I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas, I am sure looking forward to a new year and hopefully a fresh start.
Ian and I have attempted three times in the past two weeks to complete our police check. The first time, we only had one piece of ID each, not two, so we were told to come back. We had no time to retrieve the information right away so we left it for another day. The second time, we got to the police station with the proper ID but I left the papers at home. Again, we had no time to get the papers and come back, so we were out of luck. Today was the third time. There was a sign on the door that said "Closed until December 29th" -- GRRRRRR!! I just want this police check completed so we can begin volunteering.
We have the last half of our orientation tomorrow at 10:30. Thank goodness I decided to update the blog tonight or I would have completely forgotten about our appointment tomorrow. My mind feels like it is lost in an autopsy room lately.
That is all :) Bring on 2011!!!
Peace,
Becca
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Day 21
Wow! I am so sorry that it's been so long since our last update, I have been so busy with shopping, birthdays, and work.. but still - no excuse.
We went to our orientation last Thursday. It was so fun! Again, the Volunteer Services Manager (Lois) is such a kind, bubbly lady. I admire her enthusiasm so much. She is definitely the perfect picture of someone who should be working with the elderly. She created a Volunteer Package for Ian and I to go through once we were home. It has a lot of information on the rights of the elderly, which I think is definitely a necessity in this day and age. She told us more about the Leacock Centre - They are at full capacity right now with 145 occupants, and the nursing home is divided into 5 sections (better known as communities). Each community has it's own dining and living area. Lois' explanation for this was that it was easier for new resident to feel comfortable when they do not feel overwhelmed by strangers. Lois compared the experience to your first day of high school, walking into the cafeteria and knowing no one. If the cafeteria was a quarter of the size than what it was, you would feel more comfortable and at ease. The communities also provide a safe environment for the seniors who are slowly being affected by Alzheimer's Disease. I think this is ALL just so awesome! Everyone we met has such a great outlook on life and on how to treat seniors.
We had to get a tuberculosis shot injected into our skin (yes, skin, not vein, weird, I know) to ensure that obviously we do not have tuberculosis. While we were walking to the Nurses Station we passed through a group of about 10 ladies. I think Ian felt a little overwhelmed, because he has never been in a situation like that before. I stopped and spoke to a funny lady named Dixie. She was so adorable. I cannot wait until we start volunteering.
We go back next week to complete the orientation, which is just a tour of the residence. Then we can get started!! We probably won't be actually volunteering until the New Year, but at least we have put a step on our path. I love that with each month not only do we have a different task to complete, but these tasks last with us for a lifetime, and we learn something about ourselves along the way.
Thinking of everyone this Holiday season! Have a safe and very Merry Christmas.
Becca
We went to our orientation last Thursday. It was so fun! Again, the Volunteer Services Manager (Lois) is such a kind, bubbly lady. I admire her enthusiasm so much. She is definitely the perfect picture of someone who should be working with the elderly. She created a Volunteer Package for Ian and I to go through once we were home. It has a lot of information on the rights of the elderly, which I think is definitely a necessity in this day and age. She told us more about the Leacock Centre - They are at full capacity right now with 145 occupants, and the nursing home is divided into 5 sections (better known as communities). Each community has it's own dining and living area. Lois' explanation for this was that it was easier for new resident to feel comfortable when they do not feel overwhelmed by strangers. Lois compared the experience to your first day of high school, walking into the cafeteria and knowing no one. If the cafeteria was a quarter of the size than what it was, you would feel more comfortable and at ease. The communities also provide a safe environment for the seniors who are slowly being affected by Alzheimer's Disease. I think this is ALL just so awesome! Everyone we met has such a great outlook on life and on how to treat seniors.
We had to get a tuberculosis shot injected into our skin (yes, skin, not vein, weird, I know) to ensure that obviously we do not have tuberculosis. While we were walking to the Nurses Station we passed through a group of about 10 ladies. I think Ian felt a little overwhelmed, because he has never been in a situation like that before. I stopped and spoke to a funny lady named Dixie. She was so adorable. I cannot wait until we start volunteering.
We go back next week to complete the orientation, which is just a tour of the residence. Then we can get started!! We probably won't be actually volunteering until the New Year, but at least we have put a step on our path. I love that with each month not only do we have a different task to complete, but these tasks last with us for a lifetime, and we learn something about ourselves along the way.
