Autumn breezes

I can feel the change in the air, Fall is coming. I see the trees change color and I am getting so excited. Fall is always soothing to me. The colors of the changing leaves are like a warm cozy blanket. The bright crisp air is so refreshing and beautiful. The way life gets back into a routine, signifies a new beginning and a time to reflect on the Summer.

I was truly blessed this Summer. I was lucky to run barefoot a lot, feel the refreshing, soothing feeling of the lake on a hot dry day. I basked on a floating mattress while soaking up the summer rays. I celebrated with family and friends under the cover of fragrant grapes and ate delicious food and wine. I mourned the death of a beloved friend and pet and got frustrated with the new beloved puppy's behaviour. I laughed with friends till I almost peed my pants. I worshiped my Lord and creator in the beautiful BC mountains.

I was able to see God's love for me in these experiences and through the people that I got to share it with. SHMILY- yes God I see.

Car=Evil but God=Amazing

Well, I took my car into be fixed. I took it to the local college because you can get repairs done for just the cost of the parts needed. At first I though it was my starter but no it was not that. All that my car needed was a clutch adjustment. No parts ordered, no labour means Leah didn't have to pay. Yeah to God!!

Stupid/Evil Car

A couple posts before I told you of the incident where my car wouldn't start. It was hilarious at the time but I have to say it's not so funny anymore. Tuesday I awoke 15 minutes before I had to be at work. Good thing I live 5 minutes away. I was all ready by 8:00 and I would have only been 5 minutes late which I could have easily made the time up. But guess what!!! My stupid/evil car wouldn't start!!!! All my luck. So, I had to walk to work. I was 20 minutes late. I kicked my car a couple of times in my frustration. Well, I think I made her mad when I kicked her because ever since she still won't work. I have been walking to work ever since. My car is almost as stubborn as I am.

So Excited

I am so excited, my friends Rob and Patricia ( I like your new header) are coming out at the end of the month. I am going to hang out with them and have great adventures. I went to visit them in Florida in May and had a wonderful time. Yeah to Rob and Patricia!!! Hey, I could do Fat Hobbit Book about this: Pickles the Fat Hobbit and the Americans :-)

Home to Myself

I am so excited, I have my house to myself for a whole week!!!! Not that my roommate is bad, she is great when I see her. But there is something really nice to know that its all yours for a week. Like if I don't want to put my stuff in the dishwasher I don't have too. Last year when my pyscho roommate left for a month I ran around our apartment and jumped up and down on her couch. But not as much satisfaction if it's your own couch that your jumping on but I am still going to try it.

Bruised Bum

I know you all are saying, too much information. But the story is rather hilarious. On the weekend after Staff conference I felt like I needed to spend some quality time with my family. So we decided after dinner that we would take Bella to Crescent Beach. All was going well, Bella was retrieving the ball (like a good golden retriever should) and then she decides to run under the fence and escape. My dad went the long way to go get her but my mom wanted me to climb the fence to go get her. She wouldn't because she was wearing a skirt (I was too but her excuse was that I am younger)

Well, by the time I was over the fence Bella had come back, of course!!. As I was trying to come back the other way, I kinda of got stuck (don't ask) so my Dad offered to help lift me off the fence, but he dropped me!!!! and I fell back onto a rock, my elbows are all scraped up and I have the biggest, blackest, bluest bruise I have ever had but the funny thing is that it really didn't hurt that much.

It really makes me laugh when I see it because it was such a funny scene. My mom is worried about how black it is because she is afraid that I am going to get blood clots (because she did a couple of years ago) so she wants me to go to the doctor. Yeah right!!! Can you imagine the call to the doctors:

Me: Hi I need to make an appointment for the Doctor
receptionist: And what is this regarding?
Me: The bruise on my bum!!!

Yeah thats not going to happen. I am going to be fine. And no you are not going to get a picture of it.

