One Year Anniversary....

No, not me and Jordan, but this is my one year anniversary of blogging. As of yesterday I have been documenting our life for one full year. A lot has happened since then. My first blog post was about how we were settlig in to our tiny little apartment at Yonge and Steeles. Jordan was an intern for MLB.com and was traveling an hour to and from work each day! Ugh.

After that we were in St. Joseph Michigan for a few months and Jordan worked for the Herald Palladium and I was working for Smit & Kragt a law firm there. We brought our new puppy home to our new apartment on Cleveland Ave. He didn't like walking on a leash at first and was pretty defiant. He had a hard time running up the 3 floors to our apartment but he lost a little weight and that made it easier. It was nice to be that close to home. It would take about an hour and 10 minutes to go see family. Barkley got to go on a lot of those road trips and spend time with his stinky friend Sam.

Jordan was offered the full-time job with MLB.com and we moved in to our condo the first week in february. February 15th Jordan left for Florida for 6 weeks. Kyle traveled to Toronto to pick me up and I spent a week at my family's house and then I flew to Florida for a month. My family visited and Lynn visited. It was a lot of fun.

We returned to Toronto for the regular season. Jordan began doing a lot of traveling. I went home for Easter and Sarah's shower/Bachelorette party. I continued my job hunt when I got home.

Jody and Aaron Barrigar visited for a long weekend. It was nice to see a friendly face in my new city. We had a great visit.

Last week I was in Iowa for Sarah E's wedding.

Now I'm back in Toronto and I am still job hunting. Hopefully, I will find a job soon and will get back on the track towards dental hygiene. I pray that Barkley's seizures will decrease. ( He had one last night that was pretty violent) Many family members have made plans to visit us this summer! I'm pretty excited about that. This year has been quite eventful. Happy one year blogging anniversary!

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Nixon

After taking a sad Barkley to doggy day care I caught the shuttle to the airport. I flew into O'hare and went out to dinner with my family at Popolanos.

On Friday I went to Iowa with Jill and Bobby Kopec. We had the Rehearsal for Sarah's wedding and then had the rehearsal dinner. I spent the night at Sarah's apartment. I got my hair done at 9 am and waited at the church for everyone else to get theirs done as well.

The wedding was beautiful.

The brother of the bride, Brad suprised her with a excursion limo which was awesome.

We took some great pictures at the old capital building.

The reception happened so fast, but we had such a great time.

On sunday we drove home and then had Gino's East pizza for dinner. Before I new it it was time to head home. The weekend was such a whirlwind and I can't believe I'm home already. I was very excited to see my hubby and my puppy.

***I would post more pictures but Blogger is not cooperating. I will try again later.***

2 days....

So after spending some time packing, and reading an excited email from the bride to be I am getting super pumped about heading home for the wedding. It could also be b/c I'm sitting here at home without my own hubby, but I'm ready to go and be with family. Sorry Barkey, but you're going off to doggy daycare on Thursday!

After reading people's fathers day posts and working on my moms family, the Hensons, photo project, and scrapbooking, I have been kind of reflective.

I remember when I was a child and couldn't wait for summer to come b/c that meant I would be spending endless days swimming, playing outside at the park, and playing summer softball with my girl sarah e! Now that summer is here I feel like it's passing by so quickly...it's almost july! It's funny how as you get older the days/years seem to pass faster and faster. As a child you have no concept of how time is moving.

It still amazes me that even after a year of marriage that I am married. I still feel like that little girl in little white keds running up the hill on Chicago road with my backpack, waiting for Mrs. Eastman to help me cross that busy street so that I could come over and play with Sarah. . . and now she's getting married too!

This is the same girl I used to taunt every year on February 20th b/c I was older than her. I was born Feb. 19 and she was on the 21st so that one day of the year I could brag about being older than her. It doesn't take much to amuse a child.

This is the girl who was the first person to burst my bubble about the true identity of Old Saint Nick and the Toothfairy! "My mom told me...." She said. Thanks Sarah!

This is the girl who was with me through wins and losses. We would spend extra time together after practice during her "All Star" pitching days. She had to throw a certain amount of pitches to me at softball practice before we could go home. She still thinks I would cheat at counting so that we could go home early, but I rarely did! tehe!

I met her in Kindergarten at a daisy meeting (girl scouts) when we were 5 years old and it's rare to have a friend for as long as we've been friends (18 years). We've been through a lot together and I'm happy that I get to be a part of her big day. I know she'll make a beautiful bride. Congratulations Sarah E!

Happy Dad's Day!!

