Uncategorized Today my mom found this adorable little pup running through the busy street on Corydon and Brock. With no owner in sight and no tags, she knew she had to take this sweet little thing home with her. Being Good Friday, the humane society wasn’t open for her to be brought to. So, to our house she came. The first thing we did was give her hugs and kisses to reassure her that she was safe and still loved. She immediately took to me and cuddled up in my lap to be held close. After she had calmed down (and made friends with our own crazy pup,) I posted to Winnipeg Lost Dogs Alert on Facebook with a picture of her and my phone number. After that, I took her back to where my mom found her originally in hopes that if I walked her up and down for a bit her owner might be out and about looking for her. Crazy enough, it worked! After about five minutes, approaching the corner of Corydon and Brock, a young guy drove up in his car and made eye contact with me and the little pup. Jumping out, he called to her ‘Pyper! There you are!’ And I knew this sweet little gal had found her home again. Strangely enough, they had also just seen my post on Facebook and his girlfriend called me right as I was returning Pyper to him. It’s so special to be a part of something like this. You hope like hell that it never happens, but if it does then this is the ending every dog owner prays to have. I’m very happy that little Pyper found her way home to the people that love her most. Happy Easter to all :two_hearts::blush: Posted on April 18, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized #100daysofhappy Day Seven: Today I had the immense pleasure of watching my extremely talented boyfriend act in a leading role in a play put on by his theatre company. The happiness and joy it brings to my life watching someone I care so much about living out their passion and taking risks to pursue it is immeasurable. It’s so important to always support the ones you love in what moves them in life. Thank you so much Seamus for giving me the opportunity to not only be a part of this experience with you, but to also be a part of your life. You made ME the happy one today, and everyday, while you continue to inspire me to live out my own dreams and passions. You’re extraordinary and I’m so lucky you’re mine. :two_hearts: Posted on April 12, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized #100daysofhappy Day Six: Family is easily the most important thing we have in this world. For me, it’s always just been me, mom, and pops, with the recent addition of our golden boy, Ryder. No siblings around to drive me crazy, yet to teach me what growing up is all about. Instead, I had to rely on my incredible parents for these lessons. Lucky for me, they did not disappoint. Now, we all know how easy it is to go through life every day assuming that the ones we love just inherently know how much we care. That they know how much we appreciate everything they do, even when we don’t necessarily respond with a ‘thank-you.’ That they can tell by the smiles on our faces how much the moments we spend together mean. Chances are, they probably can tell all these things. However, it doesn’t mean that we should ever stop finding ways to express it. I’m as guilty as everyone else for sometimes taking the unconditional relationship between parent and child for granted, but today I wanted to take a step back and remind them that I notice everything they do for me and that I love them endlessly for it. Here’s to you: Tom & Rhonda; Husband & Wife; Brother & Sister; Uncle & Aunt; but most importantly, Mom & Dad. Thank you, and I love you. Posted on April 11, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized #100daysofhappy Day Five: Have you ever had someone do something just so inexplicably kind for you for really no apparent reason? If you have, you’ll know how good a feeling it is and how it often will leave you with a silly grin on your face for hours to follow. As my note proclaims, one of my favorite things is making people smile. Whether it’s my friends, my family, or just a random stranger I pass in the street, the power of a smile never ceases to amaze me. Before heading out this afternoon to grab a coffee at Tim’s, I took a moment to write down this note. While paying for my coffee in the drive through I slipped this note, along with a five dollar bill, to the cashier and asked them to give the note to the person behind me in line. As well, to use the five dollars towards their order. I knew I probably wouldn’t get to see the person’s smile, but I have faith that it brightened their day. And hey, if not, the idea that it did certainly brightened mine. Pay it forward, friends :sunflower: Posted on April 10, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized It’s Wednesday, and on Wednesdays we wear pink. Or really, any other damn day that you choose to. In 2007 in the town of Berwick, Nova Scotia, a homosexual ninth grade boy decided, in his own right, that he was going to wear a pink shirt to school. Big deal, right? Well apparently, a couple not very accepting bullies thought that it was. Luckily, two brave, beautiful, and heterosexual young men took a stand and proceeded to buy 50 pink shirts which they then distributed to their classmates in a show of solidarity towards anti-bullying. The heartwarming result comes in the form of what we now know as “Day of Pink.” Each year, on the second Wednesday of April, millions of people wear pink to remind us that our positive actions make all the difference. The change this world needs can stem from one person, a whole school, or an entire nation. Be that change. Together we can put an end to bullying of all forms. Let’s make the move to loving each other for the unique and bright aspects inherent to our being. Male, female; gay, straight; white, black; whoever