Nancy's Notes

March 2026
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31

My Last ‘First Day Of School’

Posted: September 1, 2015 in Uncategorized

As tomorrow is Chris’s (and my) last first day of school I feel so sad. In 2009 when this day happened for Brandon it wasn’t quite as devastating as I knew my job as parent was not done as I had years left with Chris. Oh I know it is the job of a parent to always be working toward them leaving but darn it I just love being their Mom and having them near me. A few years ago I gave the boys a letter at Christmas and today it just seems appropriate to once again share these words with my boys…

To My Sons…. Did I tell you?

Now that you are almost grown I look back and ask myself…. Did I tell you? Did I tell you all that I meant to tell you, all that I felt was important? Did I tell you or was it lost in the shuffle of our everyday lives, the busy full days when I taught and didn’t know it. What did I teach? Was it strong? Was it good? Will it root you in something real that will allow you to grow with a firm and sound foundation? Did I tell you…

Did I tell you to love, not with a fair weather love, but with a love that accepts and cherishes unconditionally? Love not with a quick and passing love, but with a love that is a quiet peace within your heart.

Did I tell you to be thoughtful? Not to be a martyr or doormat to be trod upon, but to be aware of other people and their needs, to meet others with awareness and within your own framework be able to meet them halfway and on occasion go the other half joyfully.

Did I tell you to be courteous, not to display empty manners with no meaning but to live the courtesy born of caring? And to express this caring through the small formalities and customs born of the years.

Did I tell you to be bold? To be not afraid of the unknown, but to live life to the fullest, and meet each new experience with joy and anticipation.

And did I tell you to be cautious? To temper your daring and sense of adventure with good judgement and consideration.

Did I tell you to serve other people if only in a small way? There is growth and satisfaction in being part of something larger than yourself and your life will be richer for knowing this.

Did I tell you to maintain a sense of the past? To recall and uphold all that is best and meaningful in our country and in our society. But never be afraid to speak out where you don’t believe or where there is room for improvement. Work for what you believe, but work in a positive way within a structure of order and reason.

Did I tell you to find a part of nature that speaks to you then know it intimately and well. For some it is a mountain peak, for some a windswept beach. Find your own and in it find your restoration.

Did I tell you to laugh, to dance, to sing? There is a lot in life that is hard, but take it as it comes and find the good…and make time to dance.

Did I tell you to be creative and explore the seed within you? Find your creative spirit and let it grow.

And did I tell you the challenge of being a man-the challenge of balancing your worlds?- the need to achieve and the need to nurture-the need to be strong and the need to be tender-the need to meet the tests that life brings yet always keep love at the centre: letting it be the star by which you set your sail.

Did I tell you these things as we went along the way? If I did then I am humbly grateful. If I did not than you must choose for yourself. If it has meaning than accept it and make it your own. If it does not, discard it. Your life is yours to build as you choose

And did I tell you….

That I hope it will be a good life

What Is Leadership? It’s Not A Physical Description

Posted: June 1, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: #JordonLien, #Leader, #Leadership, #MinisterOfHealth, #misogynistic, #NDP, #SarahHoffman

Leadership is a tough quality to define. When sports scouts look at a prospect, they classify leadership as an “intangible.” Leadership is definitely a quality, and while tough to define, it is a trait and you’ll be able to distinguish whether a person has “it” or not. What it is NOT is a measurement of your height or your weight or your ethnicity or your background. In 2010 I met a young lady that within minutes I knew exemplified leadership. She was a newly elected Trustee for the Edmonton Public School Board, easily 25 years my junior who possessed the traits I feel are key to leadership.

While leadership is certainly difficult to DEFINE, there are attributes that we can associate with signs of being a leader.

1. Visionary: A leader brings a vision to it’s group. It’s a plan by which others can FOLLOW. This vision brings the followers the emotion of hope and something the followers can strive to achieve. The vision should be clear and the leader should stand up for what the leader believes in. I have watched this woman stand up to the most senior bureaucrats and elected officials but never without respect.

“A leader is a dealer in hope” – Napoleon Bonaparte

2. Reliable: You don’t want to follow someone that shows up late or doesn’t do what they say they are going to do. In a leader, you want someone that’s reliable, with a message that people can follow. If leaders aren’t consistent in their efforts and their actions it causes followers to begin to doubt the dedication of the leader to the cause. This woman remained solidly focused and was where she needed to be. She not only fulfilled the duties of her role as trustee but went beyond in her efforts.

