Florida

Florida

Long story short we had a great time in Florida. We went to Disney World the first day b/c Dad had never been there before. We hung out by the water most days and then pool and some by the bar. It was a great trip, but it was over far too soon. It was great to have all 5 members of my immediate family plus my soon to be sister in law Stephanie and my hubby all together in the same place.

Jordan and I on the tram for the back lot tour.

Happy campers!

Animal Kingdom Safarri

Love Birds

My Bro, his Fiance, me and JB at their hotel.

Girls Weekend

On Friday I got a call from my Mother asking if she could come up for the weekend. I admit at first I thought she was joking, but it turned out she was serious. She left early on Saturday morning and arrived in Toronto just slightly b4 I got home from work. I left a key for her at the desk and she came in and let this adorable little guy out of his "House" as we call his crate.

He decided to be a nice doggy this weekend and allowed me to take some photos of him. Those big buggy eyes are very sensitive to the flash, but and he freaks out if he even sees the camera. I turned the flash off and he let me take photos in front of the window near the light.

Anyhoo, back to Mom...we went of for dinner at a place called the Brasserie which was very tasty. We also checked out the Eaton Centre the big mall in the downtown area. We did a little shopping and then headed back to my condo. It was great just being able to have girl talk and even just sit and watch a movie together, which we did last night. Yesterday we went for Lunch and then went to Sobeys, the bakery where I still work. I took her down by the lakefront and then we stopped to pamper ourselves. We both got pedicures. My toes are pink! Yes pink. I was never much of a pink girl, but I'm coming around. She left around 11 this morning and last I heard had just passed our old town of St. Joe, MI and was nearing home where I'm sure they missed her. Too bad! I get to have her for a weekend they get her all the time I'm sure they survived.

Here is Mom holding Barkley back from his lick attack. His rapid fire tongue is hard to control. He always tries to French kiss...yuck!

Me looking kinda tired at Breakfast! Not used to those early mornings!

Well that's all for now. Maybe I'll post a few pictures that I got from Ma's camera from our trip to Florida. Later gators!

White out!!

I took a page from Dawn Klemish's "It could only happen to me" book today. Today was a horrible day at work. I had to carry about a 100 boxes... yuck. Right before I left work for home it began to blizzard. It was snowing and then there was lightning and thunder. When I got outside the snow was blowing so hard I could not see a foot in front of my face. I waited for the street car while snow pelted me. When I got off at my stop I walked across the street and had to walk with my head down hopping that I didn't walk into an oncoming car. I stopped to reward myself with a caramel Macchiato sp? from the coffee shop in my building. I'm sure I looked like a complete mess, racoon eyes and all. After I got my coffee I walked around the corner to enter my building with the coffee in one hand and a bag of groceries in the other. I banana peeled to the ground and wacked my tailbone in the process. I miraculously did not spill my coffee or my groceries. I only bruised my ego and tailbone. The weather continues to ruin my afternoon. Poor Barkley must have his legs crossed, but neither he or I want to go out there.

Another issue in this week of madness is that I broke a filling again. I grind my teeth at night which in turn causes my fillings to break loose. My dental insurance has been giving me the run around, but I finally got it figured out and I have an appt. for next thurs.

15 days until Florida! Woo hoo! After the snowy mess of a day today I will be happy to see the palm trees and the sun. Oh yeah, and Jordan too! And my family.

I am also considering becoming a consultant for Creative Memories. It's a scrapbooking company. I've been going to workshops on some thurs. nights and having a blast. I'm going to be having a creative memories party at my house soon with my small group. Should be fun.

Well, that's all for now. Later gators!

Happy Birthday to me...

Aside from the fact that my hubby is in Florida away from me this turned out to be a pretty good day. I had an unheard of record number of calls from happy birthday wishers. The day started out with Jordan calling me at 12:01 to be the first to call me. Actual I was born at 4:05 in the morning so he cheated. He used to set his alarm and call me at 4:05 to wish me Happy birthday.

On my break at work I had voicemails from my mom, Sarah (E) Nixon, Jody, and my sis-in-law Melissa. At lunch I got a call from an unrecognized number. Four people sang the entire bday song to me. When they finished I said "Thanks, who is this?" They all laughed. It was Karl, Sara, Doug and Patty. Quite humerous.

I went out to dinner with my friends from my small group friends at East Side Marios. It was a lot of fun. It's great to finally have people up here that we can hang out with.

After dinner Kevin called followed by Lynn, and bringing up the rear was Kyle.

