hello, monday!

I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello to the best weekend I've had in a long time!

Hello, Paint the Heartland!

Hello to 24 artists! It was wonderful talking to them and learning about their art. 

Hello to a lot of trips up and down stairs. 

Hello, wishing I had a few hundred dollars to spare. There were quite a few paintings that caught my eye. 

Hello to feeling appreciated. 

Hello, watching Potato Festival fireworks with Nan. They seemed to go on forever. 

Hello to spending the weekend with Marlene, the woman I look up to and wishes I would stress less.

Hello, Monday! 

What are you saying hello to today?

hello, monday.

I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello.

Hello to cleaning as soon as I woke up Saturday morning. It was worth it because I felt so accomplished all day. Ha!

Hello to reading Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck.

Hello to beginning Heartburn, also by Nora.

Hello to errands, lunch, and ice cream with Nan.

Hello to a pleasant phone call to Grampy George.

Hello to continuing to take the time to admire my surroundings.

Hello to 3 days of training in Fredericton for my job that begins soon.

Hello to those butterflies that indicate feelings of nervous/excitement.

Hello to waking up at 6am. It's Monday, all right!

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday.

I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello. 

Hello to Dan treating Nan and I to cheese dogs and milkshakes. 

Hello, Nan, laughing and grinning. It's one of my favourite things to see her like that.

Hello, to a quick thunder storm. The grey clouds rolled in but I didn't look up until I heard the first clap of thunder. Fat raindrops fell for a few minutes and then it was over, leaving me wanting more.

Hello, graduation card from Grammy Jean. Beautiful words and containing a surprise, I was left with a huge smile. 

Hello, FaceTiming with Cara. She told me a hilarious story about a guy named Billy Biggs who proved that good people do exist. I busted a gut laughing and found myself once again saying, "Cara, I wish you had a blog!" because then all of you would know just how hilarious and wise and kind she is.  

Hello, sunshine, wind, and country roads. One cure for anxious feelings.

Hello to a campfire and s'mores. We got Hershey chocolate this time; the best kind to sandwich between graham crackers and marshmallows. 

Hello to walks with Nan. When she sees a can, she picks it up, saying, "That's another 5 cents for Mandy." 

Hello, finishing the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. I don't know what all the fuss is about. I read them all because I feel guilty if I don't finish something I've started.

Hello to a new week. You're full of promise; I just need to keep the anxiety at bay. 

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday!

It's Monday so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello!

Hello, celebrating the marriage of my best friend, Tiffy, to her love, Keithy. (Yup, that's what I call him in true Mandy style.)

Hello to late nights and early mornings. 

Hello, hair and makeup, flowers and jewelry, dresses and high heels. 

Hello to lots of smiles and laughs, and a few tears, too. 

Hello to moving from the place I've called home for over a year.

Hello to living with Nan for the rest of the summer in preparation for a BIG move in August.

Hello, watching Magic Mike with my momma.

Hello, Canada Day fireworks with Nan. We oohed and ahhed, and smiled at the kids next to us that exclaimed, "That one was pretty!" about every firework.

Hello to relaxing today in preparation for a busy couple of days.

Hello, Monday!

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday.

It's Monday so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello. 

Hello to a flapper girl themed bachelorette for my best friend, Tiffy. She's getting married on Saturday! (This is the only photo I have for now; less blurry ones will be sent to me :)

Hello to my first time trying Pimm's and my first time riding in a limo.

Hello to dinner out, celebrating my younger brother's high school graduation.

Hello to hours spent packing. I'm moving to my Nan's on Sunday for the rest of the summer.

Hello to reading an entire book in two days. It's the first time I've done that in quite a while.

Hello to my last day of university (probably) ever! I don't know that five years has ever gone by so quickly. Time flies...

Hello, Monday. Let's go.

What are you saying hello to today?

hello, monday!

This weekend was one for the books. I felt relaxed, but busy. Happy, but tired. I am ready to say hello to a new week so I'm linking up with Lisa to do just that. 

Hello to spending the weekend at my grandparents' house.

Hello to running errands and applying for summer jobs.

Hello to the first bonfire and s'more of the season.

Hello, Picaroon's Melon Head.

Hello to making Dad his first s'more ever.

Hello, early Father's Day dinner.

Hello, feeling loved and supported.

Hello to two full days of First Aid training.

Hello to feeling confident about my First Aid skills.

Hello to realizing life isn't all good or all bad.

Hello to a crazy busy Monday and a crazy busy week. Let's go!

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday.

I can't believe it's Monday already. But since it is, I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello.

Hello to a rainy Saturday. It poured at times and I was SO tempted to dance in the rain. I should have, but instead I stayed in to do homework. Waa waa.

Hello to spending Friday morning and part of the afternoon with Nan and Dan. It was really nice to see them.