3. Audacity: It takes guts to be a leader. It’s not for everyone. Some people would prefer to tag along for the ride and that’s fine. Not everyone can or should be a leader. Audacious? This ladies middle name is audacity.

4. Empowering People: Inherently, people want to do a good job. They want to succeed and make others happy. As a leader, you need to allow people to succeed. By empowering people, the leader isn’t doing the task for the person following the leader, but instead gives them the tools necessary to succeed. Within her own Board she worked to built capacity so that if she was no longer on the Board they will be well placed to continue succeeding.

5. Positive: ” A leader doesn’t need to be all about rainbows and sunshine, but there definitely needs to be a boost of positivity especially when tackling a difficult project or the “going gets tough.” I remember a few years ago when this young lady worked very hard to support safe school environments through a motion before the Alberta School Boards to protect LBGTQ students. I sat with her in the hallway after the motion was defeated. A few tears were shed but she stood up, smoothed the leg of her pants and said. “We’ve got work to do.”

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

6. Motivating: If you don’t have the previous characteristics, it certainly isn’t very motivating for the follower to follow the leader let alone do a great job. A leader needs a vision, otherwise people don’t have a map and tend to get lost. She also motivates others and that is going to serve her well as she has now moved on from the School Board and was recently elected as an MLA and then appointed as Minister of Health. I am privileged to consider Sarah Hoffman a friend, a peer, an inspiration for young woman everywhere but most of all a ‘leader’. That’s it and that’s all.

I do know that the quote from John Quincy Adams remains key to this …”If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”. And to young woman everywhere Sarah Hoffman is a leader. So for those individuals who have made negative comments that do not relate to this woman’s worth; keep your misogynistic comments to yourself!

Auld Lang Syne

Posted: December 31, 2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: 2015, 2015. grace, Auld Lang Syne, courage, Drayton Valley, fear, grace, Happy New Year, January 1, judgement, Mahatma Gandhi, New Year, resilience, resolution, willpower, wisdom

