A millimeter here...turns into a few inches there.

It started out so well!

I measured. I thought the whole thing through...and then measured AGAIN before cutting anything!

But within 5 minutes (when I started putting the glue in the corner...and then realized that this was NOT the place to start)..., I knew I was clearly over my head...and within 30 minutes, exhausted from trying to pull up the glued-down carpet, trying to get it perfectly in place (and almost in tears), I called "MAYDAY! MAYDAY!" and phoned Gwen!

Thank GOD she was home!
Together, we were able to lift 1/2 the carpet (that I already $&^%$#$^ glued down) and pull it back into place b/c an unapparent error at one end is a very apparent error 38 ft later! It might only be a millimeter at one end, but by the other end, the error is a few inches!

All I can say is, "Thank GOD Gwen was home!" and "No, I won't be trying this again on my own...or ever!"

Mom, today was not a real intentional day! I spent over 5 hours on the carpet and I'm still not done! I will definitely not be doing this again. I thought I would save $300, which I did, but I'm not sure that it was worth it!

I'm laying on the livingroom floor right now, so thankful that Gwen was home and very much aware that some things are not to be done alone.

And some things are never to be done by me.

Note to self: next time - don't measure twice - THINK twice!

I won't forget this little lesson.
Love you, Mom.
Crystal
PS As I lay here, so happy to be almost finished with the carpet, I am thinking about those few mm's...and how they turned into a few inches over the distance of the space, when the carpet is just "off" by a little.

It makes me think about where I'm making tiny errors in my life (not working out or exercising enough, too many treats (I gave up on my one treat/week plan), or being a little disorganized here and there...and how, over time and distance, those tiny little errors (just millimeters today) turn into inches and even greater errors later!

Something to think about as I fall into bed exhausted...with sore knees and a sore back from losing that silly carpet wrestling match today!

Change IS Good

Oh...yes it is!
Even when it's uncomfortable, scary or...expensive!
Mom, I'm sure you dealt with a lot of changes that were definitely uncomfortable, scary and expensive!

Today is a big day of change at the hostel! We're getting a brand new, custom built kitchen!! Lastnight, a crew came in and ripped out all the old cabinets!

And today, the new kitchen is being installed!

It's more expensive than I thought it would be, with the new cabinets, the rip-out, the new counter top (stainless steel!) and new sink, taps, etc.....and that is uncomfortable, scary and expensive....

BUT...CHANGE IS GOOD...
In all areas of life...not just in the kitchen! And I'm grateful to embrace the excitement and anticipation that goes along with change...even if it leaves me temporarily nervous, vulnerable and/or a little unsure.

I can always fall back on great memories....

...and stand back to see how far we've come!
Mom, love you.
Love your paint job 12 years ago!
Love how you embrace change and have taught me that change is good...if I embrace the excitement and anticipation of what's to come!
crystal

What would you do today...

Race morning is in 13 days! I'm feeling the anticipation now.
The nervousness.
The excitement.
And the magnitude.

I am grateful for experience and having done the race before but it's always a new and different day. Always humbling. Always overwhelming. And never easy.

But the race is also an adventure, an opportunity to discover my potential, a test not only of physical ability but mental strength. And it's an honour to be at the start line. (Never mind the finish line. It's really not what the race is about.)

Yes...I know that "The miracle isn't that I finished, but that I had the courage to start." (George Sheehan), however, I hope to reach that line...smiling, happy and dancing!

After a two hour bike ride yesterday, Gwen, Rob and a bunch of friends went out on the lake. We had a great time laughing, having fun and talking about triathlons. A couple of friends are doing their very first triathlon next week. Another friend and I are doing the IM in 2 weeks. Gwen and Rob, much smarter than any of us, are happy just to exercise and not do such silly things.

Since they are not training for any races, and not fearing any injury or accident, Rob and Gwen have gone out on the boards. Last week, Gwen went wake boarding and yesterday, Rob went wake-surfing. They were both amazing! Here are a couple photos...



Today, as I sit here, with this little metal frame with magnet letters next to me...that says, "If I were brave" on it....I am listening to the beautiful song by Jana Stansfield with the same title....wondering...."What step would take...if I were brave. What would I do today...if I were brave? What if we were all meant to do what we secretly dreamed? What would you ask if you knew you could have anything?"

