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Summer Trips

August 17, 2011 By 2 Comments

This summer 2 of our cousins out West got married- one wedding in Red Deer, Alberta, and another in Denver, Colorado. Our parents were nice enough to provide us with plane tickets to the weddings. Erica and I went to both, Leah and Tim went to the Calgary  wedding, and everyone else went to Denver.  When I say everyone else I mean everyone- babies included!  The weddings were a blast, and filled with family visits, which we obviously love!

Our Aunt’s friend set up a camper to watch the Stampede parade in Calgary. It was during the royal visit, and they were in the parade! We actually only saw them for about 1.5 seconds, because they drove quickly by in a closed car, but we did have cowboy hats, tiaras, and gloves to wear!

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The most exciting part of our trip (except for the wedding I mean…I swear!)- we met a reader! She was working at a souvenir stand at the Stampede, and recognized us as we walked by looking for Stampede onsies. So HI!!

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These are all of the girl cousins on our dads side. Minus Micaela and Kate who didn’t come to Calgary. From left- Me (Lauren), Kim, Leah, Angel, Rachel, Erica and Emily.

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The cute baby bump in Denver, Colorado. It varies in sizes, although I think it’s at it’s biggest in this picture.

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Denver has these awesome bikes that you can rent, and there are stations all over the city. We fell in love on our last day in the city. Well I did at least.

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As a result of these trips Erica and I got to be pros at travelling together with our parents. It was awesome!

Filed Under: Calgary, travel, Wedding

Hot Cowboy Names. Ladies? You’re welcome.

August 1, 2011 By 2 Comments

Another Stampede has come and past, so it time for another edition of Hot Cowboy Names! This past Stampede was my fourth consecutive Stampede in a row (I’m truly surprised I am still alive and functioning) and while I really only got one night of Stampeding in, it was worth it. Also, remember that the five of us grew up on a farm, so country is on our blood. See all of our posts about pigs here (apparently we have quite a few posts about pigs? Odd.)

Aside from Ranchman’s and Nashville North and country concerts and cowboy boots, my favourite part about Stampede is the Chuckwagon Races and the cowboys. I have said before and I will say again, pregnant women should go to the nearest rodeo to get baby name ideas. (I was going to link to their profiles, but … well, I’m not going to. You can Google them if you’d like but I wouldn’t recommend it.)

First off, and in no particular order, we have Kelly Sutherland. Kelly is like an 11 time Chuckwagon world champion or something,  and while I’m not too sure about stereotypical female names for men, Kelly pulls his off with brute strength.

Now let’s talk a bit about Colt Cosgrave. Sexy name, for sure. I bet Colt was a wild child, doesn’t the name give you an image of a dreamy man who lived on the edge and a real hit with the ladies?

Obrey Motowylo is such a such a unique name, not one that I would want for my children but it really sticks in your head.

Dusty LaValley is an awesome name, but the real winner here is his young son – get this – Austin Outlaw. Mothers, lock you daughters up.

Dallas Dyck, I’m sorry, but it just makes me laugh. Just think of the nicknames this guy had…

Hunter Herrin, you are killing me softly. Hunter is probably an impermeably tough man who comes home and lights candles for his lady.

Chanse Vigen is a … nice  name. I’m sorry to a certain person that I just said that, but it’s true. The end.

Tilden Hooper unfortunately reminds me of Tilda Sweeney, but it still a hot cowboy name nonetheless.

Oh my lord, I just noticed Quinn Dorchester. Not too keen on the last name, but is another example of girl-name-for-a-guy and me likey.

Lanson Gaudry – it just never ends. Hot. Name.

Next up we have the the deathly frightening bulls and horses (seriously, who comes up with these?)

Wrangers Crackalakin: Haha, what?

Skippy’s Fine Line: While ‘Skippy’ doesn’t connotate a giant 300o lbs that wants to smush you to pieces, trust me – don’t get too close to Skippy. Names can be deceiving and he would like to rip you to pieces.

Swervyn Mervin: I just can’t take this bull seriously. It makes me laugh. This bull would probably stop to crack a joke in the middle of it’s eight second ride.


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Those were just my favourites out of the many competitors at the Calgary Stampede this year, but there is pretty much a jackpot of names on the Results and Bios page of the Stampede Events page.

 

Filed Under: agriculture, animals, Calgary, leah

The inevitable quarter life crisis.