My musings as the New Year begins…

I am definitely not the same person I was a year ago, a month ago, or a week ago. I have to believe that I am always growing. Experiences don’t stop. That’s life. Sometimes there are things in my life that are not meant to stay (thank God for that). Sometimes the changes I don’t want are the changes I need to grow. Growth and change may be painful sometimes, but nothing in my life has been as painful as staying stuck where I don’t belong. The bottom line is that I can’t reach for anything new if I’m holding onto yesterday. I hope others will offer me the grace to work in that direction and even if they don’t I need to do that for myself. Sometimes I convince myself that holding on makes me strong, but more often it is letting go and starting anew in the present that has allowed me growth. I now know if my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself. No; that does not mean my family situation is changing-it just means I have to choose the path that feels right to ME, not the one that looks right to everyone else. In honour of my late Dad who’s memoir was named ‘One Rung At A Time’ it seems appropriate that the analogy that comes to mind for me is that it’s always better to be at the bottom of the ladder I want to climb, than at the top of the one I don’t even want to be on. I commit to at least try not to wait until I’m halfway up the wrong ladder to listen to my intuition. Yes Nancy that feeling in your gut means something. It is a waste to always be questioning myself when I am the answer. “I have a choice and I am here now because of the choices I’ve made in the past.” One of my favourite expressions is ‘When you blame others you give up the power to change.’ I will live that quote. Every morning I will try to ask myself what is really important, and then find the courage, wisdom and willpower to build my day around my answer. No wasted time, no fluff, no regrets.
I tend to think and think and think and accordingly will think myself right out of happiness a thousand times over, and never once into it. I know that worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles, it takes away today’s peace and potential. So I have to try to stop over-thinking everything. Right now this will be particularly difficult for me. My biggest limitations are the ones I make up in my mind. The biggest causes of any unhappiness are the false beliefs I refuse to let go of. I know I am capable of far more than I am presently thinking, imagining, doing or being. I may not be where I want to be yet, but when I really think about it, I am definitely not where I once was either. I have to believe I can trust myself moving forward not because I’ve always made the right choices but because I’ve survived the bad ones, and taken small steps in the right direction. I will focus on the right things and just do the best I can. I can’t be crippled by stress and self-loathing. Everything is only as it is. There’s no reason to let it destroy me. I will breathe and let every moment be what it’s going to be. What’s meant to be will come my way, what’s not will fall away. My greatest gifts have definitely not always been wrapped as I expected.
Sometimes my time and energy is misspent on the wrong relationships or on too many activities that force me to neglect my good relationships. A quote from Josh Radnor says “It’s not our job to play judge and jury, to determine who is worthy of our kindness and who is not. We just need to be kind, unconditionally and without ulterior motive, even-or rather, especially-when we’d prefer not to be.” I promise that it will be my intent to do that for others and I will ask for the same grace. I too often let the fear of judgment numb and silence me. My deepest thoughts and feelings often go unspoken, and thus barely understood. I am the sum of the people I spend the most time with. I choose to be around people that will help me grow me into my ‘best self.’ Those ‘wrong’ people can be so destructive to my soul. I WILL NOT let people invalidate or minimize how I feel. No one else lives in my body, or sees life through my eyes. No one else has lived through my exact experiences and so no one else has the right to dictate or judge how I feel. A great deal of unhappiness comes into the world because of confusion, bewilderment, and things left unsaid. Many times in life I’ve regretted the things I’ve said without thinking. But I’ve never regretted the things I said nearly as much as the words I’ve left unspoken. (Yes Mum I hear you). I will not hide my thoughts and feelings, especially when I can make a difference. I will be brave and say what needs to be said. When I don’t communicate effectively with those around me, there’s a lot of important stuff that ends up not getting said and a lot of beautiful emotion that ends up not being felt. I will work to hear others even when what they say conflicts with my beliefs or understanding.
As Mahatma Gandhi (with whom I share an October 2nd birthday) once said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Life is a book and those who do not educate themselves read only a few pages. It’s clear to me-when I know better I live better. Period. All education is self-education I won’t learn anything I don’t want to learn. I believe that because I take the time and initiative to pursue knowledge on my own time I will benefit from earning a real education in this world. When I take a look at any widely acclaimed scholar, entrepreneur or historical figure I can think of, formal education or not, I find that he or she is a product of continuous self-education. Perhaps this year I will pursue some formal education opportunities but continued self education will be most important.
Life is short. The risk to remain perched in my nest; particularly the one I have hidden in for the past 2 months, is far more detrimental than the risk it takes to fly. This year I will spread my wings and I will fly. (Yes Dad my goal is for this to be both figurative and literal). I’m sure some of you don’t see me as a ‘nest sitter’ but I assure you I have not reached my full potential. To accomplish great things, I must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe. This year I will be a positive motivator, a productive doer, and a go-getter who keeps my head in the clouds and my feet on the ground. I will let the spirit of passion and possibility ignite a fire within me to do something worthwhile today, and I won’t forget to spread my enthusiasm to those around me. This year I will take the time to touch my dreams. They say everyone dreams, but not equally. Too many people dream only at night in the quiet of their own minds, and then awake to find it was all an illusion. I don’t want to continue to be one of them. I want to dream by the day instead. I want to be one of the people who dreams with their eyes wide open, and who works to make them come true. I only have so much time, and I want to spend it where it counts.

Gratitude Began At Walmart

Posted: October 12, 2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: Alberta School Board Association, Canada, Community, Drayton Valley, Gratitude, Maritimes, Politics, Thanksgiving, Walmart, Wild Rose School Division

“As we express our gratitude we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ” John F. Kennedy