Mom, with the countdown on, if I were brave, and if I could have anything, I'd ask to finish...smiling, happy and dancing with Kate and Gwen and friends who are also in the race. That would be more than enough!

Love you,
Crystal

Almost effortless...

When I'm on my right path, things seem almost effortless...

Yesterday, I swam almost 4km with a friend, on a last big (and one of my only) long swims. The swim component of the race is 3.8km and swimming almost 3.5km yesterday seemed almost effortless. I found myself daydreaming, singing songs in my head, feeling the water and visualizing for an hour and 15 minutes. It was glorious.

It seemed almost effortless.

Even though life isn't always easy and I'm certainly concerned about many things that I'm juggling and working on, work, life, the yard...everything...seem sort of effortless these days.

I think it's because of 2 simple things;
1.letting other people help me, instead of trying to do everything myself
2 being comfortable and content

I'm so grateful to the people who've made my life so much easier and effortless by simply taking over when I need their help or by lending a hand if that's all I need. It's hard to get over my embarrassment when people see that I'm not as organized as I could be or that I drop the ball in certain areas, but it's (probably) a good lesson in life for me to simply accept their help and say thank you, rather than try to prevent them from helping.

Life is so much more effortless and easy that way.

Gwen helped me finish the floor leveling yesterday and it was so much easier, faster and more fun to work together. We laughed, talked and just had so much fun working together. Another friend helped me move my desk and patio furniture, which I could never have done alone. Finally, everything is out of the old house and now I just have a few things in the garage.

Mom, I don't know how you managed all of us, life, work, and taking care of yourself when we were growing up. There was so much to do...I cannot even imagine what you went through. It, most certainly, was not effortless.

But thanks to your effort, and all that you've given to all of us - not things but all things intangible - you've made our lives so much easier and effortless.

Seeing you so happy, comfortable and content now teaches me a lot about being content in my own life .

You...and Scotia really do seem so happy and content these days.





She can't wait to see you! And she's sooooo excited to show you what's in the freezer and what's been happening in the jungle!



I love you, Mom.
Thank you again for all of your effort, energy and love...that seems to make all of our lives so incredibly effortless.
Crystal

3 Things To Include In Every Day

1. Something or someone to love.
2. Exercise
3. A good sleep

After a big week of teaching and driving to/from Penticton, I got home and found Scotia sprawled out, relaxing, on the front step. I spent some time with her, brushing her and loving her. I just love that little bear. It's amazing to think that she's almost 13 years old! We've been through lot together.

Then, after not working out enough all week, I got out for a 15km run in the heat. 32 degrees. It was HOT! I didn't have the best run and found myself walking a bit but it felt good to be out there (most of the time). Difficult training runs are supposed to be good b/c then, when the race rolls around, the experience of going through tough times will help you get through the race easier. We'll see.

And lastnight, I had the very best sleep. Went to bed early. Pulled the blinds so it was dark and had the best sleep. Slept in and woke up when I wanted to, not with the ring of the alarm.

If I can include these three things every day; something or someone to love, exercise and good sleep...that would be living intentionally.

Mom, I love you.
Where are you?
missing you,
Crystal

When's "enough" enough?

The past couple months have been enlightening, to say the least.

Moving to the new house has been a catalyst for change.

Big changes.
Wanted changes.
Needed changes.

It's almost like moving and the new house has sort of saved me from myself...and I can't even articulate why or how this has all happened or what exactly has changed.

I just know I've changed.

And I guess in some way, the new house gave me the opportunity to say "Enough's enough!"

So, when is enough enough?
I guess my answer is "now".

Mom, you've asked this question many times in the pas and I can hear your voice in my ears a I write and think about your question. Only now, it doesn't pertain to some silly, trivial thing like when we were kids...it's about my life and how I'm living it as an adult.

I've been "thinking" that enough's enough for a long time now...(years actually)...but I was only 'thinking' this...it wasn't really "enough" inside. I wanted it to be enough; to change but I wasn't ready; I wasn't really able to get out of the busy, fast-paced life I'd been living. And for whatever reason, enough wasn't quite enough.

Until now.

The new house; a place I know that I've been led to, and feel so at home it's like I've lived here for years, has given me the greatest gift.

I can't define what that gift is except to say that it's the gift of "enough".