Thinking of everyone this Holiday season! Have a safe and very Merry Christmas.
Becca
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Update..
Wow, I've been so busy that I nearly forgot to post an update. This past Thursday Ian and I went to the Leacock Centre, a local nursing home. We did a volunteer interview type of thing and it went great! It was actually suppose to be me going with Ian tagging along so we could go out for lunch after, however he surprised me when we were there and told the lady that he too was interested in a volunteer opportunity!
The room we sat in was decked out in historic furniture. Every piece told a story, it was so beautiful. Of course my huge history buff boyfriend loved it! During the interview the lady told us that the man who invented the credit card spent some time at the nursing home which is pretty neat eh? Anyway, I insisted that I have direct communication with the residents, which the lady absolutely loved! Ian did that too, as well as stating that he is able to help life heavy things, transport wheelchairs, help residents place things on a shelf when they can't reach - you know, the "manly" stuff. LOL!
We told the extremely kind volunteer services manager all about our 30 Day Challenges and about Annabelle -- she was so empathetic. Note empathetic, not sympathetic. Never show sympathy to an Angel parent, it does not contain as much compassion as empathy does. Anyway, overall she was a wonderful lady and truly tried to understand why this meant so much to us. I hope Annabelle is looking down with a huge smile on her face. I know she would have loved helping any and every one in her path, which is why this volunteer opportunity is so important to the both of us.
We were invited back on December 21st to go through some Health & Safety training as well as take a tour of the residence and meet some staff and other volunteers. I am SO excited, yay!
Love you always my dearest Abby girl.
The room we sat in was decked out in historic furniture. Every piece told a story, it was so beautiful. Of course my huge history buff boyfriend loved it! During the interview the lady told us that the man who invented the credit card spent some time at the nursing home which is pretty neat eh? Anyway, I insisted that I have direct communication with the residents, which the lady absolutely loved! Ian did that too, as well as stating that he is able to help life heavy things, transport wheelchairs, help residents place things on a shelf when they can't reach - you know, the "manly" stuff. LOL!
We told the extremely kind volunteer services manager all about our 30 Day Challenges and about Annabelle -- she was so empathetic. Note empathetic, not sympathetic. Never show sympathy to an Angel parent, it does not contain as much compassion as empathy does. Anyway, overall she was a wonderful lady and truly tried to understand why this meant so much to us. I hope Annabelle is looking down with a huge smile on her face. I know she would have loved helping any and every one in her path, which is why this volunteer opportunity is so important to the both of us.
We were invited back on December 21st to go through some Health & Safety training as well as take a tour of the residence and meet some staff and other volunteers. I am SO excited, yay!
Love you always my dearest Abby girl.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Trying Hard!
I emailed many of the local nursing/retirement homes in hopes that one will soon be in contact with me to begin volunteering. I also left a message with a local church (the church I would be going to if I was 100% about the religion I was raised with) that hands out donated food on the third Wednesday of every month... hopefully they'll need some help as well. I LOVE volunteering, it makes me feel so wonderful.
I've had the busiest weekend! Christmas shopping.. lots of it... ahhhh!
Keep your fingers crossed for me! Ian has been swamped with homework so he has yet to begin his volunteer search. I hope I find a great volunteer opportunity soon!
On another note, we are missing Annabelle so much - especially with our Birthdays and the Holidays right around the corner. I think she would be so proud of us for helping other people, in memory of her. I know that if she were here she would be volunteering wherever she could when she was old enough.. she would have loved helping people, just like her Mumma and Daddy.
Becca
I've had the busiest weekend! Christmas shopping.. lots of it... ahhhh!
Keep your fingers crossed for me! Ian has been swamped with homework so he has yet to begin his volunteer search. I hope I find a great volunteer opportunity soon!
On another note, we are missing Annabelle so much - especially with our Birthdays and the Holidays right around the corner. I think she would be so proud of us for helping other people, in memory of her. I know that if she were here she would be volunteering wherever she could when she was old enough.. she would have loved helping people, just like her Mumma and Daddy.
Becca
Thursday, December 2, 2010
DECEMBER CHALLENGE!
Okay, so the December Challenge is...
Volunteer for 30 Days!
