Holy smokes, its really been a year since I've posted. Where has the time gone??
To summarize the last year of my life. Big Adventure, and constantly surprising myself.
My year started last Halloween, when I finally bit the bullet and decided to move out on my own. At 28 I thought it was about time, and itching to go. Now that I could finally afford it thanks to becoming full time at work.
The independence was great, but it was a rough go for the first little while. I was so friggin lonely living by alone, I didn't know what to do with myself. Mom knew this, so for my birthday she and Dad decided to give me enough $$ to adopt a kitten. (instead of uprooting my 11 year old cat who still lives comfortably out in Athens)
So after a few trips to the local OSPCA, I chose an adorable 7 month old calico named Ella. She quickly claimed a place in my heart. Now she's about a year and a half, and although lovable is a pain in my butt many days.
I try to train good behavior, and punish the bad with a squirt bottle. Well that just doesn't work anymore. The sneaky little devil must have hid it on me, b/c I haven't been able to find it for months!!! So now her paws just get slapped anytime she tries to scratch furniture. She won't let me cut her claws, with nail clippers, and I really don't want to have her declawed. Any suggestions?

I've been frustrated lately, because I've been coming home to cat puke 3 times in a month. I don't overfeed her, and she hasn't been getting cat treats in a while. I don't know whats going on, but she's really starting to worry me. She seems to like her food, she gobbles it down every morning! This problem has never happened until now....
The majority of the year has been spent working. Aside from my summertime fun, I can't afford much these days. Thats how it is when you live alone, and have to pay for EVERYTHING!!! LOL Oh well, it was my choice, and definitely beats the alternative. :)
I became a member of the Brockville Y, and went skydiving for my third time, and White Water Rafting for the first time this summer. Still not quite sure when I became such an adrenaline junkie, but aparently I did! I wasn't expecting to fall in love with the rush, it was just meant to be a one time thing to "step out of my comfort zone" and to prove to myself I'm not a big chicken. (I love reliving it by watching the video)
More than a few people have joked that they think I'm nuts for doing either activity, but oh well. More fun for me... I wonder if I'll be able to do roller coasters now???
I attended my high school reunion back in August. Not much to say about that, it was pretty pathetic. Only 6 people showed up. I wasn't going to attend, but figure since a good friend organized it, I should support him. All in all I'm glad I went. Even with such poor attendance, it was fun. We sat around eating and caught up with each other. A friend of mine even surprised me by being there, because I thought she was still over in Europe.

Now its September, and a few Big changes have been occurring at work. Firstly our store manager has left us for greener pastures. Apparently he got chosen out of all of Ontario to go and manager a store 4X the size of ours in Heartland Mississauga. It opened it April, and sounds like its being run into the ground. So he moved up to help turn it around!! Good for him, but unfortunate for us. He was a good manager, I will miss him. At the same time news that our Front End manager (my boss) is stepping down to a dept. manager position...
Nobody knows why, or who will fill the position! Oh well I guess thats how the cookie crumbles. to top all those changes off, I've been entertaining the idea of leaving Wal-Mart myself. I've been getting really sick and tired of retail lately. (Not to mention the idiot customers I get) I figure 7.5 years in retail is more than enough. I never thought of myself as a "lifer" anyway, so I've been working on an updated resume. Getting it ready to hand out. Cross your fingers I find something soon, I really need a CHANGE.

Hope all is well in your worlds... Goodnight everyone. Until the next time...

Looking back at my last LJ entry, I thought it was about time I updated.

The summer has kept me very busy at work. I was getting pretty much full time hours, summers are always good for that. Since the Superstore grand opening is imminent, I decided I wanted a change. Cash was beginning to bore me, so I decided to apply for a full time position in the new bakery!
I loved the change. For the month of August I was getting full time hours, setting up the bakery. My temporary hours were Monday to Friday 8-4:30!!! I was very happily in shock. I've never had a steady shift like that. Not to mention WEEKEND OFF.... I knew that luck wouldn't last, but I enjoyed it while it lasted :)
Nearing the end of August, the interviews for bakery/deli started. I had a good interview, but not good enough. I was upset to learn that I was unsuccessful in getting a full time bakery position. I was told I was welcome to stay in there as a part time associate, or go back to cash FULL-TIME.