I was reviewing my financial situation tonight. The Edmonton condo has sold! That little monkey (mortgage) is off my back. Gone! Erased! And the interim financing too! Yay! One down, one to go. Now it's on to the other house! It has not sold. Luckily a wonderful friend is moving into the house, Mom, so part of the mortgage will be paid by revenue. I think I'm going to paint the exterior of it with the hope that it will sell better. Or sell at all. (I'll think about it for now and make a decision after the Ironman race.) The VRBO will be ready to go after Kate and Garth come/go as well, so that's perfect! I'm installing that carpet on the patio this weekend....will let you know how it goes. Cross your fingers!

(Measure once-cut twice...or is it the other way around? :)

So, anyway, Mom, I finally think I get it! When's enough enough? I think I know the answer. My answer. And I think it's now.

For the first time, (that I can remember), I don't want to go...anywhere. I don't feel I have anything to prove. I am just happy. Right here. Sure, I have lots of reasons to be happy, some of which I can't wait to talk to you about, but in other ways, I'm just seemingly happy for little to no reason.

There's so many things not going quite right for me...yet so many things going so very right.

Things that aren't going right - Well, the house has not sold, for starters, and I'm not doing very good on my one treat/week plan or my 6-pack summer, and my training for the IM isn't really what it could be, and I could be more organized, my house could be more moved in, the old house could be repainted and the yard redone, the new house could be renovated in just about every room of the house and to be quite honest, I need a major hair-cut/style. And that's just off the top of my head...

But there is so much going right, that makes me realize that enough's enough, right here, right now.

I never knew how great it would be to live next to Gwen. Or the responsibility I'd feel to a bunch of fruit trees. Or the miracles that happened over the past couple months while pulling weeds, listening to Anne, opening up my heart in many ways, taking a risk and stretching myself financially to carry 4 properties while working less, and through listening to my inner voice and letting it guide me (instead of second-guessing and doubting it). Yes, these things and more have made all the difference. I've always had faith, but always tried to control life and most situations, at the same time. I'm realizing that it doesn't work that way. Faith doesn't work that way. That's not faith. (I think that's what they call doubt.) But I can see now that my faith is stronger than i ever knew, having found myself in certain situations and places that I don't (or didn't) understand, yet I'm perfectly comfortable here. In every way.

I also realize that "enough's enough" in other ways. If I'm in an environment, which I have been, that's not serving me or good for me, enough's enough! It's time to go. It was time (long overdue actually) to slow down, not work so much and change my lifestyle yet I didn't change it, until now. When's enough enough?

There's still some things I'm working on...that I have not yet gotten to, like that 6 pack or playing the guitar better or, or, or....

But, enough is enough and that's all I need to know.

I'm so excited about my life right now, and these realizations that my vision and plan to slow down is actually coming to fruition. Finding myself in the middle of creating the most beautiful paradise here that's good for my spirit and soul has been life-changing...and who knows where it will lead...but I have faith that I'm on my right path and that it will lead somewhere amazing b/c I'm not consumed and concerned with not being, doing or having enough anymore.

Love you, Mom.
your #8.
Crystal

PS where are you? I've been trying to call you and can't get a hold of you. ;)

Start the day in the right way.

Mom, for as long as I can remember, you started the day with a coffee and then some sort of oatmeal or breakfast and took some time for you...to read the paper or flyers and just sit. Be. Still.

It's that kind of morning here.

The sun is rising.I had the best sleep ever and woke up feeling so great for so many reasons. Simple pleasures- I've got a strong cup of coffee to enjoy. And if I had the newspaper, I'd read it - but probably enjoy the flyers more (It's in our blood, I think.)

And then, if I could, I'd probably crawl back into bed. Even just for a few minutes. That would be living intentionally.

This day's got to get started though and I've got to get ready for work.

More tonight, Mom.
Until then, thank you for these moments where I get to think of you, remember all the great moments in life and tell you how much I love you.

Love Crystal

Random thoughts from my heart...

Hi Mom,
It's Tuesday night and I'm a little tired...probably not getting enough sleep but I am truly loving every sunrise with the sun beaming in the window and scotia meowing before 6am every morning to say, "Get up!! It's a gorgeous day! And feed me! NOW!" She's loving the new house as much as I am...sleeping all day and out prowling in the jungle at night. I installed her cat door, which has become a ritual for practically every house we've been in over the past 12 years....first, the hostel, (12 years ago - when she could fit in the palm of my hand) and then the tiny house on Christleton. Then way out in the Mission on Horak Rd and then to Rosanne's suite and then another, and after that, out in Glenmore, on Tronson (with the apricot tree) and after that, a little further out in Glenmore with the gorgeous back yard. Then, to my beach-house on Wardlaw, which is where we've just come from to Parisio Suerte - our very fortunate (and lucky) paadise! That's 9 houses in 13 years. Wow!! A couple of those were rental suites, but the 7 different houses have been investment opportunities and I'm so grateful for how all of that has worked out...including the investments.

