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Monday 30 June 2014

June 30: Great week off

I am overflowing with gratitude for my family, for the trip I was just on, and for coming home to the best guy ever.

I'll be doing more posting tomorrow about the actual trip. Probably on my other blog. Maybe on this one.

Talk more tomorrow!

Also, I have A LOT of gratitude for my blog. I missed my dating updates!

Friday 20 June 2014

June 20 AIRPLANES AND NEWFOUNDLAND

Last post for a week.

I'm grateful for friends, family, planes, Clint, and Newfoundland.

Talk to you the end of June.

Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Thursday 19 June 2014

June 19 Bad to good

To be perfectly honest, I had a crappy day. I was frustrated at work, trying to get everything done for the week I'm gone, and also trying to get the stuff done that starts sooner than that. I was grumpy, and bothered.

Even on the walk home, I could feel the dark cloud following me.

Then, I remembered my Gratitude blog. And I realised how much I needed to get out of my bad mood and shake it off.

By the time I got home, the bad mood was almost gone.

C and I went out for supper with one of my best friends and her family. It is Karen's birthday today, and my bad mood completely evaporated.

So grateful for friends, laughter, and the ability to get myself into a bad mood. (and of course, C always cheers me up).

Right now, I'm thinking about the things that were bothering me at work, and it doesn't quite feel as bad as it did. My life is good. (And my holiday is coming at the perfect time.)


Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.


Wednesday 18 June 2014

June 18 Work and Rain

Seems like this has been the theme of my life lately. Lots of work, and lots of rain.

The good thing about all the papers and work is that I'm trying to work ahead.


 In two days, I will have my desk clean, and be off for a week watching whales and icebergs. Beyond exciting!



After what seems like days of rain, it's hard to find the positive in it.



 BUT here it is. My umbrella matches my sandals, and that is awesome.


Photo: As much as I'm sick of the nonstop rain, the positive side is that my umbrella matches my sandals. #glassishalffull #rainydays



Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.





Tuesday 17 June 2014

June 17 Pretty feet and hands

Today I decided to stop at a nail place on my way home. I want my toes and fingernails to look pretty for the trip. Thanks to Nova Nail Spa http://www.novanailspa.ca/, it was a success. Now I'm really ready for my travels. Also, tried out some new colours.




And also, I keep walking past setups for Jazz Fest. I LOVE Jazz Fest, and get excited about it coming. The last few years, I've enjoyed spending my lunches in front of the free stage, and eating food from all the different vendors.

I'll miss it this year because it's on while I'm in Newfoundland, but that doesn't stop me from feeling the excitement in the air as they get ready for it! If you live in Saskatoon, make sure you partake in parts of it!




Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Monday June 16 - Friends and Wine

My friends came over to see my new place for the first time. They brought wine. We caught up, and chatted and drank wine. I like my friends. And I love the name of this wine.



I did a bit more packing.

During the day, I planned fun stuff to do in Newfoundland.
 
 
 
 
Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Sunday 15 June 2014

June 14 & 15 My Weekend


We had a patio supper on Friday. Before the rain hit.
Saturday was grocery/beer shopping. Tried this out.
Finished a book! A good one. Blogged about it on my book blog.

Saturday and Sunday: Rain. Least our vehicles are clean.


Rained ALL DAY. Time to relax at home.



And cook! Sunday Brunch.





I use the crockpot to make lunches for the week ahead.
I'm glad I still use it after the move to the real kitchen.

And of course. Father's Day:
I'm lucky enough to have this guy as my Dad! Forever teaching me to laugh, and have fun in life. Things don't have to be taken too seriously. He's always there, 100%, when I need him. Love him to the moon and back.


Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.


Friday 13 June 2014

June 13 TGIF

Seriously. TGIF.

Have a great weekend everybody!

I won't see this:
till Monday.

And only for a week: Then I won't see it for a week while I'm in Newfoundland.

Talk to you Monday!

Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Thursday 12 June 2014

June 12 Sorrow

I've spoken about this family before. The blog written by a woman with cancer. Her husband had cancer at the start as well, and he is now in remission. She passed away recently. He has written posts as well.

I just read a post he wrote this month. Tears on a Thursday, also bring an appreciation for what I have.

"Our most painful experiences help form our recognition, appreciation and fulfilment of our most pleasurable , beautiful and rewarding experiences." http://familybondingtime.blogspot.ca/2014/06/sadies-graduation.html

The blog has most of their journey. It's heartbreaking and full of inspiration.

So my gratitude today goes to bloggers who are able to post about extremely personal and, at times, devastating experiences.

Honestly, if you have the time to read this blog from the start, it's incredible. You will cry.

Enjoy every moment of your life.

Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Wednesday 11 June 2014

June 11 Letters-cards-presents

I got some things accomplished today. That always makes me happy.

I sent a card to a friend, and a letter to another friend. 

I also got a present for somebody made. I picked up the finished product today and LOVED them. I can't wait to give more details or post a picture, but I have to give the present away first. I'm not very good at keeping surprises from people. I want to share as quickly as I can. This one will wait though.

It was a good day.


Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Tuesday 10 June 2014

June 10 Being Alive

It's really busy at work. I'm trying to work ahead, but am feeling like I'm not anywhere near being ready to leave for my work. I wanted to start working on next week's scripts, but there is too much to do this week.

I actually really like the stress of my job. It's slow some weeks, other weeks it's busy. It's only Tuesday, and I feel like I've done A LOT (the highlights are the finished spots), but still have so much to do. 

Also, I'm alive. I'm breathing and healthy. So no matter how crazy things in life are making me, at least things in life are making me crazy. 

Plus, a week and a half till Newfoundland. (Which is why I have the failed attempts at working ahead).

Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Monday 9 June 2014

June 9 Gratitude for others

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but after doing this blog, and posting since January, I've been very single minded about my gratitude. It's been all about me, and while I'm happy I have so much to be grateful for, I'm also excited about all the great things that are happening in other people's lives.

So today is all about my parents who, in my personal opinion, deserve all the happiness in the world.

Today at about 7:30, there new house arrived to be set next to the old one. They've spent a bit of time worrying about what to do with their future living situation. The house they are currently in, is older, and may sometime in the future, decide to fall apart on them. They wanted a place they can properly retire in, with no worries.

So they had a house made, an R-T-M of sorts.


This picture was taken the first time they saw it, before it was delivered to their home.

Now it's here! They can slowly move from one house to the other, at their leisure, and then they will be getting rid of the home they raised us in.

They're so excited about this new place to live. Brand new and moved just for them!

I'm beyond excited for them, as well. They deserve it.


Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Sunday 8 June 2014

June 7 & 8 Home Sweet Home

We did a lot this weekend.

We had a fabulous brunch on Saturday, and then had a great walk before doing some shopping. We were on a search for book shelves because we have double the books. It was a day well spend. C built the book shelves, and I made the best salad ever.


Brunch came with a delicious drink called Summer Fling.

Beautiful tree on our walk.

Great Store we stopped in on the way home.

 Farmer's Market veggies!

Sunday, I spent doing more organising, filling book shelves, and making a meal for my family when they came to visit. We got a lot accomplished, and I made a great birthday meal for my dad. (His birthday was yesterday.) I haven't lived in a place that I was able to hang up my pictures in a long time, so I've unpacked a lot, and hung up pictures on the nails the previously tenants left in the wall. We may have to add a few of our own.

Clint and I. My Grandma and Grandpa McCrea on their wedding day.
Old and new pictures. Korea, Thailand, Mexico, and Plenty.


New and old again. Beautiful people, and the best kids!

The making of the Nutella Cheese Ball

Beautiful House Warming present from my parents.




Great new recipe. Portabella Mushroom Pizza.

Sparkler in the Nutella Cheese Ball.


Even though I have a hilarious and scary expression on my face, I'm still sharing it because of the story. My family were making fun of me because I used to cry anytime sparklers were involved (when I was 3-5). This is my "I'm still scared face."
Delicious finished product.

Seriously. Best ever.

Korea and Thailand memories.

Jo and I. Cuties.

Art work made by my friend, B.

Little more love for the bedroom.


Not a home without Curious George. 


Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.



Friday 6 June 2014

June 6: A healthy lifestyle

This one comes with a story.

My first year in Saskatoon (after moving back), I continued to gain weight. I'm not sure why, I don't think I realised it was happening.

The day I found out was two days before my work Christmas party when I decided to try on my dresses to see which one I looked best in. I was that cocky. Sadly, I quickly found out that, not only did none of them look good on me, but none of them fit me. That's when I realised my weight was a bit out of control. I walked to work, but that was basically the only exercise I'd been getting. I ate a lot of crap. It was the highest my weight has ever been at.

After Cameron died, I lost some weight. Some of it was by accident, and from not taking proper care of myself. To be blunt, I wasn't eating because I was sad. Finally, I noticed I had lost weight, and instead of continuing with the unhealthy pattern of not eating, and instead of reverting back to my bad eating patterns, I decided to make healthy choices. I started counting calories and choosing healthy foods. I also started going to the gym. I was consistent for quite a while actually.

I stopped going to the gym about a month after meeting C. Not because of him, but because I was running out of time to do it (that is an excuse, I know), and because I was also moving farther away from my convenient free gym.

