So. Tired. Need. Sleep.

I am pooped!!!

I'm just settling down at the homestead after a weekend trip to Moncton. Beth participated in the  'Legs for Literacy' marathon in Moncton. She has been training for this half marathon for a long time now ( a full 21.1K and placed 6th in her division with 34 other people!!). How amazing is she?! Owen (her grandson), Kayla (Owen's mom) and I waited at the finish line cheering her on. So proud to see her accomplish this goal.

Well her legs may be sore from running all that ways, but let me tell you, I'm still feeling the pain from last night in my legs. While poking around a mall in Moncton, we strolled into a store where Kayla fell in love with a dress. For fun Beth said she should try it on. It fit her like a glove and she looked simply stunning in it! The next thing I know, Beth has me in the change room putting on a dress and heels that made me feel like Tyra Banks herself haha. Never in my life would you catch me in a dress or heels like this. Well Beth swooped up the clothes and shoes, rang them in and decided Kayla and I needed a night out on the town. How fabulous is she? A quick stop at Shoppers ended up with me getting my makeup done for free for the night (BONUS!) and though the two of us could barely walk (thank goodness I brought my flats with me in my purse) we had  a grand time. Kayla and I finally got to hang out and get to know each other. We danced like no tomorrow and never stopped laughing and smiling the whole time. It was wonderful. My circle of friends grows more :)

Friday night, Beth took me to a show by a local (and brilliant) playwrite, Mark Raddin. Well my god, I never roared so hard at a play, and I've been to my share. It was called Stagette. They sold out their first night and had to book another three shows based on popular demand! Hats off to 'Amherst Comedy Troupe' who can be found on Facebook as a group (not sure how to link them, sorry)

I finally completed my first painting here! Not sure if I have blogged about that yet or not. Picture will follow soon. Sadly the 'crackle paste' medium I used for one particular area did not crackle/dry as I had expected. I guess the Spidey Cave is too damp. So I'm hoping to adjust this and try again if not I have an idea to replace Plan A haha. It felt so liberating.

Tomorrow morning is an early one for Dominique, Lori and my boyfriend Craig will be setting up the art show at 'The Sprout' restaurant back home. Oh how my heart aches that I cann't be there to help, and soak in the experience of my first show ever. Lori (who I haven't met yet) was a darling and wrote to me in e-mail

We will cover you Sadie as best we can and you will be present through your art and spirit. 

What a sweetheart. I hope it goes well. So if you live in Newfoundland and will be in the St. John's area between tomorrow and November 24 I encourage you to pop by 'The Sprout' for a yummy bite to eat and check out the art work. Feel free to buy them too!! hehe.

So this past week I overcame many challenges. I learned how to let go of control when it came to this art show.I overcame my fear of dresses and makeup and once I gave myself permission to wear these items, I was able to be more comfortable (ok minus the shoe part...blisters and bandaids to prove it!! lol) and had a blast with a new friend. (I knew Kayla before tonight but we rarely spoke, or had opportunity to hang out and get to know each other). I can feel myself becoming stronger, I can feel myself growing as a person. And the best part is, another month is almost done. Which hopefully means I'm a month closer to seeing my little family again.

Driving Behind Myself

Ever get stuck behind the turtle driver? You know who I'm talking about. The driver who is afraid to use their gas pedal. The driver who potentially super glued their foot to the breaks? Well for the past month I've been part of that special drivers club. And a few days ago, I got to experience what it's like to drive behind myself...

I must proudly admit, I'm getting a better handle on driving. I no longer look like a 25 year old granny with the seat pulled up so far the steering wheel became an extension of my legs. My shoulders are no longer bunched up to my ears like my laundry pile. haha. Since my last post, I've realized that 50kph isn't that fast after all. At least compared to 80kph when I was lost trying to find the hospital and ended up in Fenwick. Nope, 50 is not that bad at all. Since my last blog I even pumped gas!! (Ok small potatoes for some people, but this is probably  at the top of last week's challenge list for myself. I've been stressing over it for about 3 weeks now? Turns out it wasn't that big of a deal as my over active imagination lead me to believe. Yay for me!!)

And then, the day arrived. On my way home, I turned the corner and started driving behind myself. Well, actually this driver was worse than me. I like to stick to the speed limit. It's what the sign tells you to do and puts me on the good side of any police hoping to meet their ticket quota haha. But seriously...20KPH?! in a 50 zone? You're killing me b'ys! Each street that approached I crossed my fingers they would turn...nothing. Finally after what felt like a lifetime (or 3 agonizing minutes in the real world), they made their turn and I was able to get back up to my comfort speed. I'll have to cram in all the driving I can before the car gets put away for the winter (it's a sexy little convertible, not really the best car for Canadian winters). Thank goodness Santa let me in on a little secret, I'm getting a new winter jacket and winter boots to keep me warm as I trudge through the weather. 

So I also made two new friends this week! Felix and Fiona. One is a little camera shy, but they make great company while I'm down in my 'Spidey Cave" (my make shift art studio). This beautiful little creature is Fiona. At least I hope she's Fiona, unless she's a boy, then it's Felix..haha

                                                          

Well I've been on many other adventures this past week including a trip to Crystal Palace in Moncton with my little tater tot nephew and a local farm where he made friends with a baby donkey (it was too cute for words, it's like the donkey knew they were both babies). I've challenged myself time and time again, which is why this blog is a little late being posted. I had to take some time to self nurture and slow down the pace a little bit. Life is all about balance and I sure have felt the incredible lack of balance since my move. But it's also been an incredible rush of new sights, experiences and growth. 

And so I will leave you with a giant thank you from the bottom of my heart for popping by my blog, and a quote that spoke to me this past week;

Insist on yourself. Never imitate.

Ralph Waldo Emerson