It's intersting to look back on all these years and think about all the places we've lived...all the moments and experiences and mistakes and right decisions too....

All to end up here. In this perfect moment. At this time.

Random thoughts from my heart whisper...
- Timing is everything
- My intuition is usually right
- Life might truly suck in a given moment, but it will all work out for the better...like in this moment when we were getting divorced and I moved into a basement suite (that I barely left for about 6 months).

Thank God for family when you really need them.






- Having a sense of humour can get me through just about anything...and the ability to laugh at myself is one of the greatest things I've learned in our family.


Not that we had a choice when we were young! Survival required it. :)







- I am the luckiest person I know to come from such an incredible family and to be surrounded by so much love.






- Maybe God did hear me
- Maybe He heard every wish, fear, hope and dream
- Some of the best things in life are the things I least expected
- It's nice to not care so much what other people think
- ...and, rather, care more about what I think
- Good friendships go a long way
- Who knew that I didn't have to go around the world to find myself...all I had to do was stay home, in one place
- Living across the street from my little sister is the very best place to live
- If I take care of today, tomorrow will take care of itself

Mom, these are just random thoughts inside my heart as I think of you (and all that jam we're going to make!) and get ready for bed! Thank you for you, for helping me to live a little more intentionally this year and most of all, for helping me to slow down, live life a little more fully and also, for helping me to realize that I really, truly am enough.
Love Crystal

Knowledge speaks...but...

Hi Mom,
As I teach in Penticton this week, this quote on a sign in Kelowna gives me something to think about.
Love you.
Crystal
PS: Gwen may not care about the jam...but I've got a freezer full of fruit and can hardly wait for you to get here! ;)

You said this is what you wanted...

Hi Mom,

Living intentionally included going out for dinner with Linda lastnight and to the salsa dance. We had a great visit! We planned our birthday party in December, since we're both born in December...and we've got some fabulous ideas of how to celebrate!!! I can hardly wait!

Linda always has some amazingly simply yet profound wisdom, a lot like you do, and she said something in our conversation that really struck me...
She said something about how we often get what we say we want...and therefore, really can't complain.

She's right.

This is something you would say too, Mom.

My life is exactly how I created it. This is what I said I wanted. So, I cannot complain!

I knew it was going to be a lot of work...and it is! (Maybe a little....OK a LOT...more than I expected...but I wouldn't trade this for anything!)

Today, I pulled up all the old carpet on the lower deck and then, thanks to some wonderful and much appreciated help, we've got it scraped and prep'd to put the new carpet down! Yay!! I just need to go buy some more floor-leveler compound to fill some cracks and we're ready to go!




While I was outside today, I took a wander around the jungle and LOOK what I found!



I am surrounded by the wonders of the universe through nature and the most wonderful friends anyone could ever hope to have.

Love you,
Crystal

10 Things...

10 Things Science Says Will Make You Happy

1. Savour everyday moments
2. Avoid comparisons
3. Put money low on the list
4. Have meaningful goals
5. Take initiative at work
6. Make friends, treasure family
7. Smile even when you don't feel like it
8. Say thank you like you mean it
9. Get out and exercise
10. Give your time to help others

(YES Magazine)

Mom, you didn't write this, but you could have. It's just how you live and what you instilled in us.

Thank you.

Another thing you somehow instilled in me...that little stubborn streak that sometimes gets in my way and sometimes helps me get where I want to go.

As I ran 15km yesterday and was out on my bike today, I could feel it surfacing...and I'm thankful for it. So very thankful.

When I'm riding my bike, I'm thinking a million different thoughts at times...and nothing at all, other times. Often, you come to mind, Mom and help me through the tough parts and especially when I've got a good tailwind. My secret boyfriend, Lance Armstrong also comes to mind, especially when I'm going up hills. It's a bit silly, but it works.

