HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! (update Wayden Transportation Ladies Grand Slam - Abbotsford BC)

I probably should have put up an update upon my return, however I have been distracted since getting back.
I will start with this. Abbotsford BC, what a BEAUTIFUL place to be. When I arrived on Thursday afternoon to a very small and intimate airport, the sun was shining, the grass was green, and the weather was simply lovely and refreshing. I was the first of the four of us to arrive and was met at the airport by our driver George. A very pleasant and obliging fellow who drove me around and showed me the town. He even went as far as to stop in at a fruit market so that I could get some apples and oranges to prepare for a lot of curling and a lot of sweeping.
I arrived at the hotel and located a room and made myself comfortable. I was pretty hungry and went to the restaurant attached to the hotel to grab some grub. I didn't realize just how busy it was as there was a waiting list to get a table and an extended wait. So I went back to my room, order some take out and watched some TV. After dinner I decided to have a soak in the hot tub I discovered along the way to the Restaurant. Ahh...it was great! I also discovered the bath and body products of Bath & Body Works. These were the complimentary items of Shampoo/Conditioner/Soaps and body lotion the hotel provided to it's customers. What a wonderful product. I have heard of it before, but never plunged further into it to find out what it was all about. Until now, the Body Shop had been a place I frequented. Not anymore. What a wonderful product and I could go on, but I will digress for now.

My curling experience in Abbotsford with Team Rankin was fantastic regardless of the outcome. We were out after three games, but they were hard fought battles and I continued to learn during and after each game.

I had the opportunity to have a couple of very good friends visit me while I was out there. My very good friend Eunice who I haven't seen in over 10 years since I worked and lived in Montreal, and her fiance Les drove out to see me. My childhood friend Terri also came out from Vancouver and for a visit and took some pictures as well. It was fantastic to see them both!

Unfortunately this was the last curling experience I would have this season. Shortly upon my return from Abbotsford and through many emails and many phone calls, the team I was so excited about playing on came to it's demise. My skip finally came to conclude that she simply could not commit to the rest of the season. It was understandable without a doubt. My concern lied with the two remaining members. I would have hoped that the motivation to continue on and plug away the rest of the season may have been refocused to simply keep on keeping on and get familiar with each other for the meantime focusing on next season.

This was not the case. Finding another player and switching up positions and trying different options was not an option. It was disappointing. I was disappointed. What can I say? I thought that a team as reputable as this would have just kept on moving forward and simply change the focus for the season. Too many underlying issues and I believe the fate had been decided before I came on board.

So, now, my focus has changed again and I still believe things do happen for a reason. My family, my Dad, need me as I need them right now. It's been a rough couple of months without a doubt and I wouldn't change anything at all. I'm enjoying my family, my old friends, and my new friends, there company and am very thankful for the experiences and people have met thus far in my first year of being back in Manitoba. Yes it was 1 year last Monday December 15Th. Hard to believe already, and as I reflect back over this time there has been a lot of sadness. I lost my Uncle Albert, Chayse, Meeka, and Sniff. All of whom impacted my life and my family in many great ways. There has been many, many happy moments as well. Painting the Deck with my Dad and sister Jacquelyn while singing at the top of our lungs to the Beatles, 'GET BACK' and making my Mom and Dad laugh so hard that they were doubled over from the pain. All from the antics of my new roommate Ribit, my cat. Not knowing why she yelled at me all night long and the constant battles and arguments I had with her and apologies to her for shouting at her, only to discover that she was simply hungry. The realization, 'Hey, I'm not dead' after being asked out by three younger guys in a small town like Pinawa. Who would have thought? I'm thankful for my genes that allow me to look younger than my age. Yeah for me!

It's been a trying year without a doubt but the good out weighs the bad and the new memories and experiences I am thankful for. What will 2009 bring? Probably a bit of everything.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday season!!

