Weee! So we just got back last weekend from 8 days in Jamaica. The water was beautiful and warm, the sun was hot, and now my body is sorely disappointed that I've returned to the frozen North to have some 60+ cms (at least that's what they're expecting) of evil white stuff dumped on my head. We are all actually facing the problem of not having anywhere to put the snow. People are complaining that throwing heavy snow/rain/ice mix over their heads onto 5ft high snow banks is now causing them chronic back and shoulder pain, and poor Luc spent FOUR hours out in the driveway yesterday, creating a network of pathways and hills across the front yard, our only space left to pile it.

So, I am ignoring it and waiting patiently for Spring. Talking to my mother the other day about the fact I have very little interaction with other people at ALL in my life anymore made me realize that there is so much out there to do (once the damn snow goes away) and that I have tons of planning to do for my gardens, etc. Suddenly my empty planner filled up with days of cleaning, planting, buying seeds, buying things for the yard, building decks, removing stain and repainting our patios, and working on the kitchen, etc. Added to that, I've decided to volunteer with the Maple Lawn Gardens in Ottawa, one of Canada's last remaining walled gardens from the 1800's, and as well with the Ottawa Lumière Festival, a beautiful event that takes place in August. I went last year and fell in love with the idea of a soft summer's night lit up by hundreds of glittering paper lanterns, little kiddlets running by with fairy wings on, and fire-breathers and freaky people on stilts wandering through the crowds.

So yes, I have lots to look forward to OUTSIDE of work. Now I just have to work on bringing more work-related activities into my daily schedule when I'm stuck here in this grey ugly cubicle. I have to give my Recruiting presentation three more times this month, and it's a true test for me because I really did feel that it was a horrible presentation the first time, and my limited public speaking skills were really really rusty. Here I thought it was over and done with and now I find myself having to give it again, and again, and again. Ick... But that's okay. Someday soon (hopefully) I'll be able to go home and unwind with a drink on our patio, with my doggy (who is still stuck at my Mom and Dad's because of the snowstorms), while Luc BBQ's something yummy on our new grill on the upper deck. Here's to dreaming!! :)
xo

S