And right now, I'm going through every scenario in my mind, mentally preparing for the race coming up. I am also spending time visualizing the finish line smiling and strong. I can hardly wait to get there!! Visualization has been my secret strength, and probably as important as getting out there and training. We both know I've not done quite enough training...so I better visualize hard the next few weeks!

Maybe YOU could do some visualizing too! ;)

Love you.
Thank you for these 10 things you've instilled in us and a million more!
Crystal

More than you'll ever know.

Hi Mom,
Sorry I didn't get to write yesterday!

It was a busy day!

My first guests (in Parisio Suerte) left mid-day. The new fridge arrived for the suite as well. Anne also came over to collect the last items she had in storage here. We spent a couple hours bringing all her stuff (and she has a LOT of stuff!) upstairs from the lower level storage room and loading it into the U-haul.

Yes...a U-haul! Anne and her brother are moving all her stuff from here and her condo, loading and packing it themselves (with only a few helpers)!!!

She is one tough lady!

We had a break and I made blueberry muffins for Anne and her brother Marty. It was a really nice visit.

I went to see her in the afternoon, thinking that she had lots of help b/c she mentioned that she had lots of helpers. But things don't always work out sometimes and the helpers didn't show or didn't work out...except for the realtor, Joel, who is truly one amazing guy, who helped them all day. When I arrived, he had to go, so I called a friend and together, the four of us loaded for over 2-3 hours, the last of Anne's things.

When I hugged her goodbye, as they U-haul, van and trailer were loaded to the max, I said, "love you Anne. You know, your home is always your home here." She said, "Love you too. More than you'll ever know."

It's funny how people come and go in our lives and, often, we love them more than they'll ever know.

Why is that? Shouldn't they know? Shouldn't we tell them? What kind of difference would it make if they knew?

In our family - you made sure we always knew.

Mom, you made sure we knew we were loved...and so much more!

You made sure we knew and felt so cared for. Protected. Free to become who we were meant to be. You made each of us feel so very special (which is a miracle in itself when you have 10 kinds to take care of!). You made (and continue to make each of us feel so amazing in our own way. Never compared. Always adored. Treasured. Talented. But never too cool to be but in our place when we needed to be.

Thank you for making sure we always knew...

I hope that you know how much you are loved....even though it probably is more than you will ever, ever know.

Love you,
Crystal

An introduction to yourself.

I read a great quote by Jim Kouzes that said, "Adversity introduces us to ourselves."

If this is true, then, yesterday out on the Ironman bike route, I momentarily met myself. Most of the ride was fabulous. Sunny. Tailwinds. Rolling hills. Even up Richter Pass, I felt fabulous. But then, during the 4th hour, with a HUGE headwind, the darkest rainclouds looming ahead and lightening striking in the distance, I became totally silent. On the outside. But inside, the conversation going on was not quiet.

Did I mention the wind!?

And then it started to rain.

Inside, I contemplated options - hitch a ride if the rain gets worse. Wait out the rain and lightening if it doesn't stop. And what about the wind. What happens if it's even worse as we turn right at the Keremeos Fruit Stand with 45km still to go? And that 7km Yellow Lake climb after Keremeos isn't something to forget about either.

I thought about my lack of training. Wondered why I was even doing this. I went on and on, in my head, about the upcoming race, the self-doubt, the fatigue...

All this doubt and confusion is definitely part of "me" and we had a lengthy conversation in the rain and headwinds with tired legs...

It reminded me of the Ironman race I did in Australia...where the same things were running through my mind. This photo taken there says it all. It was one of the lowest, most difficult moments I've ever had in 7 IM races thus far. I'm grateful that Amelie snapped this photo b/c it reminds me of who I am...the challenges that I've gone through and how life doesn't always come easy.

And that silver lining of those deep, dark moments....the gift that we receive when going through them...I love those moments too.

Yesterday, just like in that race, somewhere out there on the road, we meet our darker selves...and also our inner light...

Yesterday, I also met that other part of "me"...that blinding inner light that I've come to actually embrace and acknowledge without (so much) apology.


(Just like these moments in the Hawaii Ironman race a couple years ago.... moments of pure joy...that really say, "I've been to hell today...it's 41 degrees Celsius, there have been headwinds that never ended...and I'm back! Let's get the party started! It's time to celebrate!)

FYI: celebrate = yay...we get to get off the bike and start that 42.2km marathon!