January 13, 2011 By 5 Comments

Some days I feel like I spend most of my time complaining about 2010 and how much it sucked for me. Eventually, I’ve come to realize that 2010 was the year of my very own quarter life crisis. I know I’m not the only one of my friends that feels this way about their own lives, and I know that many people have gone through this rut. Some days I feel like my life is coming back together, that I am continuing to trailblaze my own path through this crazy thing called life. Some days, today in particular, I feel like it’s all still falling apart and I need to make some changes to find my true, happy self again. To be honest, I haven’t really felt like myself since November and I’m ready for the normal Leah to make an appearance in my life.

I start my new job on Monday and although I’ve been so apprehensive about it, last night I started to really think about it and get charged up and excited about it. Maybe it’s that I’ve been waiting for so long to start this job. Maybe it’s that I haven’t even changed my phone number from my Calgary number and I’m hanging on to that last thread of my life there. Maybe, maybe, maybe. I feel like I could ‘maybe’ my way through everything and reason it that way. Maybe if I do this. Or, maybe if I do that. I need to cut the word ‘maybe’ out of my vocabulary.

Help me, people. What did you do to get yourself through your quarter life crisis? Any words of encouragement that you can give to a girl who is quite possibly in the midst of one?

Filed Under: Calgary, leah Tagged With:

Now I can finally stop holding this news inside of me…

July 19, 2010 By 33 Comments

So. I have some Big News. I can’t even tell you if it is good or bad because it depends on who you are asking.

I’m moving.

To Toronto.

Well, technically, we’re moving to Toronto, because Tim got a new job there. And since I’ve been having more problems with seizures this past week and all of my test results have come back normal, I think it is probably best for me to be near my family right now.

I am so mixed up inside about all of this, it’s a very bittersweet life change. I’ve given my two week notice to my office, so it’s all official.

And that’s my big news.

Wish me luck, I’m gonna need it.

The only thing I have to say to all my Calgary friends and to the city I have grown to love and adore: I’ll be back.

Filed Under: Calgary

Calgary Stampede

July 12, 2010 By 7 Comments

I flew out to Calgary for a week as a birthday present from my parents for the Stampede and to see Leah and Tim this week! I arrived Saturday morning at 9am.  So far we have gone to the Stampede to see the chuck wagon races and the grandstand show, and yesterday we visited some relatives in Red Deer, where we went surfing in the middle of the prairies (embarrassing pictures to follow). Leah took the week off work and today we’re heading to do some serious shopping!  

We’ll keep you updated with our shenanigans as the week goes on!

Filed Under: Calgary, lauren, leah

There are two kinds of people out there.

June 23, 2010 By 23 Comments

As a result of having had a seizure a month ago, I’ve lost my license. What I really want to write about is how much it sucks, and how much I hate being so dependent on other people, and how I just want to get in my car and drive to the mall to get a better pair of work shoes (ones that are more conducive to walking thousands of kilometres a day) and how I want to eliminate waiting from my existence and how being on the c-train behind the car that killed a little boy yesterday put a serious damper on my day. I know that last one sounded … trivial, and I will acknowledge that my problems are most definitely first world problems, but they are problems, they are real, and they are mine.

So now that I let that all out (insert big sigh here) I will talk about something I have learned since becoming a full-time transit user.

There are two types of people that take public transit: The kind you wouldn’t mind getting stuck sitting beside, and the kind you avoid sitting beside.

Today, friends, I am going to teach you the very basic and easy ways to become the former and avoid the latter.

1.) First and foremost, SHOWER. And when you shower, use soap. This one is very basic, yet unfortunately people seem to be confused about it.

2.) Wear clean clothes. If you are taking public transit the chances of being in very close proximity to another person are extremely high. If your shirt smells and you think no one will notice, they will. I promise.

3.) Deodorant is your friend. Probably your best friend (even though you may not know). Perfume, on the other hand, is NOT your friend. Don’t choke those around you with your cloud of stench.

4.) iPods are excellent companions on public transit. But not everyone around you favours the same genre of music as you, so turn down to volume to a reasonable level.

5.)Don’t talk to the person next to you. People take public transit to get places, not to make friends.

6.) Don’t talk loudly on your phone. A short, quiet phone call I can understand. But please, if you are going to yell and swear and rant or laugh and exclaim, take it outside. You are disturbing those around you.

7.) Don’t give yourself a manicure on the train. While being productive on the bus/train can be helpful, I don’t want your dirty nail filings flying all over my lap.

8.) If a senior citizen, handicapped person, or somebody with a child comes on the train, offer them your seat. Don’t think about it, don’t count on somebody else doing it, just do it. It’s the courteous thing to do.

9.) Don’t stare at other people on the bus/train. I don’t care if you think that girl is hotter than Heidi Klum or perhaps she has a giant wart on her forehead – staring is rude and that person does notice.

