George & cakes

I’ve been laugh-crying all morning thanks to discovering Cake Wrecks, a blog dedicated to cake decorating travesties.

But firstly, I’d like to confirm the power and awesomeness of my Christmas wish list, Due to a lack of editing skills, I accidently placed a ‘George Forman G5 Grill’ twice on my list, apparently emphasizing how badly I wanted it. Poof last night Derek gave me my birthday gift and BAM, it’s a G5 Grill. I can’t wait to cook amazing things in it.

My mom called me this morning to discuss moving some furniture, and I mentioned that Derek bought me the G5….. This is exactly what my mom was on her way to purchase me. Sorry mom, but I did give her tons of other ideas, so I think it’s all good.

How come the technique of really emphasizing a want by placing it twice on your list, never works when I ask for a puppy? I’m going to have to revise the list now in time for Christmas, I’ll be sure to add Puppy twice!

Anyways, here are some of the cakes from Cake Wreck… ch-check ‘em out.

Gift ideas

Hey mom,

You were inquiring about what to get me for my birthday? There's a delightful birthday wish list created on May 29th - Scroll down slightly, and click on May... or just click on this link 'You can never be too prepared for Christmas'

As discussed on the phone 'Safe boating courses' are not gifts... they're punishment for daughters whom you no longer love. If you need to get Derek something, just get him something from my list and hopefully he'll fork it over to me.

Also I accidently chewed a peice of walnut this morning, I didn't swallow it and spit it out as soon as I realized..... does that win me a sympathy gift?

love you.

Say NO to Gustov!

My next big problem? A German is threatening to ruin my Mexican Vacation.

Currently Hurricane Gustov is bearing down on poor Haiti, who is still reeling from last week’s major flooding. There are several tracking models out there predicting Gustov’s path…. which will either hit the Yucatan Pennisula (where we’re staying) or turn northward slightly to pass between Cuba & Mexico.

We do have a few options if the Hurricane lands Sunday; we can reschedule before December, but will have to pay the difference on the vacation (which could be several hundred more each), we could go somewhere else that Sunquest is flying, but have to pay the difference (and neither of us want to go to Puerta Vallarta/Pacific Coast)…. Or if our flight is cancelled and doesn’t fly within 24 hours of the scheduled departure, we can take a full refund

The newest updated model is looking better for us, but things change so quickly over night. We’re in wait and see mode. I’m terrible at waiting, I stress to the max, and last year we had a similar problem 1 week before we left, I lost 5 pounds because I was so nervous…. So perhaps this is not all bad? If the current prediction model holds true (which is won’t, no one really can know) we’ll most likely be delayed several hours or a day…. But that’s why we go for two weeks….. a few days of rain doesn’t ruin a 2 week vacation.

Hmmmm maybe Disneyland IS in our near future.

Mexico is only 6 days away

Life tends to move very fast – I feel like I’ve been put through a washing machine and been tumbled around a bit. I can’t even keep up with my own issues. It’s been a very emotional and tumultuous week…. I’ll leave it at that. However below is a quick update.

My roommate told me she was moving out a few weeks ago, which is fine – but she still hadn’t found anyone to take her place and I wasn’t excited about living with a stranger from Craigslist – so yesterday I came home from a busy Business trip and all her stuff was out of the apartment…. I was super frustrated… but randomly an acquaintance called me this morning looking for a place to live. Nice. So she’s moving in tonight. One problem solved.

My next problem hasn’t solved itself yet…. I had yet to give Derek an anniversary gift and his birthday was coming up this week (the same day we leave for Mexico). His camera died slowly over the past few weeks and I got the great idea to buy him a new digital camera and give it to him on the flight to Mexico. I thought I had convinced him not to buy a new one, but I come home last night and discovered that he purchased a new camera. He couldn’t understand why I was so upset.

So yea…. Back to square one with gifts for Derek – I really truly have no ideas once again, and have almost no time before we leave for Mexico on Sunday.

Below is me at the BMX track in Victoria.... I'm debating racing indoor this year, I started going around the track for the first time (putting effort into it) and really liked it.... it has a good combination of skill, speed & crazyness.

No time

It has been a stressful week.

I haven't had any time to myself, or any time to edit any Victoria photos. Below is all I've managed.

I'm away on Business (back to Victoria) Friday-Sunday, so hopefully I'll have downtime in the evenings (and internet in my hotel) to post. I am gearing up for Mexico though... 10 more sleeps

Minnie & Mickey = tru luv 4 eva

Derek is an amazing guy in so many ways…. Except one… he doesn’t like Disneyland, and swears the poorly built, unsafe rides will lead to his untimely death. For me, Disneyland may be the most magical place on earth. I love most things Disney and run around the park like a mad women pushing small children out of my way as I climb on ride after ride.

