How Willow the Westie came into My Life

Yes, I have always been a dog-person. Ever since I can remember I have loved dogs, wanted one or many dogs, I even used to read dog encyclopedias as a child! Yes, I was that kid.

I do love all animals and have had many, many different types of pets & animals under my care - from cows to horses to turtles to gerbils and hamsters, salamanders to garter snakes and canaries and budgies, endless amounts of fish, cats and of course dogs. Yet, dogs are and always will be, my favourite companions.

On our farm in Alberta I barely remember a puppy named Lucky. We only had her a short time before either she ran away, or (as we think more likely) she was snatched up from the end of our driveway.

My parents then got me a little black lab-cross pup I named Buffy. Though I was still quite young, I loved that dog until we had to move a while later and send her to a new home.

Years passed and many pets passed through my care until finally one Christmas my parents surprised me and my family with a cute little puppy tied with a red bow right on Christmas morning!

That was my beloved Sophie. A true and lovely scruffy terrier who lit up my life for almost 15 years. She literally grew up with me and even gave us the joy (and craziness) of having a litter of  'whoopsie' puppies. The hardest thing I have ever had to do was decide to let her rest from her aging pains.

I lasted for three months before I began looking for a new dog to enter my world.

Crushing Fear with Creation

2012 designs of Irish Linen or Marline beaded wrap bracelets

I love creating.
I love gluing, cutting, printing, designing, putting things together to make something completely new.


It's been a dream of mine to have my own table at a summer craft fair or market and after a few years of putting it off and letting fear get the better of me, I did it.
I plunged, headfirst into selling my own wares.

I've been beading and making trinkets and jewelry for a very long time.

I made plastic friendship bracelets in elementary school, which my friend and I secretly sold from our desks for 50 cents each in grade six. I made beaded necklaces and bracelets as a teenager, even learning how to use a bead loom with one of my best friends. I made woven jewelry out of one of my favourite mediums, a type of string called 'marline', after learning how when that same best pal came home from a S.A.L.T.S. trip one summer and she taught me. I've made earrings, styled with charms, re-purposed stones as pendants, and now forged into areas like chainmaille and wire-wrapping.

It's just in me to create. 

A mid-February Love Story.

Oh yes, it's February 14th...Valentine's Day or Singles Awareness Day...or just another Friday.

Yes, I am single.
Yes, I am fully aware.
And yes, I have yet to date someone and have that relationship coincide with this auspicious day.

However, today I am thinking of more than just candy hearts, or flowers, or chocolates or the countless date night photos I see plastered all over social media.

Today I am thinking of a love story from my own ancestry.


I am thinking of a young soldier with red hair stationed in northern BC over 60 years ago and a feisty small-town girl, eight years his junior.

I am thinking of how he must have smiled at her, gazing through those beautiful hazel eyes and how her cheeks must have blushed.

I wonder how they spent their first ever Valentine's Day. Perhaps a card or note was exchanged, or flowers or another gift. Maybe a walk together, holding hands, talking of nothing or maybe planning their future together.

Pops, Grandma & Me

I don't know all of their stories, but I do know of a great love that began a legacy that continues in my own life.

A legacy of cherishing family.

A great love for God and others.

A fieriness and a spirit that is stubborn and strives to live and not let tragedy or difficult circumstances rule.

 My grandparents showed me how to love.

They showed me how to treat others.

They oozed God's love and proved that trusting God may not be easy, but it's worth letting go and letting God work through your life.

They showed me that no matter what background you come from or what hardships you face, you can surround yourself with sorrow or you can live another day and find joy. It is a choice.

Pops, Grandma & Me on a road trip to Hyder, Alaska for the day.

They also taught me that we do not have to make this choice alone. If we choose joy, God will bring it. Maybe not in the way we asked, but He will reward us and lead us toward the joy He knows will enrich our lives and show others the way towards Him.

Grandma Dot, what a lady!

I am thinking of my Grandmother tonight, as she is surrounded by a few family members and nurses and doctors in a hospital bed in the north.
I am remembering.

And I am thanking God, though I feel a stab of grief at the thought of her fading away. She loved. She is loved. She will be forever loved by those who knew her. She is always a thought ahead and always has a witty, cheeky word to say.
She is a woman like no other.

I am thinking of how I would like to live.

Like my grandparents lived. 

Choosing joy.
Loving others.
Trusting God.

Happy February 14th.

Thankful for...100 List: First 25

As an exercise in positivity, 

I am making a list of the...

100 Things For Which I Am Thankful.

Today here are the first 25.



(Note: They are listed in no particular order, other than my rambling thoughts at the moment.)

1. My amazing parents.
2. My Christian heritage and upbringing.
3. A sister who is a close friend.
4. A brother who always keeps in touch.
5. The unconditional affection and joy from my dog.
6. My best friends, with whom I can laugh, cry, listen and belong.
7. Living on the west coast and a block from the ocean.
8. Being able to teach and learn from my co-workers.
9. My own place to live and wonderful landlords.
10. A job that is not boring but full of creativity and always changing.
11. That all four of my nephews love their "Auntie".
12. A good book to adventure in for a while.
13. The freedom to go to church and believe openly in my loving God.
14. My extended family, many of which feel as close as immediate family.
15. Board & Card Games!
16. Milk Chocolate!
17. A hot cup of tea in my favourite mug.
18. The feeling of excitement when I'm working on a new creative project.
19. My decent, comfortable and problem-free vehicle.
20. Autumn storms, wind, rain and waves.
21. Music that can calm, bring tears and fill me with joy.
22. The ease and speed I can access information, Google is great!
23. Finding the perfect pair of jeans.
24. Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
25. Knowing how to properly use bobby pins.

Definitely a random order!

Watch for more updates to this list in the coming days.

What are you thankful for?

Start making your own list.
(PS - It does wonders for your current state of happiness.)


Here are the next segments of my Thankful Lists: #26-50, and #51-75

Removing the Masks



Photo Credit: Marco Michelini

It's OK to be not OK.

I don't always have to be "fine".

I can still be strong if I'm hurt.

But...

I can't help anyone else until I make sure I am helping myself.

"Put the oxygen mask on yourself before you help others or you will be useless."

If I numb the pain, ignore the pain, suppress the pain, I will not get better.

The pain may go away for now, but it will grow and cause even more problems.