Project 365–Week 2

Well I have fallen a bit behind with my blogging since the Christmas holidays have ended & the craziness of school has begun again. I have not been able to get into a very good routine with everything in my life - which has really taken a toll on my mental health!!! This is mainly because I stress over everything.

Hoping to get back into the swing of things soon …

Here are my weeks so far:

 Project 365: Week 1

Wonderful Linkup project through Eclectically E:

 

Week 2

 

January 6th

Lazy day for my SPCA rescue dog, Boots!

January 7th

Another very lazy day for my boys.
My husband and I are still enjoying our last weekend off
before heading back to school.

January 8th

Found a great app to help me keep track of calories
My fitness pal!

So far so good …

January 9th

Dinner with the in-laws! : )
MY M-I-L did not want to pose for the camera! Haha
And such a handsome shot of the hubby … NOT. HA.

January 10th

As I add this pic, I realize I really have to up my game!
Here’s a pic using another new app on my phone.
It is currently in Chinese and I can’t figure out how to switch the language.
This feature is kind of fun …

January 11th

Yes, it is January 11th and we still have our tree up.

January 12th

xOx

Have a great week!

Sheila xox

Project 365–Week 1

I found another great linkup today of a project that I am actually already doing on my own: Photo Project 365
Basically a person takes a picture everyday for the entire year so that by the end of the y ear we have 365 photos (or in this year’s case 366). 

Electrically E has introduced a great linkup for this project. Today will be the first of my 52 link-ups for her Project 365 link-up for 2012. Another great linkup to get my blog out there to other readers. Every Friday, we will post our photos from the week (the weeks run Friday to Thursday) … so stay tuned for all my picture posts on Fridays. I should also note that these photos are all taken with my iPhone 3 – not the best quality but still does the trick.

January 1st: Boots xo

 

January 2nd: Our Extra Bathroom Add-on Reno “Before Picture”
(There’s A LOT of work to be done!)

 

January 3rd: Tuna melt = Yum.

 

January 4th: Breakfast of champions!

 

January 5th: Enjoying the new Christmas gift from the in-laws!

 

Happy weekend to you!

Sheila xox

Fill in the blank Friday {Linkup}

I’m trying to participate in more linkups so that I can get my blog out there to more readers. I came across this fun/quick linkup hosted by Lauren over at the little things we do …

… that little thing that I don’t have much of during the work week when I am teaching/planning for long hours & then coaching basketball most nights.
I have had lots of free time this holiday break though & can speak from that …

1. One of my favorite things to do when I have free time is curl up on the couch or in bed with my husband & our dog, Boots, and watch a good movie or catch up with stuff on our PVR.

2. When I have free time I tend to spend a lot of time on Pinterest (follow me at sheilajohnston) or on my laptop in general. There are times when I am motivated and go through drawers to organize, clothes to give away, but then other times I like to just do ‘nothing’.

3. If I had an entire day completely to myself I would read an entire Jodi Picoult book by the fireplace with a nice glass of vino. Picoult is my absolute favorite author. When I start reading her books, I cannot put them down. I’m currently reading Songs of the Humpback Whale (really good so far).

4. I would prefer to spend my free time (alone or with others…) half & half .. with friends and alone. I enjoy spending time with my friends going on coffee dates, having the girls over for appetizers & games … but I also love just staying home and ‘vegging’ out or catching up on uncompleted Pinterest projects.

5. Most of my free time happens on weekends or during vacation time (2 weeks at Christmas, 1 for March Break, and 2 months for summer … oh the joys of being a teacher!!).

6. The best thing about free time is that it is wide open. You are not obligated to be anywhere or adhere to anyone. It is totally up to you & how you are feeling on that day : )

7. The next time I have free time I should probably work on house renovations or get ahead in my school planning but instead, I’ll just sit around and relax!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Sheila xox

Morning of our big day! (2)

Another picture post today & the continuation of our Love Story! Yesterday I posted all my favorite pictures of the preparations for all us gals (over at the hotel) the morning of our Wedding. Today, the men are featured with just a few pictures of them getting ready.

