The Year in Review

My word for 2014 has been perseverance, and what a fitting word it has been. It has been a year of continually pressing through to the next step — with my jobs, with searching for a new home and my move, and definitely with starting my own business. It hasn’t been easy but, as the saying goes, nothing worth having is.

This time last year, I had applied on 30+ jobs looking for additional part-time work as I knew my hours would be cut at Wascana for most of this year. Perhaps I was overqualified for the jobs I was applying on, but more than likely God was holding off and preparing the way for a great part-time job for me — the one I got at Hansard.

Even that wasn't easy though. As much as I wanted the job, there was the waiting for applications to be reviewed, then the call for an interview, an interview in three parts (actual interview, grammar/punctuation/spelling test, and a transcription test), the week-long wait for all the other applicants to be interviewed, the call that I was accepted for eight days of training, then the eight days of training during what seemed like the absolute coldest and wind-chilliest days of the year (I really thought they were trying to break us and see what we were made of!), the eight-hour days of learning the Hansard style for all things punctuation, and finally the wait to see if we were chosen to be new Hansardines... What a process! But what a rewarding position it has been.

In late March I began the process of searching for a new place to call home. And again, what an interesting journey it was. It's truly amazing to see some of the offerings available and the price tags attached to them. I had five basic criteria:

1) quiet!
2) top floor
3) balcony
4) off-street parking
5) away from a busy street

God met three of the five criteria when I viewed a 2nd floor apartment at my current building. It was almost all I wanted it to be, but the timing wasn't right. We were up to our ears in work hours at Hansard and I just didn't see when I'd have time to pack, clean and move. So I let the chance go and half-hoped, half-assumed God would hold the apartment for me (it had been available since January!) or provide something even better. When I followed up with the landlord the next month, an apartment was still available, but it wasn't the same one. It was better! I got a top-floor apartment and it was at the back of the building — all five criteria were met!

And up next was leaving my job at Wascana and starting my own business... Again, perseverance was needed. Mostly that was due to the fact that I had originally planned to leave my job at Wascana at the end of the previous year (2013).  When we found out that the renovation work would be going ahead and I wouldn't be doing much in the way of bookings (75 to 95% of my job), I decided to continue a bit longer.

After the cruise this summer, I came back to work planning to give my notice within a few weeks, but SURPRISE! My boss gave her notice first! She left near the end of August and with September being a busy month, I persevered on. I felt that the absolute longest I was supposed to stay working at Wascana was Thanksgiving (mid-October) and it turns out I did stay right up until that time. It was hard to leave, but I needed to leave. It's hard (if not almost impossible) to chase your dreams part-time.

So, onto starting a business! I went into this a bit naively thinking that all I had to do was hang a shingle and my customers would form a line. Awesome, but unrealistic. Thankfully, I became a member of Women Entrepreneurs and learned quite a bit from a 8-week business planning course. It's taken longer than I thought it would to get going, but I am starting off on the right foot and am thankful for that.

These verses are very fitting: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”—Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) Bring on the character and hope!

I wonder what the next year will hold for me...

It's 12/12/14 - the 2nd anniversary of my blog!

Two years already? Wow! I've been looking back through my posts and am SO glad I began this blog to celebrate everyday life and capture the memories made while accomplishing items both big and small.

I've mentioned it before, but it seems like if I don't make a list of fun things to do, then days pass by and more and more things get chalked up to that big imaginary "one day I'll do this and this and this" list while I'm busy doing the things that have to be done. The thing is, what if that "one day" in the future never comes?

While in Italy last year to celebrate my 40th birthday, I heard over and over things like, "Live Life!" and "Enjoy Life!" and of course the infamous, "Carpe diem!" meaning "Seize the day!" Everywhere I looked at the locals, they were not just doing the 'duties' of life, they were enjoying life. Frankly, it was inspiring and life-changing for me to see and hear these things.

I come from a hard-working farming family, and if you grew up on a farm you'll understand that the work - the things to do that must be done - never ends. I have nothing against this upbringing; in fact, I would want do the same thing if I had kids of my own. However, whether I missed the memo on enjoying life in the midst of life, whether it's my my personality (serious) or my birth order (firstborn in a long line of firstborns), whether it's my generation (Gen-X) or something else, I didn't seem to understand or recognize the very real need for balance between work and fun in my life.

