One of those people?

Have you heard of Debbie Downer?  Years ago I saw the live premier of this SNL skit with Lindsay Lohan.  I was with my roomates and our good friend Dan Harker.  I must say it is the funniest thing I ever recall watching (though having seen it so many times since then it has lost some of it's humour... but not all).

 
It may be a great, funny skit but lately I have encountered some real life Debbie Downers!  You know the type  of person who always feels a need to tell you that things could always be worse than it is?  That person who traded in their sympathetic ear for one of doom and gloom.  I wonder if they think that what they are saying is helping in any way?  If they think they are being uplifting in those situations?

People need to be free to speak what they are feeling and be able to recieve some empathy in return without being guilted into feeling bad that their struggles aren't as difficult as someone else's.  That is what friendship is.... supporting, caring for and listening to each other.

Often times I really don't feel that hard done by.  I actually feel very blessed and think the things that come our way are often funny (not 'ha ha' funny but 'of course' kind of funny).  Like "of course we are having numerous things break right when our tax return is set to come in and we were planning on buy carpet, or another vehicle".

We truly are blessed that these recent 'home repairs' that need to be done can be done without going into debt for them.  It might end up being a big blessing that the new carpet is delayed if our basement ends up flooding this spring from all the snow melting!!!!  Maybe we can get some free carpet ;)

I know I have sometimes been a Debbie Downer... okay probably a lot when I was a teenager/young adult.  But to be on the recieving end I realize how useless and depressing it is.  I am motivated to never again start the sentence 'at least you aren't  _________________________'!

Soooooo bored...

Here is a tag I found on someone else's site and since no one seems to be updating their own sites (yes I have been secretly stalking all of you) I will add some tidbits of info that you probably didn't know about me!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

Yikes... 10 years ago I was a cranky, bitter teenager who hated school, hated boys and hated life... I was a hate-er (shocking I know!)

2. 5 things on my to do list:

a) Go sailing
b) Do a one handed bicycle kick in soccer
c) Write a children's book
d) Learn break dancing
d) Have children

3. What snacks do I enjoy?

Sour candy... I'm a big sucker for sour patch kids

4. What would you do if you were instantly a billionaire?

Pay off all debt, buy a nice house and car, invest some, start a school for children in a 3rd world country were they can learn to read and write and hopefully bring their family out of the cycle of poverty.

5. 3 bad habits:

a) giving my opinion (when unwanted)
b) worrying
c) procrastinating

6. 6 places I lived:

Calgary, Alberta (2 places)
Edmonton, Alberta (12 places)
Lloydminster, Alberta (1 place - so far)

7. 5 Jobs I've had

a) Taco Time (good times when I was 14, lasted 3 months)
b) Panagopalous Pizza
c) Hallmark
d) Parks and Recreation
e) YMCA
(can't stop now... so many more)
f) Holyrood After School Care
g) Netmar Flyers
h) Royal Glenora Club
I) Cancer International Research Group
j) Office of the Auditor General
k) GoodLife Fitness
L) Calgary Science School, Webber Acadamy, Westmount Charter School, Calgary Waldorf School

Okay I think that is all of them...

8. 5 things people don't know about me

a) I'm allergic to almost all animals and outside... thank heaven for antihistamines
b) I'm an excessive worrier
c) I have moved 15 times in my life (averaging about 1 move every 18 months of my life)
d) I have some sign language training
e) I am SUPER organized

New city, new haircut, new adventures...

It is a time of change for us Isackson's. We are settling nicely into our new apartment in Lloydminster. Ian has been working like a dog (the last 10 days straight, about 12 hour days) surveying the Husky pipeline in the city. He is now officially a Party Chief and is excited about the responsibilities that the position entails. Callings are coming our way in the next couple weeks but it is all very hush, hush so I will have to let you know later.

I also felt I was in desperate need of some attention to my hair and chopped a good portion of it off and am having fun with the new look (it is so sad that this is the exciting event in my life). I do admit that I am already getting bored in my summer holidays. Around week 3 is when it usually happens and I am determined to make use of my free time by working on some sewing projects, scrapbooking our wedding (finally) and applying for substitute teaching here in the fall.

I really don't have much time left this summer as we will be gone for the first 3 weeks of August on some real adventures. First we are off to Ian's hometown for a family reunion in Lillooet, BC for a very short weekend and then we rush back to Edmonton to fly straight to Switzerland to see my sister and brother-in-law. We are super psyched for this trip. We plan to see some of Germany, Switzerland and Italy while we are there. I can't wait to share the pictures and stories with you all.

That is about all that is happening right now but I will keep you updated on life with the Isackson's.

Lloydminster Colonial Days Parade

Wow! I don't think I have ever seen more trucks and semi's in a parade than horses. I must say though that I am impressed with the length of the parade and the number of entries. Most were interesting and enjoyable to watch. Some... I wasn't quite sure why they were there but you still smile and wave!

It was great fun to go with some new friends Kalinda and Lara (along with her 3 kids). They have been so welcoming in the short time I have been living in Lloyd and really helped to fill the emptiness that remained from leaving my friends in Calgary. I am excited to spend the summer hanging out with these lovely ladies.

It was so cute to see the girls watching their first parade. They seemed so confused as to why people were lined up along the street watching these weird cars as they drove past. I think the most confusing was when they started dumping out candy on the street. It didn't take them long to start filling their baggies with treats though. The innocence of children is such a blessing to see.

It was no Stampede or Klondike Days Parade, but it was fun and I was happy to be there with friends.

News!

Okay there really isn't any news. I was sitting here looking at everyone's blogs with their cute kids and I was feeling kinda jealous! I know it isn't all fun and games... but being a family looks pretty darn good from the outside.

The first picture was the beginnings of a very scandalous Halloween costume that I wore to a YSA event. Bad idea, but oh so funny. The looks I got from the people who didn't know me were classic. I completed my Gothic look with all black, excluding a pink mini skirt that I wore over top of black tights with fish net stockings (I was fully covered and wearing my G's so don't freak). I also had some nice Avril Lavigne arm sock things (what are they called?!?). Ha ha ha, oh the good times. I loved to start a good scandal.



My friend Carey Ekelund (now Evanson) and I took turns with the tummy. It was even funnier with her cause she looked like she was 12 years old. Oh Ian and I were dating at the time (it had only been a month). He came up this weekend from Calgary to see me. I don't think he was very impressed. In fact I am surprised he didn't dump me that weekend!!!!!



(Man I hope I don't regret putting these pictures up)



The picture is from a baby shower I went to (dang was I tanned!). I had so many people fooled that I was pregnant (friends of mine that hadn't seen me in long enough for the whole thing to be a possibility). It was so awesome how they reacted to an assumed "unmarried pregnant woman". Oh it still makes me laugh!

All of it must be credited to my friend Amy Olsen who worked at Old Navy in Edmonton and "borrowed" the velcro stomach for those trying on maternity wear. It looked so real and I was seriously contemplating sewing my own so that I could wear it shopping and park in those "expectant mothers with children" stalls nice and close to the entrances.

Someday I will join the crew of mommy's and I will be just as thrilled to put pictures of them on my blog!