Even though its not quite how I wanted to go about it,I did FINALLY get a full time position. I couldn't very well turn it down. After all, Its taken me 7 years to get it. Who knows how much longer I would've had to wait....
I'm on holidays now, but when I get back I will be working on the speedy check-outs. (12 or less - I'm loving that LOL) :)

My holidays started off with a bang this year. On Friday night, some friends and I took off to the Shawville Fair, to see Johnny preform. It was a very cold night, so I'm glad I dressed appropriately! The last time I was there Kristine, Lyle and I saw Stoppin Tom. I don't remember it being as cold. Maybe it was, but then again I had Lyle to keep me warm :)
Sunday I had a thrill of a lifetime. Various family members packed a picnic lunch, and we headed off to Gananoque for a fun-filled afternoon. They gathered around and watched me willingly jump out of a plane from 10,000 ft. in the air! After saying a quick prayer, I took the plunge. I wasn't scared at all, just enjoyed the ride. The feeling was indescribable, and the view was breathtaking. Free falling was the best part. It was so much fun!! Didn't feel like I was falling at all, but rather flying on a bed of air.

I will be going again before the season's end. Next time will be even more picturesque, seeing as I'm waiting until October after the leaves have all turned colour. My tandem instructor also promised we'll do back flips out of the plane.... Can't wait for that. In that case, I'm defiantly getting another DVD. My friends can't believe I actually did it, and solo at that! (they are all chicken)
Just another thing I can tick of my "To-do List"Who knows what I'll want to do next, but I will keep you posted. Thats it for now. If you want to see pics, check out my facebook profile.

Its Wednesday, and that means its time for Olivia's swimming lesson! Perfect timing for me to tag along, and hang out in the hot tub. My neck, back and shoulders have been killing me for about a week. Just in time for my regular massage therapist
to go on holidays...

It'll also be nice to hang out with Tammy again. I haven't seen her in at least 6 weeks. I've missed her. Like so many other of my friends!

I don't have to much exciting stuff happening in my life these days, but however I'll still update you about the latest goings on. I got home from work today to a nice surprise. Jen, Peter, Deklyn and of course Dez were here! They are staying the night, because Jen has a dentist apt. in Brockville in the morning.
Mom greeted me at the door with Deklyn, and it just made my night. He was talking up a storm, and was all smiles when he saw me. What a cutie he is!! He melts my heart every time I see him. His smiles and laughter are infectious :) Jen is still a bit snotty with me anytime I try and do anything with him. Its like she doesn't trust me with him. She's treats me like a kid myself, It bugs the heck out of me!!! She acts like I've never been around, or cared for a baby before. Actually been around more babies than she has. I used to be a nanny for two babies, all my friends have babies, and I was around Thatcher for the first year of his life...
When it comes to caring for Deklyn, none of that seems to matter. SHE'S his mom, and SHE knows best. Its really obvious that she is a first time mom. Only with me, does she take overprotectedness to a whole new level. For frig sakes, I'm his aunt! I wish she would trust me with him. grrr she makes me mad.
Peter has to fly back to Germany sometime soon to have more surgery on his shoulder. Due to his injury and their extended stay, the goverment pulled their OHIP cards. Apparently, you're not allowed to be out of the country for longer than 6 months. So with no OHIP, Peter has to fly back to Germany to undergo surgery. (it's free there, because of the hockey team insurance) Jen and Peter will be able to re-apply in 3 months time, but until then they are SOL.
Thats enough about them. Moving forward...
I've been getting a lot of hours at work, and picking up extra shifts here and there. I'm not minding so much at the moment Summer time is always good for finding extra hours. My car was just in the shop getting fixed, and I'm also working towards trying to pay it off as soon as I can. Recently I applied for a new position at work. In September, our Wal-Mart is expanding to become a superstore. I'm pretty excited about that, because I've applied to work in the new bakery!! I'm excited to get off cash, and learn a new skill. I've already been looking into cake decorating books. So fingers and toes crossed I'll get a full-time position as a bakery associate. I've already had 2 interviews...
Tonight after work, all the nigh time staff got a sneek peek at the progress of the expansion. Its gonna be HUGE. A lot bigger than it looks from the outside. We were able to envision the new grocery side layout. I think its going to be pretty snazzy when its all done. I can't wait!!
Ok so thats all my exciting news to date. I can't think of anything else to say. Hope everyone has a great day :)

Jen's finally home!!!! after being delayed 2 weeks.
I won't get to see them until Sunday (Mothers Day), as there wasn't any room for me to go to the airport yesturday.

I'm so glad they're finally home. I've missed Jen so much. Can't wait to see Deklyn, apparently he's changed so much. Such a happy baby full of smiles, and not playing strange at all.

yay :) For all the mom's/expectant moms I hope you have a happy Mothers Day!