Yay! I SWEAR we did not choose this one on purpose. Ian drew it out of the bear's mouth.. The "bear" is actually a bear rug we have, and Ian prefers to draw it out of the bear's mouth instead of a hat (like normal people do). Anyway, This will totally be a challenge considering I have no available time during December between homework, mine and a fellow angel mom's book, and WORK! I know it will only get worse as we near the New Year, but I am accepting this challenge with open arms and it is such an appropriate time to start something so awesome!
Wish us luck everyone :) November's Challenge was kind of a bust considering I have yet to learn Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.. but hopefully I'll get around to that eventually.
Peace, love, and hugs!
Becca
Volunteer for 30 Days!
Yay! I SWEAR we did not choose this one on purpose. Ian drew it out of the bear's mouth.. The "bear" is actually a bear rug we have, and Ian prefers to draw it out of the bear's mouth instead of a hat (like normal people do). Anyway, This will totally be a challenge considering I have no available time during December between homework, mine and a fellow angel mom's book, and WORK! I know it will only get worse as we near the New Year, but I am accepting this challenge with open arms and it is such an appropriate time to start something so awesome!
Wish us luck everyone :) November's Challenge was kind of a bust considering I have yet to learn Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.. but hopefully I'll get around to that eventually.
Peace, love, and hugs!
Becca
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
DAY 30 of Instrumental Challenge
THIS IS THE LAST DAY OF OUR 30 DAY CHALLENGE!! AHHHHHHH!!
I am sad to say the guitar did not go well for me. To be honest, I did not have as much time to dedicate to this challenge as I had hoped, but at least I learned a few notes from Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. I will post videos of mine and Ian's FINAL performance later on today! He has done so well with the harmonica.
Can't wait to see what December's Challenge will be.. I hope that it isn't the vegetarian one. I would really like to be able to eat Turkey on Christmas.
I'm off to perfect my guitar skills.
Becca
I am sad to say the guitar did not go well for me. To be honest, I did not have as much time to dedicate to this challenge as I had hoped, but at least I learned a few notes from Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. I will post videos of mine and Ian's FINAL performance later on today! He has done so well with the harmonica.
Can't wait to see what December's Challenge will be.. I hope that it isn't the vegetarian one. I would really like to be able to eat Turkey on Christmas.
I'm off to perfect my guitar skills.
Becca
Monday, November 22, 2010
So Many Instruments! So Little Time.
The above video is of one of the BEST bands I have ever heard (I haven't heard too many lol but I think they are so awesome). Yesterday was the Santa Clause Parade in Orillia. Apparently we have the biggest Santa Clause parade north of Toronto - if you count the million fire trucks, police cars, and other random vehicles that drive in it. Anyway, there were bagpipes - drums - tubas - flutes - everything!! Ian says he now wishes he had learned the bagpipes, but I told him not to worry because the bagpipes would have been crazy expensive. I wish I chose the xylophone. There was one band at the parade that had 3 xylophone players!! It looked SO neat. The month is almost done though, so I will have to stick with my guitar. Maybe in a year or so we can have another instrumental 30 day challenge.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Twinkle, Twinkle
WOW! Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I finally have a video of me and the guitar. To be completely honest I haven't been practicing that much, but I've attached the video so you can all see how much I'm sucking. I think my goal within this goal is to learn how to play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. It's a song I always sing to Annabelle when I visit her memorial. It's also a song that reminds me of a fellow angel mommy's family (Stacy, for those of you on DS). Her son loved singing this song to his baby sister when she was in Mommy's tummy, and I absolutely love singing this song to Annabelle.
Maybe if I get a little better I can go play the song for Annabelle, we shall see. In the meantime, enjoy my ugly guitar skills and my ugly voice. Seriously, I watched the video before posting it and thought "Ew is that really my voice!???" -- funny how we always sound differently than we actually think we sound.Love and Hugs to Everyone!
Becca
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Day 13
Wow! It's hard to believe we're already at day 13 - my guitar skills have become flawless! I'm rockin on that thing every day.... JOKES! I am getting nowhere, quickly. It's awful. I'm sucking so much at the guitar. A friend suggested I try the yukalaylee. I don't know, maybe I'll try it, but the guitar is FREE! I don't understand why it's so difficult for me to play. Grr. Any tips are welcome!
Becca
Becca
Monday, November 8, 2010
Ian & The Harmonica!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Where to find motivation?
Ian came home yesterday with the harmonica - it's such a wonderful sounding instrument! Today at dinner he was saying how it's completely not what he expected. Instead of having to blow on different parts of it, like he assumed, you have to use your tongue to hit the right notes. I'm going to force him to explain it on video and maybe he can play a note or two for us! His goal within this goal is to learn how to play "Oh When The Saints Go Marching In" (I think that's what it's called).
