Timing is everything.

If you haven't already read the beginning of this story stop right now!
Go here.
Read that part first and then come back.

As I reflect on new years eve I wonder to myself what it was about that night that made me see Mr.Wonderful in a new light.
Something had changed for me. But what?
There was a definite shift from friend to the potential for more. But why then. Why that night?
Was it the conversation I had with Ali Raney the day before?
I don't really know how or why it happened then. Why it wasn't a year ago or a year from now.
But as I "say" that out loud I realize that I do know why.

It was part of God's plan.

It was the perfect time where we were both ready and willing to take a huge leap of faith and put ourselves out there.
To risk.
To try.
To be bold.
I'm so glad that we did.

Stay tuned for more details.

Julia

Yoda, my cat she is.

Have you met Roxy?

She's my new friend.
She's been living with me for a few months now.
I adopted her from Brian & Ali Raney, you can read about their search for a new home for her here.
Adjusting to having a pet has not been easy.
Can you guess what the hardest thing for me is?
Not being in total control.
If you know me you know that I keep my apartment super clean.
Like really clean.
We are talking OCD here people.
I just like it that way.
I am a control freak, I admit it.
Is it possible that God sent me Roxy to help me get over that?
To show me that there is so much more to life than having a super clean apartment?
That when I give up the control I gain so much more?
Snuggles from this furball are pretty great.
As I type this she is doing the "oh I'm upside down and all cute and you love me" pose.
Having another living thing in my life makes me smile.
So what if I step on kitty litter in the hallway or go to work with cat hair all over my pants.
Oh yeah, I'm that girl now.
I try to control so much of my life that I leave very little room for God to do his work.
Maybe Yoda kitty is here to teach me to let go.
One.
Meow.
At.
A.
Time.

Julia

Honest to blog

Did you get that movie reference?
No?
What kind of Canadian are you?
Come over to my house and we'll have a Juno viewing party.

I'll greet you at the door with "Yo yo yiggity yo".
That's how I answer the phone sometimes.
Because I'm cool like that.
Although today I was called a nerd, geek and granola.
Who says those things aren't cool?
Not me.
Moving on.

I'm so excited to be back on the blog wagon that I wanted to introduce you to some of the blogs that I read and am inspired by.
Read on my friend, read on.

Not Hip Enough to Blog By Ali Raney
Ali's blog is a beautiful mix of fantastic stories about her growing music career as a brilliant fiddler (I know she plays other instruments but I don't know what they are), life as a Christian woman, wife, daughter and friend living in Toronto and totally random stuff that I don't know how to categorize. You will be thoroughly entertained and moved by what you read. Trust me!

Curvy Canadian By Karen Ward
I'm not sure how I came across this blog a few months ago but I'm sure glad that I did. Karen writes for every plus-sized Canadian girl. Her blog is full of great tips on where to shop, products she's tried, contests and daily outfits modeled by Karen herself! It is such an empowering read for any woman who has felt outside of the norm of what our society considers beautiful. Karen's recent post Six Take: No H8 really hit home for me as someone who was teased as a teenager because of my weight. Thanks Jenny Craig for having such a catchy jingle that even 12 year old boys could remember it and sing it to me. Sorry. Deep breaths.

Eco-Parenting By Kathy Mo
Kathy's blog is pretty much exactly what the title says. A great resource for parents who want to take care of the planet while they take care of their kids. It is full of great tips on products and services to help make it easier to do. She even has a great store called My Lil Sweet Pea where she sells lots of great products. The cloth diapers were so cute I wanted to buy them. But my cat wouldn't like it if I put diapers on her. She's a free spirit.


Front Porch Revolution By Maryellen Boyes

Remember how I said someone called me "granola" today? Ahem. I blame this beauty and the inspiring ideas she puts out into cyber space for my new found passion for thinking outside of my plastic bag. Mare offers up great ideas and solutions to the challenges that those who want to leave the earth a better place than when we found it face every day. She is a supermom who bakes bread for her Boyes and encourages you to think about how you live everyday. I am changed for the better.

On Her Toes By Nadine Bells
Nadine's blog is beyond brilliant! It is a fun read for anyone who loves pop culture, fashion, Jesus, beauty and honest accounts of what it means to be a women/daughter/sister/cousin/Sunday school teacher/fiancee/writer following a different path in this culture of "more is more". She will make you feel like you're listening to your bestie tell you about her day!


Your homework has been assigned.
Let me know what you think.

And if you have a blog I should be reading let me know about it!

Jules