Be my Valentine?

Chris claims to hate this 'holiday'.  He feels it's over-commercialized, and vehemently despises the idea of setting aside one day in the year to say, "I love you", when a man should say it every day.  His heart is in the right place, I guess, but, that doesn't discount the fact that a girl likes to get flowers.  And it really sucks to see all the girls around her getting flowers, when she's NOT getting flowers :).  So yeah, while I agee with his sentimentality, I still don't see anything wrong with a little bit of extra lovin', pretty flowers, and yummy chocolates one day of the year :).

In years past, regardless of Chris' attitude about the holiday, we've celebrated in style all the same.  Here are a few of my favourite Valentine moments we've shared over the years:

-I arrived home from work to find Chris slaving away in the kitchen of our little apartment in Stratford, making me supper (this was, of course, before him cooking and me cleaning up supper became our "norm").  He had a copy of "The Notebook" and some chocolates (maybe a rose? I can't remember) on the table, too.  And after supper, he whisked me away on a surprise sleigh ride. It was a "Valentine" sleigh ride, and the hosts arranged for candlelit hot cocoa and a dessert in a quaint little room of their farmhouse. It was really, really awesome.
-I surprised Chris with a little Valentine getaway at a bed & breakfast.  We walked around some trails in the forest, enjoyed a dip in the hot tub, and were catered to a delicious supper and breakfast. It was heavenly and worth every single penny.
-One year I had to work til 9pm, and as it was on a weeknight I figured the whole idea of Valentines Day was a write-off, but to my surprise, Chris had picked up a bottle of wine and had gone through the trouble of melting chocolate to make some homemade chocolate-covered strawberries.
-A few years ago Chris had a photo shoot to do. Valentines Day fell on the weekend.  I can't remember if it was a Saturday or a Sunday, but he was gone 90% of that entire weekend.  He returned home with a bouquet of wooden red roses. He wanted me to have a rose that never died (his least romantic of all romantic gestures, but, in his own way, still cute).

So yeah, he says Valentines Day is all so very "meh", but, he still manages to make me feel like one of the most special gals on earth, and very, very loved.  This year, he arrived home with a bouquet of 12 red roses, and I made him supper, and we had a romantic, candlelit evening.  He didn't look at his iPhone ONCE!  So yeah, you can say you hate it all you want, Christopher, I think deep down inside you're more of a romantic than you think.  And I'm totally ok with that :).  Love you! xoxo

Happy Birthday Chris!

Today we celebrate you.

You're my rock.
You're my constant.
You're my person.
You're my irritant.
You're my frustration.
You're my love.
You're my very best friend.

Happy Birthday to you.  Thanks for bein' YOU.  Love you!!  xoxoxo

Movember -- it's in you to give

Cancer is everywhere. In some capacity, it effects everyone, directly, or indirectly. I hate cancer. I loathe it with every fiber of my being. I can only hope that someday there will be a cure for all the dreaded cancers out there. Sadly, in 2010 alone, more than 4400 men will die as a direct result of prostate cancer.

The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Movember.

Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for prostate cancer. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.

This year, Chris and our friend Matt decided to get involved for the cause. Not only have they set aside their razors, but they (along with the lovely Nicole) are putting themselves to work for the cause as well. Full Frame Media and Spin Photo are joining together tomorrow to donate their time and talent to put on a photo shoot, a mini portrait session, to donate to the cause. The Mo'Photo Shoot, hopefully the first year of many, will take place tomorrow.

How can you help? If you're in the area, drop on by to 102 Queen St, Suite 5 (above JEMS), between the hours of 11am and 5pm, and join in on the fun. For a $20 donation, you'll be able to take part in a photo shoot, and leave with an 8x10 sheet of photos. So, you get to decide if you want a full 8x10 pic of yourself and you're carefully groomed 'stache, or as many wallets that an 8x10 sheet can hold, to share with your friends. Don't have a 'stache? Don't worry! Fake ones will be on hand. Put one on a pet, a child, your wife, or daughter. Don't wanna wear a 'stache? Don't! Just smile prettily for the camera! All proceeds are going to the Movember Foundation.

If you're not local to the Island, and you still want to help, feel free to click on the following link to donate via PayPal or credit card: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/1019488/

I have to remember how proud I am of Chris for helping to come up with such a great idea for such a great cause...especially as that 'stache gets thicker and thicker. At least November is almost over ;). Hope to see you tomorrow!!

Sweet talkin'

Actual email exchange:

Chris: "All the good candy is gone :("

Me: "Am I to interpret that you ate ALL of the chocolate bars from the candy bowl?
~ or ~
All of the good candy in the stores is picked over, and you couldn't get more good candy at a discounted price?"

Chris: "From the bowl. Only one pack of runts - I saved the banana for you."

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...perhaps I have the mind of a 12 year old boy...but...this made me laugh. Out loud. One of the many reasons why I love him, of course. The attached picture was a secondary message. First, I laughed at the actual message. Then, I laughed again when I opened the picture. He's such a goof. He even saved the Kitkats for me (moreso because he doesn't like them, but still).