Hello to visiting the SPCA. I wanted to take every single cat and dog home; they were all so cute. Most of the cats started to purr as soon as I walked into the room. I actually clutched my chest because of how it made me feel.

Hello to watching too many episodes of Friday Night Lights. I'm halfway through the fifth (and final!) season already. Crazy!

Hello to spending time with Meredith. She did laundry and watched a movie. I did homework. It was low-key but at least we were together.

Hello to making big decisions. Or trying to, at least.

Hello to going out for a beer with Melissa. Who knew I'd ever be a person who goes out for a beer?

Hello to baking banana muffins. Second time in as many weeks -- they're just that good!

Hello, Monday! I'm tired, but I'm going. And that's what counts.

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday!

I am ready to hit the ground running this morning! It's going to be a busy week and I'm eager to get it started. That's why I'm linking up with Lisa to shout, "Hello, Monday!"

Hello, yellow walls that caused me to squeal with excitement and ask my roommate to pull over so I could take a picture. Yellow in any shade makes me happy and wouldn't these walls make an awesome background for photos?

Hello to movie nights with roommates. We watched Big and Legally Blonde. Or, rather, they watched movies. I fell asleep while Tom Hanks grew up and I did homework while Reese Witherspoon became a lawyer.

Hello to a cookie jar full of banana chocolate chip cookies. I'll be sharing the recipe here soon.

Hello, homework. Hours and hours of homework. While it's not so fun at the time, crossing items off my to do list will always make me smile.

Hello, farmers' market. I love the smells, the crowds, and the food.

Hello to Tim Hortons coffee being delivered by my momma. (She loves me :) It and this song got me through yesterday's homework marathon.

Hello, field trip, meetings, grad dinner, and more homework. This Monday is a busy one and I am ready!

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday.

I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello!

Hello to deciding I'm going to like beer by the end of the summer. I don't drink very often but I'd like to be able to enjoy a cold beer on a hot day.

Hello, homework. I finished a few assignments this weekend but it feels like I hardly put a dent in everything I need to do.

Hello to spending time outside. The weather was fantastic this weekend and I tried to take advantage of it.

Hello, spending time with Meredith. We ate supper at the Lunar Rogue (outside, of course!), got ice cream cones, and hung out downtown. It was a fantastic Saturday.

Hello, banana muffins! I baked some yesterday and they're delicious! The recipe will be posted soon.

Hello to my dear friend, Cara, who ran the Vermont City Marathon yesterday!

Hello to new art, framed last night. I'll try and find a spot for it today. It's a card I bought in Montréal, a print I bought in Vermont, and a postcard from You Can't Be Serious.

Hello, Monday!

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday.

I don't want the weekend to end (hooray for long weekends!) but today's Monday so I figure I should say hello to a new week. I'm linking up with Lisa to do just that: 

Hello to a relaxing weekend with Nan.

Hello to two (yes, two) trips to Dari Delite. One for worms in dirt and another for a cherry-dipped chocolate cone. My excuse? I don't know when I'll be back.

Hello to watching Friday Night Lights with Nan. She proclaimed it a "pretty good show" and said, "It's not just about football. It's a love story and a family story, too." She's right about that.

Hello to seeing some family members and calling others.

Hello to feeling calm.

Hello to sunshine and dandelions.

Hello to sitting at a picnic table with Louis, enjoying popsicles and talking about life.

Hello to eating good (not the same as eating well).

Hello to a Sunday supper of ham, potatoes, and fiddleheads.

Hello to not giving in to the heavy feeling of a coming week filled with schoolwork. I'm going to smile, keep going, and think happy thoughts. It will all be done soon.

What are you saying hello to?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dari Delite is a favourite place from my childhood and the "worms in dirt" a favourite treat from the same time. I spent many moments on the swings in the back, chocolate ice cream dripping down my hand. Mom took my brother and I there on the way home in the summer, and sometimes friends too, and we'd get a cone or order from the kids' menu. Dad would take us for milkshakes; blueberry for him, coffee for my brother, and chocolate for me. When I was older and we had moved, my friends and I would walk there, wavering on the line of childhood and adulthood. Ice cream tastes better there.

hello, monday.

It's Monday so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello.

Hello, late nights and sleeping in.

Hello, Friday night drinks at The Rogue.

Hello, job and apartment hunting. It can be so stressful.

Hello, celebrating my friends who graduated from STU yesterday!

Hello, final semester of my B.Ed. program beginning today, which puts a damper on the sleeping in part.

Hello, being more than halfway through the first season of Friday Night Lights and being in love with all of the leading male characters already.

Hello to being committed to better eating and more exercising. 

Hello, being excited to see Mere this week! She's coming back to Fredericton for the summer!