Working out with Paul Henderson

Yep, thats right me and Paul Henderson are tight. I pump iron with Paul. This past week I have been up at Whistler partaking in Staff Conference and one of the cool things is that we stayed in a nice hotel with a work-out room. I did not want to give up on my work-out schedule so I got up early as usual and went down. In walks Paul Henderson, he said hello and ask how I was doing, my inner monolog was screaming, "Ahh, Paul Henderson knows who I am" but then he told me that I did really great last night and I am thinking "umm ok, I didn't do anything last night" and then he asked me how my husband was. AHH, in my head I said "husband, I have a husband does Paul know something I don't know" but then I clued in no, he has me mistaken for the emcee at staff conference. Trust me I didn't look anything like her. So I had to correct Paul Henderson but then I introduced myself properly.

So, at the the conference everytime he say me he said hello and used my real name. Yep, me and Paul Henderson are tight, we're work-out buddies.

Pictures from Camping

Posing for the camera. Notice the lake in the background.





















One of my best friends, Christine, she is making pancakes.














Posing for a group shot, while having a bathroom break.
(Left to Right- Mike, Christine, Maria, Me, Robin)

Pop the Clutch

For the past couple of weeks I have been having problems with my car. My Dad believes it's the ignition because I can turn the key and the lights and radio turn on but the engine doesn't start. Well, the other night I went for coffee with two great friends. We had a great time, we laughed all evening. As we were going I was going to give my friend Maria a ride home, I turn to start the car and nothing. Of course!

So my other friend Christine noticed that we weren't leaving so she pulled over to see if she could help. Well, the three of us decided that I needed to pop the clutch to start it. I was just taugh the other day how to pop the clutch so I was like "Ok I can do that" but first of all we had to back the car up or else it would go straight in to the store. So my friends began to push backwards, I have to mention that we were all laughing already because it was so hilarious. So I was sitting in my car and they were pushing and they both said wow, it's not moving ,and asked if my car was in neutral, but I had in first gear (laugher insued, almost peed my pants), so after we calmed down I put the car in neutral but I forgot I had my e-brake on but this time I got out to help push. It wouldn't budge! and then we noticed that the e-brake was on! More laughter
insued. Oh but it doesn't stop there!

So we finally get the car backed up and enough room to pop the clutch. So, Maria and Christine start to push, but my mind goes blank, I can't remember how to pop the clutch. Let's just say we were laughing on the ground.

We decide to call Maria's husband, Robin. So, we sit around laughing and chatting. I decided to try turning my car on one last time. Guess what!! It started, more laughing. Let's just say, my car is going in to be fixed after Staff Conference.

Hot Hot Hot

No, I am not talking about myself (ok maybe a little) but I was describing the weather we have been having. It has been amazing, I love warm weather. It reached 38 celsuis in Vancouver but I was not in Vancouver this pass weekend. I went camping up to Kelowna with a group of my friends. It was 45 celsuis and I loved it. We stayed in the lake the whole time and just floated around on the islands of paradise. Amazingly I did't get sunburnt or much of a tan. I went with 5 friends and then we met up with our other friends.

It was funny because it was so hot that you could see everyone clammering to get out of their tents around 7:30 in the morning because it was so hot in the nylon tents of doom. Most people experienced SBS- sweaty butt syndrome. Come on you all know what I am talking about!

New idea for the Pickles series "Pickles the Fat Hobbit goes camping " or even better yet "Pickles the Fat Hobbit's battle with the nylon tent of doom"

I Still Miss Moe

It's been almost 3 weeks and I still miss him. It has gotten better, some days I only think about him a little bit. I just can't believe that this world doesn't have him in it. I can still remember what he feels like, his squishy, soft body. I still remember how he loved to cuddle on the couch everytime I came over for 5 minutes and then it was time to go play. I miss how concerned he was if I was upset or sad. When we tell people that Molson has been put down, everyone is so sad some people have cried too. One of the coolest things someone did for us is that they gave a gift to the SPCA in Molson's name.

I am still in shock that this world doesn't have him in it. One of the greatest gifts from God is the love of an animal. I think if you haven't experienced the unconditional love from an animal you have missed out on one of lifes many blessings.

As a family we are going to buy a tree for Molson and put his collar around it. The only problem is that we can't decide what kind of tree to buy. He already have a dogwood in remembrance of another dog that we had. Moslon was such a goofy dog that at night he would bark at every bush and tree because he was so afraid of them.

