Hey, It's Ok!

With Amber from Airing My Dirty Laundry

To think Kaela deserved to win Big Brother Canada, instead of Parras. Kaela was a boss all season and owned that game. The jury was bitter...but they also passed on every opportunity they had to evict her...so that was really on them. 

That I am unprepared for my trip out East in less than two weeks!! I have flights booked and that's about it! Also, here's hoping WestJet doesn't go on strike.

To have tried Rock Burger for the first time on the weekend!! It was AMAZING!! Can't wait to go back!! I had the Buffalo Wing Dipper, and the Cheesecake burger...SO GOOD!!! This is a must try if you ever find yourself in Niagara Falls, NY.

That I stocked up on Peanut Butter Crunch Bars when I was in the US. These are so good and, sadly, not available in Canada.

To have discovered that Canada and the US have a tug of war every year on the Rainbow Bridge, at the international boarded. Canada won. Again. 

People With Purpose...A Positive Life

Last week was a week of frustration, heartache, and a LOT of negativity. I tired my best to not let things get to me, to not take things personally, to rise about the negative. I pulled knives out of my back, ignored the gossip, tried to move forward.

I have always felt, believed, and acted like I have no time for drama. I can't be bothered. My life is busy. I have other things to focus on. This quote resonates with me: 

There are so many things- big and small- that I am focused on accomplishing. I thrive on creativity. My main focus in life is being happy and seeing the good in life. When there is "drama", I remove myself from the situation...I walk away, I don't engage, and-at times- put measures in place so I can't be drawn back into the situation. 

I'm ready to put last week behind me and move forward. 

I'm ready to refocus on my goals, and am committed to living a positive life. 

And it's ok if some people, situations, and drama aren't part of that.

10 Things I Love About Spring

Back in January, I shared 10 Things I Love About Winter, so I thought I would do a Spring version!!

1. Winter is over- I am not a winter fan. At all. It's too far away from Summer, my favourite season.  
2. Flowers- I REALLY like flowers!! I like how pretty and cheerful they are. We tulips in our backyard, and I love seeing them come up every Spring. 
3. Spring Fashion- While I love actual flowers, I am not a fan of flower prints. But I am happy to put away the bulky winter wear, and pull out the lightweight Spring dresses...so comfortable!! 
4. Kentucky Derby- The first Saturday in May is KY Derby, my favourite day of the year!! Love watching the 'most exciting two minutes in sports' and all the lead up. My goals are to host Derby Party, eventually- I just need to get organized- and, of course, attend the Derby in person. 
5. Start of Patio Season- There is nothing like sitting on a patio with friends on a beautiful, warm, sunny, Spring day, enjoying a couple of drinks.
6. Spring Showers- While I do love sunny weather, I also like Spring showers! I love the way the air smells, and it can be fun to take a walk in the rain. Plus the rain leads to green grass, leaves on trees, and flowers. 
7. May 2-4 Weekend- While technically in the middle of Spring, in Canada it is the unofficial start of Summer! A lot of people take this weekend to open their cottages, prep their properties for Summer (bringing out hammocks and BBQ's, opening pools, etc), and partake in the great summer tradition of camping. A lot of parks, campgrounds, conservation areas, officially open this weekend too. 
8. Being Outside- Winters in Canada can be LONG, so it's nice to be able to spend time outside without freezing or counting down until you can go back inside. It's nice to be outside and actually enjoy being outside.
9. Longer Days- The days get longer with more sunlight, which is so amazing!! The sun is out when I head into work, and it's still out hours I get home from work. The daylight makes it feel like you have more time to do stuff...when it's dark you always like you should be in bed. Sunlight is motivating to be more productive.
10. Open Windows- The temperature is perfect to have our windows open (it can get super humid in the Summer, where you'll want the windows closed and AC turned up)! Air out your home, enjoy the breeze, and let the fresh air in!!

Book Club: The Good Daughter

Image Via Chapters Indigo

Book: The Good Daughter

Author: Karen Slaughter

Indigo Summary:

Two girls are forced into the woods at gunpoint.
One runs for her life. One is left behind . . .

The stunning new novel from the international #1 bestselling author—a searing, spellbinding blend of cold-case thriller and psychological suspense.

Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn’s happy small-town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home. It left their mother dead. It left their father—Pikeville’s notorious defense attorney—devastated. And it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night.

