(DA) Surprise Tree!

Jason's Oma makes these beautiful wreathes and Christmas decorations that she's sold at craft shows for years! (Turns out that being crafty runs in both our families).

Last year she gave us a lovely poinsettia basket, and this year (I just found out) she's made us a small decorated Christmas tree!

We have a small apartment and I guess she heard me complain that we didn't have a tree last year and has made us one.

I can't wait to see it. What a lovely surprise.

-Brandolyn

(DA) CHRISTMAS PARTY

The first Christmas Party of the season is tonight and I'm so excited!

I've been baking and the house smells incredible.
I've been wrapping presents.
I've been painting ornaments.
I've been feeling the Christmas Spirit! and just wish the holidays were here!

I have a little Christmas nook that I've been decorating. BAM! Tonight after the party it's officially CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!!!!

(Also can't wait to see some of my favourite people tonight!)

-Brandolyn

(DA) Races!

I'm already signed up for 1 of my races coming up in the new year. It's the biggest and baddest, the Spartan Sprint! 5+ KM of track, up and down a ski mountain, with 20+ obstacles to go over, through and under. AMAZING! I did it last year and LOVED  IT. I can't wait to do it again this year, and hopefully complete some of the challenges I couldn't finish last year.

-Brandolyn

Next year my picture will be with other friends, but no less enthusiastic!

(DA) Excerpt

I know I posted my latest work on my FanFiction 'Snipits' several days ago, but I cannot get over the start of the piece. I write these Fictions as the show is written and spoken, ie: with British-isms. It's a wonderful challenge to write British-isms, without having ever lived in the UK. Most of my experience comes from friends or TV. And when I feel like I've actually accomplished coherent and passably authentic British-isms, I can't help but be proud and excited!

Sherlock and Brianna’s personalities are so different it’s easy to believe that compromise is a big part of their relationship- despite the fact that John would say “He doesn’t know how to compromise. It’s one of the many things he’s deleted over the years.”

One of the couple’s many compromises is about ‘going for coffee’.

Brianna loves coffee shops. She likes her coffee full of decadent flavours and topped with whipping cream. She likes chatting in booths or at little café tables under colourful patio umbrellas, but Sherlock doesn’t. Sherlock cannot sit still very long surrounded by people; not to mention surrounded by people gossiping or staring at him awkwardly over his picture in the paper. And when Sherlock is bored or unhappy, he’s miserable to be around.

Since they cannot agree to get coffee at a café, Brianna and Sherlock compromise by going into a café, taking their drinks in take-away cups, and enjoying the warm beverages as they wander the streets and parks of London. 

-Brandolyn

(DA) It's been a long time

Tonight I got to chat with an old best friend. We were as close as sisters in high school and though our schooling and jobs have separated us by distance we've managed to stay close friends. But the last 6 months have been difficult to connect because of a new addition to her family. A lovely baby boy has her all to himself!

She's been so busy as a new mom and our schedules seem to be backwards, so we've barely said more than a quick "Hello" on Facebook, except tonight.

I guess we just caught each other at a good time, and were able to catch up on everything we could think of! We talked for hours, and I smiled a giddy excited smile the whole time.

It was like breathing in fresh air after holding your breath too long. It felt amazing to connect with her again,

-Brandolyn

P.S- For those who are wondering, Opa's surgery was postponed, so he's still alive and kicking!~ XOXO

(DA) Goodbye

I've never had the pleasure of saying "goodbye" to a loved one for the last time before they pass away. Although it wasn't a fun experience, it was a privilege to be able to say a final farewell to Opa tonight.

We do not know that it is his time yet, but he has a procedure scheduled for tomorrow morning that has a lot of risks to it. He called a family meeting tonight so that he could set his affairs in order, and so that everyone could say goodbye. It was a difficult thing to witness, I hate saying goodbye, but it was great to get the opportunity. Often death comes out of nowhere and we are left with all these things we wish we had gotten a chance to say, or say one last time.

Good luck tomorrow Opa. I hope to see you soon.

