Themed wedding

So I am heading to a wedding this weekend, my first Montreal formal event, and boy is it going to be something else. Or at least it seems that way. 

It is a themed wedding, with a colour scheme. Goodness, there is even a Pinterest board dedicated to the event, created by the bride and sent to the guests. The theme is Vintage Chic and I am busy trying to find an outfit and accessories. Not to mention my hair! What to do with my hair. 

It is my first formal event, I want it to be just right. I don't know why I even care, but I do.  

So right now my hair is in pins, so that it will be curly in the morning. I will experiment over the next few days. 

Pics to come. 

Raise a glass to the lonely

Ok, so many of you know that I recently moved (again).  Things are going well.  I have been here almost a month now, our stuff has been here about a week and a half (don't ask that is a very long story) and I have done a ton of painting to get the house how I like it.  I will write a post soon about my first impressions of the house, seeing I was very concerned that I wouldn't like it, seeing my husband picked it out without me getting to come and see it before we purchased it.  But tonight I want to talk about something else.  Tonight I want to write about my first party.  We hosted our first pool 'party' tonight with about 10 of Nathan's co-workers and their families and it was fun.  I had a pretty good time meeting new people, preparing food and pouring drinks.  It was a neat experience listening to these adults (and their children) switching seamlessly between English and French depending on who they were talking to.  It made me realize that I am so far from bilingual and I so desperately wish that I had paid more attention in French class in high school and made much more of an effort to keep up with the French that I did learn.  Nothing is more humbling than a 5 year old switching to English because he knows that you don't speak French.
But I am rambling.  I wanted to raise a glass to the lonely.  There were two other ladies at this BBQ this afternoon, one local girl and another 'import' like me.  It was very easy to tell who was who.  Although all three of us got a long very well and always had something to talk about, the two of us who are not from around here clung to every word that was shared like it was a life line.  Almost as if each exchange was like an olive branch, telling us that it will be ok, that the waters of loneliness will recede in time.  The other 'import', Lisa, and I are going to try to get together again on Wednesday evening.  I always forget how much time it takes for adults to be friends.  So this evening we unknowingly raised a glass to new friendships, maybe on Wednesday we will raise one intentionally, and who knows, it just maybe the start of a beautiful friendship.

Ok I'm mad and sad...and glad

Well right at this moment I am not acutally glad, but it rhymed with sad and mad. 

I have been trying to get all of the paper work done for the sale of a house and a purchase of a house. It is so hard to have my husband two provinces away when were are supposed to be signing the papers for both transactions together. This means that there are lawyers, notaries and brokers all involved. All of which are trying so hard but are not communicating well with each other. 

Now I am on a super short deadline waiting for an approval from a bank for a power of attorney signing. It is all so confusing and it is making me so mad. And so sad. 

I miss my husband most at these times. I wish we could do this together. It would still be frustrating but at least we could wind down with a glass of wine together, we could pray together. We could get angry together.

I miss together. 

But I can't be with him right now. And I'm stressed out. 

So I keep turning to Philippians 4:4  which talks about rejoicing and giving The Lord all your requests. And He will give you peace. 

I'm trying. 

It's not easy.

I know that He really does have it all under control. Even if it doesn't work out perfectly. But I hope and pray that it does. 

So I am trying to be glad too. And not just because it rhymes. 

Letting my joy be stolen

I admit I am totally struggling. 

Like I've written about a lot recently, I am moving to Montreal to be with my husband who has been working there for 2 years. So that means I am leaving my job in church ministry. It is hard to leave, I've covered that topic already. 

But I have realized that I have allowed the frustrations of being present while being replaced as well as the confusion and desire to be gentle to those I love and who I will miss deeply, to completely steal my joy. 

I am totally thrilled to be moving to be with my husband. I love him, more than my job and more these friends (sorry friends, you are a close third...behind Oscar of course). I love Montreal! The food, culture and festivals just to mention a few things that I love. There will be more friends (not to replace, just to add to) and another job. 

So why am I letting things that I can't control take away my joy? I should be screaming it from the roof tops that I am going. I should be counting the minutes. But I'm not. I am partnering every 'yes I'm very exited' response with 'but I am also very sad'. Because I am sad. And that is ok. But I shouldn't let that sadness, frustration or awkwardness completely steal the joy that I feel in my heart. 

Communication is key

Ok, I know I'm not the best communicator. My grammar is often pathetic, I get emotional and sometimes I hear what I want to hear instead of what is said. 

But I try to communicate well and as often as I can. I hate not knowing what is going on. I hate not being able to answer questions with accurate information. I especially hate it when it comes to work. 

Oh well. 

Friendship

It seems to be hard to make really good friends as an adult. I mean the type of friend that you can text all of your frustrations, questions and jokes too, even when it is late or over super time. 

I have found some of those amazing friends these past years. 

I am going to miss them. 

But those type of friends don't go away easily. Yay! 

On a side note

I am very happy with how my hair turned out today, and seeing this is partly a hair blog (a very small part these days) I figured I should post a picture. 

I have a chunk in the front pulled to the side and then wrapped around the bun in the back. A little retro, but super easy to do.