glad to have friends who want to "fix it"

don't know what i'd do without my friends, honestly couldn't tell ya. being grateful is an attitude i have everyday, especially for those in my life who keep me going. my mama has been wonderful too along with the rest of my family. GMA fed me home cooked wonderfulness last night and it made my world just that much bettter... Ashley, Julie and Kim -- honestly don't know what i'd do with out, thank you for being there and thank you for putting up with me lately. thank you is only the simple version of what i'm feeling :)

gratefulness as of late

~~cousins
~~my mama giving me a spontaneous hug
~~learning that I can do the things I never thought I could, no matter how hard
~~reflecting
~~being 25
~~my new friend Ashly, kinda rocks my socks a lil bit!
~~being in a MACK TRUCK courtesy of Ashly!!!!!!
~~watching Chrissy Mac's hockey game with my hop-dad and Uncle Jimmy (3 goals with one hat trick!)
~~being still and quiet
~~blaring the tunes and singing my heart out to Evanesence, CD hasn't left the player in a couple weeks
~~knowing my sister gets my messages and hoping she knows that I am so incredibly proud of her and all that she does and love her lots and lots and lots!
~~my aunty's, all of 'em!
~~where I live
~~waking up with a smile on my face
~~knowing Papa bear and Maura leave the Baja right quick to start driving back up north in the VW van
~~growing up but not becoming a "dolt"
~~laughing til it hurts
~~Purgavie's
~~my Grandad taking me out for dinner at the Arb, good man to have a visit with over one of the best burgers in all the land!
~~my roomy
~~the check in's from my Mama
~~getting "the boys" (as we call my not so little brother's) to put away some of their laundry... and sort of teaching them how to do their own laundry
~~getting to see sister dog Skeya soon!!! one of the greatest bundles of joy that says hello by leaping on you with such great big love :)

there's more where that came from!!!
JL

happy thoughts and gratefulness

~~Cocklette
~~having a bubble bath and enjoying it for the first time since my Gaggy lived on Bench road, even stayed in long enough to need more hot water lol
~~my Aunty Kate and all her wisdom
~~going for a walk with my Mommy
~~Chrissy Mac turning 17!!
~~my music helping to keep my sane (ish)
~~walking into the Duncan United Church and sitting in the sanctuary, the Gaggy and Grampy window was behind me, a bible in my hand and my future in front of me
~~feeling the warmth of the sunshiney sun on my face
~~Kim taking my bro and I to see "Gran Torino" - GREAT movie! and even greater friend :)
~~my Manders
~~our new pet Spike Billy Cockle, name might change at any given time... he's hasn't even been here 24 hours!
~~Margie and Ashly, two friends who I made quickly and who accepted me just the way I am. I can't wait to spend our lives together
~~making and having dinner with ma familia
~~Daddio not being here for my melt down, makes me a stronger person
~~waking up with a smile on my face :)

thank you and I hope you are enjoying your day
big love, JL

littlest one is 17 today!!! Happy Birthday Christian!!!

so it's my youngest brother's bday today. his "uncool" sister Jaime took him down to Vic and delivered him to his WAAAAY cooler sister Darelle. they then proceeded to go out to a house party and i'm sure he was fed drinks all night long, a happy boy!!! (and yes, to me he's a boy damn it!)

i stole this pic from Dare Dare's friend on FB. LOOOOVE IT!!!! this was i'm guessing the end of their night.

i love my sibling's more than life itself. the day Christian was born was the day i knew that prayers can be answered. i wanted there to be 2 girls and 2 boys like you wouldn't believe!!! so my darling little brother, i love you more than i can ever put into words! YAY saying goodbye to 16!!! new year, new stuff and yay grade 12 next year.... woo!!!!!
love
your "uncool" sister
Jaime Lee