Twenty-eight years later, Charlie has followed in her father’s footsteps to become a lawyer herself—the ideal good daughter. But when violence comes to Pikeville again—and a shocking tragedy leaves the whole town traumatized—Charlie is plunged into a nightmare. Not only is she the first witness on the scene, but it’s a case that unleashes the terrible memories she’s spent so long trying to suppress. Because the shocking truth about the crime that destroyed her family nearly thirty years ago won’t stay buried forever . . .

What I have to say:

This book was the April pick for my Book Club. While there were some slow parts, there were also some really interesting parts. The storyline of Sam and Charlie reuniting and working together was sometimes a challenge to get through. We see the long term effects of the night their mother died, and we see how different the sisters are. The book starts with the murder of their mother, moves forward 28 years to the high school shooting. Throughout the story, we see how the two violent events are connected by the characters that were part of both shootings.

We also learn what really happened the night their mother died, and how much the father knew and kept from his daughters. Of course the story also deals with the 'present day' shooting in the high school, again we learn why the shooting happened and the different events that lead up to the shooting. I really didn't like how the book resolved both 'mysteries'.

I feel like the author decided to...kind of take the easy way out to solve the mysteries/wrap up the story lines. Without giving anything away, it was like the suspect was wearing a blue shirt, but the witness said the shooter was wearing a green shirt. At the end of the story, we learn the witness is colour blind. Without having many clues in the book, the author just throws in an out of nowhere new detail, which explains everything- mystery solved! Didn't like that at all. 

Final Verdict:

Even though I don't like how the story ended/mystery resolved, and the sister relationship storyline was boring and slow moving, I did like this book and would recommend it- but would make my thoughts on how the ending was handled known.

Hey, It's Ok!

With Amber from Airing My Dirty Laundry

That, besides my flight and accommodations, I have NOTHING planned for my trip out East later this month...I need to get on that!!

To have LOVED the Big Brother Canada cast this season (with the exception of two people, who were also the first two evicted)!!! Casting did an AMAZING job this year!!

That I am dying to host/plan (or attend) an event at Vantage Venues in Toronto!! It's such a beautiful and interesting space!! Plus the team there is so friendly and seems amazing!! 

To be over Megan Markle. Done. Let's move on. 

That I attempted and failed to clean and organize my closet- which was my big (and only) task this weekend. It will eventually get done. But I DID manage to unload the dishwasher, put away laundry, read two magazine, meal prep for the week, take out the recycling and garbage, and spend a ton of time outside. So you know...goals. 

As Much Effort...As You Do With Me

I started last week with hope...someone, unexpectedly, coming back to me. By mid-week, I started to question him- as much as I like him. By the end of the week, I knew I had to let him go...I deserve more than heartache. Again. From him. My week was also spent with friends...I am so lucky to have amazing friends who are supportive, caring, encouraging. They have my best interest in mind, and are always telling me that I deserve to be happy, that they want to see me happy. These are friends that I can trust, and confide in. They celebrate with me, and console me when needed.

Getting to connect  with these friends this week, got me thinking of other friends and people in my life. After a fun girls night on Friday, which also included a little soul baring which led to soul searching, I spent the weekend removing people from my life- removing/unfollowing on social media, and removing their numbers from my phone. 

Image Via

I came across this quote awhile ago, and it immediately made me think of a very specific person, who I did remove from my life on the weekend. Despite my best efforts, she is someone I haven't seen in almost three years...she will frequently be within 30 minutes from me (which I know because of her social media posts), and won't bother telling me. I talk to her once a year, when I call her, and she'll say "we should get together next weekend", but I never hear from her again. Up until two-ish years ago, I was always initiating contact- calling (which she rarely answered, and never returned), texting, extending invitations. I was frustrated with always being the one putting in the effort. So I stopped (with the exception of the yearly phone call). The extent of our "friendship" is her "liking" a photo on Instagram...every few months, she'll leave a comment.  

After some thought, I can think of a small handful of "friends" this applies too. I removed them this weekend too. 

Going through my social media and phone, I came across some people...they were at one time people I considered friends. People I made the effort to be a friend too. People that my relationship with just fell apart or we lost touch. People I hadn't spoken to or seen in years...people who I cared about, and who I doubt even think of me any more. 

I was holding on to the past...holding out hope that something would change, that we would go back to "what was". In the best case, it would be someone who I haven't interacted with in a year, even though I have tried multiple times over the year to connect with them. In the worst case, it was people I haven't connected with in 10+ years. 

I realized I needed to let these people go. I can think back on happier times with them and smile. But what we had is over and will likely never be again. 

On Friday, I realized I needed to let go of my past so that I can move forward. 

And, it's ok to not talk to some people anymore. The amount of effort I put in, is the amount of effort I deserve in return.