-Brandolyn

(DA) It's the most ...

productive time of the YEAR! *I sing*

When I'm sick, I have no reason not to write, and I get inspired and can;t stop. When I'm sick, no matter the time of year, I become the most productive writer I can be. I just don't stop- until I pass out asleep. But before exhaustion hits, I just keep writing.

Unfortunately I'm writing a very exciting part of the middle of my book which I can't share out of context. But maybe in the next couple days I'll write something for one of my FanFictions and be able to share some of that.

But now, back to the fun stuff!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Recovery

I've been sick for most of the past week and after the late night last night I woke up today and didn't want to deal with the world.

I think most of my day today has been split between napping, writing and watching TV.

I hate being sick, but at least the dog understands and is willing to take some slow, quiet days snuggling with me while I recuperate.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Charity Night!

Tonight's the night and as I thought, it is a HUGE SUCCESS!

We've got lots of attendees and everyone is having fun. I've been MC all night (with a cold, so I have a lovely, deep, crackly voice) and I've been running and preparing food all night that I've already done 10,000 steps up and down the steps at work! And the night is still young. I bet I'll be here till 2 am!

My feet are sore, my throat is killing me and I'm having a wonderful time!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Planning

I am one of a small committee planning a Charity event at work, and tomorrow we get to see if our efforts are going to pay off.

We've put so much work into planning this event that I can't wait to see how it unfolds. We didn't get the positive response in ticket sales that we expected, but we did get a lot of support from local organizations donating prizes for our Silent Auction.

I had better get a lot of sleep because tomorrow is going to be a LONG day.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Snipits

Today I started writing a new story for my Sherlock FanFiction. If you are interested, you can read it >>>>HERE<<<<

-Brandolyn

(DA) Inspiration has Struck!

I'm sick, and when I'm sick all I can think of is writing. It's when my body shuts off and is sick, my brain jumps into high gear. I can't focus because I have so many ideas I want to throw down onto paper.

I'm in the midst of a quiet day at home with the dog, writing down as much as I possibly can.

Wish me luck!

-Brandolyn

(DA) It's WINTER

And it's freezing!

I thought it was warmer than it felt when I was out for a walk with the dog, and then I realized it was -20 C with the wind chill!

The air is cold, snow is falling, I've been shovelling snow, we've lost power AND I feel a tickle in my throat. It's officially winter!

I'm sure I'll appreciate it as soon as I throw on a pair of snow shoes or skis, but until then, I'll cuddle inside where it's warm and dream of the Holidays.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Lost Confidence

Somewhere along the way I lost confidence in myself. I used to have the ability to tell my superiors when something was wrong immediately. But I've been reprimanded for that so many times that, now I hold it in, stew over it, and EVENTUALLY bring it up.

I want that confidence back. And shame on those who took that away from me.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Santa Claus Parade

Apparently this is my 10th year marching in the Santa Claus Parade. I didn't realize I've been doing that long.

I wonder if I can name all my costumes? In order:

1-Parka Playmates
2-
3-
4-Dogs
5-Winter Playmates
6-Butterflies
7-Starbursts
8-Diva Fish
9-Chickens
10-Greeter Clown

I'm still struggling to remember all the costumes! I'll fill them in as I remember or am reminded.

It's been amazing! Walking with family and friends, meeting new people and seeing friendly faces in the crowd is amazing!

-Brandolyn

When I have pictures, I'll add them in!

(DA) Video Games

I have never really been a fan of video games.

I get bored easily with most, and I have poor hand/ eye co-ordination (probably from a lack of interest in training it with practise) so I'm not very good when I do play them. Recently I had the opportunity to play a Mario Party game on the Wii. (If these names are strange to you, then you and I have practically the same knowledge). My friends encouraged me on, and I tried very hard and in the last round of the game I was comfortably sitting in last place (4th of 4).

And then, after the game players are awarded points, and stars for in-game accomplishments.

Well, I got so many prizes for "bad luck" and "losing the most games" etc, that I ended up with the most points and won the game!