So on a last minute trip to Walmart today to buy an oversized roasting pan for my oversized turkey a gentleman in the check out line behind me said, “Thank you for the work you do for our community. I really appreciate it. Politicians work hard for their constituents and are under appreciated. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.” I was pleasantly surprised by his comment and although I don’t know him I am very grateful for his words. This last few weeks have been difficult politically (and I get it times 2). There have been some controversial issues and sometimes disagreements. What am I grateful for? The fact that I live in this amazing country where I have the freedom to choose my own point of view, honour another persons opposing views and move forward. I’m grateful for my amazing family; a husband who works hard to support his family and children who make me proud. I am grateful for the gift of parents who taught me the value of service, hard work and open mindedness. I am thankful for my mentors who have forged roads I can now travel. I am grateful for my friends and sisters who are always there; to pick me up, to raise me up and to walk beside me. I am grateful for the wonderful community of Drayton Valley but remain grateful for my Maritime roots. Gratitude means thankfulness, counting my blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that I receive. It means learning to live my life as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much I’ve been given. Gratitude shifts my focus from what my life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress. Gratitude helps those who practice gratitude to be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have a stronger immune system, and have stronger social relationships than those who don’t practice gratitude. To say I feel grateful is not to say that everything in my lives is necessarily great. It just means I am aware of my blessings.
I try(not always successfully) to practice giving thanks to appreciate life more fully and to use gratitude to help put things in their proper perspective. When things don’t go my way, I try to remember that every difficulty carries within it the seeds of an equal or greater benefit. In the face of adversity I ask myself: “What’s good about this?”, “What can I learn from this?”, and “How can I benefit from this?” This is more often than not a challenging exercise for me. But as I become oriented toward looking for things to be grateful for, I find that I begin to appreciate simple pleasures and things that I previously took for granted. Today, I will start bringing gratitude to my experiences, instead of waiting for a positive experience in order to feel grateful; in this way, I’m on my way toward becoming not just grateful but maybe; just maybe a master of gratitude.

My Political Journey…so far!

Posted: August 20, 2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: Council Governance Wild Rose School Division Drayton Valley

Ten months ago I asked myself the questions: “Why did I decide not to run for Mayor? What about the School Board? Do you think you can do both?” I KNEW the right thing to do was to step down as a candidate for Mayor and do what I had planned to do initially. I would run for town council and run again for the school board. Could ‘I’ do this? Absolutely! So where do I sit this many months later.

1 | I Still Understand the commitment
Before I agreed to put my name on the ballot, I took the time to understand the commitment involved. I had gone through the learning curve for School board and I can assure you I have a significant knowledge of the work involved there and of the evolving state of education in Alberta. I am a super-engaged, present and prepared individual. It makes all the difference in the world in terms of my ability to work as a team to make good decisions, and move our region forward. I am keenly aware that there is a scope of work that happens outside the view of the council and board chambers that needs to be fully understood. I also knew that I was signing up for a four-year stint. Some people were concerned about my ability to serve on both school board and town council. The one’s who were concerned are those that don’t know me. I have very high energy and learn very quickly. I am a sponge for knowledge and have a governance understanding beyond many more seasoned politicians.
2 | I Read everything I can get my hands on
There are a myriad of documents, plans and meeting minutes. With regard to the school board I hit the ground running. I can say confidently that I am at least as well informed and prepared as any school trustee in the province on being up to speed on legislation, regulations, and policy while still taking the time to work on the softer visionary perspective necessary for our students. As far as the town council goes I have spent significant time on the Municipal Government Act , minutes, bylaws, the Municipal Development Plan, and other local documents and believe I have a solid understanding of the foundational documents necessary to do the job. I had the opportunity through my challenging a section of the land use bylaw a few years ago to learn a lot. I understand the basis for where we are going as a region, shaped by many voices, likely including your own.
3 | I Attend meetings
Prior to running for the school board I attended months of school board meetings. I was able to gain a lot of knowledge of what I could learn ‘outside of the minutes.’ I had of course done the same thing in preparation for my run at town council. I am significantly involved and believe I have the pulse of the community. I know the personalities and nuances of the existing council and management team.
4 |I have done Research
I have done my research. It is often said that the best perspective you are ever going to get is from those who have been in the roles the last three years, or in several cases, longer.I have taken the time to speak to many of our elected officials. Additionally I have spent time with community leaders, small business owners, and members of the greater community asking what they see as challenges and successes in our community.
5 | I Seek first to understand
This is one of my favourite mantras, one of the seven habits espoused by Stephen Covey: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. I did not run for either position propelled by a burning issue that I want to use as the fulcrum of my campaign strategy. I am keenly aware that for both the school board and town council that I am only one vote among 7, that there are 6 other sets of eyes looking at an issue. I know how to pull myself back from a potential emotionally-charged position on a certain topic, take an objective 360-degree view of the issue, listening to all sides, researching and reflecting on the strength and viability of my position. At the end of the day as an elected official I am charged with the responsibility of making a decision that is for the greater good of our community and region, based on all available facts and opinions.
6 | I am ready to engage
I believe that anyone who knows me is very aware of my belief in the necessity of community engagement. I take every opportunity to talk to people both formally and informally. I never back down from responding to a hard question. Sometimes that involves me doing some research. I am visibly present wherever and whenever I can be. I continue to connect with my community and they know I am always available to hear their questions and concerns and I ALWAYS get back to them. Proper engagement does not mean you just receive information. It means showing you heard them and then coming back with next steps.
7 |Who is Nancy?
I believe that I help people get to know me and what I stand for. This is done in many different ways: social media, website, blogs, news releases, special events, appearances, etc.
8 | I Keep it positive
OK, I know some people aren’t going to agree on this one, but I am resolute. I will choose the high road.
9 | I Embrace the fear! Was I a bit apprehensive at the prospect of actually fulfilling the responsibilities of these elected positions? No! Or at least so minimally that it isn’t worth being concerned. There is always the internal reaction to the prospect of putting myself in the public eye, of being held to a higher account, of having to keep my head when all about me are losing theirs and blaming it on me. Leadership is leaping into the abyss!