I think this is the first Father's day that I haven't been with my dad. Wah! I will be there on Thursday and then he'll get his present. Usually, we have a BBQ with just the family. Today I found out that he is spending his day rebuilding/cleaning the filter on the pool or something. Real relaxing! I just thought I'd pay tribute to the most awesome dad I know. I love him. He's always been there for me. Here are some shots of my dad.

Dad always helped carve pumpkins every year.

(usually doing more of the work than us!)

Dad enjoying his favorite pastime!

Dad's Favorite Child!

I guess he's where I get my good looks! Yeah we're cute!

Like father like son

(Sorry Ky Ky I didn't have any pictures of you and dad!)

Well, to all you dad's out there have a great day!

Error!!

Due to yesterdays problem posting I will attempt to add the photos that wouldn't upload today. Enjoy!

Jody and I at our awesome dinner at Alice Fazooli's.

What a great dinner!

Jo and me near the sleepy grizzly bear exhibit. It was hard to get photos of most animals b/c they were all sleeping!

One of my favorite animals and one of the most cooperative as far as photos go!

Who knew flamingos barked! They were quite noisy!

Zebra!This polar bear spent the afternoon playing with a blue barrel.

Baby Luke with his new favorite toy from his auntie and uncle!

What a cutie!!! No he wasn't at the zoo, but I just wanted to share this adorable photo!

Barrigars in the Big City!

This weekend I had the pleasure of having my bestest friend Jody and her husband Aaron come stay with us. They got here on Saturday afternoon and we hung out until Jordan got home from work. We went to Cayo Coco for tapas. They were awesome.

On Sunday we went to the Bluejays game and we had seats in the Club 200 section which are cushioned! Jordan even got to come down and sit with us for awile to. The Jays were playing the Tigers and the Barrigars are huge Tigers fans.

On Sunday night after the game we went to Alice Fazoolis, a nice Italian restaurant that Jordan had $200 in gift certificates to. We ate like piggies. We had drinks, appetizers, I ordered seafood alfredo and then Jody and I shared a dessert, brownie with icecream covered in razberry sauce, which was heavenly.

On monday Jody wanted to go to the zoo. Toronto's zoo is the 3rd largets zoo in North America. It is very hilly and we did a lot of walking. By the end of the day we were beat. We spent the evening in the pool/hot tub to relax.

Barkley and I are recovering from being sick. I think I had strep throat or something and he had a seizure on Saturday. He's going to the vet on friday to see what's up with him.

Today I got my bridesmaid dress back from being altered. Just in time b/c the wedding is next saturday. I leave for O'Hare on thursday night and return monday morning. Well, that's all for now. I'll just leave you with a picture of my adorable nephew with his present from his uncle Jordan and auntie Kelly!

(***I'm having trouble posting pictures tonight. I will try and update later!***)

The Loose Moose

Last night Jordan and I went to see the new romantic comedy, The Breakup. I liked it. It was pretty funny although we are pretty partial because it was filmed in Chicago. When we came home I decided to go to the gym...Jordan said he would join me, but that 9th inning sure took forever!

I met these two girls at the gym and they asked if I wanted to go out for a drink and I decided to go. When I got back Jordan said he would join us. We went to the Loose Moose for a drink and we had a good time. It wasn't one of those trendy places where all the girls are half naked it was more low key and we enjoyed it.

Today we don't have a lot planned. Tomorrow we might go to the Royal Ontario Museum and check it out. Well, that's all for now. Later gators!

Go Sox!?!?!?

Today I went to the Bluejays/Sox game. Sox won 7-6. I had really good seats. It was freakin' hot out there. The dome was open and the sun was shining! It was fun but I had a hard time deciding who to root for...Chicago, my hometown or the ones who in a way pay my bills? It's a toss up. Jordan even got to come down and sit with me for a bit too which was cool. I think I got a little sunburn :( not cool. No funny tan lines for Sarah's wedding, which is coming up quickly here, June 24th. I fly in to O'hare on thursday night the 22nd. I leave @6:20 and get there @6:50 quick flight isn't it? We went out for our 1 year anniversary last night. We didn't get to go out until 10 pm, but at least we got to go out. We went to a tapas restaurant which was really yummy! Well, that's all for now...if Jordan gets home early enough we are going to go to church at 7pm. We'll see. Catch ya later!

End of an era....

It was a sad day in the Sutton and Bastian households yesterday. My dad was trying to sell Jordan's Cavalier and ended up selling my Buick instead! This is incredibly stupid and I can't believe I am admiting this to anyone but immediate family, but I am sad! I have had the car since 2000 -- almost as long has I have had Jordan. My Grandpa Hershel gave the car to me in August of my senior year and thus started the feud between Kyle and I. He said he was supposed to get the car, not me. I'm waiting for him ask for his cut.