So yea, the Derek not loving Disneyland thing has always been a sore point in our relationship, and it bothers me greatly. Until last night…. that’s right… Mr. Disney-hater himself said one day he would think about going and riding rides with me!

He wouldn’t commit to a date, but just said maybe one day, and that’s good enough for me =)

Now if he only would buy me a puppy, It would be true love and I could start writing ‘D.G + K.H = tru luv 4 eva’ on everything I own.

We head out tomorrow for an anniversary weekend away. I still haven’t thought of a gift, but I think he’s stuck too… because he’s decided that we’ll just go shopping together in Victoria and it’ll be more ‘romantic’ that way…

I’ll take lots of photos and post on Monday. In the mean time, this is Derek and I back in '05 on August 16th - how could I say no to a man in a toga?

I need help!

Usually I’m so on top of buying gifts for Derek – I always have great, unique and original ideas of things that he really needs but doesn’t know it. Derek is hard to shop for, he has impeccable & very specific taste when it comes to clothing, I’ve never bought him a piece of clothing he hasn’t returned, so I need to be creative in his gifts.

Some of my past gifts that he didn't return have been... (this may not be in order…) a foosball table, a Nintendo Wii, a video game chair, a watch, a surprise surf trip, and a duvet & new bedding…. So here I am, panicking because in 5 days it will be our anniversary, and then his birthday shortly after – and I have no ideas. Not ONE clue what to do or get for him. It doesn’t need to be expensive, it just needs to be something he’ll appreciate receiving.

The only ideas I have are gift cards, which is like giving up in my eyes. Perhaps I’ll have to do a series of smaller ideas to show how romantic and amazing I am. We’re going to Victoria for the weekend to celebrate, so what could I do that would be something he might like or appreciate?

He’s got it easy, I’m super easy to shop for, I even MADE a list of things I wanted/needed, and lets be honest, there’s really only one thing I want – and I’m 99% sure that’s not happening any time in this decade. =)

However, it HAS happened to some of my friends in this decade, the latest being a good friend/dorm mate from University. Cindy and Frank were married on Saturday, and I had a great time at their wedding. My former roomate Kari was there, and we had a blast catching up, and watching our little Cindy finally get married!!!

So yea….. ideas for Derek?

Long weekend = long work week

Despite the shortened week (due to the fabulous August long weekend) this week seems ridiculously long.

Perhaps it’s because I have other things on my mind, like counting the 24 days until Mexico, or counting down the 8 days until my fabulous Anniversary trip with a fabulous Man…. Or even counting down the 6 weeks until my fabulous Surf trip to Tofino… I have a ridiculous amount of pent up excitement when it comes to September…. Which is dubbed as Kelly’s month long vacation. WOO HOOO!!!!!

Anyways, since I know you only read my blog for the photos, I’ll cut right to the chase; Here was my long weekend.

1. Getting ready for a paddle into English Bay for the Fireworks (Saturday)

2. Fireworks (we were close & in front of all other boats... I'm not zoomed in, we were that close)

3. Fireworks (it was hard to keep my camera still while on the kayak)

4. Paddling under the Granville St Bridge

5. I had the camera underwater in the hottub, this is underwater Derek.

6. This was my face after hiking up to Quarry Rock... we hiked there, ran back (its not all downhill going back)

7. Deep Cove from Quarry Rock

Someone please make decisions for me... just make them the way I want it.

Does anyone have this clear picture in their mind of what they think God looks like? I must admit, despite all my faith education, I have been heavily influenced by The Simpsons, (yes the tv cartoon) and their portrayal of God… he’s big, yellow and has a long white beard, walks barefoot… seriously the almighty Lord, my Savior….is a cartoon in my mind….. (please don’t smote me)

Anyways…. Currently I have this picture of God in my mind, sitting in this pimp gold/wood chair staring at me with one eyebrow cocked, in sheer amazement at my attempts to dodge His will. He’s carefully lining up an opportunity for me, and I’m ignoring it with all my might… he then tips back his head and laughs and makes it even MORE obvious to me what I should be doing… and yet I fear… and I cower… because His will is not my own. In fact… His will is scaring the crap out of me and pushing me WAY WAY out of my comfort zone…. I love my comfort zone, I keep it for good reason.

I’m seriously freaked out that God has taken such an interest in my life and made it soooo clear to me what I should be doing…. And yet, I still am doubting it…. This could all just be a series of coincidences right? Right???

Yea… I didn’t think so either.

Adonai, Adonai, Adonai… aidez-moi