10 | Identify my compelling WHY! There are life circumstances that put us in a position of seeking public office and community passions that have inspired us to take the next step in our leadership journey. Mine starts with the very basic concept that I believe in community service and have a passion for it. My service on the school board and town council strengthen my community, my family, and ultimately, you. But on a deeper level than that I believe I must do this because I have the capacity to make a difference. I am able to understand the complexity of the issues, I know how to work with a management team in a way that will move matters forward in a truly generative way, and most importantly I can deal with the high level process and still remain connected to my ‘people’. I am as passionate and concerned about economic development as I am about social policy. I believe it is imperative that I am able to do the governance work but at the end of the day talk to my constituents in a manner that reminds both my community and myself that I am but a representative of them. No more and no less!

The past four years have been extraordinary. I was elected to the school board in 2010 passionate and ready. The opportunity to serve, has been everything I thought it would be and much more. And now almost a year on Town Council has reenforced this. I’m grateful to my respected colleagues for their mentorship, support and dedication. I’m honoured by the citizens of this area who have allowed me to represent them on the Board of Wild Rose Public Schools and now the Drayton Valley Town Council. It has been a thrill to give voice to the students and families and I look forward to continuing to do so as a trustee for Wild Rose Public Schools and as a councillor for The Town of Drayton Valley. I have been so fortunate to share the positive attributes of my community with people from around the province, country and world. I have a passion to serve and I will look forward to continuing to make Drayton Valley and Brazeau County a great place to live, work and bring up your family.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Ghandi.

In The Eyes Of A Child……..How I need to see life.

Posted: August 8, 2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: child, eyes of a child, resilience, resilient

Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing

Oscar Wilde

When I was young life was easier-I think. Or at least sometimes it seems that way. But the truth is life still is easy. It always will be. The only difference is I’m older, and the older I get, the harder I make things for myself.

You see, when I was young I saw the world through simple, hopeful eyes. I knew what I wanted and I had no biases or concealed agendas. I liked people who smiled. I avoided people who frowned. I ate when I was hungry, drank when I was thirsty, and slept when I was tired.

As I’ve grown older my mind has become gradually disillusioned by negative external influences. At some point I began to hesitate and question my instincts. When a new obstacle or growing pain has arisen I have sometimes stumbled and fallen down. This happened several times. Eventually I decided I didn’t want to fall again, but rather than solving the problem that caused me to fall, I avoided it all together.

As a result, I eat comfort food and find ways to numb my wounds and fill my voids. I’ve worked late nights on purpose to avoid unresolved conflicts at home. I’ve sometimes held grudges. Over the course of time, I’ve made my life harder and harder, and I sometimes lose touch with who I really am and what I really need.