I was thrilled! My win was undeserved, I really had no skill, but it was kind of fun to win that way- and it made poking fun at the other players too easy!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Memory Lane

Washburn and I took a nice long walk down memory lane today. We went to visit Washburn's first home.

Washburn recognized the area immediately. He remembered old walking routes, and where neighbouring dogs live.

We walked for 3.5 hours exploring old routes. By the end Wash was quite tired and my feet were VERY sore.

Wash even stopped on the way home.

The Sun was out, the weather was cool, there were leaves all over the ground and it couldn't have been a better day for a nice long walk.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Puppet Dressing Day 2

Today went smoother than yesterday, and I've already learned all the actor's preferences when it comes to how they like their costumes prepped and layered.

I've also done some minor repairs on one of the heads.

I'm sad to see the show move on to the next theatre, but I'm so glad to have met this group. There are some lovely forever friends in this cast. I'm also thrilled for the experience to work with puppets! My resume is forever expanding!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Another long day

I got a last minute call to dress a show full of puppets from the Jim Hensen shop.

Jim Hensen is the designer and creator of Kermit the Frog.


As I've never worked on a show with puppets, I jumped at the opportunity. And it turns out, I loved it. These were not puppets as I had imagined. They were actors dressed in 'pods' (which is a politically correct way of describing a suit that adds mass to a body), with large heads with mouths that move, controlled by hydraulics.

I did 2 shows today, and have 1 tomorrow. It's been a long day, but I felt right at home.

Dressing the puppets/ puppeteers was too cool. Layers and layers of costumes. The actors were pretty self sufficient until they had the heads on, then they needed a lot of help. They also had to come off stage periodically in the costumes weren't 'behaving' and needed adjustment because they couldn't do it themselves. So I stood just off stage the whole show waiting, in case they needed me.

Then, once the curtain comes down, I would race on stage and get the actors out of their suits as fast as possible. After an hour and a half dancing around in 'pods' and giant heads, the actors were soaked!

And then finally it's time to dry the suits and heads, and throw everything else in the wash.

Also, I realized most puppets of this kind are 'left-handed'. Why? Because the actors inside them are right handed and use their right hands for the palm trigger of the hydraulic mouths. So, obviously they have to use their other hand to grab props on stage.

Cool right?

-Brandolyn

(DA) Remembrance Day

Remembrance day is marked on my calendar, tagged in my phone and even has an alarm set to go off at 11AM because  I am so worried that I'll forget to Remember.

As it was I remembered the 11th of November. I remembered to take a moment at 11:00am, and I said a few prayers for the men and women who gave their lives.

But it wasn't until I got home and read the beautiful bit of writing my husband posted today on his blog that what all those soldiers did, really sank in.

He wrote:


***

Remembrance

Posted on November 11, 2014

My remembrance is all I can give, but it’s not much.

Today is just one day, this moment just one moment. That is the remembrance I give.

But when I walk through a sunny meadow, when I laugh at the joke of a friend, when I fall asleep on a soft mattress I don’t remember. I don’t have to remember.

That is the sacrifice that was made for me. The sacrifice of everything with the reward of nothing, not even a thought. Not even a memory.

As I walk through a sunny meadow today a man, like me in all ways, walked through a sunny meadow in France 100 years ago. I walk and enjoy the sunlight, savour the breeze and complain about forgetting my hat. He walks into fire and blood. The heavy mud caked to his legs and feet makes trudging slow and laborious. Poison fills the craters around him and thunder fills the air. Humanity lays in pieces all around him.

As I walk back to my car to drive home he walks into a meat grinder, the deadliest battlefield in history.

Every moment of our lives today was paid with blood of those that went before us, and those who fight for us now. Each day is a series of moments absent of a memory of this.

Today, for one brief moment, I can give a small gift of remembrance. Not to glorify, but to express my gratitude that during the rest of the moments I can forget. 

***

Thank you Jason for putting that so accurately. 

Check out his blog at: Jason's Thoughts

-Brandolyn

(DA) Incredible Feeling

Last night I had the second best experience in a dream I've ever had.

