5 Reasons that Winter in Better in Alberta Than Ontario

I've never been a huge fan of winter... but I have to admit, that I like it better now that I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta, than I ever liked it in Ontario! 

Here are 5 reasons that winter is better here: 

1. It's a DRY snow. Seriously... this may not seem like a huge difference, but -40 degrees in GP feels warmer than -15 degrees in Ontario. You don't stay cold forever!! I walk inside, and I'm warm... imagine that people of Ontario... just imagine... 
2. The sun stays out here. There are so many dark and dreary days in the Ontario winters. I think we have one of the highest number of sunny days in all of Canada - sun in the winter makes it much more enjoyable. 
3. Snow comes and it stays! It's not brown and wet all winter long. AND because the snow stays, people here enjoy winter sports a bit more too. Not just the indoor ones (which of course people love their hockey and curling here), but the outdoor ones like snowshoeing, snowboarding, downhill and cross-country skiing! I've never enjoyed these sports as home, the snow just doesn't stay long enough so you don't have to find snow sports to stay active. 
4. The daylight is ALWAYS changing here. In Ontario, it's like the length of the days plateaus. They just stay the same - short and grey... for months. But here, the days are always getting noticeably shorter or longer. Which means that in February, you start to feel spring coming because the sunlight is changing. [Note: This also accounts for my love of the LONG sunny days in the summer too!]
5. Longer winters mean more tropical getaways! Because the winters are long here... there are a LOT of people who take warm weather vacations. And now our airport is even catering to that, with flights straight from here to Mexico! Can't wait for my first winter getaway :) 

Here are some pics of my puppies and I enjoying the GP snow!

(Note: these picks were from a while ago... it;s no longer this snowy here, lol). 

There you have it - winter is better here... that's not to say that I'm not excited about the fact that spring is right around the corner!! Come on spring!!!!!!

5 Things I'm Looking Forward To!

Such a great time of year :) The excitement of Christmas is looming around the corner, there's snow on the ground, my husband's work schedule is slowing down. So much good waiting around the corner!

Here are a few of the things I'm looking forward to as Christmas approaches:

1. Making new Christmas crafts! (we've already bought some materials, hehe) 

2. Buying all my Christmas presents :) I love buying gifts for people. Hopefully I'll be all done in a week or so! And hopefully everyone likes their gifts... lol

3. Setting up all the Christmas decorations! We've been slowly accumulating items, and I can't wait to see it all set-up in the new house.

4. Baking cookies and making nuts and bolts until Mr. A gains 10 pounds, lol. I love holiday baking. Usually I pick out a nice selection of holiday songs to play in the background. Then you can sing while you bake!

5. Flying HOME!!!! I get to go home in about 5 weeks and I couldn't be more excited!! It's gonna be an amazing week and a half of visiting family and friends :)

YAY!!! Love this time of year :)

5 Things I Miss Right Now

My man has left me temporarily. I miss him a lot even though he's only been gone a couple of days. Here are 5 random things I miss...

1. Being able to talk to him before bed
2. Hugging him, holding his hand, etc.
3. Walking and only having to control one dog (cause he has the other one!)
4. Telling him random information as it pops into my head
5. Him smiling at me

Handsome devil

I just watched the movie "We Bought A Zoo" and I think it made me all sentimental (hence this post...). I won't say anything about the movie, but if you haven't seen it, you should! Anyway, my emotions are running rampant these days. I may be a complete wreck on my wedding day - just so you all have some advance notice :)

5 Reasons I Am Happy It's March Already!

I've never considered March to be a very exciting month. Ever. But there are a few reasons that I'm excited to see another month come along this year!

1) It's feeling like Spring! Not only has the weather been very mild and walkable, but the sun it out earlier and staying out longer! I love when my walks with the pup are sunny in the morning, and sunny in the evening :)

2) I'm going to Whistler this month! Never been. Heard UH-Mazing things. Really pumped! But don't worry mom, I'll wear my wrist brace when I'm skiing...

3) The ice is gonna melt soon, and I'll be able to start running outside. I've never been excited about this before. But I'm hoping the nice weather will motivate me.

4) I'm going to see Lady Antebellum in concert this month!! I love them so.

5) It's one month closer to my big trips to Nfld (to see my friend and her family!) and Ontario (to bring my man to meet my family!!!). SO EXCITED. But it's not until May... just one month closer.

I'll leave you with a wonderful Lady A song :)

5 Things

It's been a while since I've posted a top 5 list. So here's one for your reading pleasure.

5 activities that are making me happy these days*:

1) Dodgeball - even though we get our a$$ kicked every time

2) Scrapbooking - I just printed new pictures!

3) Swimming - at the Multiplex!

4) Reading - I go through phases of enjoying books and being bored of reading. I'm in the enjoyment phase right now.

5) Bootcamp - I understand if you think it's odd to be enjoying this... lol.

*In no particular order

5 Reasons

Here are 5 reasons that I'm thrilled that my bestest friend of life is here!

In no particular order....

1. It feels like home has come to GP!

2. We got to exchange awesome Christmas gifts

3. She'll now understand all my random references over skype or the phone

4. She could give her "A-OK" to my Mr. A :)

5. It had been a while since I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe

I love her and I'm super happy that she took the time to come and see me! Hopefully there will be some pics from her visit to follow... Thanks friend!