Summary of the Colonial Spiel Saskatoon and on to Abbottsford Wayden Transportation Women's Grand Slam

The Wayden Transportation Women's Grand Slam event is the next event I will be attending and sparing for Heather Rankin's team. I leave tomorrow and we play our first game @ 2:30pm on Friday. I'm very much looking forward to it as I had a wonderful time in Saskatoon. What a great experience and what a wonderful group of girls I curled with. They are very humble and very grounded. It was an absolute delight to play for them. Although from my perspective I thought we did very well, on a hard core curling team doing well isn't all that great. We won our first 3 games against P. Roy(SK), T. Ursel(MB) and Kelly Scott (BC) to reach the A side qualifier against World Champion Jennifer Jones from Manitoba. We had a good game against Jones, but needed to be better and lost 3-2. From there we played Michelle Englot (SK) and Leslie Rogers (AB) and lost two straight which ended our run in Saskatoon.

This was by far out of all the events I've participated in, in previous years one of the bigger ones to date. I learned a lot about the competition, the level of competition required to compete at these events and a WHOLE HECK of a lot about myself. Playing with a team that share the same goals, the same fire, and the same passion will get you where you want to go.

I want to firstly thank Team Rankin, Heather, Chrysta, Lisa, Kyla and Mo, for welcoming me whole heartedly to the team for these two events. It takes a lot of trust and faith to bring someone on board that you've never seen play before or ever even heard of before. They did with only the direction of Heather Rankin and Chrysta Lewis - Rankin without question to even my surprise. Even when things continued to go wrong or when things continued to go in different directions we stood together as a team and never gave up. What an experience and what an inspiration to me. Each of these team members has touched me in there own way on so many different levels and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for such a gift. I don't think I can express just how grateful I am for the opportunity to play with these ladies. I know, I know, I'm getting kind of mushy, but for someone who has never played in a Grand Slam event at this level of curling before and someone who has only dreamed of being able to....I am absolutely ecstatic to have the opportunity. This also isn't something you simply sign up for and hand in a cheque for. These girls have worked hard over the past years to accumulate enough points to be invited to participate in events such as this. No average Joe can simply walk off the street to participate in events like this. So for that I am graceous and will do whatever it is they require without question.
Again ladies, thank you so much for the opportunity and here's hoping this weekend is even better than the last!!

Also a shout out to the best shuttle driver in Saskatoon, NEIL!!

COLONIAL SQUARE LADIES CURLING CLASSIC - SASKATOON SK

So this week begins a potentially very busy 6 weeks of curling for me. I'm very excited. I did play one game at the Casino's of Winnipeg and was happy with how I played considering the mental doubts I'd had and lack of practise etc. The girl that I spared for decided she wanted to play and that was fine..however I wouldn't have taken 1/2 a day off of work with the understanding that I would have played the entire weekend. Nonetheless I played well and am content with that. I threw rocks at the Pinawa club after work today. My observation is simply that I've been spoiled living in the big cities and having ice makers with great reputations to accommodate me and all the other competitive curlers you'd find on the world curling tour. I was about ready to get back into a lift delivery and was quite discouraged quite frankly. I decided to go back to basics and worked on my delivery and balance. 'Look Ma! No broom!' :)

I leave for Saskatoon Thursday evening. I don't know the draw yet and who we play first, but regardless I'm very excited to see my friends again and enjoy some hard core curling. I can't say that I've actually played at this level and although I'm a little nervous I welcome the challenge. I have a great role models to guide me in Heather and her team, so I know I'll be OK.

Although curling has occupied my mind and will be on my mind the majority of this week, I have another project that is challenging my creative side. I'm attempting to illustrate a children's book that my friend has written. It is a challenge and I am rusty, but I know once I get going I'll be fine. It's simply finding my style again. I've been programed to adapt to other people's styles and in the process let my own style disappear. That's why I can draw Franklin and Arthur with my eyes closed. Admittedly I can sing the theme songs too. Eek. Nothing wrong with that I suppose lol.

