Thanksgiving 2013: What am I thankful for?

This year at the Kusiar Thanksgiving, Dad started the toast a little differently...

Mike/Grandpa/Dad: "I am thankful for the upcoming marriage of Michelle and Parker, the arrival of our new grandchild, and having all of you here for Thanksgiving"

Rose/Grandma/Mom: "I am just thankful that we could all be together for Thanksgiving this year."

Aaron/Nephew: "I'm thankful for my family"

Jenn/Aunt Jenn/Sister: "I'm thankful to be able to spend the day with all the people I love."

Jake/Nephew: Jake struggled or was shy at first so we said we'd come back to him...

Neil/Uncle Neil/Brother-In-Law: "I'm thankful for family and health"

Parker/Hubby-to-be: "I'm thankful for these 2 beautiful girls in my life, and family."

Ciara/Daughter: "I'm thankful for my family"

Me: "I'm thankful for family, my health this time around, and a good ol' Rosie turkey dinner!"

Jake shouted out a "Food.  I'm thankful for food."  Love it!

I have so many things to be thankful for this year.  Yes, life dealt us a few blows this year but, we've survived.  I am thankful for an amazing man in my life.  Someone who treats my like an equal, a life partner.  Someone who wants to share every life experience with me.  A man who loves me and love my daughter as if she were his own.  I am truly thankful that Parker is a part of my life and plans on sticking around for a while ;)

I am thankful for my beautiful daughter.  She is the light of my life.  It was her that helped me through my rough times a few years ago.  Her beautiful smile that made me want to get up every morning, become a stronger person, and live life to the fullest.  My caring, loving daughter Ciara means the whole world to me and I am truly thankful to have her in my life.

I am thankful for my family.  The love and support my parents, sister, and brother-in-law continuously provide.  I don't know what I would do without them.

I am thankful for my friends.  Their willingness to make sure I stay in good spirits through the tough times, helping out when needed and just all around support and love.

I am thankful for the roof over my head, a second roof to run away to in the beautiful Bruce, and the ability to be able to provide for my family.

Lastly, I am thankful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to carry another child.  To give Ciara a baby brother/sister and Parker a son/daughter next Spring!!  That's right peeps, we're having a baby :)

Trailer Park Life

Yesterday marked the end of our third season at Lakeside Rainbow Cottages & Campground.  I'm really going to miss it over the winter months.  We have a great group of friends up there.  It truly is another family for us.




We came across this little gem when we found ourselves an old trailer, in great shape and decided we wanted to park it somewhere for a weekend getaway.  We visited the park that day and put a deposit down on the site.  We've never looked back.

As much as I'd like to name all the wonderful people we've met up there, I'm not sure Ci will let me spend that much time on the computer today :).  I can honestly say this is another extension of my family.

Our neighbours Barry & Jim became instant friends.  The first night we were all up there, we bonded over tequila... 1 Tequila, 2 Tequila, 3 Tequila, FLOOR!  Barry & Jim have been amazing neighbours and we love our visits from their fur baby, Bailey, a gorgeous Sharpe/Sheppard cross.  Hemi's girlfriend... or was until the female beagle moved in :)

George & Melissa with Austin and Breanna, Sarah with Brookie and my little buddy, Drake, great families, wonderful kids!   Love when they do a last tour of the park and I get bedtime hugs from the kiddies.  Sarah and I like to share the latest dirty novel we've read.

Dana and Hailey, these two came into our lives at the end of our first season and wow, the connection was incredible.  Hailey and Ciara are just a few months apart in age.  It was great.  They moved into the park in August and we look forward to our summers with them.  Dana and I like to take the girls and the dogs for long hikes.  I think our favourite might just be the Devil's Monument.

Bill, Jeff, and Ray are 3 more gems at the park.  Love them.  Always smiling.  They're our event organizers.  Bill & Jeff like to host movies on the patio or Bingo nights.  Ray likes to decorate for Christmas in July and dances on the patio.  Every time we see any of them, it's always a great big hug.  Again, like we've known each other a heck of a lot longer than just a few summers.

I know I've missed some but I just wanted to give you a glimpse of the amazing group of people we have up at the trailer.  The people I like to refer to as "my trailer family".  Their support over the last 2 years for my Run for the Cure fundraiser has been phenomenal!  It ends up being a great little party that gets all the "seasonals" together.  We've even had weekenders join us!