I have a lot of funny memories of that car. I used to be "extra" cool and had KDAWG10 liscence plates on it. I would wash it every week in the summer like it was a Corvette or something. Before I was done my pops would wander down the street and take a look at it and say, "It never looked this clean even when it was new! Maybe I should take it back!" I took it to college loaded down with my gear in it. I took my new roommates to Wal-mart in it and was embarasssed when it started to shake uncontrollably ( it needed a new tranny, 1st car owner repair). It was there for me every winter...it always started. Adventures in hubcaps! It smelled like my Grandpa's pipe which is an oddly comforting smell. It didn't look so great at the end, but it was a great car underneath. I'm going to miss my first car. Sniff, sniff! Here's one last look for everyone.

Back @ it...

I was back at the gym tonight after nearly a week off due to flu like symptoms...yuck! I ran three miles so I wouldn't over do it. I will probably feel the effects of it anyway. I'm kind of bummed b/c there is this thing going on tomorrow at the CN tower. They are doing a benefit to raise money for the WWF of Canada and no it's not the World Wrestling Federation it is a group that helps fight global warning I guess....but they are doing this thing where you climb to the top of the tower. It is 1776 steps to the top. It would be cool to do but you have to raise $50 to do it and I didn't find out about it until tonight. Oh, well at least we know about it and can probably do it next year. Wish Jordan was here to do it with me. He left for NYC this morning and is probably currently waiting for players in the locker room to get quotes before he heads back upstairs to write the rest of his story. He is at Yankee Stadium for the first time today which is pretty cool. Anyhoo, Barkley and I are hanging out at home. Sent off a bunch more resumes today some at a law office and other office assistant positions.

I found out that if I want to work in a dental office in any aspect, even if I want to wash their floors I have to get a physical by an immigration doctor. So that's my next step... We'll see where this all leads me.

Tomorrow I might go explore the area around our house a little more if it is nice. That was so hard to do b4 b/c it was so cold, but now it has been warming up. I have a gift certificate for Pier One that one of my favorite sister - in - laws gave me for my birthday so I might head over there. Good luck on the triatholon training melissa! You can do it! I'm so proud of y0u!

Well, I think it's time for some on demand movies!

Paddle Ball

My mom has this crazy tradition of buying us each a paddle ball for Easter. We usually play with them for 1/2 the day until we break them or knock something over. We got them this year as well but haven't had time to play with them until today. Jordan got home from work today and started telling me about how awesome his Mom was at paddle ball. Here is Jordan 3 minutes before he broke my paddle ball loose from it's string!

Job hunt is still going on. I have located quite a few prospects so tomorrow I will be sending out my resumes. Wish me luck. Jordan leaves friday for a week long road trip. YUCK!

I just kept on running...

Well, running day 3 went well. I'm a little sore this evening. I thought I'd start it off slow and only do 3 miles. My time has gotten a little better everyday. Poor Jordan had to take the day off today b/c he was too sore. Hopefully tomorrow he will get back at it.

Blue Jays lost today, Boo!!

Busy day tomorrow! Tehe! Groceries are being delivered between 7:30-9:30 and then we will finally have TV when the guys comes to hook it up between 11-2!! Yeah on demand! I love it. I'm a movie freak so it's nice to get to pick one when you wanna watch it and not have to go to the video store. I got hooked at my parents house b/c they have it but when I was in Florida we had it in the condo.

No job yet. . . Still looking.

Opening Day!!!

Today I went to the opening day of the Toronto Blue Jays. Blue Man Group did the national anthems on pipes in the outfield which was by far the best version I have ever heard. I got stuck between two huge guys and for 1/2 an inning it felt like my plane ride back to Toronto, smooshed. Then some people were in the wrong section and after they moved we had a little breathing room. I got stuck in a rowdy section, which was a lot of fun. People got thrown out!

Jays won it 6-3. Good start!

Oh, Canada....

Yes, we are back in Canada. After struggling as always to get into Canada, we are finally here. The day I left Tampa started off with a bang. The luggage guy placed me in the wrong, long line to get my ticket at the counter and as I was almost up to the lady she shouts all international tickets must be obtained at the next counter. GRR! I moved down to another long line and struggled to keep Barkley away from everyone while we waited in line. Poor guy looked at me through the wholes in his crate with sad eyes that seemed to scream not this again.

