Today My Name Is...Clarity

I realized after my last post that I had forgotten two very special dates and moments shared with very special people in September. After realizing that I forgot it got me to thinking how this is so often the case for busy people and even the not so busy folks. Many of us take for granted those we have in our lives and always assume they will be there. They are so close to us that like getting dressed each day sometimes we forget how truly special moments shared with them are.

One is that my husband and I celebrated 13 years married (17 together). 13 is our lucky number. My husband surprised me with a stunning bouquet of flowers, rainbow roses to be exact and 13 chocolate covered strawberries. After which we went out to the Keg, an anniversary tradition with friends of ours who share the same day as their anniversary. My love opened doors, pulled out chairs, he was over the top romantic. Great eats, fantastic company and we were off to the Casino. I have been in a casino before but never took part in any games aside from a penny slot once. So this was an adult moment really for me. We took our seats at a Black Jack table and played with our friends and others. My husband lost some and won some. I was nervous, not a card player at all but my girlfriend guided me and assisted me and I took the captains chair playing a few hands and did okay honestly. This was not something that I could become hooked on but it was nice. We returned home with less money than we put in but did not come home empty handed thanks to myself bringing us back from sitting with $5 left on the table. As I said it wasn't much but we left at least with about half of what we put in which was up from almost nil.

I feel very accomplished, truly blessed for the 17yrs shared and 13 married. It's a rarity now a days with divorce such a common occurrence. Like anything else my husband and I have done in life our marriage has taken work, it's had it's challenges, it's taken us on paths both difficult and amazing and all of it wrapped up in our unity has made us stronger and better people for it. I have learned a huge amount through these years and much from my husband. I look forward to many many more!

September also brought an exciting weekend spent in Banff at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge where two of our dear friends got married just the weekend after our anniversary. It was a special weekend spent again with the best of friends and a wonderful ceremony. It was all so magical, the scene beautiful and company abundantly perfect. The bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire was stunning, and the decorations fit ever so perfectly and the food was divine! Unfortunately it was only my husband, myself and our youngest as our oldest had ringette draft but we still enjoyed ourselves and our youngest danced the night away. We never got around to enjoying the hot pools so we made a family promise that we would book a night sometime soon to go back out there as a family of 4 and enjoy not only the hot pools and room but get out and around in Banff. So perhaps a Saturday soon we will escape for an over night family vacay. I look forward to it.

It's October already. Sad really how fast the days pass. My oldest daughter's team has been busy with practices and a bottle drive, bonding and decided on the team name Vivos which I believe they said is Latin for quick. She's focused and driven and working hard on flexibility training and on ice skill building. The months ahead will be busy for her between practices with two teams, off ice training and fundraising for her team and school. She mentioned a job would be nice but where she will fit that in with school as well is beyond me. I may have also forgotten to mention that she got her learners licence last month, now that was a shock to the parental system. She is really growing up. While I do not feel old it hits me that just a short period longer she will really rely on us for rides around, after that she gains basically full Independence! Hard to believe...now that goes to show how fast time goes by!!

My youngest has also been equally busy with her riding, even though it has gone down to one day each week. She keeps the remaining week days busy with clubs she's joined at school over lunch hour and after school. By day end she's napping before dinner or immediately following dinner. This month she and I will plan an early 12th birthday for her being that we will be in Mexico for her real birthday in December. I'm not 100% sure just what the party will involve but talk has been surrounding ice cream from Marble Slab Creamery. So a small part is planned. She also wants to get her ears once again pierced and in advance of December in the event we should have to remove the hoops again. This will be her third go at having her ears pierced. Both of my girls have metal sensitivities and have tried various metals with no luck. My oldest seems to have grown out of it in very recent years so she has gotten new piercings however our youngest will be back to lobes. I really hope perhaps with Titanium this time and about 4 yrs since the last set that she will be ok like her sister. I will update as birthday festivities and ear piercing unfolds. This month will also bring braces for my youngest and next month may be when our oldest gets hers off.

Now on day 10 since I butted out I'm feeling fantastic! It's really nice to be outside and breath in so many wonderful smells that come with fall. Positivity is a pleasant feeling. It's nice to have focus and a mind open and available to abundance instead of the past where my mind seemed consumed with when I'd have my next smoke. I love this path, one free of the addiction of smoking...I don't know why I ever go back to it.

I foresee October to be a really great month as well as every month there after. So much ahead to look forward to and so much to enjoy each day leading up to every other. It's time to refocus on health, family and what matters most. It's time to again find the me I've been longing for. I am excited for all the little tasks I will get done in the days ahead as I always have in the past when I quit smoking. I look forward to getting things painted, and crossing off items from our to do lists. Everything is possible.

I also decided that this time I will treat myself with something each week or every other week I haven't smoked. I did that years ago and was successful for two years. Treating with items that make me feel good help to keep me focused and on the right path. Perhaps these little treats will turn around to be steps in a Megan make over. :)

Today My Name Is Clarity