I am thankful to have learned this lesson now and will continue to practice this enjoyment of life each day. There are so many things to be thankful for - the basics of food, clothing and shelter of course, but also the general things we often don't think about in any given day. Some of my favourite things to be thankful for (and smile about!) are sunsets, ice cream, all green lights when you're on your way to work, children's laughter, lilacs blooming in the spring, a good night's sleep, hearing "My Girl" by the Temptations on the radio, the first rain in the spring, a bright blue summer sky, and so much more!

God bless you this Christmas and all throughout 2015!

Hooray! It's My Birthday!

Another year has come and gone, and while I haven't accomplished near as much as I wanted to on my list, I know I've accomplished more than I would have without having it. And, I've decided that I'm going to continue adding to the list and keep working on it throughout my 40s. I'm having such a good time, why stop now? So without any further ado, I give you the '40 Things & More' list! Happy Birthday to me!

The '40 Things & More' List!

1. Go snowshoeing.
2. Serve a meal in a soup kitchen.
3. Eat something I've never tried before.
4. Visit a town in Saskatchewan that I've never been to before.
5. Plan my dream 40th birthday trip.
6. Start running again.
7. Visit a US state I haven't been to before.
8. Read a classic novel.
9. Create and complete a scrapbook for one of the trips I've taken in my 30s.
10. Do up a will.
11. Complete one of my cross-stitch projects.
12. Go kayaking.
13. Get my website business off the ground.
14. Take a self-defense class/course.
15. Go horseback riding.
16. Visit a museum or historic site in Saskatchewan that I haven't been to before.
17. Give blood regularly.
18. Attend a Victorian Tea.
19. Ride my bike in the city.
20. Stop and smell the flowers at a garden I haven't been to before.
21. Try an activity that's new to me.
22. Walk a portion of the Trans Canada Trail that I haven't been on before.
23. Learn more about my family history.
24. Visit a park in Regina I haven't been to before.
25. Participate in a fundraiser that involves a physical activity.
26. Simplify some area of my life that needs simplifying.
27. Learn how to change a tire on a vehicle.
28. Explore Regina's backyard - see what's just outside the city limits.
29. Learn more about Canadian history.
30. Visit a natural site in Saskatchewan I haven't been to before.
31. Learn to play the guitar.
32. Visit a Canadian National Park I haven't been to before.
33. Climb Wascana Hill in Douglas Park and watch a sunset.
34. Visit the observatory at the Science Centre.
35. Attend Mosaic - a multicultural festival held annually.
36. Play my first solo concert on the bells.
37. Attend an outdoor movie event.
38. Go fly a kite!
39. Play a mini golf course I haven't been on before.
40. Go on dream 40th birthday trip!
41. Attend a Regina Red Sox baseball game.
42. Visit Saskatchewan's only lighthouse.
43. Run a 5K.
44. Visit the Great Sandhills in Saskatchewan.
45. Visit a Canadian province or territory I haven't been to before.
46. Attend the annual kite festival in Swift Current.
47. Visit a major US city I haven't been to before.
48. Watch a sunrise.
49. Try another activity that's new to me.
50. It's a surprise (even to me!) - I'll know it when the opportunity presents itself.
51. Take a ballroom dancing class.
52. Watch an old black & white movie I haven't seen before.
53. Experience a WARM birthday!
54. Experience a WARM Christmas! (not necessarily in the same year as the previous item)
55. Attend the annual Dickens' Village Festival in Carlyle.
56. See the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba.
57. Visit the east coast of Canada.
58. Jump out of an airplane! (in tandem, of course!)
59. Experience a 4th of July in the United States.
60. Visit a US National Park I haven't been to before.

Making the leap!

So far 2014 has been a year of change, so what's one more?

As of Thanksgiving I am done working at Wascana Centre Authority. It has been a good and challenging three years. I have grown immensely through this job and done things I know I couldn't have handled even five years ago, which is quite amazing when you think about it. I have been stretched to capacity; I have had some great opportunities, and now it's time to make the leap and jump into the unknown.

