ladies, cali & potted plants.

Since the last time I wrote in my blog, I have been to a women's conference in Surrey, B.C. with my mum, sister, niece, aunt and two cousins. It was a whirlwind of a weekend but I learned some good stuff from one of the speakers in particular, Charlotte (can't remember her last name - to be updated later). One of her "sermons" was called "Putting your first things first".
Since Jered is gone so much, I definitely tend to overbook myself, I think in order to keep myself busy as not to miss him terribly. I know at times I do feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends with school (online part time event management courses), work (full time), singing, songwriting & performing on the side, worship @ church, and then extra curricular events like scrapbooking, photography, movies, dinners with girlfriends. So I've made a vow to myself (and a few friends to keep me accountable) to learn how to say no (nicely ofcourse) and stop overbooking myself. My priorites are to be (in NO particular order) - Jered, church, my music (specifically my EP that needs to be recorded & ready to roll on July 18th) family, Otis and my lovely girlfriends. I've decided to take the summer off and finish my last course for my event management certificate in the fall. I'm not going to plan ANYTHING on Sundays (keep them open for church, hanging out with church folk, and family dinners). And I'm going to try to keep at least 3 nights a week free, especially this June so I can record, and put together cds for my EP release.

After the women's conference and various revelations, I went to spend five days in California with my dear Uncle Hugh/Godfather. After the engine of my plane exploded, I was delayed 6.5 hrs at the Vancouver airport. I had been running non stop for weeks, so sitting, napping & reading in the airport wasn't actually that bad. When I finally arrived in Cali, I spent the entire week sitting by the pool reading (read three HUGE fabulous novels) shopping, eating out, and overall just relaxing. Every morning I would get up and go outside for a swim straight out of bed, then pick a grapefruit for my breakfast. I got some great conversation from my uncle and some great cuddles from his dog Maggs. I flew home Friday night, and went to a wedding Saturday (for which we were late & missed the ceremony). Jered had a free weekend for once in his life, so we threw together our new tent & sleeping bag, brought along our baby dog Otis, and some snacks. It ended up piss pouring rain, and our air mattress was riddled with holes, so we slept on the damp ground of our tent, but had great tent canoodling and cuddles regardless. :)

This weekend I had the whole Saturday off, so Jer & I went to the downtown farmer's market where we brought Otis for the first time. He was pretty overwhelmed and hyper, but didn't bark at all, and only jumped up on people who allowed him to. Afterwards we went to Canadian Tire where Jered humoured me while I shopped for plants. I went home & spent a few hours potting plants, and hanging baskets. Then I had a cold shower & had a great afternoon nap.

Now the week has begun and I've found myself with a completely booked week, every night. I guess my "First things first" starts June 1st, and then I am definitely slowing down and focusing on my music. :)

genie

If I had a genie, and three wishes... right now they would be:

1. That I could spend a few months straight JUST recording my music.
2. That I could have unlimited access to musicians who knew my songs inside & out.
3. WORLD PEACE... (is it selfish that this is #3 on my list?)

*sigh*

rosemary

it's much harder to be patient
and i'm trying to be kind
when i've got this sense of envy
taking up my piece of mind

but i know that truth is stronger
than the things i say or do
and it perserveres much longer
than what i've waited for you

rosemary
are you out there, somewhere
waiting for me
maybe i'm a bit scared
so please take it easy on me
rosemary

i've been looking for a reason
she's the reason that i'm asking
i've been floundering forever here
just searching for my passion

but i know my faith is stronger
than the things i say or do
and it perserveres much longer
than what i've waited for you

rosemary
are you out there, somewhere
waiting for me
maybe i'm a bit scared
so please, take it easy on me
rosemary

i've been waiting too long to let go
i don't want to be left all alone
i don't mean to compare, but i do
i've been waiting for someone like you

rosemary
are you out there, somewhere
waiting for me
maybe i'm a bit scared
so please take it easy on me
oh please just take it easy on me
so please take it easy on me

rosemary

©2008 lisa nicole grace

the junos & turning 25...