Hello to hoping the rain stops and the sun shines.

Hello to what feels like another new beginning.

Hello, Monday.

What are you saying hello to?

(The photo is from last weekend's trip to Vermont. It's what Cara sees from her porch. Beautiful, eh?)

hello, monday!

Mondays seem to come more quickly than any other day, don't they? Anyway, Monday it is, so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello.

Hello to a sweet treat from my friend, Sherry. When she held it out to me I literally gasped. I saved it to enjoy with a cup of tea yesterday afternoon. The frosting was my favourite part. 

Hello to a date with Sherry that involved buying $7 t-shirts, drinks at Starbucks, a drive-by peek of an apartment, and staying up late to talk and talk. 

Hello, new haircut. Nothing drastic, just a little more than 2 inches gone but it feels so much healthier. 

Hello, new hair straightener. The old one was slowly losing the ability to heat up, making for frizzier, poofier hair. I actually found the newer version of the one I've had for 4.5 years.

Hello to brunch and shoe shopping with Tiffany and my fellow bridesmaids. It was great getting to know the girls a bit and chatting about the wedding. 

Hello to spending Sunday afternoon watching The West Wing. I can't decide if I want to speed through the last few episodes or savour them. Because how can I say goodbye to these people?

Hello, making time to read a book for fun. Making myself slow down, take a break from the internet, and turn paper pages. 

Hello to realizing that I've lived in my home for exactly a year, as of yesterday. When I moved in on April 29th, I wasn't sure I'd survive the summer (I'm only kind of kidding), but I did. And more. 

Hello to a new week that is sure to be bittersweet. It's the last week of my internship which means a week off afterwards (and a road trip to Vermont!), but it also means saying goodbye. I'm not a big fan of goodbyes. I'll miss my students and the staff. 

Hello to days that feel like they're a transition to something new. 

Hello, Monday! What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday.

It's Monday (already) so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello.

Hello to a weekend that felt perfect.

Hello to beginning the final season of The West Wing. I'll be so sad when it's over but I plan on beginning Friday Night Lights. From what I've heard, Tim Riggins might be able to help me get over Josh Lyman.

Hello to sleeping 9 hours both Friday and Saturday nights.

Hello to spending some time with Emily. We rode her bike to Odell Park and then walked on a trail before ending up downtown. I gave her an early graduation present and we had a really great conversation. I'll miss her next year. A lot.

Hello to two phone calls from Nan. The first was so she could ask me what she needed to do to get a library card. The second was so she could tell me she got a library card. I couldn't be more happy or proud!

Hello to changes and new beginnings. Melissa moved out and new roommates will be moving in. It will be an adjustment for sure, but things will be good.

Hello to running errands and having coffee with Mom and Frank. (Question: Does Tim Hortons still make Dutchies? Because I realized on Sunday that I haven't seen them for a long time.)

Hello to Melissa coming over as a "guest" for the first time. We ate Hawaiian pizza and watched Gilmore Girls.

What are you saying hello to this week?

(The dorky photo is me on Emily's bike last summer.)

hello, monday.

It's Monday so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello. 

Hello to a laid-back weekend. I can't decide if it went by quickly or slowly. I also can't decide if I got a lot done or not. It feels like I did, but there are so many items left on the to-do list that constantly swirls in my mind.

Hello to a coffee date with my friend, Maureen. It was so nice catching up with her. We both love books and libraries and dream of living in Montreal and New York.

Hello to walking downtown and spotting the "sidewalk art" above. Maureen and I had just been chatting about wanting to go, see, and do, when we stumbled across the aptly timed message.

Hello to rolling change. Do people still do that - save change, roll it into those brown wrappers, and lug the heavy savings to the bank? (People other than me, I mean.)

Hello to discovering I like spinach in my smoothies! And realizing (again!) that you can never cook too much spinach.

Hello to dancing in Walmart while reading cards that play songs. Yup, that's how I roll.

Hello to weather that feels like spring. I hope it stays this time!

Hello to painting a "river" yesterday for a lesson I'm teaching today. And hello to thinking, "I should create more often."

Hello to watching Titanic in 3D with Melissa and Sara. I began crying the moment the ship started sinking and was sobbing by the end of it -- just like the first time I watched the movie (in grade 2!). And I'm still angry because Jack totally could have fit on that piece of wood with Rose!

Hello to lots of deep breaths and reminding myself to have faith in others. And in myself.

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday!

I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello.

Hello, roadtrip to Montreal.

Hello, friends I haven't seen in months. (That's Cara on the left, me in the middle, and Meredith on the right.)

Hello to a lot of food, a lot of walking, and a lot of smiles.

Hello, being excited for the Ingrid Michaelson concert tonight!

What are you saying hello to?

hello, monday.

It's Monday so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello. 

