SoDaCan...Life on Planet Canada

Decided on beadboard for the backsplash...

2012-02-17T21:31:00.000-08:00

We have to do the electrical tomorrow. We needed extenders for our boxes to make room for the depth of the beadboard.

I broke a part of the countertop when I was pounding so I have to figure out how to repair that soon. It went pretty well but it was a chore! I did the sawing outside on the patio so the cleanup was very little. Trying to decide if I should paint it or not...maybe a deep olive green or an burnt sienna?? Or just stain like the cabinets?? Hmmm...thinking.

Anyway, in a month the last of the pre-made doors from Home Depot will arrive and this will be done!!

More kitchen finished...yippee!!

2012-02-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

OK, the doors I am going to make are finally finished. Of course, I still have all the filling, sanding and staining to do. I will order the last five doors at Home Depot next month (when I have money again). I am pretty well broke right now. Then it will be about three weeks until they come in. I will need to get them hung and then I can start on the fine finish work.

Countertops and backsplash when we can afford it. Probably not until next year. :(

I am just really happy about it all. My dumpy little kitchen is becoming a homey and comfortable place to be. I have always hated those creepy white melamine cabinets!! They just had no personality. Blah and dull....and cheap looking. Rick keeps mentioning that if we had hired all of this it would have probably cost us about $10,000. I will get it finished for under $1200.00 and that's WITH the purchase of TWO tools. I needed a miter saw and a power screwdriver (got that yesterday at Lowe's) My hands are feeling much better tonight after using it for two days. When I was doing it all by hand ratchet screwdriver, I had blisters and my hands ached like crazy for several days.

So close to finished....smiling here!

Upper Kitchen doors arrived!!

2012-02-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

Today we got the call I have been waiting for to get the nook side of the kitchen finished. The doors arrived from Home Depot. They are fabulous. I am really impressed by the quality for the price I paid.

Hanging them was not as easy as I had hoped it might be. There are always some silly little unexpected problems, but with a little cussing and some thinking, I finally got them hung!!

I am amazed by the transformation!! I am gonna love this when it's done.

It just looks like an entirely different place. It feels warm and comfortable I love, love, love it!!

Next month I will order a couple of more. I am hoping to be able to afford the four above the sink and counter. That will make the biggest impact on finishing the entire job. It's been great so far, but I can't wait for it to be DONE!!

Kitchen progress....

2012-02-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

This is the opposite side from the nook. First door fit perfectly.

Second door was rebuilt twice! I just couldn't get it right. Now it fits.

The drawers are another thing. I have decided to custom order the bottom two fronts. I don't have a table saw or biscuit joiner and there is no oak stock the exact right size. So I will have Home Depot makes these two special for me.

These last two were the easiest to make. Most of the errors (in my trial and error method of learning) have been corrected by the time I got to these. They whipped together without any troubles today.

This is the before picture above.

I have four doors ordered for the top of the nook and I expect them in sometime this week. Hopefully they will be easy to hang and I have measured correctly. I have to put in the face plates yet but that is an easy job.

Getting closer to finished every day. Now I am taking a few days to breathe. I have this lovely layer of fine saw dust on EVERYTHING. I am calling it "patina". :) I told Rick that when I grow up I would like a house with a work room so I didn't have to use the dining room table to use the miter saw.

Electrical finished...YAY!!

2012-01-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

Our friend Stephanie gave us a very generous gift card from Lowe's just for letting her park in our driveway while her home was being remodeled and we purchased a couple of needed lighting fixtures. These are in our basement TV room. It sure looks nice! Robert Purkis put it all in for us the day he came to fix the dryer vent and outlet. Thank heavens for good electricians!!

Kitchen progress....

2012-01-26T05:32:00.000-08:00

More to come as I get them finished. Karla the Carpenter!! Can you believe it?? All sorts of new tricks for this old dog. :)

More tile??? Karla, you're obsessed!

2012-01-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

I finished tiling my three tier kitchen nook today. It just looks fabulous!! I am loving it!

I have cabinet doors to replace and this side of the kitchen will be finished. I use this pullout

shelf for chopping and serving. It's become pretty handy. The roll top pulls down so I can hide the microwave if I want to.

I decided to go with a random pattern and use up some of the tile from other projects and I think it turned out really well.

The upstairs bathroom is still pending. I have been holding off because of the removal of the toilet...dang I hate the idea of going down to the basement in the middle of the night to pee!! It will be out of commission for about three days. I am planning on doing the walls, too. With a border to match the bath splash I did when I first got started tiling.