Well I woke up Saturday morning and wasn't too surprised to see a winter wonderland out my window. When I was younger, I was absolutely obsessed with snow, winter, and of course Christmas. Winter was my FAVORITE season. I'd wait for the forcast to predict snow, and I'd sit in my backyard with my toboggan, in my snowsuit just waiting for those first few flakes to fall.
I remember being about five years old, and praying that as a gift God would make it snow on my birthday every year. Every year since (20 for those counting) it has snowed. So, as I said, I wasn't too surprised.
I was a bit worried though that Jered & I wouldn't be able to get to Calgary that night, but the highway was in fine shape and we got to Calgary around 8pm. Jered booked us this great hotel right downtown. A beautiful suite with a king sized bed, and a nice little kitchen/lounge area. On the 33rd floor! My lucky numbers! There was a balcony, but standing out there looking down was so scary! I always want to jump.
We went to a great party on Saturday night hosted by Gibson (which Jered is endorsed by) Very VIP with swag bags, free drinks & free food. There was an all star jam going on all night with great musicians such as Todd Kerns, Default, Johnny Reid, Corb Lund, Lindsay Ell, and the boys from Tupelo Honey (went to school with them). We didn't get home until 3:30am! Needless to say we slept in pretty late Sunday morning, and spent the day shopping, going for lunch at a great little restaurant/cafe by Au Clair (sp?) market. We got lost about a dozen times, but eventually made it to the Juno Awards. Every single performance was such a HUGE production and everyone sounded amazing, and I'm happy to report there was no lip syncing (as far as I could tell!!) Russell Peters was hilarious, and I was SO thrilled to get to see Feist and Jann Arden.

After the show Jered and I drove to Airdrie, went out for a late dinner and then stayed at a cheap hotel for the night. I got up this morning and drove home while Jered had a radio interview with a Medicine Hat station (where he's from). He got picked up and driven to Medicine Hat... He's opening up there for Paul Brandt tonight and everyone in Medicine Hat is moreso going to the show to see him than Paul Brandt! What a little celebrity!

Anyways I am totally exhausted, and can't wait to crawl into bed tonight to recuperate. Turning twenty five was definitely an adventure!

website & the junos...

Well I am SUPER excited because yesterday I won tickets to the Junos for this Sunday in Calgary. It was a contest put on by the Bounce 91.7fm, which I don't even remember entering! Jered took Saturday night off to take me out for dinner, now we're going to drive down to calgary that night and then get all dolled up and go out to the Juno awards Sunday night.

I am laughing at my "turning twenty-five" post from the other day. I was having quite the pity party for one. Since then I went to Red Deer and got to see Jered (my husband) open up for Paul Brandt, my girlfriend Laura is taking me to Corb Lund tonight, and then Saturday is my birthday and we're going to the Junos! What a week. Did I mention I won a guitar with the Junos tickets? Funny how "I'm not planning anything special for my birthday this year" has turned into the most special plans of all.

Last and CERTAINLY not least, my website - www.lisanicolegrace.com is OFFICIALLY up and running. How exciting! An amazing graphic designer named Danielle Hardy - www.thinkgraphicdesigns - designed & created the whole thing. So if you're ever looking for someone to do that type of thing for you, she's your girl. So make sure you check my site and Danielle's site out! My cousin Tyler has been amazing in planning the whole website with me, and pushing me to get a website in the first place. He's my "manager"! LOL Also, my girlfriend Ashley Armstrong did some amazing photos (that are already on this page) and her website is www.kinetic-studios.com

Happy 25th Birthday to me!!!

twenty-five

i'm turning twenty five years old next week.

usually i'm really good about birthdays, getting older, etc. but this year i'm a little leary about the big 2-5. aren't i supposed to have accomplished a lot of what i want to accomplish by this age? i feel like i'm just getting started! i'm going to make a point to use this 25th year of my life to do things that i've always dreamed of doing, but never done. i'm finally going to finish a cd. i'm going to travel to a place i've never been, and maybe even try to go on a little tour. maybe only 3 or 4 dates, but not just shows in edmonton. i'm going to embrace twenty-five and make it a good year. yeah, okay i feel better now. :)

just like you

you picked me up from school today
you're always waiting when i come in late
that's just like you

you're always there when i need your help
you know me better than i know myself
that's just like you

my mother, how i love her
and everything she's done for me
you know her faith has set me free
my mother, is stronger
than i ever did believe
i hope she seems the same in me

you pick me up when i've fallen down
set my feet on solid ground
that's just like you

taught me all my lessons in life
showing me my wrong from right
that's just like you

my father, like no other
and everything he's done for me
you know his faith has set me free
my father, is stronger
than i ever did believe
i hope he sees the same in me

now that i'm all grown
and out here on my own
everything i've known
is everything you are
no matter where i go
i'm never far from home
with you here in my heart

my mother, how i love her
and everything she's done for me
you know her faith has set me free
my mother, is stronger
than i ever did believe, than i ever did believe

my father, like no other
and everything he's done for me
you know his faith has set me free
my father, is stronger
than i ever did believe
i hope he sees the same in me, in me

©2008 lisa nicole grace