The guitar seems to become more difficult every time I play it. My itty bitty fingers just cannot hold down the heavier, thicker strings. My other fingers hurt when I hit the chords, so I will have to find/buy a guitar pick. I was going to find a song I wanted to learn to play.. but I don't know if I'll get that far.
On a side note, Annabelle's headstone was put in this week. It is beautiful, just like my little angel. I was feeling very uninspired to continue my challenge and this blog considering my first Christmas without my baby is coming up... but after seeing her special marker, I feel overwhelmed with encouragement and motivation. I hope I can make my baby angel proud!
Hopefully I will have some videos posted on my next update.
Becca
The guitar seems to become more difficult every time I play it. My itty bitty fingers just cannot hold down the heavier, thicker strings. My other fingers hurt when I hit the chords, so I will have to find/buy a guitar pick. I was going to find a song I wanted to learn to play.. but I don't know if I'll get that far.
On a side note, Annabelle's headstone was put in this week. It is beautiful, just like my little angel. I was feeling very uninspired to continue my challenge and this blog considering my first Christmas without my baby is coming up... but after seeing her special marker, I feel overwhelmed with encouragement and motivation. I hope I can make my baby angel proud!
Hopefully I will have some videos posted on my next update.
Becca
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Choice of Instrument
Hope you like the new blog layout. I have decided to go with a different layout for each 30 Day Challenge.
WOOHOO! I have finally chosen my instrument (I know right, I've wasted 4 days of the challenge...) -- the guitar! I've chosen it for numerous reasons.
1 - My sister conveniently owns one, therefore I do not have to buy one.
2 - I have always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but have never had the time to do it.
3 - Maybe I can start a rock band - COOL!
I youtubed some "guitar lessons for newbies" and found that they all had one thing in common - learn the different parts of the guitar! I know I will never be able to remember the different parts as there seem to be so many..
* Headstock, at the end of the guitar neck.
* Neck, comprising frets, tuners, fretboard, headstock and truss rod.
* Nut, a small strip of any hard material at the headstock-fretboard juncture.
* Fretboard or fingerboard.
* Frets, metal strips embedded on the fretboard.
* Truss rod, a metal rod along the inside of the neck.
* Strings made from metal or polymer materials.
* Inlays, visual elements along the exterior surface.
AND, that is what is found on a basic guitar... I'm sure different types of guitars have a different amount of parts. I think, or at least I hope, that my sister's guitar is fairly basic.
Yes, for all of those wondering, I DID ask my sister to teach me how to play the guitar; since clearly that would be easier than youtube videos. However, she forgets (LOL what a nutbar).. so, I am on my own. Ian still has not found a harmonica! Ten bucks says he fails the challenge.
Anyway, that's all for now. Maybe I'll post a video soon of me attempting to learn the basics of a basic guitar.
Peace, Love, and Hugs to all!
Becca
WOOHOO! I have finally chosen my instrument (I know right, I've wasted 4 days of the challenge...) -- the guitar! I've chosen it for numerous reasons.
1 - My sister conveniently owns one, therefore I do not have to buy one.
2 - I have always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but have never had the time to do it.
3 - Maybe I can start a rock band - COOL!
I youtubed some "guitar lessons for newbies" and found that they all had one thing in common - learn the different parts of the guitar! I know I will never be able to remember the different parts as there seem to be so many..
* Headstock, at the end of the guitar neck.
* Neck, comprising frets, tuners, fretboard, headstock and truss rod.
* Nut, a small strip of any hard material at the headstock-fretboard juncture.
* Fretboard or fingerboard.
* Frets, metal strips embedded on the fretboard.
* Truss rod, a metal rod along the inside of the neck.
* Strings made from metal or polymer materials.
* Inlays, visual elements along the exterior surface.
AND, that is what is found on a basic guitar... I'm sure different types of guitars have a different amount of parts. I think, or at least I hope, that my sister's guitar is fairly basic.
Yes, for all of those wondering, I DID ask my sister to teach me how to play the guitar; since clearly that would be easier than youtube videos. However, she forgets (LOL what a nutbar).. so, I am on my own. Ian still has not found a harmonica! Ten bucks says he fails the challenge.