They had taken over our home and a few of them had slept there the night before to keep Ryan company while he was busy trying to finish up slide shows & last minute details. 

Below is Hubby putting on his tie : )

Ry’s cousin Chad fixing his tie …

Looks like someone needed a  bit of help with his tie!
His best friend Mark helped him tie a good one
as my brother Robbie looks on …

Making sure everything is all set …

I love the look on his face here below!
Someone is excited to see his future wife walk down the aisle!

… & the men are ready for the ceremony!

 

Sheila xox

Morning of our big day!

 Today’s post is strictly a picture post. My last post was dedicated to our engagement story through a linkup so I thought I would continue with the theme of our Love Story. Here are all my favorite pictures of the morning of preparations before our Wedding Ceremony.

(Photos taken by: TFL Studios – see engagement picture post to find out about our amazing photogs)   

We were married on August 13th, 2011 on a beautiful (SUNNY!!!!) summer day. My husband basically took over our home with his groomsmen, so I decided that my maids and I would sleep at the hotel where we were going to be having our Reception. My mom booked the bridal suite, along with an adjoining room for my girls and I to sleep there the night before & to use that morning to get ready. The room had a large living room/area that was perfect to use the morning of. It was such a great setup!

My hubby (to-be at the time) had given his sister a special gift to give me the morning of. I had done the same and given it to my brother-in-law to give him the morning of as well. He got me 3 charms for my Pandora charm bracelet (given to me at my bridal shower by my lovely MOH and friend Sylvie). He got me my birth stone, a heart for our wedding day & a letter ‘J’ for my new last name. I was so excited & touched by his gift.

         

My soon-to-be Sissy getting her her done … & getting my veil put on.
Michelle & Lisa did such a fabulous job doing our hair!  
Michelle worked miracles on my hair -
switching up hairstyles completely halfway through!!.

         

My mom stopped by in the morning with Tim Horton’s coffee & breakfast.
She also stopped by later in the morning with tons of snacks.
She’s the best! x.O.x.

Steph sporting her NKOTB tank. Loves it!
She was feeling the same that I was for her wedding lol …

Special delivery!! …

From our amazing wedding planners at Design Studio & Co.

I had a tough time opening the box
& needed a little help from my MOH!!
(who was looking lovely as ever in her rollers)    

              

I was thrilled with my beautiful bouquet and the maids’ bouquets.
DS&Co. did an absolute fantastic job!

Vicky Mina = amazing makeup artist.
She did the makeup at my cousin’s wedding
& I knew then that I NEEDED to book her for mine!

                            

Finally time to put on my wedding gown …
Beyond EXCITED slash nervous!!!!

Love Love Love these girls:
Christa, Chantel (MOH), Lindsay (Hubby’s sister),
Stephanie (aka. lil’ sis) & Lynn

Last minute adjustments …

Ready to walk down the aisle!!!

 

Sheila xox

1st Shot at Elements!

For my birthday this year, I pooled my gift money together (from my husband, parents & in-laws) and got myself a nice new Canon Camera XS!! I’ve slowly been getting adjusted to using it. It definitely is NOT the most advanced model that you can get but it does the trick (and was on sale at Staples for such a good price, it was hard to resist). I can always upgrade my shots by purchasing better lenses. However, one must be patient before any of that happens … & actually save up some money to do so, HA. 

In the meantime, I am snapping pics whenever possible & now … have attempted to edit them. I have downloaded Photoshop Elements 10 (Trial Version) to see how I like it. If I can get the hang of it and figure out how to properly edit pictures, I am definitely going to purchase it after my trial version is up. I wanted to show my first attempt at using Photoshop Elements with pictures I’ve worked on tonight.

I should add :::: I also had a bit of help
with a link I found on Pinterest (link below pictures)

(Follow me on Pinterest here)

4 Easy Tips for Photoshop Techniques to make your pictures pop 

 

So my attempt to edit the picture below - might be really terrible for some of you more advanced Photographers … but I must admit, I think its not too shabby for a first timer.

