Elementary School and Working Out

Stay with me - elementary school and working out are about to have more connection than it seems.

Where to begin? Grade 2 I suppose. I was in a split class - a grade 2/3 split - and there were only five grade 2s. And only 2 girls - me and the "new" girl. I suppose you could say we had to be friends, because there wasn't much other choice. And so we were. I don't remember the first while really, truth to be told...I just remember always being friends. We had the same teacher, together, for grade 3 and 4, too. We were split apart in grade 5, but back again together in grade 6 and 7. There weren't a lot of friends to be had in my elementary school, for some strange reason, and the new girl is pretty much the only person I still talk to on a semi-regular basis from elementary school. And if it weren't for Facebook, she would definitely be the only one I talk to on any kind of basis.

The new girl was my best friend until grade seven. Which, thinking on it, is kind of funny. Why? We're really similar in actuality and I'm not sure how our friendship survived. We're both hard-headed, stubborn, determined, and bossy. Still to this day. And don't get me wrong - we fought worse than an almost divorced couple. Seriously. But somehow, for whatever reason, it survived.

And I'm glad it did.

We didn't talk too often in high school, even though we still went to the same high school. We weren't close by any means. We were polite, said hello, and possibly occasionally hung out. I don't even remember.

But again...our friendship has made it this far. Somehow it hung on and even though we're not exactly close, there will always be a connection with me and the new girl. Even if she's not really so new anymore.

How does that relate to working out?

Well, let's see. She's freaking hot right now. Seriously. And she has an awesome workout thing going on, she eats super healthy, and has lost lots of weight by EATING (not dieting). I definitely respect her determination and self-discipline in these areas.

Wanna read about it? Okay. Just clicky away.

Anyways. Now that you've met (What? You didn't click on the blog? Click. Now!)...you know her name as Leah. Yep. And she inspired me to do things lately:

1. Buy almond butter. It's gross. Don't do it. What do you do with almond butter? (Now, I don't actually know if Leah eats almond butter, but when I saw it, I thought it looked like something she would buy. So I bought it.) I don't even really like peanut butter much. Doh. 
2. Do This:  She does it all the time and looks like a rock star...so I thought I would too.  Except today I can barely lift my arms enough to type...it was also hard to get Alexys out of bed this morning.
   
   Hopefully that means that I too will soon look like a rock star. My goal is everyday for 30 days. Just like she says to do.  

And that my friends is how working out and elementary school relates.

Oh. And Leah is coming over tonight. She hasn't seen Alexys since she was a baby. Should be a good time.

kortney elise xoxo

On Vans

Soon the time will come for us to purchase a new car for me. Not yet - we have some more debt to pay off first and some other things that'll come first.

But I'll tell you about my car knowledge. Ready?

There are cars.

There are trucks.

There are SUVs.

There are vans.

They come in red, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, black, pink, etc.

Now a days you can get a DVD player installed in your car.

You need to change your oil when the little sticker on your window tells you to.

You can lease and you can own.

And there ends my knowledge. No really. I'm completely clueless and know nothing about cars. I've owned two cars in my life - neither of which even had names (I know, how sad) - my Pontiac 6000 LE and my Ford Taurus (not actually my cars in either case pictured). I'm not picky. And quite frankly I don't care. I want a car that runs. That's been my requirement in the past. Neither car even had a CD player in it...and I think we've moved beyond CDs in cars now a days even ;)

But aih, how times are a changing. I want a newish car and I want a van.

I said it.

I want to be a mini-van mama. I learned to drive on a mini-van and I'm sticking to my guns. So don't try and deter me. All I want is your opinion good or bad on specific types of vans. Have you driven one? Heard bad things about a specific van? Here's your chance.

And if you say mean things about vans, I'll take your comment away. I'm mean like that.

(And yep, I do have some requirements on our new vehicle: CD player (!!!), 4 door (do they even make 2 door vans anymore?), in the 2000s or higher (probably aiming for 2008 to newish), and no worse on gas than my car (I'm not sure that's possible).

There ya have it folks. I want YOUR opinion :)
kortney elise xoxo

Spoiled Rotten

Well, it counts as part of an early birthday present for Alexys (like she's keeping track, haha) but Jordon and I are taking her to the Wiggles - her first concert at the age of 22 months (will be then anyways).

That's right. I just dropped a ridiculous amount of money to take my not even two year old babe to a concert - however, she IS their number one fan and they don't come that often. We got second row seats on the floor and Jordon and I are taking her!!! It's going to be a blast! It's Jordon's first concert too - a two for one deal!!!!

It's October 10th at the Pacific Coliseum. We can't wait :) (And don't worry, there will be videos and pictures galore!).

kortney elise xoxo

Happy Anniversary

Remember this post? Yep, that's right. One year ago today I officially embarked on my journey to become a figure skating judge...out of the blue and just because.