Mark Twain once said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” With this in mind, I am beginning my own business - Prairie Girl Websites & More - creating and maintaining information-based websites and administering social media platforms for small to medium-sized businesses and organizations.

Although I have done this type of work occasionally for years, this will be quite a leap of faith to do it full-time and to run my own business. I know I can do it, but it will certainly be a challenge. God is in this change and I'm certain He will use it to continue to grow and stretch and teach me. It's just like Him to take me completely out of my element and then show me His faithfulness!

It's 2 months 'til my birthday and time for an update!

So far this year I've been able to cross off seven items, and I hope to get a few more done before I turn 41 in just two months time. I wonder which item is next???

The '40 Things & More' List!

1. Go snowshoeing.
2. Serve a meal in a soup kitchen.
3. Eat something I've never tried before.
4. Visit a town in Saskatchewan that I've never been to before.
5. Plan my dream 40th birthday trip.
6. Start running again.
7. Visit a US state I haven't been to before.
8. Read a classic novel.
9. Create and complete a scrapbook for one of the trips I've taken in my 30s.
10. Do up a will.
11. Complete one of my cross-stitch projects.
12. Go kayaking.
13. Get my website business off the ground.
14. Take a self-defense class/course.
15. Go horseback riding.
16. Visit a museum or historic site in Saskatchewan that I haven't been to before.
17. Give blood regularly.
18. Attend a Victorian Tea.
19. Ride my bike in the city.
20. Stop and smell the flowers at a garden I haven't been to before.
21. Try an activity that's new to me.
22. Walk a portion of the Trans Canada Trail that I haven't been on before.
23. Learn more about my family history.
24. Visit a park in Regina I haven't been to before.
25. Participate in a fundraiser that involves a physical activity.
26. Simplify some area of my life that needs simplifying.
27. Learn how to change a tire on a vehicle.
28. Explore Regina's backyard - see what's just outside the city limits.
29. Learn more about Canadian history.
30. Visit a natural site in Saskatchewan I haven't been to before.
31. Learn to play the guitar.
32. Visit a Canadian National Park I haven't been to before.
33. Climb Wascana Hill in Douglas Park and watch a sunset.
34. Visit the observatory at the Science Centre.
35. Attend Mosaic - a multicultural festival held annually.
36. Play my first solo concert on the bells.
37. Attend an outdoor movie event.
38. Go fly a kite!
39. Play a mini golf course I haven't been on before.
40. Go on dream 40th birthday trip!
41. Attend a Regina Red Sox baseball game.
42. Visit Saskatchewan's only lighthouse.
43. Run a 5K.
44. Visit the Great Sandhills in Saskatchewan.
45. Visit a Canadian province or territory I haven't been to before.
46. Attend the annual kite festival in Swift Current.
47. Visit a major US city I haven't been to before.
48. Watch a sunrise.
49. Try another activity that's new to me.
50. It's a surprise (even to me!) - I'll know it when the opportunity presents itself.

#48 - Watch a sunrise

Thanks to a move earlier this year, I now face east and have the opportunity to watch the sunrises from my balcony each day. If not for this fact, good old #48 would have been a much harder task for me to do, especially in the summer!

For some reason, I was up much earlier than I planned to be today, but I was rewarded with the chance to view a very lovely sunrise. What a beautiful way to start the day. :)

#16 - Visit a museum or historic site in Saskatchewan that I haven't been to before

In late August I decided to take a little road trip. Indian Head is located just an hour east of Regina on Highway 1 and it is the home of the historic Bell Barn.

The Bell Barn had fallen into a state of disrepair over the years and it had gotten to the point where the historic building would need to be torn down. Fortunately, a group of concerned citizens came together to form the Bell Barn Society and began raising funds for the barn's restoration.

The needed funds were raised, and in 2008 the barn was taken apart one stone at a time and rebuilt one stone at a time. The project was completed - the barn was restored in 2010 and a grand opening was held.

Since that time people from all over the world have come to see this unique barn. It hosts its fair share of school groups and the upper level is often used for barn dances.

The Historic Bell Barn is really quite a sight to see, and I'm glad I took the time to stop by and check it out. You should too!