gratefulness for now

~~my Sooke families
~~my Pauper Lauper calling me last week and him (oddly enough) being jealous of me and Ashly going to Port Renfrew when he is spending 5 months in Mexico... go figure!
~~the sunshine shining through the fog and mist with bits of snow still left on the ground on my drive out to visit my wifey in lake town, reminded me of the many drives up to Smithers at spring break
~~my shoulder pain creeping back up on me, a friendly reminder to take better care of myself
~~Kim, she an inspiration to me
~~being a woman
~~my nieces and nephews and thus in turn my cousin's
~~FB and it's convenience to keep in touch with people
~~shutting my cell phone off for 3 days at a time - twice!
~~upcoming mini "vaca"... hopefully *fingers crossed*
~~in 5 more sleeps the littlest one turns 17, my sibling's mean the world to me :)
~~GMA being a role model to me
~~splashing through puddles with gumboots on!!! go try it, see if you can resist the grin that follows!
~~Dare Dare eventually answering my texts/phone calls/FB msgs/random showing up on her door step...
~~new friends and old ones too
~~fingers being sore from hours of guitar hero with my Sooke family and the giggles that came with it!
~~the love of reading
~~my aunty Carol's laugh
~~Tay Tay getting up and walking the 2 feet i could've walked just to get me a blanket and then muttering "laziest person ever" as he handed it to me... hahahaha...
~~crocheting blankets for loved ones

some days....

in one of my fav Dixie Chicks songs is a life lesson that i like to take to heart... "some days ya gotta dance, live it up when ya get the chance".... and then there are other days that you really just wish you had stayed in bed with the covers over your head. as if your world might have been a bit better had you not tripped 20 times that day and made a mess of things, you know the ones - where nothing will go right, no matter how hard you try. on those particular days i'm often reminded of a calvin and hobbes comic strip... he goes about his day, is not having a good one and keeps getting the snot beat out of him from every angle no matter how hard he tries. (i can sympathize) and at the end of the day comes to the conclusion that somedays even your lucky rocketship underwear just doesn't help...

and then there are other days where it doesn't matter under-roos you have on or what mood you walk out the door in, you just kick ass and nothing is gonna bring you down!!! not to the point of being arrogant but it's a damn good day and you like the way the wind is blowing. after having a chit chat with my cousin Joc i decided to share my love of calvin and hobbes (written by the very brilliant Bill Watterson) with the blog reading world.
so no matter what kind of day you're having - here's to you my friend!!!

+++ thoughts

most recent grateful/positiveness:

~~getting a cold and taking care of myself to the point of not doing anything, drank so much water yesterday my kidney's couldn't keep up! so being capable to do so as well as being smarter about my health
~~Tanya and all her wonderfulness, growing up with her as a friend has been a major blessing
~~my Mexi-family, whatever adventure you're on and wherever you have "kidnapped" my GMA to i know you're having fun and continue to inspire me on a daily basis
~~my sister and brother's for always keeping in touch with me and always being there, i don't always have to like them or the decisions they make -- i will ALWAYS love them
~~"two feet and a heartbeat!" - - these words go through my head as i lie on the couch with my snot rags, inspired me to go home and take care of myself more so i can go for that walk later on this week
~~my sister friend Stephy, great continuing convo's this week and awesome seeing all that you're doing with your life and yourself. very proud of you lil miss!
~~old friends
~~Betty Boop and all she represents, love you Gaggy :)
~~my Mexi-shoes ("party shoes") remind me of where i've been and where i'm going.... no matter what, it takes one step at a time.... and why not do it in style? (right Tia Cynthia?)
~~my family, no matter how big, how obnoxious, or how wonderful you all are - you're always there
~~cousins, both near and far
~~my quest for knowledge
~~finding out more for my upgrading to continue on with my long term BIG girl goals
~~FB, even tho you take up too much of my time and are addicting i appreciate that you keep me in contact with friends and family
~~breathing in and out and seeing another day
~~the rain's back!!!!! YAY!!!!
~~my Odo family, thanx again for having me and letting me house sit, the doggies and cats kept me in great company over the holidays

that was a few more than i'm sure usual, a lot to be grateful for in this ol' life.... what can i say? i'm putting more of a positive spin on things these days. and if i can't be merry f-ing sunshine all the time well at least i'm me!!!!
big love
JL