Brandy Ink

Disneyland

Well, we just got back from our ten day trip to Disneyland. BUT...

I ended up with a really, really, REALLY, nasty flu bug and didn't actually make it out of the hotel room. Yep... I missed the entire trip! Thankfully Grady was there to take the girls to Disneyland every day and make sure that they still had a great time. They all tried to pretend that they were sad that I was missing out, but judging by the photos and their smiles from ear to ear, I'm pretty sure I wasn't missed as much as they said :) It's all good though. I'm so happy they enjoyed the trip. At least someone did!

I cried for a good portion of the week in the hotel room realizing that I had just saved my money all year long to miss out. But, now that I'm home again and on the mend, I'm over it. I'm thinking it was a blessing in disguise. I've neglected my health by not eating healthy for far too long and the fact that I got so sick is a good indication that my poor little body has nothing to fight with. So, I'm taking it all as a sign that it's time to get serious about getting healthy. Like, for real this time.

And actually, I'm pretty excited about it. I can hardly wait to feel better.

Here we come!

We leave today for a ten day holiday to California. We all have the flu but I'm hoping by the time we arrive at the happiest place on earth, we'll all make a miraculous recovery. I have severe body aches to the point where I can hardly stand myself, not to mention a nasty cough, chills, and sweats. Sucks to be me.

But, the show must go on because the kids are vibrating with excitement AND it's our first major family vacation with Grady. Yay! And as you can see, Mickey and Minnie are anxiously awaiting our arrival.

I'll see everyone back at Brandyink.com in about ten days or so :)

Pictureka!

I went downtown last week to try and buy Pictionary Jr. so that we could play it for family night. Pictionary is one of my all time favorite games, but, I couldn't find it in little old Creston. So, I bought Pictureka instead. I'd never heard of it before but OMG... it was soooo fun!

Below is what the board game looks like and the object of the game is to find objects. For instance, you'll have 30 seconds to find 8 anchors. Or, 6 hearts. Go! It's kind of like a massive Where's Waldo sort of thing, but with a time limit. It's pretty intense...

Some were really hard to find and some were really easy.

Even though the game caused the kids a little stress at moments, there were a lot of laughs and they ended up kicking butt. Grady and I were big old losers and the kids got to gloat. It was probably the funnest board game I've played in years.

Grady and I are going to play it with out grown up friends next time they come over for drinks. It was that fun.

The Confession - Quitting

I've been quitting smoking all week, and actually, this time feels different. I think I feel more ready than I ever have before. But, like any addict, I fell off the wagon a few times, but I'm not giving up. I know I can do this. I feel like I've made more progress this week than I have in years. Things I've learned this week through personal exploration and reading:

• I am a drug addict.
• I am addicted to the most powerful drug in the world.
• Smoking is not a habit, it's an addiction.
• Hundreds of people die per year from heroine, but millions from nicotine.
• Smoking does not taste good but smokers love to say it does.
• Smoking doesn't do anything for us except get rid of the feeling of wanting one.
• Smoking doesn't not relieve stress, it makes it worse.
• You can become addicted to nicotine after smoking only ONE cigarette.
• If the nicotine from just ONE cigarette was injected into your vein, you would die instantly.
• Smoking destroys your nerves and confidence.
• Smoking destroys your health and wealth.
• The actual physical withdrawal symptoms from nicotine are so slight that smokers only know the feeling as "I WANT A CIGARETTE!"
• Smoking is not your friend, your pleasure, or your crutch.
• The less you smoke, the more hooked you are, and harder it is to quit.
• All smokers lie to themselves.
• Using willpower to quit does not work.
• The advantages of being a smoker: There aren't any.
• Fear is what keeps us smoking.
• Quitting is a frame of mind.
• Smoking causes lethargy.
• It will never feel like its the right time to quit.
• Quitting takes courage.
• Addiction is mental, not physical.
• Smokers spend half their life upset because they aren't allowed to smoke and the other half upset because they're smoking. Wouldn't it be nice to be free from this?

I've been reading this book. Actually, I've almost read it twice now. If anyone out there is trying to quit, I would highly recommend it. Alison at Black Bear Books can order it in for you. It's probably the best thing I've ever read on quitting smoking and honestly, I think it's working for me. I can't say I'm totally there yet, but I did make it four days this week smoke free and that's more than I can say for myself in a long time!

The book is all about changing your frame of mind, and because I just bought the book four days ago, my mind is going through a transformation but it hasn't totally soaked in yet. The book is amazing, it just takes a few days to fully obsorb. I'm so excited though. His theory is awesome and I really feel like it's the only thing I've ever heard that will actually work for me. Yay!

Seriously, if you're a smoker, READ IT. You'll be glad you did.

Spa Night

For Family Night this week, we enjoyed Spa Night. We started off by putting the stones in a mini-crock pot to heat up...Once they were warm we all enjoyed giving each other Hot Stone Massages. Ahhh.... it felt sooooo good. 
Once we were all relaxed and refreshed, we all enjoyed a yummy Spa dinner...
accompanied with a glass of wine in our fancy Spa glasses (don't worry, the girls had juice).A beautiful, relaxing evening of massage, music, and wine. Who could ask for anything more? A perfect Family Night.

A Great Gift

Look at what one of my favorite customers bought for me :) Don't you love it? It's a double wall, insulated tumbler, with straw. It will be the perfect cup for camping this summer.... I'm always looking for discreet ways of drinking pina-coladas on the public beaches. This is perfect, and stylish to boot!

Thanks Marilin!

If you want one of these for yourself (also available in other patterns), visit Black Bear Books in Creston.

Saving Lives, One Speech at a Time...

Recently I have been volunteering my services as part of the P.A.R.T.Y. Program. For those of you who don't know, this a program that educates teenagers on the risks involved with drugs, alcohol and everything in between. It's an annual event that is mandatory in the B.C. school system. It is set up to educate the youth on all risk related events and to help educate them on how to make good choices.

My job has been to speak to the grade ten classes on drinking and driving. I've been sharing with them my story of the two major tragedies I suffered as a youth when I lost four of my friends in two separate drinking and driving accidents and how it changed not only my life, but the lives of the many others involved in both the crashes.

It has been a lot more nerve wracking than I ever anticipated, standing up there in front of a bunch of intimidating youth, but well worth it. As I read my story, and looked up from my notes to the teary eyed teens, I knew my story hit home. So often they hear stories from parents who have lost children to drinking and driving but I felt my story really made an impact as I think they can relate more-so to losing a peer, rather than a child. Basically, I scared the crap out the poor little buggers.

Throughout the four weeks of doing this, I've experienced a real emotional roller coaster ride of emotions by drudging all this stuff up in gorey detail, but, the rewards have far outweighed the stress. I feel like by sharing my story, not only have a I let go of some of the guilt that I had carried forward, but also I have let go of some of the post traumatic stress by sharing my story. I feel so much better, almost relieved. But really, the best therapy I could ever ask for is that perhaps I've saved a few lives.

What an awesome REWARD for all that I've experienced.