5 Reasons I Am Happy It's December 1st!

1. Gonna put up the Christmas Tree (someone.... made me wait 'til December....)

2. Holiday Baking :)

3. Joop's Christmas bandanas

4. Presents are bought

5. MY BEST FRIEND IS VISITING GP THIS MONTH!!!

....ok so this list is gonna be a bit longer...

6. I'm making a fresh batch of Nuts and Bolts on Saturday

7. I'm gonna send out home-made Christmas cards

8. I get to celebrate with a family again this year!

9. Christmas music starts on the radio

10. I get presents too :)

So, 10 reasons I'm happy!

5 Things

I decided to make a list of 5 things I like to do with my alone time. Don't get me wrong, I'm a super social being. If being super social was a type of super hero, I would be that hero. Buuuut occasionally I need a night to myself to relax and unwind. Here are 5 my the things I do almost every time I get one of those nights:

1. Drink wine or tea (depends on my mood)

2. Read a good book

3. Take a bubble bath

4. Make an amazing meal or snack (like... I'm talking elaborate Holly Housewifey food!)

5. Blog

True story. The combination of these things often leads to a perfect night, and an even perfecter sleep. I know you all want a night to yourself now.

5 great surprises

It was time to add a new list, and I was thinking about all the great little surprises I've gotten over the last week. Here are 5 of the best ones:

1. A white rose left for me after volunteering

2. A bottle of red wine to share

3. Unexpected snail mail (in the form of birthday cards!)

4. Someone (who shall remain nameless) taking work off to spend time with me :)

5. A preschooler hugging me at the end of his therapy session

I heart surprises like these ones :)

5 reasons I am smiling

1. Mini-golf

2. Joop's new bandanas

3. Good conversations

4. Avocado (it's just delicious)

5. My mama and grandmama are visiting in less than a week!! (fun things ahead for them!)

5 more gooder things

Here's another mini-list.

1. Heels/wedges that don't hurt your feet

2. Surprise texts from friends just wanting to say hi

3. Putting bandanas on my dog

4. Fireworks (I will like this no matter how old I am!)

5. Weddings & sharing someone's special day with them! (I heart you Alishia!!!)

These lists bring joy to my life :)

5 Wonderful Things

Five more things that I'm joyful about these days:

1) Splints (aka freedom for my wrist!)

2) Playoff hockey

3) Surprise skype calls

4) Mini Easter eggs

5) Roadtrips! (driving to the Dawson this weekend!)

Enjoy your Easter weekends :D

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

SO I have this friend, whom shall remain nameless, who recently told me that she thought shoes never went out of style. I literally laughed for a full minute. I LOVE her for being so unmaterialistic (not a real word) that she thinks its true.

Then I got thinking about new shoes I have for the upcoming spring and summer season. I picked my current 5 favourites (tough decision). In no particular order....

Pretty sandals that I haven't worn yet. These ones fit the trend that's out right now. Who doesn't love the gladiator sandal thing that's going on?!

I love these wedges (and another pair I have) so comfortable, and yet so pretty. It makes me feel like 90% more feminine if I have any height on my shoes.

Yep, I gave in to the converse hype. They're super fun to wear with skinny jeans too!

Comfiest shoes ever. I bought them last year and I wear them with everything. They are sooo practical. Oh, and pretty!

These are just practical. They have come in VERY handy so far on my dog walks. Plus, aren't they fun and pretty?!

I kind of like this thought train... maybe I'll do my top 5 accessories next!

5 things I hate about this day

1. taking out the garbage

2. getting mad at my dog for pulling too hard on his leash

3. not having anyone here to hug me

4. horrific pain. seriously worse than ever before.

5. being grumpy

ps - I broke my wrist again last night :(

5 great things

Here are 5 more things I'm loving right now:

1. Buying kitchen supplies (e.g. new beaters!)

2. ENGAGEMENTS!!! Can't say who... but someone I know is getting married!!

3. Dinner parties with new friends that cause you to stay up laughing hysterically and drinking wine long into the night

4. New jewellery. My bestie gave me a ring that I wear on my thumb these days. I heart the ring. true story.

5. The fact that my daddy is coming to visit! Well... he's mostly coming to see his new bike, but he's also visiting a bit!

Anything you are loving right now?! Add to the list!

ps - these are in no particular order... I don't like kitchen supplies more than engagements, lol.

5 great things

Here's a list of 5 things I love today:

1. raison toast

2. hugs

3. unexpected happy texts

4. purple

5. Joop learning to rollover

That is all.

5 Difficult Things When You're Gimpy

Here are some things I hate doing right now...

1. Putting a bra on (the devil invented bras)

2. Opening jars (this is why God made men - I don't even like olives... who needs them)

3. Eating meat (I can't cut at all!)

4. Showering/bathing (I wish I could just take this off for like 5 minutes)

5. Typing. s-l-o-w.

Stupid arm. Ouch. That is all.

5 things I love

Here's a list of 5 things I love in my life right now*:

1. nuts and bolts

2. skype

3. harry potter books

4. buying Christmas presents that I know people will like

5. Joopie jumping around like a fool for no reason (I laugh every time)

Many more lists to come.

* in no particular order