you are, whatever you like, you should never, ever be made to feel ashamed for it. You are exquisite and warm in everything you choose for this life and I hope you never let anyone convince you otherwise. :hibiscus::tulip::cherry_blossom: Posted on April 9, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized #100daysofhappy Day Four: Ryder and I are so lucky to live in such a picturesque neighborhood surrounded by lakes, parks, trees, and walking paths. We try and take advantage of them whenever the weather permits. Unfortunately, this natural wonder can sometimes get tarnished by the litter some people so carelessly toss at it. It takes barely any effort at all to hold onto something until you reach a garbage or recycling bin, yet the difference it makes in preserving our environment is staggering. However, for some this mindset seems to have been lost somewhere along the way. Ryder and I decided we wanted to help rectify the situation. We brought a large black garbage bag with us on our hour long walk today and stopped to pick up every piece of trash we saw. By the time we were done, the bag was nearly overflowing. Looking back along the way we came though, the horizon was teeming with nothing but nature’s beauty. It is my hope that anyone who saw us will be inspired next time to take the extra few minutes to a garbage bin and help in the fight of keeping our world as beautiful and natural as possible. Posted on April 9, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized #100daysofhappy Day Three: Today I spent a large portion of my day sorting through all of my clothes, shoes, accessories and jewelry. I am so fortunate to have always had such an abundance of beautiful things. Whether it be items I bought for myself, pieces my amazing parents got for me, or gifts I’ve received from loved ones alike, I have never found myself lacking in this department. Unfortunately, not everyone is this fortunate. So many in our community have need of life’s basic necessities. They fight every day to get a meal on the table for them and their families, let alone being able to afford luxuries. With such a myriad of these items in my own life, I wanted to give back to these extremely hardworking folk. Today I donated an enormous bag of beautiful and well-loved pieces to an inner city Salvation Army. This is such an easy thing to do and so greatly benefits not only those less fortunate, but it also helps to declutter your own space allowing for better clarity of mind. As well, Salvation Army donates all of it’s profits to various local charities and initiatives, doubling the goodwill that your donations provide. I couldn’t feel better about what I’ve accomplished so far with my #100daysofhappy and I am so incredibly excited to continue spreading positivity and happiness to everyone in my life. Posted on April 8, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized For those who don’t know: Approximately four years ago I became extremely sick with an undiagnosed neurological disorder. The onset and progression of the disorder was unlike anything my doctors had seen before. Coupled with excruciating and untreatable neurologic pain, the disease left me lacking the ability to feel peripheral sensory touch anywhere on my body. Plagued with countless speciality tests, weeks in hospital, an entire semester of university lost, and more than my fair share of pain medications, I was released with no real answers to speak of. The idea of this great unknown devastated my parents and eased me into a depressive state I’d yet to experience before. Over the weeks that followed, we sought out any semblance of normality or happiness to break the tension my disease brought on. However, it was in no form of material goods or money spent that this regeneration of love and positivity was found. It was simply found in the unconditional warmth, trust and love of my sweet baby boy, Ryder. This golden bundle of love was exactly the strength my family and I needed to fix what my disorder so nearly threatened to break. I thank heaven every day for lending me one of its angels in the form of my boy. To this day I am still actively fighting to beat this disease. But now, every time it attempts to thrust me down again, I need simply feel that soft brown nose edging me back up to know that I have the strength to find those answers that once seemed so unknown. All my love for all my life, Ry Posted on April 7, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized My beautiful mother is by far the hardest-working person I have ever known. She’s 59 years old and continues to wake up at 5:30 am, Monday through Friday, to go and teach English and the beauty of language arts to the future minds of our generation. Her students regard her with the upmost respect and gratitude for her one of a kind teaching styles. I can’t tell you the number of stories I’ve been told over the years of a troubled youth succeeding solely as a result of the belief she had in them. This past week she was granted a much needed week long ‘Spring Break.’ However, instead of spending her time on the couch relaxing or indulging in things for herself, she took it upon herself to make a list of all the things she wanted to get done around the house. Unfortunately, time slips away from you and she didn’t get a chance to finish all these things. I have a day off today. I’m finishing them for her. I love you mom, I hope this helps & makes you happy :two_hearts: Posted on April 7, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
Uncategorized The love I have for these two boys is without parallel. They can’t take a good picture together to save their lives, but I like to think it’s part of their charm. Nothing makes me happier than a smile and a kiss from either of them. Posted on April 7, 2014 by Kati Continue reading →