Hello, devouring pizza and watching Gilmore Girls with Melissa.

Hello, breakfast at the market with Tiff.

Hello, catching up. (It's surprising how much can happen in a month!)

Hello, wandering around Winners. We spotted the hourglasses pictured above and marveled over the colours. I have no idea what I would do with it, but I want one nonetheless. Can you guess which colour I'd choose?

Hello, seeing 21 Jump Street with my mom and brother. We laughed and laughed; I was surprised by how much I liked it.

Hello, celebrating Easter early with my family. I'll be away next weekend* so we had a ham dinner yesterday. Mom also gave me a few treats :)

Hello, tickly throat that began Friday night, leading to a gross cold/flu combo. If I was the eighth dwarf, I'd be called Achy, Snuffly, or Wheezy.

Hello, being determined to have a restful, but productive, day regardless of having to spend it on the couch or in bed. I'm so thankful for my laptop and the internet.

What are you saying hello to?

*I'm going to Montreal to visit Meredith and we're going to Ingrid Michaelson's concert! If you have any tips or recommendations for things to do/see/eat while I'm there, I'd love to hear them!

hello, monday.

It's Monday (already!) so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello.

Hello to a date with Annie at Coffee and Friends. I ordered a Raspberry Truffle Mocha and a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. The cookie was hard at the edges and chewy towards the center -- perfect, and I'm fairly certain I've found a new go-to drink for when I'm downtown. By the time I returned home I felt so refreshed; I think that had more to do with the company and less to do with the treats. 

Hello to seeing The Hunger Games with Melissa and Sara. I devoured the entire trilogy in about three days this past summer and I was a bit skeptical about the movie's ability to do the first book justice. Aside from a few details that were missing, it was fantastic! I was enamoured by Katniss, held my breath for entire scenes, was wracked with sobs, and fell in love with Peeta. If you haven't read the books or seen the movie, what are you waiting for?! You should be on your way to a theater right now with your nose stuck in the first book!

Hello, supper date with my mom. We enjoyed a delectable meal of Chinese and seafood. We lingered over coffee, tea, and dessert. We laughed and laughed while reminiscing about old memories.

Hello, waking up at 8:30 yesterday morning and spending the next few hours doing laundry and watching The West Wing. I'm on the sixth season now and all I have to say is... nothing. I have nothing to say because I was left speechless. Except for the times when I was yelling at the television. Which was a lot of times. There were also a lot of gasps. And a lot of tears.

Hello, falling asleep in a bed with freshly washed sheets and blankets, in a room that was dusted, swept, and mopped. I always sleep so much better surrounded by the smell of clean.

Hello to the third week of my internship. I'm getting into a routine and really enjoying it. These kids are worming their way into my heart (not that they had to try very hard).

Hello, Monday! What are you saying hello to this week?

hello, monday!

I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello!

Hello, warmer temperatures, melting snow, and sunny skies. I can't believe that spring begins tomorrow!

Hello, being excited to run outside this week. Soon, I won't even need to dodge mud puddles.

Hello, walking in the rain Friday night. I didn't put my hood up because I liked the way the raindrops felt. People walking and driving by probably thought I was crazy; I didn't care.

Hello, tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches at Annie's, a dear friend.

Hello to Annie's new blog, Humble Beginnings!

Hello, Family Game Night. We played Life and my brother won! (He beat me by $5000.)

Hello to zipping through the fifth season of The West Wing. I lost track of how many episodes I watched this weekend.

Hello to the second week of my internship. I've got this.

Hello, Monday!

What are you saying hello to today?

hello, monday.

It's late, but I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello to Monday anyway. 

Hello, spending Saturday with my Momma. 

Hello, Magic Bullet. I've only had it for a couple of days and I already get what all the fuss is about! 

Hello, spending Sunday in sweats, doing nothing but watching The West Wing. I made it to the 5th season! 

Hello, waking up at 5AM this morning. 

Hello, moon. (Photo from this morning)

Hello, grade 2 classroom and new students. I think we're going to get along just fine. 

Hello, walking home with the sun shining on my shoulders. 

Hello, first run outside since fall. Even with the mud, runs outside beat the treadmill any day. 

Hello, planning on going to bed early-ish. We'll see how that works out. 

What are you saying hello to? 

hello, monday.

It's Monday, so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello. 

Hello, March Break Monday. You promise a whole week ahead and I'm looking forward to it. 

Hello, reading for fun. With limited internet access, I'm reading more books. 

Hello, watching The West Wing. I should be able to finish the fourth season this week. 

Hello, cups of tea. 

Hello, chats with Nan. 

Hello, relaxing without feeling guilty. 

Hello, deep breaths and happy faces. 

What are you saying hello to? 

(Image via The Short and the Sweet of It)