The Problem with Blogs...

There have been a few times in my life where I have wanted to start a blog, the problem is when life gets busy taking some time to write tends to take the backseat. Things have been busy and we have a lot to catch up on friends!

I think when I last left you I was seeking a position on the Liberal Party of Canada LPC(A) board as the regional chair for Edmonton. We held our provincial convention in Calgary at the end of September and I was acclaimed into the role. Thank you so much to everyone who signed my nomination papers and supported me seeking this role!

As much as I wanted to get right to work organizing and supporting Edmonton, October hit like a ton of bricks. Not only were we managing the typical fall chaos that comes with being a parent of school aged kiddos, but then the teacher strike happened. My husband had an awful oral surgery I will spare you the details from, we adopted a new puppy named Rory, and my grandpa passed away all around the same time.

While my husband recovered at home, the kids and I made it out to show our support for teachers, we all took turns cleaning up puppy accidents, and I found time to connect with family over the passing of my grandpa.

I was scrolling TikTok a while ago and a water colour artist I love (Lacey - Curious Watercolour&Art) was talking about how as grandchildren we sometimes get the privilege of only knowing the best versions of our grandparents and I truly feel so grateful for the version of my grandpa I got to know. My first "career" job had me working as a Probation Officer in Stony Plain not fair from my grandparents and I would often go have lunch with them. From a young age, my grandpa instilled in me the importance of hard work and the importance of education. I think I am the first woman in this tree to get a masters degree. His curiosity about my work, support for the pathway I walked, and encouragement to seek higher education left bigger fingerprints on my life than I think I give him credit for. From working as welder to pivoting into social work to retiring and starting a framing business (pictures not houses), my grandpa was always up to something, always reading something, and always looking for ways to learn and grow. While we haven't been as close in recent years (it seems eventually you do in fact run out of tomorrows...) I sure love him and I'm really sad to have had to say goodbye for now.

Personal life aside, this blog was really intended to be more of a political page to keep you in the loop on what I am doing to support you and to earn your trust in preparation of the next federal election. The point of this exact post is to transparently say, I didn't do a whole lot in October. Sometimes life requires you to take a step back and focus on other things. Another TikTok I recently watched was talking about how choirs can hold notes for a very very long time because they stagger breathing. Everyone takes a moment to breathe when they need it and rejoins the chorus when they can. October was me taking a breath.

But Blair, its December now...oh yeah! November was a whirlwind. Stay tuned for an update because grassroots movements are happening everywhere in Alberta right now and not just on provincial matters. As Edmonton Regional Chair there has been a lot going on behind the scenes and you better believe exciting things are coming for the LPC here in Edmonton.

Stay tuned till next time :)

-Blair