is. It's a good feeling to know that he loves and is loved.

A Camping We Did Go...

Trevor and I awoke bright and early on July 15th to a thundershower. This was our 1st anniversary and we were in a tent, in the rain. Despite ground shaking thunder and an absolute downpour, we managed to stay nice and dry.









We went camping with our Care Group for the weekend. There's

something about the smell of campfire, the taste of toasted marshmallows and the sounds of
nature to bring a group closer. We had a good time. The boys bonded over fishing and beach volleyball while the ladies tanned and talked.

Edelweiss

I went to Austria when I was 20. I was tired of university and I needed a change of pace. I went to a Capernwray Bible School called Tauernhof. It was a little school located in a small town in the heart of the Alps. I hiked, I stretched myself spiritually, I met some really great people.
I went back to Austria with my brother the day after I convocated from university. 5 summers ago, I was back-packing in the Alps and sleeping rough. I was pushed physically and I came home in the best shape I have ever been in!
Looking back at my "mountain top" experiences makes me realize how important going away and trying new things was for me. I was forced to grow. I was challenged and in a strange country; I had no other choice.
I also fell in love with the Alps. I can close my eyes and still see the gorgeous peaks high above me. I can never recapture those times in my life but, I will always have such great memories.
I will water the little edelweiss I bought at Home Depot and I will remember my alpine adventures.

Kindred souls

Shiya arrived the day after school ended. Shiya has been my best friend pretty much all my life. She laughs at my jokes (she actually thinks I'm funny). She lets me cry on her shoulder. She is the best listener. She is really one of the only other women I enjoy shopping with.
There's nothing more wonderful then a friend who, even though she lives far away, can jump back into my life without any awkwardness at all. I am blessed.