Come on Spring!!! :)

Ok, so for those of you who know me, I do LOVE snow!  But this winter has given us a pretty mild season.  It has snowed only a handful of times.. heck, it's rained more than snowed!!  So, if old man winter is not going to show his face at this point, I would rather him just disappear because I am READY for a new wardrobe!  A spring wardrobe!

Here is a sneak peak to the outfits I hope to find and put together by spring :)

Love everything about this.. splash of colour, shoes, cross body bag.. EVERYTHING!

Crop jeans are definitely a staple in my spring wardrobe!

Cute dresses + booties = LOVE!

Lots of colour!

Stripes, flats, crops, colour!!

Denim shirt with cute skirts!

White blazer with red pants.. AMAZING!

My spring hair-do!

50/50

I just finished watching the movie 50/50.  I had heard some good reviews on it from both friends and family so I thought that a lazy afternoon was the perfect time to watch it.  For those of you who have never seen or heard of it, it is a story about a 27 year old man who is diagnosed with fibrosarcoma cancer.  This form of cancer is rare and presents as a tumour.  I am very familiar with the term because back when I was finishing high school, I was diagnosed with the same thing.

I was 18 years old when I discovered a lump on my right shoulder.  It started the size of a marble and grew to the size of an eight ball in weeks.  I had this lump removed and after they sent it away, it was discovered that this lump was a malignant fibrosarcoma... in other words, CANCER!

For those of you who knew me then, cancer scared the heck out of me.  As a kid, after watching Party of Five, I was convinced I had cancer.  I would go see the doctor monthly for checkups because it was the only way I could get a good nights sleep.  Needless to say, after finding out the diagnosis, I was a mess!  Everything happened fast after my first visit to the oncologist in London.  I had a second surgery planned almost immediately.  Luckily, the doctor's were able to get it all out and felt that it was not needed for me to undergo radiation or chemotherapy at the time.   It has now been 10 years since and I have had no signs of this returning.  

I was lucky for so many reasons.  I was lucky that the tumour was visible and not deep inside where it wasn't noticeable.  I was lucky that I caught it quick.  But I was extremely lucky to have the most amazing family who supported me through it all.  I have seen many more cases of fibrosarcoma over the years.  All who have had a much harder struggle then I have.  Thankfully, they have all lived to tell about it.  :)

I am thankfully that my journey was short and that my family was by my side through it all.  We hear the saying "Life is short!" all the time.  But when you go through something like cancer, you realize that life really is short and anything can happen tomorrow.  So make sure you make the most out of life.  Surround yourself with people who love you and care about you.  Because when the road gets rough, these are the people who will help you through it.

So.. I want to say thank you to my mom, dad, Arron, Cydney, and Zoe.  Not only did most of you attend almost every single appointment I had, you were there for me in ways I can't even express.  I love you guys so much and am happy I was born into such an incredible family.   THANK YOU!!!

Re-la-tion-ships

Working with mostly females,  the topic of relationships comes up A LOT!  I feel I am a pretty good listener and can offer some advice although I try not to push my views on anyone.  I realized a long time ago that a person has to realize truths for themselves.  Someone can tell you over and over again that "you deserve better" or "that guy is bad news", but it isn't until you want to accept the truth that you will believe those words.  It's funny how a guy can make you feel like a princess one day and a bag of trash the next.  To me, it seems that it would be common sense to get rid of the a-hole.. yet girls justify the jerk behaviour because they remember the "good times" they had.  I've been in a few relationships like that and am thankful that I have been able to learn from those mistakes and see that I deserve better.  Luckily, I now have the BEST ;)

But to get to the best, I had to go through some rough times.  I don't regret any of the people I dated because each one of them taught me a lot about myself and what I wanted for my future.  I have some amazing memories and some not so great ones.  I have been all kinds of crazy... haha... But it really does take experience to realize how much better it can be.  In past relationships, when things would start to go sour, I convinced myself it was just a phase and would try to make the other person remember the good times.  I would try to make them be that person they once were.  But for whatever reason, people change.  At the time, I probably would have said they changed for the worse.. but that is probably not the truth.  The truth is people change and grow apart... it's just a part of life.

Ok, here are four of the most common topics that come up when my co-workers and girlfriends vent to me about their relationships.... and here is what I have to say to them...

#1- If a guy only wants to hang out with you Sunday-Thursday... DUMP HIM!!!!!!!!!  Don't even think twice!  This guys is a player and wants to have his fun on the weekends but also wants to know he has someone there during his chill times.. NOT COOL!  He should want you to be there for the fun times and the down times.

#2- If a guy tells you he loves you and loves spending time with you but he needs some time to himself.. DO NOT get scared away.  This is perfectly normal and healthy.  Everyone needs time alone and some need it more than others.  When you are spending all your time together, when will you ever have time to do laundry, personal grooming, cleaning, or just doing the things you love??

#3- Just because you have been cheated on in the past doesn't mean it will happen in the future.  I understand that it may take a little more time trusting a new relationship but don't let this issue run away a great guy.  A guy is only willing to put up with the jealousy and insecurities for so long.  If he is always having to convince you that he loves you and would never hurt you, he will grow tire of it and may not stick around.  I think it is important to make him aware of your past so he understands but give this one a chance.  If he shows signs of being unfaithful, then LEAVE HIM!

#4- Dishonestly sucks.  Over the years I have seen my friend's boyfriends lie to them about silly things because they are afraid that they will get in trouble for telling the truth.  It sucks for the guy because what they are doing is sometimes totally harmless but they don't want to start a fight so they avoid the truth.  BUT... what ends up happening, the girlfriend finds out the truth and now this "harmless" act has turned into something MUCH bigger.  I think everyone needs to be honest in a relationship.  Even if it might cause a little fight now, you are avoiding a much larger one later if the truth comes out.  And believe me, I have seen that most times the truth does come out eventually.

We live in a world with BILLIONS of people.  So just because one guy doesn't treat you with the utmost respect, doesn't mean there isn't someone out there that will.  We have a world of possibilities and a world full of some pretty incredible people.  Relationships can sometimes be hard but when you find the right person, the hard seems easy.  Find someone who makes you feel AMAZING.. Someone who you can be yourself around, be silly with, and someone who makes you strive to be better...  Everyone deserves to love and be loved.. don't settle for anything less!