The Bruce Peninsula is a beautiful area of our province to visit.  The Bruce trail offers many different level hiking trails, scenery that you wouldn't even think existed in Ontario, rock climbing opportunities, boating, fishing, I could go on and on.  Our park is right on Lake Huron and just 40 minutes from Tobermory where we will often take trips to catch a glimpse of the MS Chi-Cheemaun, check out the shops, and visit the Candle Shop at Miller Lake.  There are just so many things to keep us wanting to go there every possible weekend.

Anyway, one of the hardest things we have to do every year, is close down and say good-bye until next season.  This year was really tough.  First, it was the last year in our first trailer.  A tough decision to make but time to get a bigger trailer.  Now that we've found a new one, I want to run right back up ther for the first sleep in it!!  Secondly, going 6 months without seeing these people is hard!  We live all over, Owen Sound, Hamilton, Cambridge, Beamsville, etc.  Thank goodness for Facebook and texting because that seems to be our source of connection through those long winter months.  Lastly, having somewhere to run off to when you just need to get away is such a privilege.  We are very lucky and you truly do appreciate those things that you cannot have (even if it is for just a few months).

See you in approximately 207 days!!!  XOXO

Battle of the Blades - Vote for Scott and Amanda

Don't forget to vote for Amanda and Scott!  They are doing amazing on Battle of the Blades!

How do you vote?  Register at www.cbc.ca/battle

Every week they amaze me.  Scott with how far he's come on his toe picks!  Amanda with the confidence she has in her partner that she has only known for a short time.  The lifts they are performing are truly amazing.  There is at least 1 each program that has me jumping out of my seat.

They are skating for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  An organization very close to my heart and I'm sure many others.  Here are links to their programs:

Week 1:  Rock

Week 2: Suit & Tie

SO what are you going to do??  #VOTE4THORTY #VOTE4AMANDA

Tough go

An unexpected hiccup in life can really throw you off.  It can take a long time to get back to the old you.  Or the "you" before.  In the Spring, I experienced such a "hiccup"...

In April I suffered an emotional and physical set-back.  Nothing life threatening but enough to throw me off my path and spiralling downward.  It was tough.  I tried to pretend nothing happened, tried to just move on, but the reality was, I had to face it head on before I could begin to heal.

It's during times like these that you realize all the wonderful people in your life.  I have an amazing daughter that, although she too was hurt, she kept me strong.  An amazing partner that, although he was just as devastated as I was, was there for me and made it his purpose to make sure I was ok, that I got through it.  And the rest of my family, mom & dad, sister, such huge support.  I remind myself how lucky I am to have such a supportive family.

My friends, wow, I don't even know where to begin.  You all were there to support and cheer me up.  Flowers, nights out for distraction, phone calls, texts, little messages to keep me cheered up.

Lastly but definitely not least, my family at CrossFit Indestri.  The welcome back from the coaches and members.  The extra push to help me get through that WOD.  Letting me cry when I just needed to let it all out during a WOD.  Tough times but totally healing.  Who can really say that their "gym" is their family?  I know I can and all the members of CFI feel the same.  We are very lucky to have such an amazing community.

Well, they say everything happens for a reason and sometimes it's easy to find that reason.  For us, many great things have happened in our lives and, I guess, a dose of reality needs to flatten you for a while to keep you real.  We had that dose, and then another, but we've had MANY great things happen in the last month.  I can't wait to share :)

It has taken a while to get back to the old me.  I think I'm back...  Feeling pretty good these days.  I think the most important thing I learned out of this experience is give yourself time.  Take the time to heal.  Don't pretend nothing happened.

#VOTE4THORTY - CBC Battle of the Blades

My CrossFit coach and friend will be competing on CBC's Battle of the Blades this season!

I have to admit, I've never watched the show before but now, I can't wait until the next episode.  My friend, CrossFit Coach, former NHLer, and all round great guy, Scott Thornton has decided to lace up the figure skates and respect the toe pick.  His partner, Amanda Evora, has been posting great pictures of their experience.  Definitely a great match up!

So be sure to tune in on Sundays to CBC at 8pm and #VOTE4THORTY!!

To register to cast votes, click here.