This is by all means not an exhaustive list, so what would you add? What irks you about your public transit neighbours?

*This has been a public service announcement from Leah.

Filed Under: Calgary, life, random, travel

She's over the prairies and far away

June 15, 2010 By 3 Comments

If you’re an avid reader of our cutie-pie little abode, you just might recognize the name “Natalie” – Natalie is my Calgary BFF and has even written a few guest posts for us in the past. Her gorgeous mug is plastered all over my posts, so creepers? Stalk away.

Well, friends, Natalie has taken a big step in her life – she has started her Very Own Blog.

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Let’s all help out with breaking her blogging virginity and leave her a comment or two … or ten. She’s a beautiful writer and I promise you won’t be disappointed. (And she’s got quite a few stories to tell that’ll keep you busting a gut over and over again.)

Filed Under: blogging, Calgary, friends

Zen Moments

June 8, 2010 By 9 Comments

Do you ever have those moments when you just feel warm and cozy inside and it’s like for just one fleeting moment, life is pure bliss?

Those moments come to me when I am driving through the mountains and a train passes by. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is about that scene, a train passing through the mountains, but it calms me right down.

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I would love to take the Toronto-Vancouver train and see bits of the country that I wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. I’d bring many good books, a journal, a camera and just relax for four days while enjoying the views of the prairies, then the mountains, then the ocean.

Another zen moment for me is laying in bed, listening to a car slowly creep down the alley behind my house. For just a moment I am reverted back to my youth, laying in “the big bedroom” hearing somebody drive down the gravel driveway at The Farm. That sound will forever settle my mind and calm my soul.

What are your zen moments?

Filed Under: Calgary, life

The ONLY bad thing about summer (if it ever arrives…)

June 7, 2010 By 6 Comments

That’s right women (and I’m sure you men too), you know what I’m talking about.

BIKINI. SHOPPING.

Maybe for some of you this time passed awhile ago, but I live in Calgary and summertime seems to have forgotten about us this year. Even just the words make me shudder. The thought of standing in the change room, with your underwear uncomfortably on underneath the overpriced bottoms, the horrible lighting (what IS it with the lighting in those dank change rooms anyways!?), the judgemental eyes of the salespeople, the pasty skin from a winter of -40c weather, ugh. The list goes on.

This year I *think* I have found a way around the process. I fell in love with a Mark bikini a few months ago but because I live in Canada was unable to order it online (grr…). Luckily, I found an Avon salesperson through the retirement home I work at and today it arrived!

Source: Mark. website

I’m at my coffee shop right now waiting for an appointment with my doctor, and it’s currently burning a hole in my purse waiting to be tried on … let’s hope my method of buying the bathing suit online and avoiding those degrading bathing suit store change rooms works. I’ll keep you updated! Mark has tons of cute, affordable stuff on their website and if the bathing suit goes over well I would definitely order more. I’ve got my eyes on a few other things on the website.

So dearest Mother Nature, I’ve got the bikini now how about you SEND ME SOME HOT WEATHER. Please. And thank you.

Filed Under: Calgary, fashion

Flowers, sisters, texts, boyfriends, tweets and massages fix everything.

June 3, 2010 By 12 Comments

I love this picture because I feel like it is so US!  We really do love each other a lot, when we are all at my parent’s house we can often be found cuddling on the couch, watching tv or movies, or standing in front of the fireplace gossiping and gabbing.

I started my week off on a very bad note – with a seizure on Monday evening – so I am taking a week off of work to stay home, relax, eat junk food, watch the United States of Tara, see a neurologist, visit with friends, see Sex and the City 2 with Mich and a few others, eat my food hamper, and getting a glorious 90 minute massage on Friday – who knew seizures took such a toll on a body? I feel like I ran a 10km race on Monday. I’m feeling more and more like myself again, after the seizure I lost memory of the past week, I thought it was January and when the paramedics asked me my address I told them my parent’s address at the Farm. Whoa! I haven’t lived there since I was 17. Tim took a few days off but is back at work tonight, and he has been so amazing. I definitely scared the bejeezus out of him (he was home when it happened, thankfully, but unfortunately he had to witness it).

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huuge THANK YOU to all of my friends and family who have shown support to me this week. I was blown away by how many people wished me well on Twitter, how many friends texted and called me, and the beautiful flowers I’ve received from my bff and my boyfriend’s family.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you thank you thank you. It means a lot to me to have so much support from both friends IRL and friends from blogging and twitter.

Filed Under: Calgary, health, leah, life
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