How can I get back to seeing life through childhood eyes? Here goes:

I am going to try to stop looking to someone else for the answers I can give myself. – For much of my life – especially at the beginning of my venture into adulthood– I got told what to do, how to think, what looks good, what “success” is, etc. I don’t have to buy into any of it anymore. I will feel free to peel back the layers. Think for myself. Listen to myself. I will break the mold. I think that when I stop doing what everybody else wants me to do and start following my own intuition, I will find exactly what I am looking for.
I will NOT let others make me feel guilty for living my life. – As long as I’m not hurting anyone else, I’m going to keep living my life MY way. Sometimes I get lost in trying to live for someone else, trying to meet their expectations, and doing things just to impress them. I am going to focus on doing things I truly believe in. I will remember my own goals. I need to live, do and love so that I am happy, because when it comes down to it, it is me I have to live with for the rest of my life.
I will NOT allow toxic people to get the best of me. – I don’t have to feel guilty about removing toxic people from my life. I will not make room for people who cause me pain or make me feel small. It’s one thing if a person owns up to their behavior and makes an effort to change. But if a person disregards my feelings, ignores my boundaries and continues to treat me in a harmful way, they need to go. I will just walk away! At the same time I will not be the toxic person who assigns negative intent to other people’s actions. Cliche as it sounds I will TRY to look for the good in everyone I meet..
I will TRY not to compete with everyone else. – Okay I am competitive. Sometimes it creates an unnecessary bitterness. So my plan is to simply compete with a previous version of myself. This is going to be hard. Driven as I am it is natural to be competitive. It’s as simple as that.
I will be a giver-but not till it hurts– One way I deal with stress and loss is immersing myself in doing good for others. I Volunteer. I get involved in life. But it is exhausting me. I will try a new approach to giving….just saying a kind work, or visiting someone who is alone. When it comes down to it, there are two types of people in this world. There are givers and there are takers. Givers are happy. Takers are still unhappily wondering what’s in it for them. I have always been a giver but I have to find a balance in this.
I will focus on effectiveness over popularity. – I try to seek respect, not attention. It lasts longer and it’s far more useful in the end. I will continue to do things and make things that make a difference. I will not confuse popularity with effectiveness. Being popular means I’m liked for a while. Being effective means I’ve made a difference.
I will not put off making decisions. – Bad decisions are almost always better than no decisions at all. Indecisiveness just delays, while bad decisions teach me to yield to better ones. In the end, I tend to most often regret the chances I didn’t take, the relationships I was afraid to have, and the decisions I waited too long to make.
I will focus on NOW. – I can’t change yesterday, but I can sure ruin today by worrying about tomorrow. I will be present. Tomorrow will reveal itself exactly as it should, just as yesterday already has.
I will be resilient! – There’s no such thing as perfect success, just as there’s no such thing as perfect failure. This is why labeling things in extremes – all or nothing – success or failure – is an exercise in futility. I do it too often. As a child would, I am going to try to see life as a continuous series of imperfect moments filled with infinite possibilities and opportunities. I will think about the Yin and Yang in Chinese philosophy, which states that opposite forces are often interconnected. In suffering, I can (and will) find great strength, in heartbreak I can find resilience, and in loss I can find a renewed appreciation for life. Life is always Yin and Yang. Opposites are interdependent and interconnected. I can’t completely shield myself from sadness without also shielding myself from happiness. And above all, I will try to not let success get to my head or failure get to my heart. I will continue to have loss and disappointment. But in a sense, true happiness would not be possible without it. My life, after all, is not a life absent of problems, but one where I’ve been able to rise above them. So most of all I will foster the resilience I already have.

Communities In Bloom-Time To Get This Right

Posted: August 4, 2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: Bloom, Communities In Bloom, Community, Drayton Valley, Pride, Volunteer

Today I’m a little defensive. That feeling relates to comments I am reading on social media about Communities in Bloom. There is criticism of the the Town of Drayton Valley for it’s involvement in this program. So let’s set this straight once and for all! First of all Communities In Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement. People, plants and pride….growing together. A Community In Bloom is one that pulls community together and speaks to economic development, social development, historical preservation and all other factors that contribute to a community in ‘bloom’. In Websters Dictionary we find that the the verb ‘bloom’ (yes it’s a verb; not just a noun) is to change, grow, or develop fully, to mature into, achievement of one’s potential. I have been involved with this program for 3 years as a VOLUNTEER. There is some financial support from the town but most of the planning and preparation is driven by non paid individuals and non municipally funded initiatives. The ‘flower’ part that everyone talks about are generally corporately sponsored flower beds. Through our communities involvement in this program we have identified gaps in our community such as attention needed to historical preservation and an off leash park; both of which are or were addressed as a result of this. We won Provincially two years ago with specific credit to youth involvement. We are competing Nationally this year with our competition including town’s with significant natural beauty such as mountains or the ocean and some with history dating back hundreds of years. How do we compete with that? If this was just about how our community looks we couldn’t plant enough flowers. Perhaps some of you only see the negatives around you. I came to this community eight years ago with a focus on making a difference and darn it I will keep doing that through initiatives such as Communities In Bloom. As one of the judges said when they were here in July; “It’s not what you see in Drayton Valley; it’s how you feel.” So folks we don’t know until September if we win any award but I can guarantee those words from the judge were prize enough.