And I am SO glad I did.

I love it. I absolutely love being a judge. I love putting all of my knowledge to use and actually talking to other people who know the same and care the same even too. Not many people care to keep up with the seemingly daily changes of the figure skating world - and if you do I recommend you start your judging career too. Or tech panel - or whatever floats your boat.

Since I started judging, I feel like I've done it all. Dived in as head first as I could with a little one at home, schooling followed by a full time job, etc. I think I've done a pretty decent job of it even. Since I took my first course a year ago, my "career" looked like this:

• Primary Judges Course - promoted in Singles in competition up to Preliminary level. 
• Novice Synchro Judges Course - technically not promoted yet, but after I hand in my papers this weekend I'll be able to judge synchro up to Novice, including Adult. 
• Juvenile Judges Course - promoted in Singles, Dance, and Pairs up to the Juvenile level - able to judge up to Sr. Bronze in noncompetitive stream (I think anyways...it might be higher, I can't remember!). 
• Novice Judges Course - just completed this in May and have to get a bunch of trialing in in the next few competitions - I'm trialing some Novice/PreNovice at this competition this weekend. After I complete this, I'll be promoted in only Singles and able to judge all StarSkate as well as up to Novice competitive. 

Other thoughts? I'm good keeping just my Juvenile Pairs/Dance where it is - I'm not confident enough to go higher than that at this point in life. Maybe that will be a challenge later in life. I will complete my Novice Singles promotion though hopefully this year. I'm also working towards my evaluator's status (able to judge at test days) and just have a bit more trialing to do that I didn't finish in the spring. That should be done by Christmas I think.

In layman's terms, I've come a long way in one year...and only one other judge has kept up with me from my first Primary course. They've officially switched in BC to CPC (the not so "new" system) for all events, except Prelim and PrePrelim (the little guys). That means I'm also officially judging on the system for the first time ever this weekend. Can you say nervous? Yep. I am.

Unlike the old system where you could glance at a quick deduction sheet and technically not got in trouble if you're off a point or two, the new system has a complex range of +/- scores you must recall and give appropriately. I really am nervous and really am studying.

Anyways, my water baby is almost ready to get out of the tub. She demanded to go in there about an hour ago and there she's been since. Time for lunch, picking up veggies, studying, work...eek!

kortney elise xoxo

The Girl Who Can But Won't

That's my kid through and through. She CAN talk. I know it. She knows it. Everyone knows it.

She won't talk though...at least not on my terms. She won't repeat things, won't do "tricks" like other babies her age. Alexys simply chooses not to talk.

It doesn't surprise me though - she's saving up and I see glimpses of it more and more everyday. Remember when I said Alexys is a perfectionist and won't try something until she can do it? That's why she didn't walk until she was 13 months - she quite literally got up and walked. There was no first steps, no trying to walk. Only doing. Same with crawling - she crawled a little late, but all of a sudden could just do it!

It appears talking is the same. I hear her in the backseat practicing her phrases. If you turn down the music to listen, she stops. I hear her practicing with her Little People at her table - if she catches me listening she promptly stops. I do have to hand it to her, though - when Alexys says something, it's clear and in context.

Some recent examples:

• In Old Navy the other day, she was in the buggy - it was our last stop (with my mom) and she was getting tired out. Three times she clearly said (yelled!): Me out NOW. 
• We picked up some Starbucks yesterday and I passed my mom's cup to her and it caught Alexys' gaze...what should she say, but of course...Starbucks (Apparently this also reveals my addiction...except that I've toned it down lately!). 
• My dad was watching TV yesterday and Alexys wanted her movie on - my Dad said "No Alexys, Nonno is watching TV." Alexys promptly replied, "No me." 

I'm sure I could list at least 20 more phrases that have come up in the past few days. She says Oh Oh when her movie is over now and can sing the entire song of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (and on tune...but only if it's on TV and no one sees) among others.

She also refuses to say grandma to my mom (though she says it when she can't hear all the time)...and still calls me me-ommy.


I have no doubt that she'll be talking in 3 or 4 word sentences by 2. She's just a perfectionist like her mama (who in turn struggles and complains about her nontalking 20 month old. Hehe).

kortney elise xoxo

Whirlpool Therapy

No really. This is a real therapy. Doesn't it sound lovely? The doctor I just typed just prescribed this and I had to look it up to verify.  Doctors prescribe this sometimes for cellulitis and other wound care type issues of the legs (or perhaps other parts too, but my research isn't that deep). I sincerely hope that when I'm old and have poor circulation the doctor writes me a prescription for a whirlpool. Heck, if I don't get that sick, I'll take it now. Any doctors out there want to write me a prescription for a whirlpool? I wonder if my husband's company's insurance covers whirlpools?