Lately I've had an overwhelming urge to do something totally out of character for me. Skydiving with my sister was ofcourse my first choice. (we talked about it last summer) But even though its said to be an exhilerating adrenaline rush, its just a little to expensive. Not to mention, as much as I'd love to THINK I'm that brave... I don't really think I am.
So for option #2 I was still going to wait for Jen, but Lana and Lonnie have stepped up, and agreed to be my partners in crime!

Dolphin, Butterfly, or dragonfly???
Which would you choose, and why?

We got three long distance calls lastnight. 2 from Peter, and one from Peter's mom.

the first came in at 7:00pm (our time), informing us that they were headed to the hospital, because Jen's water broke! (a week early) We were all able to chat with Jen, and she seemed very calm, and ready for what was coming next. The second call came in at about 10:30. It was the other grandma, they were out for the night and missed the call about going to the hospital. lol suckers... Mom filled her in on everything, and they had a good chat. As would be expected, everyone was full of excitment for what was going to happen next. So no one in this house could sleep!

The final call from Peter came in at around 2am (our time) announcing the birth of his son! Deklyn James was born shortly before he called. Mom and baby are doing fine. Her labour was only 5.5 hours in total!!!!
I don't know much at the moment, but he is cute as a button. with short dark hair. He is also 7 1/2 lbs.
I will try to post pics whenever we get any. However I don't know how, so someone will have to give me a crash course. lol
Well, thats it for my exciting news. Now I really can't wait to go to Germany! After the weekend I had, I'm really going to need it... The change of scenery will do me good. But no matter where I am, I will always love you! I'll see you soon... *hugs*

October has flown by so fast. I had so much to look forward to this past month. Two birthdays in Lyle's family, and the much anticipated JR/Dwight Yoakam show. Not to mention my vacation countdown was getting closer and closer. I also went paintballing for the first time ever! October made me a very happy camper!!

First of all, both Lyle's sister Marney, and his youngest nephew Thatcher celebrated their birthdays. I can't believe Lyle's youngest nephew is 1 already.
After 6 months of patiently waiting, Johnny finally made his way back to Ottawa. This time as part of the Dwight Yoakam tour. I wasn't going to miss this show. I asked Lyle if he was interested in coming with me, but he polietly declined. No biggie, some friends and I decided it would be a fun girls night. Just like old times, following Johnny!!
As per usual, Johnny put on a fantastic show. he sang for about an hour, and most were new songs. I was very happy to finally hear some new songs. They are going to be awesome on the new album. I can't wait.....
I don't have much to say about Dwight's preformance, as it wasn't him I was interested in seeing. I left half way through his first song. He was WAY WAY to loud. Neither my friends or I could understand a word he was singing.
Instead of staying for the rest of the concert, my friends and I took off with some other dedicated fans/friends to an after party with Johnny and the boys. It was a great night, and I'm glad I got to say hi to the guys. After all, I hadn't seen them since March~!
Germany is getting that much closer now. Only 24 more days! Its going to sneak up before I know it. I've tried to stay on top of this christmas wise because of it. Most of my gifts are bought already, and some are even wrapped. (I was feeling ambitious on my day off yesturday) The other day Lyle gave me his christmas list which I was happy to have. Although I had already thought of some gifts for him that thankfully were not on the list. I'm very excited to surprise him on Christmas morning. I think he'll love it. I like surprisng my baby. :)
I guess thats it for now. Tomorrow is November, and that means my bday is coming up. Since I will be in France on the actual day Lyle and I are celebrating early. I've been kinda trying to organize something, but who knows what'll happen. Last year it was just Lyle and I and it was great! So I'll be just as happy this year if its just him and I ;)
Hope everyone is having a good night. Talk to you all soon...