This other part of me reminds myself of where I've come from...who I really am at my center...it helps me to discover what's possible...what I'm capable of...what I'm made of...hope, commitment, conviction, strength, humility, courage...

And that's the way I think it works...adversity introduces us to all aspects of ourselves - the good, the bad, and everything in between. And without the worry, fear and doubt, we wouldn't get to know the inner confidence and courage that we all hold within us!

My friend Pete wrote me a poem when he left to go back to England in 2001, as I was training for my first race. This is an excerpt from it. It's true, not only in training for an Ironman race, but it's also a metaphor for life, in general.

"Somewhere out there, on the road, our lives will change forever. We will have suffered more completely...yet triumphed more greatly...than we ever dreamed possible."

Without suffering or challenges, I don't think there's any triumph or celebration!

Mom, thanks for the tailwinds that were present for parts of the ride yesterday...and for the little lessons that I learned in the headwinds.
You are, as always, the wind beneath my wings.
Love you,
Crystal

"If you build it...they will come."

Welcome to Paraiso Suerte!
It means Fortunate Paradise!



This is going to be the name of the vacation rental in the lower level.

I'll take more photos after the first guests leave in 2 days!!! It's not really finished yet...but I think they will come!

Field of Dreams is one of my favourite movies and the line "If you build it, they will come." has become a mantra for me over my lifetime thus far.












I hope and pray that they will come...and that this will all work out. I have faith that I'm being called here and that this is where I'm supposed to be.

Mom - your faith and conviction remind and teach me what I need to do and be to create what I envision.

Thank you!
I love you!
I'll call you tomorrow after biking the Ironman route!
Pray for tailwinds!
Love crystal

It's all coming together!

Mom,
I found it! Exactly what I was looking for!
This coffee table is from Mexico. It's rustic, heavy, sooooo cool and exactly what I was looking for!
I thought you'd like it!
The store also had those Mexican chairs....you know...the rounded ones with the leather and wood...like we had on the farm. Next month, I'm going to get a few of those for the deck! You're going to LOVE it!
Love you,
Crystal
PS I have my fist customers TONIGHT!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It goes by so quickly!

Yes...time goes by so fast!
Mom, here are a couple photos from the trip to Guatemala a few months ago with some old photos of when the grand-kids were young! Wow!! How quickly time passes!

























It makes me think about this year...the time has gone by so quickly!

There's only 26 days until the Ironman.
21 weekends until the end of the year.
20 weeks until everyone is home for Christmas and your birthday!
12 weeks until you come and visit!!
and never enough time to accomplish all that I plan to in a year, month or even a day...

Thinking of how time passes so quickly reminds me of something you do daily to maximize your time...you quietly focus on what ever it is that you are doing until it's done.

It's that simple.

Focus. Focus. Focus. Focus! Right HERE. Until it's done.

Today, was a simply extraordinary day. It was a near-perfect day for many reasons.

One of the great parts of my day was spent picking weeds in the garden (at the old house). I found myself jumping from this area to that area, back and forth, enjoying myself but a little unfocused. When I realized that I was sort of just jumping around, picking a weed here, a weed there, etc. I stopped. I stopped and focused in just where I was. Slowly. Focusing. Until it was done.

Thank you for the subtle ways you come to my mind Mom and for always inspiring me to be a little "more" every day...helping me to become a little more than I was when I woke up this morning.

I love you.
Crystal

Mom!

Mom, there are angels everywhere...often disguised as friends! The couches have magically been taken away!
What do you think (minus the coffee table - it's temporary)?
Love you.
Love my friends!
Crystal

It really is actually a choice.

Hi Mom,
Sorry I missed writing you yesterday!
In the past couple of days, I've been working on the house and getting the vacation rental organized. I'm excited about all of this but it's getting tiring, Mom. Not physically...but mentally and emotionally. I'm doing OK with the stress of the house not selling but, to be honest, it is wearing on me. I know life isn't always easy, and I was prepared for things to take time. I have savings and I'm fine. But it's all the other little things..like having to water the grass everywhere (old house, new house, and the fruit trees, etc)...or still having to move a few boxes and items from this house or that house...or getting the big old couches out of the new house...or...or...or....!
Look at this couch...it'll take a half-ton truck to move it all! I wish I had been more firm when I moved in b/c there's at least 2-3 loads of stuff that was left here that isn't mine and that I don't want. (Note to self for next time!)