I really had a great Birthday, but I still miss my Jordan.

Barkley was starting to behave more and more each day since Jordan's been gone until the fire alarm went off today. He knocked all of my picture frames off of a table and went totally berzerk. He's a little nervous guy. Good thing he's cute.

Thanks to all of my birthday well wishers. Thanks for making it such a good day!

Toronto...The Frozen Tundra

On Wednesday the snow began and off and on for the next few days it has continued. This has been the coldest week we've been through so far....and by we I mean Barkley and I. Jordan left for Florida on Wednesday..sniff, sniff. I'm very sad to see him go and Barkley is to. Barkley has been very naughty since his dad left. I feel like I have a bad three year old that I can't control. He hates the snow/cold and only walks around for a few minutes out there and then he lifts his front paw in the air which is my signal to pick him up. This week it has gotten worse. He now puts both front paws in the air and walks around a bit on his two hind legs, like a person. He looks like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynSF4WwHZP4

I have tried wiping the snow off of his paws while he's out there to help warm him up so he'll stay out there, but that has not helped and a few days ago he bit my gloved hand. He didn't hurt me but that was his way of telling me he had had enough. He won't stay outside long enough to do his business. He prefers embarassing me and pooping in the lobby in front of the doorman and in the elevator! I'm getting very frustrated and I miss Jordan's help. He seems to be getting better, thankfully. I don't know why he is such a wimp now. He used to stay outside for a long time, but now he's a pamperd pooch, a city dog.

On Tuesday before Jordan left we celebrated Valentines day. I got beautiful roses and a nice card from Barkley! We went to one of my favorite restaurants in Toronto called Cayo Coco. It is a Spanish tapas restaurant. (Tapas are individual appetizers that you order a bunch and share ie. spanish omlet, garlic chicken, spicy potatos, etc) It is in an old row house and it was empty b/c it was the day before Valentines day. We had the entire restaurant to ourselves...very romantic. I brought a chocolate cream pie home for dessert from work. It was awesome.

Jordan left Wednesday for Florida. I will be joining him on March 16th and my whole family is coming too; Ma, Dad, Kev, Kyle, Stephanie. It'll be awesome. We are going to Disney World on Saint Patricks day. My dad has never been so it'll be fun. I just hope it warms up by then. Jordan was complaining that he had to were pants instead of shorts and a sweatshirt. Boo hoo right?

I went to my couples small group on Friday night solo. It was lots of fun. I'm doing something with some of them tomorrow night, but I'm not sure what b/c they haven't told me yet. Yes, I will be 24 tomorrow! I have to work 8-4, but such is life.

Well, I think I better hit the gym. I've been keeping it up still. 5-6 days a week. I'm pretty sore so I took yesterday off. Gotta get ready for Florida! Have a good week everyone!

P.S. I got my work permit and it permits me to work in a dental office now! Woo Hoo! I will be looking for new employment after Florida! Can't wait.

Christmas
I guess it's about time that I blogged about going home for Christmas. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing all of our family. Barkley was especially happy to see my family's Shihtzu Sammy. We found them snoozing lazily together in the recliner in the living room
After being snowed in in Colorado while visiting Jordan's Dad, Jordan's Brother Karl, sis-in-law Sara, and Baby Luke arrived home just in time to see us before we returned to Canada. It took Luke a little while to warm up to us but eventually he liked his auntie and uncle. I think he thought I was a baby sitter.
Luke enjoying one of his Christmas presents.
Uncle Jordan did Luke's hair.

Well, that's all for now. I will add more photos when blogger lets me. 

Hi Ho Hi Ho....It's off to work I go....

I just got home from work a little after 4 and now I'm relaxing a bit before I change my clothes and go to job number two. There is a concert tonight at the Rogers Centre, the Andre Rieu orchestra. It's today and tomorrow and I will be working both. It's a little easy money right in time for Christmas, but what a long day. This means I will be taking a day off from the gym, but I've been everyday this week so I guess one day off is ok, if you can call this a day off.

Tomorrow I plan on wrapping the rest of my Christmas presents when I get home from work. Less than a week till we're back in Illinois! Woo Hoo!

Fa La La La La

We decorated our tree and condo this afternoon while listening to Christmas music. Our tree looks pretty good I must say. Here are a few pictures of the finished product.


Yes I'm holding Barkley against his will. He does not like the camera.The tree skirt is the one my family has used my whole life.