My Moncton!

Posted: June 6, 2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: Drayton Valley, Moncton, RCMP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Everyone who knows me is quick to learn that I wear the Drayton Valley banner liked I owned it. I love this community and spend my days trying to make it an even better place to live. But when I am out of town the first question I hear on meeting someone is almost always the same thing; “Where are you from?’ I always hesitate for a moment because I want to honour the great community where I live but almost without exception I respond, ” I am from Moncton, New Brunswick, but live in the great community of Drayton Valley, Alberta. I have dual citizenship you see.” Anyone who travels with me has heard me say this. And these past few days have reminded me of the community that was my home for the first 19 years of my life. I’m a proud Maritimer; particularly a Monctonian which means I come from among other things the only officially bilingual city in Canada and the home to the Tidal Bore. Moncton has been determined by Readers Digest in two separate polls as the most polite city in Canada and the most honest city in Canada. It offers one of the best qualities of life in the country and darn it Moncton is ‘where I’m from’. I’m proud of that and no one messes with it. There are no six degrees of separation in Moncton; maybe not even three degrees of separation. It’s a city but maintains the feeling of a small town.

What happened in the past 48 hours will not change that feeling. ‘He’ is not who we are! Who we are is a community that over the next several weeks, months and years will honour the incredible loss suffered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; particularly with the loss of life of Const. Dave Ross, 32, from Victoriaville, Que., Const. Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, 45, who was born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France and Const. Douglas James Larche, 40, from Saint John. We will of course raise money for their families and have memorials for them. But what we will do to truly honour the sacrifice these men made is to be a little more honest, a little more polite and a little kinder. Because that is what Monctonians do!

Inclusion Is Not A One Off-It’s How We Do Business

Posted: May 10, 2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: Alberta, Education, Inclusion, Wild Rose School Division

Last week I saw media on CTV National News as well as in some national newspapers about how schools in Ontario are sending home students who have special needs. Well that’s not how we do business in Alberta!! I have asked permission to share this picture of a young man in one of Wild Rose School Division’s grade 8 classrooms. When the grade 8 class were going to be travelling for their annual mountain climb it was the students who said “we won’t go without Brendon” who is a boy in their class with significant mobility issues. A special chair was found and through hours of carrying and pulling, Brendon made it to the top of that mountain. Look at the joy on his face when he is finally there. Amazing! A huge shout out to the teachers,teacher’s aids, administrator’s, parents and students that made this happen.

Goodbye 2013……Hello 2014

Posted: December 28, 2013 in Uncategorized
Tags: 2014, Drayton Valley, New Year

Waterfall-Sunshine-640x400

2013 WHAT A YEAR! 2014 BRING IT ON!!!!

Triskaidekaphobics (literally people who fear the number 13 and yes there’s a word for everything) likely spent the year under a blanket in their apartment with all the lights turned off. They might argue that nothing good happened. They can keep that to themselves. Plenty of good stuff happened in 2013, and people who were scared of the number 13 are biased anyway. Yes there was a reminder of the fragility of life as I lost one of the most important people in my life. As well my best buddy my dog Tabasco was killed which leaves a void in my home. But overall 2013 was an incredible year for me. My children are becoming young adults and my husband has decided to take on an educational initiative which has been both a challenge and a celebration. I ran in 2 elections (no acclamation for me) and won both of them (with the dedication and support of some great individuals and my community in general). The year has been one of significant work and stress as well as great joy but as one to always put one foot in front of the other I will write about what I will try to give myself and those around me in 2014.