Once I complete some work of my own not related to the children's book I will start to post them on my blog. It will be difficult with my schedule, but who knows maybe it will inspire me. :D
Until then, follow our progress at the COLONIAL SQUARE LADIES CURLING CLASSIC.
I will be sparing for HEATHER RANKIN'S Calgary team.

CASINOS OF WINNIPEG

October 24-27 @ Fort Rouge Curling Club.
The Casino's of Winnipeg is the next Grand Slam event on the world curling tour. Our team was informed on Sunday October 19Th that there was a spot available for us if we were so inclined to play. I'd like to think that under different circumstances we would have played, but due to the circumstances we politely declined.
I have been asked to spare in this event just yesterday. I am still awaiting a confirmation and details before I fill you in.
I'd like to point out that on Friday October 17 my Skip's boyfriend underwent surgery. Sunday morning I received the call with results from the surgery. Again, out of respect I can't get into detail, but will say that another complication has occurred and as a result...more waiting.
I don't know where that leaves our team and our season. I have a really good idea, but of coures don't want to assume. I'm saying prayers and wishing for the best for both of my friends.

I have booked my flight for Saskatoon to play in the Colonial Square Spiel with Heather Rankin and crew. I'm excited, but also nervous. I haven't had much opportunity to get out and practise as there is no ice available or made in my area. I booked a sheet yesterday in Beausejour and threw rocks for an hour. I do enjoy practising myself, however I haven't had a chance to really get out there consistently during the week and am still trying to shake off the cobwebs.
The Casinos this weekend will be the same and that I will have to play like it's the end of the season in order to perform at the caliber these elite teams are at. No pressure.

On another note it was my birthday on the weekend. Yep, look at me I'm 35 (would have loved to say 33 as it rhymed). Saturday I went into Winnipeg with my Mom and sister Jacquelyn to have a pedicure. That was Jacquelyn's gift to me and a broom bag for my trips to play with Heather Rankin. :) I've never had a pedicure and what a LOVELY experience that was. I was a little nauseous from seeing the instruments they had to use. I was fortunate not to need the 'Cheese Grater', as I called it, that my sister needed. It shaves the dead skin off your feet. The lovely lady working on my feet was also fortunate that while she was sanding and buffing the soles of my feet, that my leg was extended completely other wise I most definitely would have kicked her. I'm ticklish.
After going to Atkins curling supplies and getting myself a broom bag, gripper, gloves, and broom heads we did some running around and trying on clothes. It was a good time.
We got home at about 8pm and after a moment or two of relaxing heading over to a buddies place to play some board games with friends. Again a good time.
Sunday evening the family had dinner, sang Happy Birthday to me and we feasted on home made cupcakes. YEAH!
I received some really great gifts and a ton of Happy Birthday wishes. Do I feel any different? No...well not in the best of shape as I'd hope to be(others would disagree), but nothing out of the ordinary.
You know, when things go badly in your life or things change to certain extremes they say that's when you know who your true friends are. I adore my friends and would do anything for them. I've got some friends that have really come out of the woodwork recently and I really appreciate them and look forward to keeping communications alive with them. I have friends who I considered to be my best friends who I know that I don't have to talk to for long periods of time to simply pick up where we left off the next time I see or speak with them. But I really do miss them. They know who they are, and if they don't they should. I really missed them this weekend. Cheers to you!

SEMI FINALISTS!! AT THE ATKINS LADIES CURLING CLASSIC - CHARLESWOOD CC

Well, again I was not to sure what to expect this weekend, but was pleasantly surprised once again. We had our skipper on board and we also had a 'super' spare, Colleen, playing third for us. After finishing first in our pool through the round robin play and also finishing first in our shoot out for our pool that put us straight into the Semi- Final round by passing the quarter finals.