Lazy Sunday

I'm sitting in front of my computer looking out the window at deceiving sunshine. I bet it's cold as crap out there. I'm adjusting to my life as a walker with no car, but it's still freaking cold. It's so cold somedays as I walk the ten minutes to work that I just want to scream in pain from the harsh wind bareing down on me. No matter how many layers I put on it still bites at your face. Ahhh...spring training in T minus....the only bad thing about spring training is that my hubby will be away from me for most of it. The good part is that I think family will be there.

The good thing about not having a car this winter is that I don't miss all of the scraping, snow falling up your sleave as you brush off the roof of your car, and the crappy car we owned not starting 9 times out of 10...stupid Cavy. I don't miss that part of a Michigan winter, but I do miss the beauty of it all. Watching Lake Michigan freeze into sheets of glass-like ice breathing as the waves move is something to watch.

I will be at my mom/dad's house in less than 2 weeks! Woo Hoo! Ky Ky is picking me up either friday or saturday depending on if he is working. I have yet to decorate my own christmas tree. This year we bought our FIRST fake christmas tree. I'm not counting the Charlie Brown Christmas tree that we borrowed from Grandma last year because this one doesn't have a bare spot on one side! It's been sitting in my living room for nearly a week now, naked and sad looking. Jordan has been so swamped from work that he keeps telling me, "Tomorrow we'll decorate it, tomorrow!" Yeah well tomorrow never comes buddy! I didn't want to decorate it while he was in Florida this week because that's just depressing. So in a bit I will go wake his but up and make him come help me. I've done all of the Christmas shopping this year he could at least help with the tree...tehe!

This year will be the first Holiday that I will be cooking, at least that is the plan anyway. We are having Christmas Eve at Jordan's sister Lynn's house. I will be cooking a ham along with other various holiday delights. I'm pretty excited. I think it will be fine, but it's always different when you cook in someone elses kitchen besides your own. I am going to be emailing my sis-in-law a grocery list and she'll buy it and have it all there for me when I get there. Should be fun. I love an adventure. P.S. Melissa, Lynn said it was ok if we had Christmas eve at her house, but I haven't had time to call you, plus you're in CA!

I have almost completed my Christmas shopping in record time this year. This is the first year I have not gone Christmas shopping with my Dad for my mom...Kinda sad. I've been coaching him by phone and he's doing a great job. He even started December 2nd I might add instead of December 22nd! The only problem is Ma buys everything she wants...tehe love you mom!

I'm looking forward to starting new traditions in my family this year. We've had a rough year and quite a bit of change in our lives, so I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with those we love and staying away from the trouble makers of the past. I'm pretty excited to be home b/c I'll be there for longer than at Thanksgiving so it won't feel like such a whirlwind. It'll be more relaxing I hope.

2 weeks....I can't wait. I'm sure it'll feel like it's taking forever to get here, but then it'll go by so fast. Can't wait to see most of you. tehe Time to put on some protective padding and attempt to wake a sleepy Jordan up so I can start the trimming of the tree...tehe! Happy Holidays everyone!

Pix from the Party The scary Aunties!
Mom, Luke, and Me
Luke
Me, Jordan and Tricia

Turkey Time

We traveled to my Parents house for Turkey day last week. We visited with my Dad's side of the family on Turkey day b/c they came to my mom's house. The food was incredible. I know my mom is a talented cook, but I think it tasted even better to Jordan and I b/c we have been eating so healthy for the last few months. We pigged out and it was great.

On the day after turkey day we went to Jordan's sister Lynns house and hung out with her and her kids. We brought her a present to celebrate her 40th birthday. Her kids were so hyper and they were so cute.

On Saturday we traveled to Jordan's other sister's house for her husband's 40th birthday. We played a cut-throat game of spoons and spent time with baby Luke. It was great to see everyone b/c we haven't seen some of them since April.

It was great to be home. Barkley loved it too. It took him a few days to get used to the quiet of our house and the fact that there weren't a bunch of people around to pet him anytime he wanted it. Jordan said he cried for two days and begged for his attention. Jordan has had a long week since we've been home work wise. A lot of Bluejays stuff has been happening so he's been at the computer non stop.

Jordan left for Orlando where the current temp is 84 degrees. Current temp in toronto...28 degrees with a chance of snow. Yeah I got the shaft. It is getting harder and harder to take Barkey outside b/c the wind gets so bad in the courtyard that it makes it hard to see. Stuff gets blown in your eyes and Barkley is not very well-behaved out there. He almost got bit by another dog today. It was pretty scary for me and he acted like nothing happened.