Next came security which was about a 45 minute wait of winding through lines like at Great America except that the ride at the end of the wait wasn't nearly as fun. The first plane ride was fine, but the second one was awful. It was a small plane and the ride was very bumpy and I of course couldn't get the seat by myself. I waited for the person to show up to sit next to me and I cringed as I saw his massive body heading towards me. "Looks like this is my seat," he said as he sat down pretty much on top of me. Luckily it was only an hour flight. Once we arrived at Customs the lady seemed pretty nice, but then she sent me to immigration. They asked if I knew why I was there and I said I don't know why they sent me here. When Jordan and I were denied entrance back in June it stayed on our record and therefore everytime we enter Canada from now on we have to go to Immigration.

Poor Barkley! He was waiting for me by the baggage claim all of this time. I get to him and people are standing all around him and he's barking like craaaazy! He sees me and stops. I try to take him out of his cage and people swarm me and say you can not take that dog out here. GRR! more frustration. As I'm leaving they want to see Barkley's rabies records. He is such a little pupster but after carrying him in his crate, my suitcase, a duffle bag and my carryon I was beat. I finally make it outside to find the shuttle and the lady sells me a ticket, but when the bus arrives they won't take me b/c of Barkley. I try to get a cab and no body will take me b/c of Barkley. Finally, a cab says he'll take me for 10.00 extra for the dog. I was so beat that I said fine, I didn't care how much it cost. I just wanted to be at home.

We walked in the front door of our apt. and we crashed onto the bed for a few hours. What a fiasco. I never want to travel by plane with a dog anymore...Not fun. I have a huge bruise on my leg from his cage.

After spending two nights by myself Jordan returned. We have restarted our work out routine and have successfully completed day 2. We did 3 miles each day. We don't want to overdo it.

2 nights ago we had a visitor. Jordan's friend Kelly who is the Twinns writer and used to go to MSU with him was here and we went out to one of Jordan's favorite places in Toronto, Milestones.

Today is opening day and guess who has a ticket! yeah me. Jordan got it for me as an Anniversay present. Yes he knows our wedding anniversary isn't until may, but as of April 2 we have been together for 7 years! Nuts. I'm out in the outfield and I have never sat there before. There are supposed to be a lot of people there tonight. I am excited to see all of the rennovations to the Park. Also, Blue Man Group is doing the National Anthems which should be pretty cool! Well, that's all for now...Catch ya later!

Florida update...

Since some of you were wondering what we have been up to since we've been down here so I have finally gotten around to updating my blog.

I have spent some days by the pool entertaining Phillies and Bluejays children. One day I was in the pool and there were two kids in there with me. I moved to the hot tub and they followed me. One was a 7 year old girl and the other a 5 yr old boy. They started asking me question after question. . . why I was down here? what my name was? (they wanted to know my full name, my birthday, were I lived etc.) It was funny. So I asked them a couple and they told me their daddy played baseball and it turned out that they were John Lieber's kids. He plays for the Phillies. He used to play for the Cubs. He sat there by the pool on his cell phone while his kids followed me around. I think he thought, "cool! Someone is watching my kids!"

Another day a little girl started throwing a ball at me in the pool and we started playing catch. Good thing I like kids b/c they seem to think I am the babysitter.

Lynn came down the following monday. We went to dinner at Chili's the first night they were here b/c Jordan was with us. On Tuesday we went to Disney World. We started out at Animal Kingdom which I thought was pretty lame. We went to a Character breakfast there and that was cool. The kids were so excited to see the Disney characters. We went on a few little kids rides at animal kingdom and then we went to the Magic Kingdom. Lynn was disapointed b/c the Pirates of the Carribean ride was under construction.

The second day we went to MGM and then back to the Magic Kingdom. We went on the Buzz Lightyear ride several times that night b4 hitting the gift shop. Lynn decided to buy this huge castle which she lugged back to the ferry to the parking lot while we tried to balance caring the rest of her bags and 4 sleepy slightly crabby children. Funny thing....she checked the castle on the plane and it never made it through back claim. The 4th day they were here was kind of a waste b/c it was cold. The last day they were here it was nice and warm. That was also the day my parents go here.

My family stayed a half hour south of us in St. Pete Beach. Jordan had the day off and we started to head out to see them. Jordan backed out of his spot in the Ford Escape we have rented and he backed right into Flash Gordon's wifes Escalade. The guy who was driving was taking it to clean it and he looked really scared. He called Tom Gordon and he came down and didn't seem to worried about it. All he said was well, go see if you can buff some of it out and we'll go from there. He said I don't wanna hear her "bleeping" mouth, meaning his wifes, so I don't think they are going to pursue getting it fixed. Thank God!