Feeling Blessed

Well, it's been a while since I've posted on my blog.  Summer was hectic.  Not really my excuse though.  We went through a tough time in April and it took a while to get the spirits back up.  So here I am because this weekend really brought it all home for me.

I recently celebrated my 40th birthday.  40... I remember when I thought 40 was so OLD!  Not so much anymore.  Just days before my birthday, my very loving partner, Parker, asked me to marry him.  It had been a cold, wet day.  I was feeling about as great as the weather when the family made the trek up to the trailer.  I decided I needed a nap and headed inside.  While Mommy was napping, Parker was asking Ciara if it was ok if he asked Mommy to marry him.  Really?  I LOVE that he thought of her first!  Surprisingly, the weather cleared up, Ci went into the trailer to watch a movie (it was still freakin' cold), and Parker said "Let's go down and check out the sunset.  It might be one of our last this summer."  So I bundled up and away we went.  We sat there for a while, just chatting away.  Then he said "Let's head back".  I was freezing so it sounded like the perfect idea.  But before we left, he told me how much he loved me, that he couldn't imagine his life without me, and then, that big 6'4" man of mine got down on one knee and proposed.  Yes, I cried.  AND yes, I said YES!  It was amazing.  Before we headed back to the trailer he told me about his conversation with Ciara.  Well, needless to say I had more tears!  I felt truly loved and blessed.

But, it doesn't stop there.  This past weekend we hosted our 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser at the trailer.  A little BBQ to raise funds for the Run for the Cure.  We decided a pig roast was in order.  We tied the event in with my 40th birthday celebration.  I posted on Facebook "If you want to celebrate my 40th with me, you'll have to come to the trailer" and, you know what, people did!  We had close to 40 people there!  It was a cold one but the food and company was awesome.  Everyone contributed in some way, a salad, dessert, games, tarps (thanks Mark), etc.  The rain held off the whole night.  We raised $550 at our little gathering.  So, once again, I felt very loved and blessed to have all these amazing people in my life.

And that's all for now.  I'm laid up in bed today but needed to get this out there.

If you weren't able to come to the BBQ but would like to contribute, here's my online donation page.

Donate here

Community

com·mu·ni·ty  

1. people in area: a group of people who live in the same area, or the area in which they live
2. people with common background: a group of people with a common background or with shared interests within society
3. nations with common history: a group of nations with a common history or common economic or political interests

When I think of the people at CrossFit Indestri (CFI), I think "community".  As defined above, #2 is exactly what it is.  Not necessarily people with a common background as we all have led very different lives and come from very different backgrounds.  But we are a group of people with a shared interest.  We all have a love/hate relationship with CrossFit LOL.

But seriously, it's very hard not to grow close to a group of people that you've completed a WOD with.  We cheer each other on, give encouragement to help keep them going, and give them a high five or props at the end of the workout.  We smile, we laugh, we sweat, and well, sometimes, we cry together.

Community is one of the top reasons I am still at CrossFit.  As much as I have learned that I love to lift heavy things, the people bring me back day after day.  Whether it's a "Hey Mighty Mouse" from coach Tyson in the morning or some "ribbing" from some of the members about whether we're ready for today's workout or not.  I don't think I could ever leave this type of environment.

Photo by Jennifer Nichol

This couldn't have been more true when I, unfortunately, had to take a total of 6 weeks off from CrossFit.  Between Pool School, a vacation, and some medical issues, it was the longest time away from these people that I've had in the past year.  And when I was going through my personal troubles, the only place I wanted to be was at CFI.  Kind of a Cheers effect.  You know "where everybody knows your name"...

While I was off, I received messages on Facebook.  "Miss you", "When are you coming back?"  "Quit slacking and get your butt in here!"  (My favourite).  Just made me miss CFI more.  So the first day I went back, I was a little emotional but boy, was I happy to see everyone.  Got some great hugs and "welcome back".

Another great testament to this community, well now more like a family, is how people stepped forward to help Chris achieve his goal at MetCon.  They were either there to watch him or there to help him.  Truly amazing!

So, if you're looking for a place where you can get fit and feel a part of a "community" like ours, then check out your local CrossFit box.  Ask the members.  I bet they say the same thing.

"Where everybody knows your name,

And they're always glad you came;

You want to go where people know,

People are all the same;

You want to go where everybody knows your name."

Where Everybody Knows Your Name by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/cheerslyrics.html