Luckily, I kept up with the healthy eating, for the most part. So, while I've gained a little bit of my winter weight, for the most part, I've kept most of it off.

Things are changing again because I'm now (and again) walking to work every day WHILE eating healthy. And I've also made a promise to myself that I'll start saying no to the sweets delivered to my work. (If I write it here, it's more likely to stay true). 

So ... the healthy lifestyle will hopefully not only continue, but improve. I'll always have to work on it. I haven't decided yet if I'm going back to counting calories, but one small step at a time.

I'm also doing a 30 day challenge of exercises. I'm on day five today. Day five includes 75 squats, plus all the rest. I'm pretty proud of myself so far. This is definitely a one day at a time type commitment though.
 
So my gratitude for today is that I'm healthy, and I can continue being healthy as a choice.
 
 
Gratitude

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Thursday 5 June 2014

Throwback Thursday June 5

Okay, I admit it. I like the trending Throwback Thursday. I have awesome things to be grateful for now, and I have awesome things to be grateful for in my past (and will have more in the future).

Like, graduating high school at the end of June, 16 years ago. This picture I'm about to share is on Facebook, and it's the only picture available to me right now in my dress. I'm unpacking boxes still, so the chances of me finding another are unlikely until the weekend. Which means one of my bffs, De, is going to be featured in the second Throwback Thursday in a row. She's lucky. I know. Also, I'm lucky to have been able to hang out with such a great woman for 17 years of my life!

For some reason, the topic of dresses and what we wore to our grads came up today at work, so I checked fb to see if I had one posted, and I found this one. Here's what I'm grateful for: I don't think there will ever be a day when I look back at my Grad dress and think ,"OH MY GOD WHY WOULD I WEAR THAT EVER?" I liked the dress. A lot. I can't quite say the same about my hair style, but that's a trend that will continue in my life. It's unfortunate I was SO skinny back then because it'll never fit me again. (I don't plan on being that skinny again, it's WAY too much work. Although it was no work at all back in my 17 year-old self). 



Also, graduating high school was the beginning of all the rest of my adventures. I didn't love high school, and once I graduated I slowly started coming out of my shell, and learning who I was. (Although, I am still learning and changing). Life has changed a lot, and I have had lots of ups and downs. (Many with De by my side, or at least a phone call away). And on the completely materialistic side: I'm so glad I had a pretty grad dress!


In Non ThrowBack news:


And one update, I started thinking about sharing my gratitude and memories while others in the world are going through such a rough time. It feels like inappropriate timing. I will continue sharing my life gratitude because it helps me, but my heart is heavy right now thinking about what others are dealing with. Thinking of all those in Moncton in such a scary situation, and the families of so many lost ones (The RCMP, and so many others from all over the world).


Gratitude
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Wednesday 4 June 2014

June 4: Technology

We got our cable and Internet hooked up today.

Small things... Things I realize I'm lucky to have while others struggle to find dinner. Still, happy to have them.

Gratitude
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

June 3rd What aren't I grateful for?

Free coffee and donut at work.

Spaghetti squash and meat sauce all made in my kitchen! And our first company over for food! My friend and I usually meet for drinks on Tuesdays, and it seemed like the perfect time to have her over. Also, take note of the reserved sign. C found that while unpacking. We'll be using it for ALL company.

My walk to work and home everyday makes me incredibly happy. It's just SO green outside. Flowers, trees, smells (good ones), sunshine. Gosh (that's right. I said gosh). It's just a great walk. Half hour, each way, of loveliness. I think I'll like it in winter as well. Although, I'll keep summer for now!



Gratitude
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.



Tuesday 3 June 2014

June 2nd Kitchen


I love it. It's not very big or updated, but it's got everything I need. Big fridge, kitchen sink, stove... I'm not picky.

 
 
Yesterday, I grilled jalapeno/cheddar burgers. (On my indoor grill... which I could have done in the old place), but with MUCH more room to do things, and mushrooms cooked on the stove. I love meals in my new house. Life is good.

Gratitude
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.



 

Monday 2 June 2014

The Weekend Gratitude

We moved on Saturday. Moving out of the basement suite was actually pretty easy and a smooth process.

Moving in was harder as we were just a tad more exhausted.

We are still unpacking, but see sunshine ALL the time now that we're out of the basement suite.



We are still unpacking, but got  a lot done. C and I have been living together 'officially' since December 2013 (unofficially basically, from when he moved back to SK in February 2013). This still feels more official because we finally got his stuff out of storage.  We've merged households, and it feels pretty darn good. We also have a LOT of plates, bowls and glasses.

I will, of course, be writing more about the move in my other blog. (Link to the blog is below).

Gratitude
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.