I'm excited to come home for Christmas. We are tentatively planning on leaving for home on the 23rd and returning on the 3rd. We look forward to seeing a lot of friends and family during that time. Here are some pictures from Keiths 40th bday party that I got from my sis-in-law Melissa: To be posted later...Blogger is not working right now...

New York City

Happy Halloween first of all. We are leaving for New York City tomorrow...yes I'm excited to be back in the USA. My friend Tammy is watching our sweet baby while we are gone. I feel like a mama leaving my baby for the first time. I'm a little nervous and will probably call home often to check on him. He is having a puppy sleepover with his friend AJ another shihtzu that looks just like Barkley. Well, that's all for now. I just thought I'd let you know where I'll be for the next week. Later gators!

What a bummer...

So after spending all day at work 9-6, I come home for 1/2 and hour and then head to job number 2 at the Rogers Centre. I scanned tickets tonight and froze my badonkadonk off in the process. It has gotten pretty darn cold here in Toronto. I came home to find out that Jordan had signed up to do the CN tower climb. This is where you walk/run whatever you can do up the stairs of the CN tower. There are 1776 total. I have wanted to do this for awhile and missed the deadline date on the last one so now I am bummed. I can't do this one b/c I work at 9 am. Oh well, what can you do? Maybe they'll be another one soon. Good luck Jordan!

On a happier note, I am going on Sunday to something called the CreativFestival. It's this huge thing at the expo centre where scrapbookers, crafters, etc go and show their projects and sell goodies. I'm pretty excited. It should be fun. Jordan is coming with me, what a trooper. Maybe he'll find out how to mat his photo project. We'll see. Well time for bed. Later gators.

Swimming Laps

Today I came home from work to find a note on the counter to meet Jordan at the Rec Center and bring my suit and towel. We went swimming today in place of our running, well I didn't run, but Jordan did. I did 30 laps in the pool and boy am I tired. It reminded me of being in swim class at Thornwood, which was one of only two classes Jordan and I had together in high school. My legs are really tired, but it was a nice change from running. I am still doing very well. I have lost 17 lb in the last 8 weeks. My initial goal of 20 lbs by thanksgiving has nearly been achieved. I am 3 lbs away from that goal and hopefully I will surpass it in the next 5 weeks. Wish me luck.

I am still working alot which is probably helping my weight loss. I have 43.5 hours this week. yuck! I dont' have a day off again until sunday. I had yesterday off and Jordan and I went to the beaches, a neighborhood which got its name because of it's proximity to the lake. There are a bunch of great little stores down there that we love. We found a few birthday/christmas presents...yes I know it's early for christmas presents, but we're trying to think ahead this year.

Well, that's all for now. Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! She is getting home tonight from her trip with my dad to Arizona to see my Aunt/Uncle/Cousins near Phoenix. They went to the Grand Canyon on Saturday. My dad had never been there before. They walked up to the ledge and it was filled with fog. What a bummer. A little while later it cleared up so they could see the view. anyhoo...catch ya later gators.

You Gotta Wear Shades...

Yeah, I'm cute!

Our dog Barkley has a problem with digital cameras. If he even sees one he freaks out and starts running around like a crazy dog. We think he has sensitive eyes due to an eye injury he sustained before he came to live with us. We have learned to overcome this by using a disposable camera with a shorter flash. After a few months of using it we finally got it developed. The people probably lauged hysterically when they saw a whole roll of a stupid dog. Anyhoo, here are some of the good ones:

Jordan and Barkley by the waterfront trail.
Nice pillow!

One of his favorite toys.

I don't know why his ears are so long.

Are you talking to me?

New York City!

Jordan and I are taking a vacation and we leave November 1st. We are headed to yup, you guessed it New York City. We got free air fare and hotel thanks to JB's job so this will be a fun trip. We will get to spend a week away from work and finally just get to be together for a bit. This will be great!

We're not exactly sure what we are going to do yet. I know we'll see our great friends Justin and Kelly who live an hour and a half train ride out of the city. Also I wanna go see Ground Zero, Empire State building (which I have been in before, but still think is pretty cool), central park, possibly take in a Knicks game, Statue of Liberty, and whatever else we can cram into a week.

Hey, to all of you Blog fans....if you have ever been to New York and done anything cool or just know of something cool to do there let me know. I'm up for suggestions.

