Jacquie's Postcards

Brothers!

2010-03-15T13:28:00.002-04:00

I have such talented brothers! One is good with a camera, the other with tools... Check out their websites and see for yourself!

Rob is the photographer with an eye for great shots! Book him for weddings, special events or just for a great family photo! www.robwhelanphotography.com

Ed is the carpenter who can do anything your home needs! Experienced with century homes and complete renovations (and so many other things I have no clue about!). www.bayshorescarpentry.blogspot.com

And last but not least...if you need childcare...I guess that's me! Bilingual, experienced with special needs, a love for the outdoors and children of all shapes and sizes. I'm not planning on going back to work...so send your half-pints to me to play with Sophie!

Christmas - A Year in Review

2007-12-22T17:56:00.000-05:00

Dear Family and Friends,

I am finally on Christmas holiday! I thought I’d send a note out to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. It’s been a busy year and I have a few stories to share.

January brought me another maternity leave with the school board, steady, predictable work until June! I love working with the special needs children.

In April David, my boyfriend, moved to Orangeville to share a home with Oakley and I. It has made our home a warmer place and the dishes and laundry get done more often! David, for anyone who hasn’t yet met him, is a great guy. His family lives in Orangeville and Shelburne, he works in construction (special talents in drywall) and is applying to teachers college for September. Oakley just loves him. In July, the Durham’s (David’s family) had their big family BBQ and our parents finally met each other.

David and I joined Big Tyme Boxing gym in May. I have been learning how to work out, skip and run, while punching the heavy bags. I recently got headgear and bigger gloves to go into the ring and spar against other people. I thought I was in shape until I was trying to duck punches in the ring!

August finally brought my Girl Guide trip to Switzerland. We travelled for 2 weeks in the area of Adelboden. We stayed at the World Guiding center: Our Chalet. During this trip I learned the true meaning of hiking. Hours and hours every day we walked straight uphill or straight downhill to get to our activity! I came home with great memories of laughing and meeting new people, fabulous pictures and great legs!

During October David and I worked toward earning our motorcycle license. We took a course through Humber College and both passed the M2 test. It was so much fun riding those little bikes around the parking lot and weaving through the different obstacles. I can’t wait to buy a bike in the spring to ride around town! Speaking of vehicles, in November we replaced David’s aging truck (it was old enough to drive itself!) with a shiny red Dodge Dakota. That little truck is fun to drive in all our new snow!

So, now it’s time for me to sit back with a festive drink and wait for Santa to show up.

Merry Christmas!
Jacquie, David and Oakley

Orion

2007-03-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

Oakley and I have found a new little guy to share our home. His name is Orion. A red-eared slider... Anyone who knows me at all shouldn't be surprised that I got a turtle! He is just so darn cute! Oakley keeps leaving nose prints on the glass. There is also a phenomenally fast snail in the tank, so we named it Mustang Sally.

New Tag

2007-02-11T20:49:00.000-05:00

Oakley has a new tag. She passed all the tests and supervised visits at the Orangeville seniors residences. She is a great therapy dog. She brings smiles to all the seniors faces. They don't even have to bend over to reach her! She loves that they all play with her silky ears. Already several seniors have said "Oh, there's MY dog!".

Now that Oakley has her tag we can visit as often as we like, when it fits into our already busy schedule. She gets a lot of extra practise going to Girl Guide meetings and camps...the kids love her too!

Blogger Pain!

2007-02-10T09:36:00.001-05:00

Okay...it's been a while...I couldn't log in to Blogger to get info out!

Christmas was wicked...girls, the pics are in my photo album...go get 'em!

Another Family Member!

2006-11-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

Avery Charlotte has arrived in the Whelan family. She was born November 16, 2006 at 3:52 a.m. She weighed in at 8 lbs 4 oz! Jen (mom) and Ed (my brother, dad) are proud as can be...and Jaiden is excited too! I can't wait to meet her...and corrupt her!

New Family Members

2006-09-18T20:27:00.000-04:00

Today saw the arrival of 3 new family members to add to Oakley and I! Fric, Frac and Frog are albino frogs who will live in the living room...happy to be clean and fed. They come to us from a friend who didn't want to clean their tank any longer...

Motto

2006-08-10T00:39:00.000-04:00

A wise friend recently shared her personal motto:
"Success is never total, failure is never fatal, courage is what counts"

Thanks.

Stoney Creek

2006-06-26T09:56:00.000-04:00

Oakley and I had a great weekend recently in Stoney Creek. Yet another reenactment, and Oakley has put her foot down. When the muskets and cannons are firing, she would like to be in the tent. Every once in a while she will poke her head out and see if all is safe...and then go back inside! She is happy to be alone, or to have company.

