500 Days of Marriage

It's hard to believe that 500 days ago today, Matt and I officially tied the knot!

That day was one of the best days of my life, but life has definitely gotten better since then.

I can truly say I love Matt more than I even did before we got married. We've definitely had our ups and downs this past year, but each time we come out stronger.

Here are five things I've learned after 500 days of marriage:

1. I am way more particular about things than I thought I was. Okay, maybe anal is a better word. I have learned that sometimes it doesn't matter what way the edges are folded when making the bed, as long as the covers are on. If they don't fall off when we sleep, then it's really okay.

2. Always make sure to make time for date night. No matter how hectic the day, week or month, always make sure you have one night a week (or month) to get together and connect. Whether that's going out for a nice dinner at Golf's Steakhouse, or spending the weekend together cuddling on the couch and watching a season of Lost, always leave room to connect with each other.

3. Never have a deep conversation after 10 pm. I'll admit, we've broken this rule a few times, and after each one, I remember "Don't have a deep conversation after 10". It usually doesn't end up too well.

4. Who needs a duvet in the winter when you sleep with a furnace? Enough said.


5. Getting a dog really does help you understand your parenting styles and prepares you for kids. I realize that this may not be true for everyone, but for us, it has worked wonders. Thankfully to Hank, we're able to work out some of our kinks on him instead of our first born child!

Happy 500 days of Marriage Anniversary, babe. Here's to 500 x 500 x 500 x 500 x infinity more :)

I love you.

#8. Knit & finish a baby blanket

I am so excited about this project!

When I found out a few months ago that my cousin Justin and his wife Katie were pregnant, I knew immediately that I wanted to make them something special. I found the most adorable yarn from the Bernat Pipsqueak line, Sittin' Pretty, and knew it would be absolutely the most cuddliest blanket ever for a baby!

So began the challenge. I had only ever made one baby blanket before, and it had been crocheted. It didn't turn out how I expected it to, so I had high hopes for this one.

One and a half months later, and I'm finished,  just in time for Katie's baby shower, which was only two weekends ago.

Obviously pictures don't do it justice, but here are a few shots of the finished product. It even had a little hood that you can bundle the baby up in. Can't wait to see her!

Cutest mommy-to-be ever!

45 Things I've Learned by Being a Bank Teller

I had a good laugh today when one of my colleagues sent around an email about 50 Things I Have Learned by Being a Bank Teller.  This list pretty much details our job to a "T".  I took out a few that didn't really relate to me (as it is an American list), but bolded the ones that define us tellers perfectly. I realize that a lot of people don't realize what they are doing, so maybe these will just be good reminders for the next time you go in to your bank :) Enjoy!

45 Things I've Learned by Being a Bank Teller


1. I know everyone in the world, so I never need to ask for ID.
2. I’ll be with you in one moment, means ‘Come right up here into my business and breathe your popcorn breath in my face for a while.
3. Every bank in the world steals money from its customers, particularly the ones that don’t keep a register.
4. I’m always kidding when I tell people a cheque is not any good. I’m a good kidder.
5. I know the balance of every account at the bank.
6. I am at the bank just because I feel like it; my wicket isn’t actually open when I say, "I'd like to help you here!"
7. I know everyone’s account number.
8. I know everyone’s address.
9. I don’t understand how banking works.
10. I have to do whatever the person who gave my customer the cheque said.
11. I don’t know how to count.
12. I don’t know how to add.
13. I don’t know what the date is.
14. I can read everyone’s mind.
15. If I ask for your social, I'm trying to steal your identity.
16. I know when every new coin will be arriving.
17. I know how much everyones bills are for the month.
18. We are just here for fun on most holidays and weekends, we're not really open. We love when you rub it in.
19. When someone asks how you want your cash back, you are supposed to tell them after you get your money back.
20. Your time is more important than mine. I have no life. When you show up 5 minutes before we close to make 10 deposits or open a new account, we don't mind.
21. Everyone with the Bank name tag is related.
22. I am also your secretary.
23. We love to place holds on your cheques for fun. We are the only bank that does it.
24. 13 hours and 10 minutes is not enough time for people to do their business.
25. I am in charge of the never ending popcorn, smarties, and coffee.
26. It is polite to ignore someone when they say hello.
27. It is my fault when someone cuts you in line. I should have been paying attention to you and not your money.
28. I know what a checkingdepositwithdrawal for savings is.
29. Being rude should make me want to help you more.
30. I am not really human, I should not make mistakes.
31. It is okay to go into someones office when their door is shut.
32. The sign that says Next Window Please is just for decoration.
33. I make people wait on purpose. It's fun to make them mad.
34. I know everyones pin number to their ATM card.
35. Fraud isn't real. I should give customers exactly what they want.
36. The bank gives out free poinsettias at Christmas, we order them for you, not the bank. Display only means whatever you want it to mean.

37. Please and Thank You are forbidden words at the bank. We hate to hear them.

38. When I tell someone the same thing over and over, I'm just doing it for fun. I like to waste my breath.
39. We will break the rules for anybody as long as you gripe for more than 10 minutes.
40. I am a professional coin counter. Even when the machine is broken, I will count the coin for you by hand. It is my favorite thing to do!

41. I am psychic. When you call I can recognize your voice and pull up your information. My computer is voice activated. It's that fancy technology we have.
42. You don't have to tell me that you've been with the bank for 50 years… I can tell. (I've obviously been alive and working here that long!)
43. Even after 4 years, I am a new teller to anyone who has never seen me before. If  I've never met you, I have no idea what I'm doing.
44. I make the rules for the banking industry. You can blame everything on me!
45. I’m an idiot.