On a funny note: Jordan has started his work out regimen like I said before and it is really killing him. Well that's not exactly true the eating less and eating healthy is killing him. Today I asked him to help me give our dog a bath and he said no he just wanted to relax. I said what have you done all day? Nothing right? He followed that up with, " I was busy all day. . . thinking about food!" tehe I got a kick out of that. He followed that up with about 5 minutes of how hungry he was. It was cute. Keep at it Jordan. You can do it. Any words of encouragement you can send his way would be helpful. Well, that's all for now time to head to the gym. Later Gators!

Taking it easy!!

Hey everybody. Things are going well here. Jordan has been home for two days now. We enjoyed a nice day off together. Nothing too exciting. We went and got a passport photo taken for me, went grocery shopping, decided where to vacation (New York), took Barkley for one of the last walks by the lake this year, and now we're heading to the gym. Oh yeah, we've also watched some of the Post-Season games.

After we return from the gym we will have dinner and watch Lucky Number Slevin which we rented.

Tuesday night when he got here we went to St. Louis Bar and grill to meet one of his friends. Last night we got Jordan started back on his work out regimen. I have been doing this for 6 weeks now and I have lost 15 lbs! woo hoo! I'm almost to my goal that I made w/ Melissa to lose 20 lbs by Thanksgiving. I gotta keep going on that though. Jordan and I are off to a great start. Well, that's all for now. Time to hit the gym.

Last Road Trip

Jordan leaves early tomorrow morning on his last road trip of the year. Can I say YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH. I'm pretty excited about that. He leaves detroit to head to New York. He will be home on Monday. I am totally thrilled. He will now be home until approximately February 15th except when we head home for the holidays or when we go on our possible vacation.

Today was my day off. I'm not thrilled about going back to work tomorrow, but such is live. I spent much of my day off running errands and cleaning my house. Boo. I work both jobs on saturday. I will be an usher at the Argos Football game which is Canadian football. On Sunday I have another day off. Woo hoo.

They opened the St. Louis Ribs joint in our building and ever since our hallway has smelled like something was deep frying. Yuck! I think they're going to have to do something about that b/c I can't get Barkley out of the hallway.

Speaking of Barkley...he's a sneaky little devil. He likes to wake us up at 2 am, 4 am or 6 am and sometimes multiple times. Well one day last week Barkley tricked us both into feeding him in the morning. Well yesterday he tricked me into feeding him twice. I sleep walked and feed him 2 times. I only know I feed him b/c the food was still out the second time and I didn't think about it until after the food was in his bowl and there was no way of getting it away from fatty. This has to stop or else he will not be able to walk when his chubby belly is hitting the ground.

Well, that's all for now. I think it's time for bed. Later gators!

Still @ it...

Today I came home from work and decided to relax a bit before hitting the gym. I noticed that the season premiere of the Biggest Loser was on and I sat down to watch it. Yes, I'm a big dork but I found motivation in watching the program. After seeing those people struggle and then have dramatic weight loss I thought I need to kick it up a notch. If they can do it I definately can do it.

I hit the track hard today runninng 4 miles. I did very well. I could really feel my heart rate rising. I also did some free weights and gave my arms a work out on a few machines. I also did the always horrible crunches to finish out the routine. It was pretty intense, but worth it b/c Jordan wants to go to a Mexican restaurant for his bday tomorrow and they never have any low cal options.

Tomorrow I am also getting back on the Dental Hygiene trail. I have a doctors appointment at 10 am. I have to have this to have my work permit changed which will allow me to work in the Health Care field. I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and do something about it. Here I go! Wish me luck.

I'm waiting for poor Jordan to come home from work. The Yankees clinched the division which led to a big party in the locker room which led to more work for good old JB. Poor guy. And on his birthday even. Oh well, he probably loves it anyway.

That's all for now. I think I'm going to go watch tv in bed and probably fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. I'm pretty worn out, but it will be worth it if I can meet the 20 lb goal that Melissa and I are trying to hit. Wish us luck!

Lake Lunching...

Today Jordan met me for my hour lunch break. We sat out by Lake Ontario and enjoyed one of the last nice days. My hubby even made my lunch what a score!

It is nice to sit out there and enjoy the sounds and sights of the lake. There are a lot of tourists that cruise on the various tour boats that hang out in the harbor.

Jordan and I spent some of our time shooing away the various birds that are so accustomed to people that they walk right up to you. They are very greedy and would snatch the food out of your hand if you let them.

Tonight I head over to the Rogers Centre for a Bluejays/Yankees game tonight w/ my friend Tammy!