Its been a while since my last update. So I will enlighten you on the recent happenings of my oh so exciting life! First of all, in my last entry I announced that I am going to become a first time aunt. Yes its true, my sister and her boyfriend-nah fiance will welcome their son in November. They have already chosen his name! He will be known as Decklyn James Campbell, (a.k.a. Decks) My bet is his childhood nickname will be either "deck soup", or "soupie JR". lol poor kid
Just after the two sets of families hear the much anticipated news of the baby's sex, comes yet another welcomed surprise. Jen and Peter invite both sets of Grandparents (+Gram) out to dinner in Ottawa. Before dinner, they tour the experimental farm, unbeknownst to Jen, Peter decided to make it official, with a decleration of love and a solitaire sparkler. They got engaged on June 26th, 2006. So it ended up being a "special" night after all...
As of yet they have absolutely no plans made. All that is for certian is that the big day will be sometime next summer, and that his dad will marry them. (he's a minister). Jen and Peter also want to have the shindig here in Athens or surrounding area. It'll be much cheaper than anything up in Ottawa!
Geesh ---I tell ya, my family will be pro's at planning a wedding by the it comes time for me to take that walk down the aisle. This will be Jen's second time saying "I do", so because of that she just wanted a lowkey celebration(possibly eloping somewhere). But Peter quickly chimmed in saying that he's never been married before, and he wants all his family/friends to see him tie the knot in a big ceremony! Lyle and I are going to be all wedding'd out. We have 3 so far next summer/fall...
Thats it for Jen and Peter news, now onto me.
Not much to tell. I'm in the middle of my holiday week, and have been enjoying my time off. To start off my holidays I drove into Brockville and took in Lyle's nephew's soccer game on Saturday morning. Then came back to Athens and had dinner and visited with "the inlaws" that evening. I had fun, and met Lyle's cousin's wife and 2 little boys for the first time. (Lyle's cousin and his family were visiting from Texas) Yesturday Lyle and I went on a lovely picnic at Upper Canada Village. Although we drove through some patches of rain, it held off for the rest of the day. The skis blue, with fluffy white clouds. We ate infront of the waterfountin pond, and watched the ducks, and koi fish swim. Afterwards, we wanderd the grounds outside the village, and admired the flowers in the rose garden. I was surprised, by the different kind of roses we saw. They were nothing like what I expected, but beautiful none the less! Unfortunatly we came to late in the season, as most of the roses were already dead. But something was blooming. Or perhaps blooming again. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. It was absolutely great, and being there with the man I love made it that much better!! :) Not to mention how romantic the whole afternoon was. Its a day that will happily linger in my memory for a good long time. :)
In Other news, I recently sold my pretty pink neon. So now I have some adventure cash for Germany. Mom dad and I are planning a trip over there In late November after the baby is born. Can't pass up a chance to meet my new nephew right... We're also hoping to visit relatives in France too. YAY! The more time off work, the better. It will be the christmas season after all. LMAO I'm going to get my fill of french champagne and eat fresh crousants... mmm yummy!!! I can't wait. So all in all the entire trip should be fun.

I know its been a while, since my last update but here goes... We'll start with the good news. Everybody likes good news!
I applied for another job. YAY!! a Part time pharmnacy position finally came up. so I didn't waste anytime in applying. I've helped out by taking a few shifts in there during last month, and absolutely loved it. It was such a refreshing change from being a front end cashier. All the shifts are 8.5 hours, but I didn't mind, because my days there just flew by. Also, you're treated with respect, and don't have anybody breathing down your neck all the time. You work at your own pace... So fingers crossed that I'll actually be the successful applicant!
I really want that pharmacy job. The deadline for Applications is today, so I'm assuming I will be hearing soon about it. Possibly within the next few weeks. I still have to be interviewed for it though. so wish me luck...
I had the house to myself this weekend, the folks were in Ottawa at some church confrence. Which mom dragged dad to. Anyways, so it was nice to have the house to myself again. Saturday night after work, I had dinner with Gram which was nice. When I got home, there was a message on the machine from Lyle, saying he was home for the weekend, and for me to call him. (he was at his sisters) So I did, and got her machine! Instead of playing telephone tag all night and risking not seeing him. I hopped in my car, and drove back into town. I only got to spend about 4 hours with him, but it was great. Atleast I got to see him :)
Mom and dad came home late lastnight with some very exciting news. I was really tired, so wasn't all that receptive at first. Truth be told I also thought they were joking!! Sometime in November their monikors will change to Grandma and Grandpa, and mine will also change to aunt. Thats right folks, my sister is 3 months pregnant. She was even able to show them her first ultrasound picture. I still can't believe it... I'm officially gonna be an aunt. When mom told me I was more shocked than surprised. I was shocked because didn't think either of them were ready for kids yet. Afterall, she was asking me to keep sending her BC overseas... lol Secondly, the reason I wasn't all that suprised is because I kinda expected it. So it was only a matter of time. They are doing things backwards in their relationship. They bought a house up in Ottawa last year, took possession while they were over in Germany, and just finally moved in. Now they're pregnant, and in no rush to get married! (both families know eventually it'll happen) Oh well atleast they're happy. Here's hoping when the baby does come she lets me have more responsibility with it, than she lets me have with the damn dog... She won't even let me walk the dog alone for goodness sakes! Thinks the dog will overpower me, and I'll lose him (he's a friggin Jack Russell Terrier, so not all that big) Can ya believe it. Nothing like making me feel like a kid again.
As much as she can get on my nerve and stay there sometimes, she is the best sister I could ever have. I love her, and am really am excited for her and Peter!. I wonder what I'll have?? A Neice or a Nephew....