The competition was tough as expected, but reading the ice was even tougher. It was lightening fast. If you clocked the rock from the back line to stop, a draw was easily running at 30-35 seconds! That's QUICK!
Overall I felt I played alright. I did find the transition from throwing a peel with my first rock to having to draw with my second rock a challenge and less consistent than I would have preferred, I'd end up placing them behind the T-line. Boo.

I'm generally pretty hard on myself, but at the same time I never stopped trying to conquer the beast so to speak. I don't give up until the very last rock has come to a complete stop.

I'm really happy how well the team gelled this weekend. I was very impressed with Ainsley as she did come out and play one game, with a completely new delivery. She is normally a toe-tucker, but due to her injury she isn't able to do that any more and has been working on a flat foot delivery now. She did extremely well in my opinion for such a quick and sudden switch.

I was also very excited to play with Joelle. I played two games with her in Selkirk, but this weekend was different. What an incredible person she is. Not only does she call a fantastic game of curling, but she is the true definition of a skip. After the first end of our very first game there was no doubt in my mind that I had the utmost faith and confidence in her. This was, in theory, her first spiel this season and she did a great job! I'm very impressed and I cannot wait to get out there again with her.
We had Colleen who had played with Joelle previously for eight years stepping in at third for Ainsley. Perhaps because these two have had so much experience together it made that transition easy. The chemistry out there between the four of us was remarkable. Colleen has a wonderful personality on the ice and I really enjoyed playing with her. Communication was phenomenal.
Overall it was yet another successful weekend for this team and as well bitter sweet. With all of the positives that came of this weekend such as, spending time with the girls as a team, getting to know Nixon (Joelle's Chocolate Lab who kept me company while I stayed at her house over the weekend), sharing some laughs and some drinks with these girls, and sharing a couple of chuckles with Pat over the phone, it indicated the end of a great weekend and the beginning of the unknown.
So on another note, it's my 35Th birthday this Sunday coming up. Can you believe it? I'm going to be 35. It's funny where you imagine you'll be in your life when you reach a certain age. I imagined I'd be married with kids by now. I know things happen for a reason and although I'm not doing what I believed I'd be doing at this point in my life I am extremely happy and content at what I have accomplished and achieved. I'm happy to be healthy, to be reacquainted with my family and reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. I have been blessed with many wonderful experiences and that I am sincerely thankful for.

OUR NEXT EVENT:

We were supposed to be playing next weekend in Beausejour, but would be without our skipper and have decided as a team to sit this one out. This upcoming Friday will probably be the longest day I will know as I will have my new friends consuming my thoughts and prayers. All my thoughts and prayers I am extending out to two extraordinary people this week. Dig deep, and stay strong.

Atkins Curling Supplies Womens Classic

Bonspiel #2. Here we go again this weekend at our second spiel of the season. I'm looking forward to it quite honestly. Joelle will be back for her first full spiel and it will be nice to have this time with her. I enjoyed the last two games with her in the previous spiel and appreciated her knowledge of the game and her great attitude out on the ice. I can see why she is as recognized as she is in Manitoba not just on the ice, but off of it as well. She's a lovely lady.
I believe our third will be sitting out Friday and Saturday due to her injury, but will attempt to play Sunday and Monday. So we have a spare for Friday and Saturday. The rest of the long weekend is yet to be determined.
Our First round robin game is a go, Friday @ 9pm. Again I'm looking forward to getting on the ice and focusing on my game. Competition is going to be tough which I expect, therefore I will need to keep focused and get'er done! I'll be posting how we do after the weekend, but you can click on the logo above to follow the games.

Wish us luck!

RESULTS - McMillan Insurance Ladies Curling Classic

Happy Monday everyone!

Well I didn't know what to expect going into the weekend with a spare at skip and a brand new team to boot. Firstly I'm happy to report that we qualified and reached the semi-finals. Not bad for our first spiel and not bad considering the circumstances. I'd also like to make a point of applauding the efforts of Tracy Lavery who stepped in to skip our team this weekend. She threw extraordinarily well and is an absolute delight to play with. I predict good things to come to her in the future and would gladly play with her again.