We made it down to see my parents and spent the day by the pool/beach. I spent the next few days with my family relaxing by the pool and beach. We went parasailing the day before they left. When they checked out of their hotel they came and to our resort and we went kayacking. My mom and I spent most of the time on the water arguing about how you are supposed to do it. It was still fun.

I have spent some time down here with the Phillies writer's wife, Eve. We have a 2 bedroom condo and they are staying with us. She and I went kayacking yesterday and it was much easier than when my mom and I did it.

I am very impressed b/c I haven't really burned myself. I can't say the same for Jordan b/c when I got down here he looked like a tomato. Well, that's it for now. I have been having trouble posting photos so I will try again later. Adios.

At the gym...

I am at the gym since my lovely husband took my computer to Florida and left me to freeze here in Canada. I only have to survive until Friday when Kyle and possibly Stephanie get her to take me back to Chi-town. I will be there for a few weeks and then I will joining Jordan in Florida. I am using the internet at the gym until I get to my parents house.

I am about to do my run on the treadmill so hopefully there is one open. The gym has been kind of busy since it opened on Monday.

After I run I will go back to clean up the mess I started at my house. It began so innocently when I started to vacuum my floor and then the vacuum kind of blue up all over the place. I spent the remander of the afternoon tearing the thing apart, cleaning it and then waiting for the parts to dry before I put them back in the machine. Yeah, vacuuming wasn't as easy as I had bargained for.

Well, that's it for now. No more procrastinating and wasting time on my new guitly pleasure, facebook b/c it is time to go run. If you're in Chicago next week give me a call at my rents house b/c I'll be there. Catch ya later!

What next?!?

Today began quite oddly b/c when I turned on the faucet in the bathroom to brush my teeth, no water leaked out. I took Barkley downstairs to go out and I asked our doorman Paul if he knew we didn't have any water and he told me that a water main broke on Front Street. Yes it is called "Front Street" for all you south siders. We didn't have water for several hours which was really stinky and the hot water didn't return until this evening. Good thing I had a pitcher of water in the fridge for drinking.

Jordan and I had a nice Valentines day dinner, nothing big being as how I am going to Florida and that is Valentine's present enough. We decided to go to the gym but before we could leave the fire alarm started going off, again. Fire trucks showed up and everything. We have two speakers in our apartment and the security guys in our buildings started to tell us to remain calm and that it wasn't a fire. Either way it was still making Mr. Barkley quite upset.

We did make it to the gym and ran on the treadmills. It is such a nice place to work out. I can't wait to use the pool and hot tub. Well, I gotta go finish some laundry and help Jordan finish packing. I hope you had a happy valentines day. Later gators.

Trying again. . .

Well, it's winter again and Jordan and I are starting our yearly get back in shape routine. Some how I can't get it in my head that it has to be a lifestyle change and not just a I need to fit into a dress kind of thing (although I need to fit into another dress this year, not my wedding dress, but a bridesmaids dress for Sarah E's wedding in June). I hope that this new rec center is helpful for me to at least get back to where I was at my wedding or maybe a little better than that.

I am going to Florida soon and I plan on running outside again. I did 2.5 miles today at the gym and I hope to progress. I didn't want to do the whole five miles the first day or I would be toast tomorrow. I'll get there.

Capote

Jordan and I went to see Capote tonight. We went for dinner first and had a lot of time to kill before the movie. We went in Chapters, a book store near the theatre. The movie was a little over two hours long. I really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to deal with Phillip Seymour Hoffman doing the "Capote" voice for two hours, but after a few minutes I didn't seem to find it as irritating as I did in the trailer.

I was rather impressed b/c Phillip Seymour Hoffman is usually the funny side man in movies but this was his first lead role that I am aware of. The movie makes me want to read IN COLD BLOOD which the film is about. Well, that's it for now. Time to hang out with Barkley. He is super hyper from being in his cage all evening. Later gators.

Air Barkley!

Yes, that's right Barkley will be traveling yet again. He is switching countries in a few weeks. He is booked to fly American Airlines on February 28th and will return to Toronto on March 31st. He is headed to Tampa, Florida for a month of fun in the sun, laying by the pool, and swimming in the ocean. (Ok well maybe I'll be the one doing all of that, but Barkley is coming too!)

So, if anyone would like to join us down in Florida they are more than welcome. Just let me know. I know a couple of people who are already coming but the more the merrier right? It should be a good time. Well, that's all for now I have to go and help Jordan put our "den" together as he calls it. I prefer to call it the fronch room as we Chicagoans like to say. Some how the t in front room becomes a ch, strange how that happens. ok, later...