But at the same time, I look around and the stuff I've collected and bought...and really have faith that my quirky style and what I can create down here is going to be a welcomed retreat for people and the vacation rental will be amazing!

I got these leather couches on castanet (classified section on the internet for Kelowna)...and YES...it really is a bean-bag chair! How cool is that...and what about this table!!

...apparently, I'm bigger than I thought! :)


This is my favourite picture!


I've always wanted a B&B and in a way, this is sort of like that.
Except that I don't have to cook...which is good...b/c my omelets look like scrambled eggs. If I could just have a "Bed and Bake" instead of a Bed and Breakfast...that would be OK! I can bake like there's no tomorrow...I definitely got that from you, Mom!

I love you, Mom!
Can't wait for you to come out! You're going to love the house!!
Miss you.
Hi to Don.
Love Crystal

They called them crazy...

Lately, I've been listening and looking for new music to run to and I came across this country song that just might be the best country song I've ever heard in the last while.

Love Like Crazy - by Lee Brice

They called them crazy when they started out
Said seventeen's too young to know what loves about
They've been together fifty-eight years now
That’s crazy

He brought home sixty-seven bucks a week
He bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple Street
Where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed
Yea that’s crazy

Just ask him how he did it; he'll say pull up a seat
It'll only take a minute, to tell you everything
Be a best friend, tell the truth,
and overuse I Love You
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common since
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy
They called him crazy when he quit his job
Said them home computers, boy they'll never take off
He sold his one man shop to Microsoft
They paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it
He'll tell you faith and sweat
And the heart of a faithful woman,
Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I Love You
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common since
Never let your prayin knees get lazy
And love like crazy

Always treat your woman like a lady
Never get to old to call her baby
Never let your prayin knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when they started out
They've been together fifty-eight years now

Aint that crazy?

Mom, this song reminds me of you, because I'm sure that the same was said of you and dad when you were young...
- starting a family of 10 kids
- and a big business
- and then when you moved 5 of the kids into Regina on your own
- or when you pulled all of us out of school to go down to Mexico in a motor home for months
- or a million other moments when you attempted and did what others might of thought as crazy....

You inspire me every day Mom. Just thinking of you makes me feel stronger. When "they call me crazy", I just think of you and instantly feel more confident because, I know, and I feel that you're right there....shaking your head, smiling, and deep-down, believing in me.

Thank you for always believing in me, and even when you called me crazy, I know that you have been secretly proud (at least I think so) of me and supporting me with your thoughts and prayers.

Right now, as I'm surrounded by my furniture that we moved to the new house yesterday...I feel this crazy little feeling of excitement and enthusiasm. Yes, my house still needs to sell...and it will have to sell without my furniture in it b/c I want to start living my life here in the new house, getting settled...creating my home...

I can't think of all the times I've been called me crazy in my life...

Most of the time they were right.

- How could I quit my job with the land development company (when we were broke) in 1996 b/c it wasn't fulfilling and I wanted to find something more rewarding? That was crazy! It was nice of the company to hire me back at a huge pay increase...until I quit a second time b/c it really wasn't fulfilling and I wanted to find my calling! I learned there that no amount of money is enough to make me do something that I'm not inspired to do. (A very great life-lesson!)
- How on earth could the BDC hire me with no banking experience (I think they were crazy!). It was a great fit for a while, until it wasn't any more...and then we drove by the hostel that was for sale. Now that, that was crazy! Learning business skills at the BDC was the missing piece for me in my own business success. I'm forever grateful for the BDC and that opportunity.
- Biking across the country with Carla and Gwen. Yeah, that was crazy...but those 7906km taught us more than we could possibly have imagined!

It makes me smile to daydream and think of all the times that people thought we were crazy! Sometimes, I've done those crazy things on my own...but the more I think about it, it was always an adventure with someone else. And that's probably the secret....if we have someone (a friend, partner, sister) to attempt those crazy ideas with...it's not so crazy...and if it is...and other people are calling us crazy, it doesn't matter b/c we have eachother...and it doesn't feel crazy, when you are with another.

All of these experiences and countless more have made us who we are.
And isn't that amazing! Aint that crazy!
Mom, thank you for not listening when they called you crazy...and thank you for encouraging me when they call me crazy!

I love you, Mom!!
Can't wait to hear how the weekend went!
Love Crystal
PS How 'bout those Riders!!!