On another note, I think their should be another book for Pickles called Pickles and Molson's great adventures. Oh boy I could write forever about those.

Ready to Talk

Thank you all for your sincere words of encouragement and care. I really appreciate it. I have been off this week and I think God has perfect timing. I really needed this time just to be quiet and heal. Some may read this and say "it's just a dog" he was more than that to me, he was an unique creature created to make a lasting impact on my life. He gave me love when no one else did, he listen with eagerness when I talked out loud. He was a warm fuzzy being, that sat by my side when I needed not to feel alone. He was a crazy, goofy dog that cracked me up laughing.

You all might be wondering how he came to pass . On Saturday Molson started experiencing seizures the vet told us that he had cancer in the brain and that the seizures would only be getting more frequent and less intense. That was when we decided that it was better for him. So in a quiet room with a cozy fireplace and a blanket on the floor we said goodbye. He died with his most treasured people around him. For me, the treasure was in his life and what he taught me. Love the people in your life with your whole heart and cherish the moments and experiences with them. That's the meaning of life.

Molson Golden Jenvey May 2, 1996-July 2, 2006

He made me smile, gave me joy, taught me about the stuff that matter. He was truely a gift from God. He will always be the best dog in the world.

Rollerblading Clutz

Ok, I don't think I want to be a rollerblading girl anymore. For the past week, I have been rollerblading to work. It's been a good work-out, it saves on gas, and reduces harmful emissions.

Well, this morning as I was rollerblading to work I was coming up to a drive way, I was half way through when a car comes up, I was there first but it keep going. So I had a choice pavement or be hit by a car. I chose the pavement, scraped my knee and my hands but the sad thing is that the lady didn't stop to see if I was ok. She drove off!

I think I will stick to being a beach girl, the water will be a softer landing.

Roller Girl

Along with being a beach girl and a children's novelist I want to be a roller girl. Not one of those mean rollerderby girls no way, but one of those girls that can play roller hockey. My friends and I have this tradition of playing rollerhockey in the summer we go to some empty parking lot and just have a fun game, boys are less rough because the girls play but we all have fun. I really try my hardest to do well. Yesterday we had one of those games but it was for my friend Chris's 30th birthday and his wife Ang rented an arena. It was so fun! I only fell down once and got elbowed in the mouth by accident (a little bit of a fat lip.)

It's rather funny if a girl would fall, she would get back up and start playing, no time out, no stopping the game. But for the guys, oh boy stop the game if they had a little blister on their hands. The cry for band-aids was unbelieveable.

Can you see it now: A surfer girl on rollerblades!

Summer is here and the living is easy

I have written in the past about my parents beautiful garden and all the great evenings spent under the Grape arbour listening to great music and the smell of intoxicating Honeysuckle floating through the air. Well I have some pics to show you guys now!

I Am Just A Lucky So and So

One of my favorite songs is by Louis Armstrong called " I am just a lucky so and so." Whenever I hear the song I always think of Molson strolling down a street with Cherry Bloosom trees lining the road, and Molson with his great big smile on. Now with Bella around I imagine the two strolling together happy as can be. Here are some pictures of the two luckiest so and so's around.

Happy New Years!!

Yes, I am 6 months late but my friend Chris finally got around to sending me these pictures. Here are some pics from last year's celebrations. We play board games, and my friends roll up their carpet and all us girls danced in the living room.

Ang and me sitting on the couch playing Tripod
Shannon and I striking a pose while dancing

The girls having fun (L-R: Me, Ang, Jen, Shannon and Denise)

My dream has come true!

Well, I wished for it and my friend Rob made it happen. He found a site that would let you custom make T-shirts. Look at this:
http://customink.com/cink/r.jsp?E=leahj%40crusade.org&F=picklesf

The problem is that they only sell in quantities of 6 and if I get more than 6 its cheaper. So, I am taking orders. Anyone who wants one of these lovely T-shirts for $13.06 let me know!

Blasphemy!

Laurs sent me this link. If they had a shirt that said Pickles are from God! I would pay $10 dollars. Or what if they made a T-Shirt that said Pickles the Fat Hobbit. Oh my gosh I sooo want a T-shirt that says Pickles the Fat Hobbit now!