Looking forward to the Battle Of Nancy Island in Wasaga Beach at the end of July!

The First Sleepover!

2006-06-26T09:47:00.000-04:00

Now that the dust has settled...I had a sleepover! Mom and Dad have moved to Wasaga Beach now, so when they were in town the other day they needed somewhere to stay. Mom picked the top bunk.

They both reported a good night of sleep...so now that summer is here...the beds are available for any passers by who are in need of a night or two of escape! See you soon...

Dog tired...

2006-05-28T20:00:00.000-04:00

Girl Guide Camp sure brings new meaning to the term "Dog Tired" as Oakley can't keep her eyes open after a couple of days playing with a group of girls at camp. She'd better get used to it...next weekend we go out reenacting again, more days and nights outside. At least Oakley likes to sleep in a tent!

Longwoods Reenactment

2006-05-07T21:44:00.000-04:00

Oakley and I survived another weekend of Reenactment, just outside of London. What a fabulous fun time! Oakley has even gotten over her fear of musket fire...with little difficulty! She absolutely loved hanging around so many people who wanted to pet her and give her their leftovers. Thank you to IMUC for putting on another great weekend and camp-luck dinner.

Please visit my online photo album for more pics of the weekend, many battle shots and pitures of camp in general. If any IMUC members wish a copy of the pictures I would be happy to send to you in original format.

Ruth, you were missed! See you at Stoney Creek next month...

Photo Album Created!

2006-05-01T20:51:00.000-04:00

Okay! Again while following Sarah's lead...I have created a photo album. I will try to put things there that give greater detail to my posts. Let's all make keeping up this easy!

Condo Tour...as requested!

2006-04-17T12:47:00.000-04:00

So... Sarah has motivated me yet again to get this updated. I have been painting, unpacking, sorting....

I can't wait to give you guys a tour for real!

I bought a condo!

2006-02-17T22:25:00.000-05:00

I have finally bought my own house!!!! I put a conditional (on financing and the usual jazz) offer on a condo townhouse in Orangeville. I get the house on the 17th of March...so...St. Paddy's party at my place!

I will soon be a homeowner...just me and Oakley!

A little game of chicken

2006-02-01T23:13:00.000-05:00

Okay...so I am playing hockey with the staff team (a bunch of highschool teachers). I am the only girl who plays on the team. Until today I thought something was wrong...I wasn't getting the puck, guys were moving around me....anyhow, I decided to play a little tougher this week. One of the guys, on a breakaway, was coming at me with the puck. I decided, as a defence player, to do my job and get in his way...and stay there this time! Well, he thought I was going to get out of the way (sensible...right?) but I stood my ground and he ran right into me. He sent me flying...he must be a half foot taller than me and at least 60 lbs heavier...so it was no contest! I am fine, and in fact, didn't hurt at all because I was expecting him to hit me. And now?? I seem to have passed the testosterone test, because the boys are playing rougher with me and passing the puck!
Oh, and by the way...though "round" is a shape....it is NOT the correct shape for hockey!

Wyoka Girls

2006-01-03T17:53:00.000-05:00

So...here we are!

I can't believe that there are only 4 of us in this part of the world. We need to see eachother more than once a year!!!

Carrie and I on our half of the booth...oh and Sarah made it from New Zealand by phone. Can you see her? That's who I am talking to!

Kate and Karen on their half of the booth.

You know, there was a time when our annual Christmas shindig took more space than 1 booth.

Kate REALLY liked our booth. How nice to eat with Tom's giant head overlooking our whole night.

Where did the last few months go??

2006-01-03T17:42:00.000-05:00

Holy mack! I can't believe that my last post was in September and now it's the new year! I guess with my new job (which I am loving) and all of my other inane activities I am too busy to notice the passing of time.

My life is finally getting settled, and Oakley and I are looking for a house of our own to buy in the next few months. My parents are both finally retired and are moving to Wasaga Beach in April. They found an adorable Viceroy home near the beaches with lots of room for grandkids and parties. Oakley and I are then going to be homeless if I can't find the right thing!!!

Over the holidays I was able to catch up with the other 3 Wyoka girls in this part of the World. Perhaps others will make next year, as I hear many are coming home soon. (And they'd better have good stories and pictures to share!!!) My home will be open to any of you girls needing an escape from your regular lives (when I find it...).