Anyways, please let me know your thoughts & tips if you are Pro/Master editor yourself or if you are someone whom may have found themselves exactly in the same starting place where I currently am now…

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear from you!!! : ) 

So here goes…

Before …

 

 

With fancy logo/signature …

 

 

After editing (Easy Blur)

 

Thoughts/Tips?!? :)

I can totally handle constructive criticism…

 

Sheila xox

Ring Bling Linkup!

 

Linking up with Happiness is …

This link-up was such a wonderful idea.

It came at a particular good time for C Mae over at Happiness is,
considering she just recently got engaged
(congratulations you lucky girl, so happy for you!!) …

When I saw C Mae’s link-up idea, I immediately thought this would be an excellent way for me to get my blog out there to others. I am still in the process of getting into the routine of writing often but it is so hard when you think no one is even reading them … I know what you are all thinking:

‘Boo hoo … Cry me a river!’ I know…

I really should stop feeling sorry for myself. I know that it takes a while to gain more readers & followers. One must be patient & stay positive! …What better way to spread some blog love by linking up with other wonderful bloggies.

If I were a more experienced blogger …
this is when I would re-direct you to my ‘engagement story’ …
but I didn’t get around to writing one yet.
So what better time than now! ….
Here goes:

**********************************************************************************************

My proposal was an amazing surprise! ...

I had no idea my husband was going to propose ..
it was a total shock (a ridiculously good one at that)!

It was the 2nd of October (2010) as I woke up that Saturday morning for my first university class for my Masters in Education. Later that day, my hubby (boyfriend at the time ..hehe), had asked me to attend a football high school staff lunch-in with their significant others. I, of course, said yes. I asked him that morning while I was getting ready what the dress code was and he said casual
(as he was trying not to give anything away) ..

I left for class and Ryan dropped me off at the university so that he could pick me up afterwards, that way we would only have one car. He picked me up at noon. The lunch-in was only starting around 2pm, so we had some time to kill.

We decided to go for a wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Wineries in Moncton, NB
and then later went to the Zoo to feed the ducks and check out some of gift shops
(which was hilarious because it was definitely after-season
& the shops were totally empty).

The afternoon had turned out so nicely.
I commented as to how the little 'date' afternoon turned out to
so lovely & was totally unexpected.

Finally, we arrived at the lunch-in which hubby had planned/booked (for his high school football staff) at the B&B we always go to for all our family suppers/gatherings for special occasions or holidays. We were the first ones to arrive
(which I didn’t even think was odd)
but the chef told us she was busy in the kitchen getting things prepared
and that we should just make ourselves at home until the others arrived.

Acting as though he had some time to kill, Ryan went upstairs to check out the bedrooms (which I have already seen numerous times). All of a sudden, he yelled out to me and told me I should come up stairs to 'Check something out'. I had no idea what he possibly could be showing me as I have already seen the bedrooms.
Little did I know that this was waiting for me ….

I walked in the room and there he was standing with the ring, flowers on the bed, a card on the night stand and champagne bottle as well. I was THRILLED! I was so shocked and so excited .. as tears of joy ran down my face. I asked him if he was serious (ha ha) and he of course said 'yes'! .. He finally gained enough courage to actually asked me to marry him and we enjoyed a glass of champagne before heading home.

On the drive home, he mentioned we had to change because we were getting professional pictures taken with a friend of his to capture the moment. After the photo shoot, my parents had a private dinner planned for us and my family.

We finally arrived home, and to my surprise all our family & friends were waiting for us there for a Surprise Potluck/Engagement Party for me/us
- all planned by my amazing husband.

It was the most perfect day ever!!! One that I will never forget… 

My ring:

is a Round Brilliant 1.2 carat diamond
I have a white gold band.

We were engaged for 10 months & got married on
August 13th, 2011 in Moncton, N.B.

See below …

My poor husband had a difficult time putting my band because I was SO warm and my fingers were a tad bit swollen. It was a very HOT summer day! We couldn’t help but laugh … such a funny moment.

(A shout-out to my amazing photographers TFL Studios!)

Et Voilà, my amazing engagement ring paired with my lovely wedding band. Love them. They are with me at all times, I never take them off!

Link up with Happiness is
and show off your ring bling!

Sheila xox