The best experience I have dreamed was when I learned to fly. Just like in Harry Potter, I got my broomstick, kicked off from the ground and went soaring through the air, wind whistling in my ears, my hair whipping along behind me like a tail. Of course, I hit a tree, bounced off and continued flying.

This one however, on top of feeling my surroundings, I felt the feelings too. I don;t know what happened really, I just know I encountered 'something' and refused to deal with it. I turned and ran from 'whatever it was', and kept running until I saw a beach. I ran at the water, stripping off my clothes ready to dive, desperate to dive, but the water was too shallow. So I kept running. The water weighed down my legs as I kept running, looking for deep enough water to submerge into.

I kept running, not until I got tired, but until I felt like I didn't need to dive anymore.

The overwhelming relief that washed over me when I realized I no longer needed to run was incredible, almost indescribable and extremely relaxing.

It's amazing what you can do and feel in dream. I've been able to realize I am in a dream and manipulate them, I have learned to fly, and now I have let run so far and learned to release my worries.

Incredible.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Duty and Desire

How do you choose between something you 'should do' and 'something you want to do'?

I usually do the thing I should do, out of respect for common courtesy, social convention and fear of disappointing someone else, sometimes;often actually, at the risk of my own happiness, comfort or enjoyment. This is bad- usually.

I'm finally at a point where I'm acknowledging that I am putting others ahead of myself, and that means can now stand up for myself and say no.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Marvel

I never read comic books as a kid but I still idolized their heroes. I prefer Superman over Batman, and the Flash over Green Lantern. I love The Avengers over the Fantastic Four. I like Iron man over Spiderman, and laugh when Aquaman is brought up.

There's always been a rivalry between Marvel and DC, and having never read the comic books I judge them based off of their movie franchises. And I love the Marvel franchise that has been gracing the Big Screen for the past several years. Absolutely love it.

Iron man
Thor
Captain America
Iron man 2
The Avengers
Iron man 3
Thor: the Dark World
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy

These were all created by Marvel Studios. There are more movies based in Marvel's Universe such as X-Men, the Fantastic Four and Spiderman, but Marvel studios perfects these movies so much that I cannot help but watch them over and over and over again,

That is, with the exception of the Hulk, and Captain America.

The Hulk is predictable because no one can get through those movies. But Captain America?

I can;t narrow down why I don't enjoy those two movies. I cannot remember anything about the first movie, and barely made it through the second without getting bored and turning it off.

I really like Captain America in the Avengers, but in his own movies, something is seriously lacking, and I wish I knew what it was.

He's attractive, and skilled with his heart in the right place. He's a people's hero, he should be my favourite super hero, but I can't re-watch his films.

The only thing that I did notice was that the musical score in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' was not high on my list of favourites, actually I barely noticed it at all; except when it was out of place.

Marvel usually has me on the edge of my seat in anticipation and excitement. I was so tense throughout 'Guardians of the Galaxy' that my hand had a hard time straightening from a fist when I left the theatre.

-Brandolyn

(DA) MINE!

There was a package delivered to the house today.

Jason opened it and remembered he had ordered it, before tossing it to me to see. I immediately read the title "The Emotion Thesaurus"- A Writer's Guide to Character Expression and I yelled "MINE!" as I ran into the bed room and stuffed my face into the pages reading it excitedly.

This book is SO COOL! It's eye opening, and confidence building (because there are lots of cliche phrasing I already avoid YAY)

I've only had it a few minutes and it's already one of my favourite books.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Excerpt

Here's a tiny bit of the Sherlock story I've been working on.

***

Sherlock’s head dropped to his chest, blood dripping down the side of his face from a cut in his brow. Slowly his eyes closed and the Detective stopped talking. 

“Sherlock? Sherlock, wake up.” John called. “Stay with me mate. You promised.”

Sherlock’s head didn’t move, showing no sign that he heard John.

“For God’s sake Sherlock! Wake up!” He shouted. “You’ve tried every substance imaginable, this can’t be that bad.” He grumbled under his breath.