He's back

Well, after 9 days apart, my boy is back with me again. The Chris-trail has replaced the once neat and tidy atmosphere surrounding me. I've caught the toilet seat up, and him drinking from the milk container. But, I couldn't be happier. He greeted me at the door yesterday with roses, with his hair freshly cut, and a clean-shaven face. We went out for dinner and then onward to Starbucks for a salted caramel hot chocolate for dessert. Once again, I had my "spot" back as I snuggled in on his shoulder, and suddenly, all was right with the world again.

Pffft....and you all thought it was hormones ;).

absence makes the heart grow fonder?

Chris and I have been together for a long time. Due to a roommate situation, we were actually pushed into cohabitation a little sooner than most new couples would decide on. We made do, and we've lasted through so I guess it wasn't such a bad thing :). He's very busy - working a full-time day job, and in the hours in-between that, busying himself pursuing his photography career. A lot of his time is spent holed away in his office, editing. I'm okay with him doing his own thing, because I like to do my own thing, too. The constant, though we may not spend a whole lot of time doing things together, however, is the fact that he's here.

On Thursday evening Chris left for Ottawa. His day job workplace is opening up a new store in Ottawa, and he is needed up there to help set up shop. I would have loved to have been able to coordinate some vacation days to join him, but that wasn't do-able, and really, he's likely going to be stuck working long hours so it wouldn't have been any sort of vacation for us. We do plan to go back on our own someday soon (maybe next year's vacation?). So as it stands, we're now apart for just over a week, and though he'd traveled for work before, this time I was left with an empty, sad feeling upon his leaving.

I blame my reaction on being utterly hormonal, but I was close to tears all day in anticipation of his departure, and though I'd planned to stay strong until he closed the door, I ended up in tears about 45 minutes before he left. When he did close the door, I ended up in a puddle of emotion on the couch, filling the rest of the evening watching Dr. Hook songs on Youtube and reading old email correspondence from when we first started dating. That night, I put his sweater overtop his pillow, and hugged it til I fell asleep.

I guess I miss him. And, I guess I kinda love him.

Or it may be the hormones.

Another year stronger...

It was an unusually warm start to the Fall season. I agreed to finally meet you after 4 years of knowing you only electronically. You picked me up at my townhouse and off we went, with the top down on the Tracker, to Kensington, for face-to-face conversation over a chocolate milkshake at the Frosty Treat.

It sometimes feels like forever ago. It sometimes feels like it was only yesterday. We've seen our share of ups and downs, and through it all, what has always been a constant was the love between us. You've been my rock. You make me laugh even when all I want to do is hold onto the frown. You push me to higher levels. You catch me when I fall. You take care of me. You're the cream to my coffee; the peas to my carrots; the PB to my jelly; the cherry to my sundae. Thank you for always being a constant in my life. The future doesn't scare me, because I know I have you by my side.

Happy Anniversary, hunny.....ELEPHANT SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO

some days you're a bug, some days you're a windshield

For a moment I almost opted to not share the following story with the interwebs. I was going to chalk it up to another 'dumb girl' moment, and move on. But, if my own idiocy can help at least one person out there, then my feelings of stupidity shall not have been in vain.

Allow me to back track.

It was Monday morning. I was once again running late to get to work. For the past while, I've been fortunate enough to time my travels right to the last second, and have been able to log in just on time. This day, I knew I'd be pushing it a teensy-weensy bit, so there was no time to fiddle with the radio dial, sunglasses, or my lint brush. I put the car in gear and applied pressure to the gas. The car lurched a bit. And it had a bit of a strange noise. I was concerned, yes, but, again, was running late. I immediately assumed there was something terribly wrong - possibly a belt, or perhaps even a problem with my transmission. It just felt really bogged down and sloggy. I made it to work, late by 2 minutes, and immediately did the only thing I felt I could do about the situation: I emailed the boy.

Of course, having not actually driven the car himself, and basing his diagnosis on my feeble attempt at a technical description of the morning events ("it just felt...boggy..."), he remained puzzled as well. I admit, I didn't read too much concern between the lines, either. I, on the other hand, had a mild case of the poops, going through inner turmoil at the very thought of the car having something terribly wrong with it, and the possibility of getting stranded in the middle of ongoing traffic. Add to that a dead cell phone in my purse, and slight reservations on even being able to pop the hood since I drive a German car with a strangely complicated latch to open the hood. Even the guy at the gas station can attest to that. I personally have yet to successfully open it myself.

So, I suggested to the boy that perhaps he wouldn't mind taking a stop into my work during his lunch hour to take it for a drive. I knew deep down that as soon as he witnessed what I'd witnessed, he'd immediately know what to do, or, at least he'd fill me with the confidence to simply take it to the dealership. He wasn't thrilled at the prospect, and actually ignored my message. I worried that he'd not come by. Thankfully, he's a bit of an amazing sort of guy, and he did come to my rescue, after all. I walked up to him perched on the back of his own vehicle. He was browsing his iPod, and waiting. He was waiting for me, yes, but he was also waiting for my tire to inflate.