Anyway, that's all for now. Maybe I'll post a video soon of me attempting to learn the basics of a basic guitar.
Peace, Love, and Hugs to all!
Becca
Monday, November 1, 2010
Challenge Day 1
I barely got anywhere today. My "big" homework day yesterday turned into a relaxtion day.. so I was homework focused all day today. I still haven't decided what instrument I want to play! Grr. I better get cracking. I like the idea of all 3 instruments so it's really hard for me to choose. I think the keyboard may be the easiest to learn, however I have no access to one which makes thinks a little difficult - plus, I want a challenge, not the easy way out!
Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to choose an instrument. I think Ian has forgotten that this is the first day of our challenge. He hasn't mentioned the harmonica at all. Or! He could just be keeping it a surprise secret. Hmm. I'll wait and see.
Lots of love and big hugs to you all,
Becca
Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to choose an instrument. I think Ian has forgotten that this is the first day of our challenge. He hasn't mentioned the harmonica at all. Or! He could just be keeping it a surprise secret. Hmm. I'll wait and see.
Lots of love and big hugs to you all,
Becca
Saturday, October 30, 2010
NOVEMBER CHALLENGE!
November's 30 Day Challenge is...
Learn to play an instrument in 30 days!
Ian and I are so excited to begin our first challenge. Will we succeed? I hope so! We have been thinking a little bit about what instruments we want to play, but we cannot begin to look for/research instruments until the first day of our challenge!
I either want to learn the violin, keyboard, or guitar. The only way I can learn to play magical music from a violin is if I find somewhere in Orillia that I can rent one from. I'm not sure how expensive/inexpensive keyboards are so I will have to research that on Monday, November 1st. My sister, Madalyn, has a guitar that she is (hopefully) willing to let me use.. so the guitar is the most probable option. I don't want to pay for lessons, so I think my technique will be to use videos from youtube to learn how to play. I'm really excited! Tomorrow I'm having a major homework day so that I can get some assignments done and thus not be distracted from my 30 Day Challenge.
Ian is thinking about learning how to play the harmonica. I know, COOL! Such a great idea. Although I don't know where he is going to find one, buy one, or learn to play one. We shall wait and see.
Happy Halloween everyone, and Happy 1st Heaven Halloween to my sweet angel Annabelle.
I will update on Monday.
Peace, Love, and Hugs!
Becca
Learn to play an instrument in 30 days!
Ian and I are so excited to begin our first challenge. Will we succeed? I hope so! We have been thinking a little bit about what instruments we want to play, but we cannot begin to look for/research instruments until the first day of our challenge!
I either want to learn the violin, keyboard, or guitar. The only way I can learn to play magical music from a violin is if I find somewhere in Orillia that I can rent one from. I'm not sure how expensive/inexpensive keyboards are so I will have to research that on Monday, November 1st. My sister, Madalyn, has a guitar that she is (hopefully) willing to let me use.. so the guitar is the most probable option. I don't want to pay for lessons, so I think my technique will be to use videos from youtube to learn how to play. I'm really excited! Tomorrow I'm having a major homework day so that I can get some assignments done and thus not be distracted from my 30 Day Challenge.
Ian is thinking about learning how to play the harmonica. I know, COOL! Such a great idea. Although I don't know where he is going to find one, buy one, or learn to play one. We shall wait and see.
Happy Halloween everyone, and Happy 1st Heaven Halloween to my sweet angel Annabelle.
I will update on Monday.
Peace, Love, and Hugs!
Becca
Monday, October 25, 2010
Our Goal
My life partner, Ian, and I, Becca, have decided to challenge ourselves each month for the rest of our lives. We have named this project the "30 Day Challenge". Once we complete our challenges, we want other people to challenge us as well!
Our inspiration for completing each challenge is our daughter, Annabelle. Annabelle was born still at 31 weeks gestation. She is our hope, our light, our sunrise, our sunset, and our life. We want to live our lives to the fullest so we can live for her.
We hope to become successful in all of our challenges. Our first challenge will begin on November 1st, 2010.. Stay tuned!
Our inspiration for completing each challenge is our daughter, Annabelle. Annabelle was born still at 31 weeks gestation. She is our hope, our light, our sunrise, our sunset, and our life. We want to live our lives to the fullest so we can live for her.
We hope to become successful in all of our challenges. Our first challenge will begin on November 1st, 2010.. Stay tuned!
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