“Do you regret me quitting?” Sherlock’s voice drifted over to John as the Detective’s head lulled to the side. His eyes were shut tight, his fists holding tightly to the arms of the chair to which he was bound.

“Not even for one second.” John exhaled relieved. “Thank God you’re alright.”

“I’m conscious John, but alright is a significant over exaggeration of my condition.” He said in his usual 'I'm bored with idiots' tone. 

***

-Brandolyn

(DA) Hanger Ugly

My mother and I have a saying while shopping "Hanger Ugly".

We use it to describe clothing pieces that we find terrible on the hanger, try it on anyway (or as a joke) and realize it fits well and looks lovely.

Today however, I saw a sweater in a store window and loved it immediately. It was nice dark colours, a soft knit, long and baggy, and looked great on the hanger. I walked into the store, tried it on and coined a new term "Hanger Lovely". Unfortunately it was the least flattering thing I've tried on in a long time. It was terrible! It clung to all the wrong places, the knit work was uneven and loose and it just didn't do anything for me.

I'm still sad that it looked so bad on, because it was SO nice on the hanger!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Symbols

I have many different symbols that reappear in the stories I tell. Some are small, like the recurrence of different kinds of leaves, some are bigger like flames and fire and guiding lights. But the most common, or obvious symbol I write about is 'Feathers'.

Feathers are the most common symbol I use, and the closest to my heart. Feathers for me represent purity, freedom, strength, agility and gentleness. It is such a predominant symbol for me that it has escaped my writing and also become a symbol for myself outside of my fantasy worlds.

Feathers cover my journals, scarves, jewelry, shirts, hats and socks. If you look closely, I'm often trailing something adorned with feathers.

I believe the fascination started in High school when I discovered that my Great Grandmother is my Guardian Angel. -I don't care if you believe in Guardian Angels or not. But this happened around the time that I started writing and has inspired me ever since.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Choices

Jason and I have several options for upcoming vacations and we can only afford 1, and I'm struggling to choose.

Narrowing down the options is difficult when everything sounds brilliant and amazing.

1. We have friends with access to timeshares for winter wonderland skiing and adventures, who have invited us with them. So, amazing wintery road trip with the buds. -Most affordable option.

2. Jason's family has an extended reunion this spring in Holland. We could explore Europe and stay with family to keep costs down. This is a trip Jason has done, and I've heard all the stories and really want to see. -Mid range affordability

3. We've been dying to go to Australia and we have friends who live there who are willing to help us plan the most affordable trip possible, while couch surfing, camping and exploring Australia. -Most expensive trip, even just the airfare

I know the trip a financially responsible person would pick, I know the trip an expense weary yet adventure craving person would pick, and I know the once in a life time trip that I should jump at.

I am all of these people! And have no idea how to choose. Jason and I have a lot to talk about so that we can narrow it down.

-Brandolyn

(DA) November 1st

Today was supposed to be a day of celebration, and it was much harder than it was supposed to be.

It's Oma's 91st Birthday and the family was getting together for an early Birthday Dinner. Unfortunately, Opa had been admitted to the hospital with chest pains a few days prior. Opa's a tough guy, but he had the family worried anyway. What made everything worse was that Oma had a fall this morning and hit her head on a cabinet.

She needed a couple staples and was a little shaken, but otherwise fine.

Oma and Opa were both laughing (howling in Opa's case), and were sent home later in the afternoon, but it was tough to see them both in the Hospital.

Seeing loved ones injured or sick is always tough, but I feel old enough to be able to judge the situation, and I knew Oma and Opa were okay. There are some things the family is changing to help them with their situation, but they were going to go home today, and that's a good sign.

Unfortunately it was very tough on one of the younger cousins. She wasn't able to look at her grandparents and grasp onto the concept that although they were in the hospital, they weren't dying. They were a little battered and bruised, but they're okay.

Although it wasn't the celebration she wanted, the grand kids all visited Oma in the hospital. She got to have us all to herself for a while and it was lovely to see her smile light up when we showed up.

-Brandolyn