#9. Be Featured in the Media

Thanks to my great family, I was reminded today that I have already accomplished # 9: Be Featured in the Media

On July 22, 2010, I was featured in The Record, for my involvement with the Young & Free Ontario competition. (Check out my blog post 193 - The Winning Number, for details on the results!)

Here is a link to the article: Young job applicants make their pitch online

One down, 24 more to go! (And if I make it into the media again, I'll be uber excited!)

My 25 Before 25 Bucket List

In approximately 439 days 10,548 hours, I will be turning 25. Yes, I can see how it might seem like it is a long ways away, but in actuality, I know it will be there before I know it.  


It made me start to think, what have I done with my life thus far? 


Yes, I know I have accomplished a lot, but I want to make sure I'm living my life purposefully, not be default.

That being said, I decided to come up with a 25 Things I Want to do Before I'm 25 list. It's basically a bucket list, but I didn't want to call it that as I don't plan on dying by the age of 25! 


But what better way to stay accountable and make sure I actually do it by tracking it with my blog?


So here is my list. As I complete them, I'll cross them off, and do my best to write a little blog about what happened each time.  If you think of something I should add to my list, (realistically speaking!) let me know :)


I realize that some may sound lame to you, and some may sound absolutely impossible, but for me there is usually a reason behind each one. 


I'll be honest, I'm actually freaking out as I write this, knowing that all of cyberspace will know my goals and whether or not I reach them. But better this than having them on some list that gets lost in my purse, and never knowing if I ever achieved what I was aiming for!


25 Things I Want to do Before I'm 25


1. Learn how to sew
2. Make a quilt - once I know how to sew :)
3. Get in shape
4. Train for (and hopefully complete) a triathlon - Thank you Susan Dunk for inspiring me! 
5. Visit Australia
6. Bungee jump somewhere exotic ie. Australia 
7. Travel to Ireland
8. Knit & finish a baby blanket - No, no, no ... not for myself. For a friend!
9. Be featured in the media - ie. magazine, newspaper, TV, etc.
10. Make my own pie crust
11. Make damask pillow covers
12. Get a "Big Person's" job ie. a full time PR/Communications job
13. Get rid of my debt
14. Get 1000 followers on Twitter
15. Train Hank to become a nursing home dog - or at least have him in the process of becoming one
16. Learn how to ride a motorcycle
17. NYC for New Years!
18. Surf - while in Australia
19. Have two+ of my press releases published
20. Learn how to make pesto
21. Create a fabulous, culinary meal with a crazy, fancy name
22. Reupholster our kitchen chairs
23. Go snowboarding at least five times this winter - and become really good at it
24. Go on a spontaneous, yet semi-planned, road trip
25. See a Cirque de Soleil performance


Well there you have it! A little daunting, but I think I can do it :)
Wish me luck!

Jacq's Secret Salmon

Everyone can use a little inspiration in the kitchen sometimes, so I thought I'd share my special recipe for yummy oven baked salmon.  It's super easy to make and extra delicious.

Heat your oven to 350'F - 375'F

I start with 2 FRESH Atlantic salmon fillets. (In my opinion, Atlantic salmon is by far better than Pacific!)

Using a glass baking dish, cover it with aluminum.  This decreases the amount of clean up after dinner.

From there I use President's Choice Basil Parmesan dressing and brush it across the bottom of the dish.  If you don't have that in your cupboard, you can use any sort of oil based salad dressing.

Place the salmon fillets in the dish and spread some more dressing across the top. You can use as little or as much as you want, but I like to make sure it has a good layer.

Sprinkle the top with spices such as Thyme and Basil. I like to add Red Pepper Flakes for a bit of a kick. To top it all off, sprinkle the top with Parmesan Cheese.  This melts nicely over the salmon.

Fold the edges of the aluminum around the salmon, creating it's own oven, so that no heat escapes.

Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes (depending on your oven).  You'll know it's ready when it's a light pink colour and can flake easily with a fork.

If you're not sure how long to bake it for, I would lessen the amount of time you have it in. If it's not cooked through, you can carefully watch it in the oven. If you keep it into long though, it'll turn out dry. And no salmon tastes good dried out.



Serve with steamed asparagus and roasted potatoes and you have an amazing and tasty meal, and you barely broke a sweat!

Enjoy!

(And let me know how yours turned out!)





Need a place to find some fresh salmon? You can always visit your local Superstore or Zehrs, but I recommend Caudles Catch. They have the most fresh and delicious fish I have ever tasted. With four locations in the KW-area, there is guaranteed to be one near you!

Looking through a different window

Hello dear friends. Recently I've had a huge inspiration/writer's block when it came to blogging, but the fog has seemed to clear and hopefully we'll get this back up and running!

If there's one thing that I've really been thinking about lately, it's been perspective.  The other day I had a really great conversation with two of my really great friends, Heidi (almost Fleming) Headon and Amy Stevens (check out their blogs!) and I wanted to share some thoughts.

Amy was leaving that evening to fly back to Israel, and we were talking about everything that was going on in the Middle East.  It was then that I realized just how much we have to be thankful for and how sometimes we just need to have a bit of a "perspective shift."

Right now, so many of us (myself included) are so quick to complain about how high gas prices are and that it's ridiculous to have to pay so much.  But really, would we rather be in a country full of riots and continuous death or living in a peaceful and free country, just having to pay an extra five bucks at the pump?

Or, we sit and complain continuously about the weather; how it's freezing and how we shouldn't have to put up with the "bi-polarness" of Canada.  In reality, though, we could be in Japan right now, having our city washed away and searching through debris in hopes of finding our lost loved ones.  I'm not sure about you, but I'll take the -25 degrees and an extra 5 bucks for gas over that any day.

What I'm trying to say is that sometimes we need to look at things through a different window and remind ourselves just how blessed we are to live in the country that we do.

Cheers.