The competition here in Manitoba is very different from in Ottawa. I grew up here and curled in Juniors but have been away for awhile. This was an eye opener for me quite honestly. The competition is relentless and fierce. I like it, but you have to be able to keep up or you will go down in flames. The intensity of competition is also one of which will either teach you patience and perseverance, or completely crush you under the weight and pressure. There is no half way here. You play to win or you go home. There is no mercy what so ever.

I certainly wasn't expecting that it would be a cake walk, but seeing these teams and all there gear ,heavily decorated with the sponsors of there choice, are out for blood. I applaud them and I applaud Manitoba in general for being so supportive to the competitors of this sport. I know how difficult it is to get that added support.

Our next spiel is The Atkins Curling Supply Ladies Classic starting this Friday October 10-13. http://www.mts.net/~kenb/atkinsclassic/sched.html

Our skip will be joining us for this spiel this weekend and I do look forward to playing with her. We are however without our third Ainsley and in need of yet another spare. Unfortunately during our qualifying game this weekend she injured herself badly enough that she could not play out the game.

It does seem that this group is really being put to the test on all levels. Myself included. After next weekend I am not certain what will happen with this team. The 17th of October is a crucial date in that it will determine the fate of this team and curling season. I guess for now all we can do as a team is keep plugging away and take one game at a time.

For me, my focus will be on staying focused and staying positive. Making one shot at a time, and stay strong mentally.

One brush at a time.

McMillan Insurance Ladies Curling Classic

Here is the schedule/draw for our first spiel of the season. We are without our skipper but have a wonderful lady filling in for us.

Our first game is at 6:30 PM Friday October 3. We play a team out of the states. Dependant on what happens, if we win we play Saturday at 11:30 am and if we lose we play Saturday at 9:00 AM.

Here is a link to the draw if you care to keep track of how we're doing. I am assuming that this will continue to be updated as the weekend progresses.

http://www.mancurltour.ca/Draws/McMillan%20Womens.htm
http://www.curlmanitoba.org/events.php?txtCalendarMonth=10&txtCalendarYear=2008

This last link should take you to the site with Live updates and scores per end.

Camping at Tomahawk Resort

This past weekend I went camping in Ontario to a resort by the name of Tomahawk Resort. http://www.tomahawkresort.com/ It was a beautiful place and had the weather been warmer I'm sure it would have made it even more special. I dabbled with my photography skills and played with the scenery. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

I was playing around with the program on my computer and this picture I turned to a Chalk and Charcoal print.
This picture at the end of the dock with a Watercolour effect.

A slight tilt, no affects.

This was the beach, and no I didn't go swimming as it was WAY to chilly.

Random scenery shots.

And last but not least, random fall shots of the leaves turning colours.

Ladies and Gentleman, THIS is Women's Curling.