Yes, folks, tire. I had a flat tire. It wasn't a belt. It wasn't the transmission. I had a flat tire. Apparently, your car doesn't tend to move forward very smoothly with a square wheel. Luckily, I didn't damage the tire or the rim while I rode from the 'hood to work....

Moral of the story: the little 'once around' that they teach you at drivers ed? Turns out it's actually useful. Make sure your tires aren't low before embarking on a journey.

Oh, and I bought him lunch for his trouble. Love you honey...xoxo.

A moment of pride...

Chris made it into the paper!

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Arts/Entertainment/2010-08-14/article-1672671/Focal-points/1

Holland College has been hosting a one-day photography bootcamp. It's specifically geared to those people who own a digital camera that really don't know what all the buttons mean/do. Chris was chosen to be the guide, and he starts with some classroom instruction, before the group is then bussed out to some of the Island's most picturesque locales. On location, the group then get some hands-on experience, and professional critique, when practicing what they've learned from inside the classroom.

The camp was supposed to be a summer gig, but there's talk of the potential of extending it into the fall. For more info, and if you're interested in signing up, click on the link below:

http://www.hollandcollege.com/bootcamps/photography_bootcamps.php

I might be a bit biased, but I have it on good authority that the bootcamp instructor is pretty awesome :)

Up, up and away!!!!!!

So my amazing weekend continued...

Having already been down to witness the hot air balloons on Saturday night and Sunday morning, Chris was like a kid in a candy store, insisting we go Sunday evening for their night flight. I wasn't overly enthused, I'll admit. Thinking if there were dozens of pretty balloons I'd be so much more impressed. He'd already shown me some fabulous photos he'd taken of those that would be taking off. There were 4. Selfishly, I was sorta tired, and wanted to go home. However, he was the driver, so after he took some pics of Tanya and after we had a lovely visit with the Masons, we headed to the Crapaud field.

The trucks were lined up waiting for the next run. The mosquitos were absolutely INSANE there. Queue Cranky Amber. I'm in a hot car waiting for something I have no idea if I'll even enjoy. I'm not prepared for warding off bugs. I'm in my flip flops and don't have a coat. We don't have bug spray. I'm anticipating hours of being inside the car because I'm trying to avoid being eaten alive while he's out shooting photos. And I'm tired.

One of the pilots knocks on Chris' window to let him know that the wind has changed, and the take off is going to be out of Hunter River instead. 1o billion mosquitos pile inside the vehicle in search of unsuspecting flesh (ok possibly not that many; 5 billion?). So we follow - I'm still not overly impressed, but I do have a glimmer of hope as I envision the possibility of having a pee and perchance, the purchase of some bug spray. We went to the Hunter River Irving, shooing mosquitos as we traveled, and found our refuge in a tiny bottle of Muskol.

We got to the field for the lift off. The crews unloaded the gear and unfolded the balloons, and one started to fill. As I watched the balloon take shape and the utter enormity of the balloon in scale of everything else in my surroundings, I then started getting impressed. Yeah. It was pretty cool. The pilot that Chris had followed out (he'd been part of the ground crew earlier in the day - holding onto the restraints as the balloon filled) came over to me, handed me a pair of gloves and said she was going to put me to work. I helped keep the mouth of the balloon steady as the air was forced in. In no time, it was filled, and we all were asked to use our weight to keep the basket down on the ground. She asked Chris if he wanted to go up. Her basket was the smallest there -- room for only herself and one passenger.

When you go up on a balloon, you are moving with the wind. The crew on the land have GPS systems and they 'chase' the balloon to help with the landing and to pick up the pilot and passengers. We had taken Chris' car there. His car is a standard, and because I can't drive a stick, he declined, knowing he'd have to be the chaser,...but then quickly volunteered me to go up in his place (he was SUPER jealous, but was happy that one of us at least had the chance to go).

I'm terrified of heights, so for a brief moment had a thought cross my mind of, "Wow, can I really do this?". With hot air balloons you don't have a lot of time for large discussions -- so without much further thought, and more of a, "Wow how can I NOT do this??", I climbed into the basket and off we went. It was spectacular. Amazing. Incredible!

Here are a few shots I took with Chris' G11 point & shoot. I was one-handed -- having to ensure one hand was always on the balloon. Funny thing with those things ...there's no seatbelt. There's no harness... and this particular basket wasn't overly tall. I would have felt a lot more safe had it been about a foot higher in height (that surely would have made the climb in and out that much more entertaining to observers, too, no doubt).

So yeah. I flew in a hot air balloon over picturesque PEI. And it was amazing. It's as good a task as any to have added to your bucket list. And I get to cross it off mine. :)