Now...subject of men (I know you want to ask): not looking. I figure then I can settle into my new home (MINE...not his) and then just when I have stopped actively seeking he will just fall into place naturally. That would complete my image of the next 5 years: Home of my own, career stable and fun, family nearby, and a man for the weekends.

Great News!

2005-09-01T13:05:00.000-04:00

I got the phone call I've been waiting for this morning!!!!

I am going to be working (full-time) filling a maternity leave at St. Augustine in Brampton. It is a high school, I'll be working in the special needs classroom. This is the school I would have picked if given a choice!

So now all I have to do is find somewhere to live (with Oakley) and some new "teacher clothes" and the world will be back on it's axis!

Reenactment at Arrowhead Provincial Park

2005-08-31T20:30:00.000-04:00

Yes, I wore a dress. I was involved in a War of 1812 time period Reenactment this past weekend at Arrowhead Provincial Park. This meant wearing a dress and all the things that went with the time period. We slept in canvas tents, cooked EVERYTHING on the fire, and attempted to live as the settlers did back then. I had a lot of fun and plan on doing it again. The clothes I wore were borrowed, so now I am working on creating my own outfit in order to participate in another weekend very soon.

The whole event really reminded me of how we did things in Guides. We had canvas, our skills were more broadly acquired and applied, and we made our own entertainment. Oakley was there with me, but she REALLY did not like the musket fire. She was a very good tent dog though.

Catharsis

2005-07-12T18:54:00.000-04:00

"A release of emotional tension, that restores or refreshes the spirit. "

I finally got the custom job done on my canoe's name. The name came to me while paddling in Killarney last summer after breaking up that long-term relationship. There was nothing more refreshing for my spirit than mile after mile of clean clear water.

Summer has Arrived!

2005-07-12T16:30:00.000-04:00

Okay, I got a wake-up call from Sarah: Nothing has been posted since I went to Mexico. Mind you, nothing has happened in my life since Mexico...

I still live at home, now I'm not working at all (supply teachers don't get much work over the summer) so I am making the most of it and trying to enjoy the sun. I am taking each day as it comes and going to things alone, hoping to meet someone in the process. We all know that you can't meet anyone by staying home.

Oakley recently had her first ride in the canoe...and loves it! She just jumps right in as though she's been doing this all her life. I have to say she sucks at padding, won't help with the portaging and car-topping, and throwing her weight around the boat makes it difficult to stay on track, but she may very well be the easiest canoe companion to get along with!

I am hoping to get away this summer for a couple days in Killarney, but I think I'll need more than Oakley for company...

Oakley Went to the Groomer

2005-04-13T20:37:00.000-04:00

I caved...I took Oakley to the SPAW.

She was shedding all over and needed a real good scubbing after a long winter of playing in the snow. She smells so good right now! I just hope she doesn't think that this is going to be a regular event: her next bath is going to be a hose on the back deck!

2005-04-13T20:12:00.000-04:00

Shopping at the Market in Cuernavaca, Mexico
Original TurtleJacq Post

2005-04-13T20:11:00.002-04:00

Morning Routine: Coffee by the Cabana Pool
Original TurtleJacq Post

2005-04-13T20:11:00.001-04:00

Kayaking in the Ocean in Acapulco
Original TurtleJacq Post

2005-04-13T20:11:00.000-04:00

Service Project
Original TurtleJacq Post

2005-04-13T20:10:00.001-04:00

Canadian Girls at the Cabana
Original TurtleJacq Post

2005-04-13T20:10:00.000-04:00

The Cabana Pool with local leaves
Original TurtleJacq Post

2005-04-13T20:09:00.000-04:00

Our Group in front of The Chief's Door, Our Cabana
Original TurtleJacq Post

2005-04-13T20:05:00.000-04:00

The March Break finally got here and I went to Mexico with my Pathfinders for some fun in the sun. We stayed at Our Cabana and learned a lot about the language (Spanish) and did a service project at a local school. We also took a 2 day trip to Acapulco to do some snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. We did some shopping in the markets (oh what colourful places!) and ate at Las Mananitas - one of the Top Ten Restaurants in the World!
Original TurtleJacq Post

What I look like these days...

2005-04-13T19:50:00.000-04:00

Just a plain pic of moi!
Posted by Jacquie

Following the Leader

2005-01-12T10:36:00.000-05:00

Hey!
I may live in a small town, and I may rarely venture forth into the real world ... but I'm still going to tell you about it!

To my friends around the world: when you need small - town back home fix, look here for the mundane life of a childcare worker.

To my friends who aren't much farther than me: just remember: someone had to stay home and mind the fort!