I haven't written anything regarding curling this past little while because I was hoping to have some things sorted out. Without getting into to much detail the situation with my new team is not one that has been controllable. Due to an unforeseen and extremely serious illness we are a man down. Our fearless leader and skip has been called to the aid of her boyfriend and has been MIA for the past two months. Without question that is where she should be right now, and our thoughts and prayers are extended to them both and there families.
It has been difficult and after waiting things out and exhibiting a huge amount of patience, the situation has not been resolved if she will be joining the team or sitting the season out. Again it would not be a surprise if she sat it out, but we also don't want to assume. There's been a lack of communication. We have all made efforts to contact her to discuss things with her, but with not much luck.
The situation is what it is and in trying to move forward to prepare for our season starting next weekend October 3-7 in Selkirk we need to have some sort of idea of what to expect. It's been a long mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting couple of month with being left in what I'd call limbo. Please don't misunderstand me, this situation is extremely serious and without a doubt if it was me, curling would be the last thing I'd be doing. The concern is that there has been no indication as to whether she's in, or out. Not a peep. So in theory the remaining team members look for a plan B. Which is what we did and tried to find a spare who could fill the position at skip. It's absolutely difficult at this time of the season to find the odd player capable of fitting into this position as well as agreeing to rearrange there lives to accommodate our hectic schedule.
There are so many scenarios at this point that I don't foresee this team completing the entire season in tact. I hope I'm wrong and I haven't written the team off at all, but there is just to many underlying issues and not enough compromise. As the newbie on the team I find myself in a situation of tug-o-war. It's unfortunate because potentially the caliber of this team is very strong. It just so happens that because of what has happened it has brought other issues, past issues to the surface with the remaining members of the team. Ladies and Gentleman THIS... is women's curling.
And here begins the first tug on that exposed thread on your favorite sweater, pulled until all you're left with is a pile of wool and the size/washing instruction tag.
I can honestly say that I personally, have had my share of 'drama' playing with women and am steering clear of it from here on out. I have goals I want to achieve as a curler and quite frankly this IS a business. You get on a team that share the same goals and wants to achieve the same things. You practise, you work hard, you dedicate yourself to the team, the sport, and get on with it. That is my opinion and that is what I have to offer.
I do have my own PLAN B so to speak. I have offered up my time to spare for Heather Rankin's team of Calgary Alberta. She has a team member expecting a baby any time now, and requires spares to fill in for 8 of her events this season. I have confirmed with her to play in three and hopefully four events. These are as follows:
Nov 7-10 - Colonial Square Ladies Curling Classic - Saskatoon SK.
*Pending Nov 14-17 - Abbottsford Slam - Abbotsford BC *
Nov 26-Dec 30 - Sobey's Slam - New Glasgow NS
Dec 11-15 - John Shea Insurance Canada Cup Qualifier - Ottawa ON.
This will be an amazing opportunity for me on so many levels. The experience, the exposure and to play with an elite group of women curlers. What an opportunity and something for me to look forward to and enjoy playing with Heather once again.
We'll see what comes of it, and I will continue to update everyone and post pictures.
I do plan to continue to play with the girls here in Winnipeg, however have decided to revise my priorities. All this being said, I'm finally putting myself and what makes me happy first. It's been a long time and I have to thank my sister Jacquelyn (forever my #1 fan) for putting the bug in my ear, and my Dad for his wisdom, Inspiration, Strength and kick in the backside. All my love to you both xxoo

Summer Fun In Manitoba 2008

Good day everyone. I thought before the snow comes and the leaves have finally fallen off the trees I would give you a quick glimpse into what I did for my summer in my home town and surrounding area.

Little did I know that my home town of Pinawa held such a wonderful and relaxing amusement park like ride without the cost! Imagine! The locals here call it Tube Floating. You borrow or purchase an inner tube or a tube that you pull behind a boat and head down to the Diversion Dam in Pinawa. It is recommended that you get a group of people, two or more, to accompany you when you're doing this. The reason for that is due to the starting location and the finishing location. The distance between the start and finish if you were walking would be about 2km. I think. It doesn't seem that far, but I will explain shortly. One person parks there car at the start (being the Dam) and someone else parks there car at the finish which happens to be by the Pinawa Suspension Bridge also next to the Pinawa Cemetery. Sounds creepy but not in the least.

Once you get yourself organized with your floatation device of choice away you go.

The benefit of having a tube that you pull behind a boat is the fact that it has a bottom in it. That way you can put your flip-flops/car keys and any other snacks/drinks you'd like for the ride. Thank goodness RB wasn't about to turn down an invite to go Tube Floating and was kind enough to carry our load for us. I'm referring to my friend Lyndsey from Ottawa. Lyndsey came out for a visit and attempted her first Tube Floating experience with us. It was my second time, but first time with the Inner-Tubes. They are not very stable and not very comfortable as you'll observe in the following photos I attach. Lyndsey fell in immediately upon the start. It was a good thing she went in first so that I could brace myself for my impending launch. I, however, was successful. You do get a great ab work out with Inner-Tubes though so that is a plus.