Yes. I'm avoiding work. I have a 25 minute dictation sitting and waiting for me by a rougher ESL doctor. I figured I better do it, because if I don't, I'll end up helping the person that does. Wish me luck.

(Don't worry. Deeper posts are in the works. You know...ones about the mom I used to be and the mama anxiety I do have. For now this was just my mini break).

kortney elise xoxo

20 Months Today

at 20 months, Alexys May...

you let your arms flail when you are running excitedly

you have many words, but use them very sparingly...

and you won't repeat words when I ask...ever. 

not even once.

your favourite phrase is: "See ya. Bye."
but you sure know countless Wiggles songs
and Barney too...

all the words even, on time

are not a picky eater per se...
but you won't eat something unless you're craving it.
have all your teeth

...including your 2 year old molars
you don't sleep through the night...ever
but sometimes you only get up once...

and mama likes those nights
you have comedic timing
and the funniest little sense of humor

you only have bottles at night or at naptime

and naptime doesn't happen everyday
mama still hasn't cut your hair

and it's long enough to put into a real ponytail
you wear size 8 shoes...

my little big foot
wearing 2T clothes...
but some are a little tight

so we're buying size 3T for fall...
except some of your dresses are still 18 months :)
you weigh 29 1/2 pounds
you still let mama do your hair every morning
are still rear-facing in your big girl car seat

and will be for many more years
you know how to jump properly up and down
just like a big girl

you're not a big fan of breakfast and often you skip it
no matter what mama feeds you

you gobble up chicken

and especially love pasta

even for breakfast

you're really turning into a big girl

and mama couldn't be prouder 

Home Makeover

We got spoiled rotten while we were in Alberta - we came home to a brand new bathroom, new bedsheets, and a clean house. My house was cleaned for me top to bottom (dusted, vacuumed, cleaned...the whole 9 yards).  My towels were washed.  We had new sheets on the bed (part of a slow bedroom re-makeover...slow is the key word...) and a brand new remodeled bathroom. Painted and all new towels, etc - and a giraffe picture.

My parents surprised us with all this and we walked into the door to a beautiful home. And so far...??? Still clean :D Thanks Mom and Dad - you guys are seriously the best and spoil us to no end!!!

Peace and Quiet

Yes, those are mosquitoes. 

If you've ever met Alexys you'll know that the times I have for "me" and for peace and quiet and far and few between. I'm enjoying some of that time right now, on vacation, and it really is a beautiful thing. Jordon is in bed sleeping still. Father-in-law and brother-in-law are at work. My mother-in-law took the two youngest plus Alexys to the fair in .... Vegerville maybe? I wasn't really paying attention; my oldest sister-in-law begged her to bring Alexys and Grandma didn't mind that offer. Neither did this mama - we had a long night last night which consisted of Alexys being up from about 2 a.m. until 4:30 a.m. I didn't finish work until 1:45 a.m. It concluded with Alexys in her playpen watching Wiggles. I don't remember turning off the TV, Alexys falling asleep, or waking up until 9:30 after that. My MIL demanded that I go back to sleep after she left - but who listens to their MIL? ;)

I chose to get out of bed and enjoy the peace and quiet. So here I am - only the sounds of farm life (a tractor perhaps...that's about my farm vocab so we'll go with tractor) and coffee brewing. I can enjoy a cuppa and read my book shortly. I took some time to do things I don't normally have time to do (you know, like shampoo AND condition my hair...generally I alternate to make my showers quicker). I shaved my legs. I'm catching up on our laundry (the great part about vacationing to a family's house...laundry. Phew!). I'm blogging because I enjoy this part of life and simply don't have enough time these days. Maybe I'll even write some posts and schedule them to post later on :)

Vacation has gone quickly though there's not much to share. I visited in Edmonton with Anne one night and enjoy Whyte Ave, which I'd never done before. Jord, Lex, and I went into Camrose for an hour one day and the only one we ended up seeing was Kari...and that was lovely to see her. We've gone to see Great Grandma in Forestburg. I'm still working every night, but I don't really mind. Tomorrow is wedding rehearsal and decorating stuff (for Ryan and Janene). There's also dinner included. Saturday is the wedding. Sunday night we come home. Fast!!!

What else? Alexys was awesome on the plane - it only took candy to bribe her to stay in my arms while the seatbelt sign was on :D Alexys loves the animals on the farm, but especially the cats at Grandma's. She's been getting up at the crack of dawn and been extra mommy clingy (hence this peace and quiet is even more enjoyed). Jordon hosted Ryan's stag. I think I'm getting a pedicure tomorrow.

And the mosquitoes suck.
kortney elise xoxo