Oddly enough it looks like I'm not even on an Inner-Tube in this picture, but I am. The picture ended turning out 'funny' so to speak.

On to golfing! I always thought of myself as the 'Happy Gilmore' of golf. I never had any great experiences with it and could only last about 9 holes at the most. I am delighted to say that I've been out golfing four times (which is HUGE) this summer, twice with my folks, once in the Pinawa closing scramble with a team that was STACKED (again I was unaware of this at the time), and this past weekend in a fundraiser for Terry Fox. We had a great time and I got some great pictures of all involved. My parents, George, Cam, Devon and myself. It was best ball thank god, but regardless a fun time and great weather for it.

So, from three of the four times I went out golfing I ended up with some prizes. Imagine! Golf is much more enjoyable when you win prizes. lol. So I won myself a putter, and a whole heck of a lot of golf balls, as well a towel for my non-existence bag and clubs. I'll be scouting for some clubs this fall and see what I can come up with. Would love a pink bag, however whatever gets my attention will be just fine. My birthday is coming up as my mom reminded me, so who knows I may end up with some golf shoes and clubs. My mom, being a golfing expert with her hole in one last year, believe this is something I should continue to pursue on the off season.

I think I might actually like it!

This is a brief indication of how my first summer back in Manitoba has turned out. I've been spending an enormous amount of time with my Mom and Dad, sister Jacquelyn and nieces as well as my other two sisters. It has been great and I wouldn't change anything at all. We've created many more memories and stories to reminisce about for the future and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Let the games begin....

And it begins. I never thought I'd start a blog, but thought I'd give it a go. Now for the readers please note that I am not in anyway a grammar teacher or English major. That being said, please be kind.
For those who know me, they know me to be a very active person. I love sports and work hard at taking care of myself and staying in shape. My passion and love is the game of curling. I had some success when I was in Jr's and skipped a team to the Manitoba Pepsi Jr's way back in 1988 I believe. That was an experience to say the least. I'd been a fearless leader up until that point in time. I did however 'SNAP' so to speak in my confidence at skip when with my last rock I was attempting a freeze against four opposition stones. Things were looking good until my sweeper confessed to burning my rock. This is when the wheels fell off for me. I struggled in later years with my confidence at skip and all due to a burnt rock. Strange really, but young minds tend to be affected differently to certain situations.
Curling took a back seat when I moved to Ottawa to go to college, but upon starting my first job in Montreal and with the persistence of my older sister Jacquelyn I got back into curling while I lived there. I played all positions except skip and enjoyed it all, built my confidence up and became the competitor I used to be while finding my passion for it once more.

Since then I have skipped my own team back in Ottawa and really built my confidence up as well as my growth as an individual and team mate.
I made a difficult decision in moving back to Manitoba December 15, 2007. This was something I never thought in a million years I would do, yet hear I am. I am back in my home town now after a brief career in Winnipeg, and have adapted to the ways of small town life once again. Quite easily to be honest. I've reconnected on many different levels with my parents and am loving each and every day I've had the opportunity to spend with them. They have become my best friends and my inspiration. There is not a day that goes by that I do not consult them for input and deliberate on obstacles and challenges that lie ahead of me.
I will be starting my curling season here in MB with a team based in Winnipeg. A competitive team that I have had the pleasure to meet and greet and get to know. I like what I see and I like our potential for greatness. Our season is to start in October and I'm very much looking forward to getting on the ice and going full throttle.
This is basically a very brief description of what has gone on in my life since leaving Manitoba in '93 and my return.
It is going to be a very busy season in any case and I will have much more to post and share. Until then...Live each day to the fullest, Dance like know one is watching, and when life hands you lemons ask for tequila and salt. :)