Soon, anything and everything that doesn't run away from me could be tiled...hee hee :)

Finn, Charlotte and Tuffy having fun at our house

2012-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

These three little ones have such a great time together. Our newest member is Tuffy (Tough Girl Wilson). She is the dark colored MinPin/Fox Terrier. She's aggressive and adorable!! Charlotte is the Toy Fox Terrier and Finn, of course. We giggle and laugh watching them race around our house! Puppy play dates are FUN!!

Welcome 2012

2011-12-31T22:21:00.000-08:00

Our New Year's eve was quiet and nice. A bottle of Korbel, chicken fried chicken, a good movie and my two best guys, Rick and Finn. It doesn't get any better than this. It's so nice to be loved without condition or pause. :)

Dinner Guests

2011-12-24T10:35:00.001-08:00

We had Stephanie and Charlotte here for dinner last night. We had fun. Finn and Charlotte chased each other all night. They were such fun to watch. Turkey and Noodles and good company...made for a perfect evening!!

It's raining in December!

2011-12-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

It's raining like crazy here today. Sheets of waters, rushing gutters, swirling storm drains, thunder and lightening. It is December. I checked the calendar. I KNOW it's December.

It gives me a feeling of foreboding. Something's just not right. It's ominous to have such a change in normal weather patterns this drastic. Today Climate Change scares me....sigh.

Had to get out an umbrella for our Frosty!! Yikes!

Christmas wish

2011-12-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

What I want most for the holidays this year is for everyone to be proud, grateful and thrilled that our troops are finally out of Iraq and back into the loving arms of their families and their country.

We need to help them know that we are thankful for their hard work and that they can now feel safe from all the war in their past....it IS the past and now time to move ahead.

When you see a soldier and their family...shake their hand...hug them...kiss their cheek...say a prayer...bake them some cookies...just make sure they KNOW they are appreciated and loved.

These people are our heroes. It's hard for them to come home after such a traumatic life event. Make sure they feel welcomed and loved...thank you!

Merry Christmas.

Finn and Mommy sleeping through the movie....

2011-12-17T21:04:00.000-08:00

We had battled crazy shoppers and lunatic drivers during this Christmas Saturday in Newmarket just to get a turkey for dinner and we are pooped...as you can clearly see...we zonked out during the movie tonight. Rick said it was a good one, too...The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.

Rick did a good job sneaking upstairs and getting these pictures without waking either of us!!

Rick got "Need for Speed The Run" for his PS3 today at Best Buy and we had played a little of that before dinner. It is FUN!! Great graphics...amazingly realistic! We will spend hours with it! :) GTA 5 comes out the fall of 2012. Can't wait for that one!

Rick's new monitor

2011-12-16T15:18:00.000-08:00

I got Rick this HUGE 27" monitor for his computer and he's just loving it!! He's wanted one for a while and it is exactly what he dreamed it would be!! Yay...Merry Christmas to my favorite human!! I love you! You always take such good care of me!

I have heard asked "Where have all the good men gone and where are all the Gods?" Well, I have the last one right here...:) Lucky ME!

Holiday Treats...Oh, NO!!

2011-12-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

I think I am going to need to summon "Karla Fierce" my redheaded warrior against bad food!! These holidays are making me crazy with all their new and yummie products on sale and all their commercials for everything from cakes and ice creams to whipped cream topped coffee drinks made just for this time of year...Eeee Gads Batman, how is an addict supposed to fight against such evil demons??

This is a job for Karla Fierce!!! She can fight these evil commercials and remain junk food free!!

I hope...I feel myself getting weaker by the minute.

Effexor is good stuff except that it makes me weak in the food fighting department!

Elf Finn...not a happy one either...:)

2011-12-10T21:38:00.001-08:00

I only put it on him the one time and it took about 10 minutes all together to get these pictures. He didn't fight me but his look says it all..."Oh, please, MOM!!" Well, it was $14 at Loblaw's and I couldn't resist.

One of these is my wallpaper now. Hee Hee...

A Quote from the late John Lennon on the anniversary of his death...

2011-12-08T20:11:00.001-08:00

It matters not who you love, where you love, when you love, why you love or how you love... it just matters that you love.
John Lennon

The Snow is Beautiful today!

2011-12-06T10:37:00.001-08:00

The rain finally stopped and it's snowing. It's just lovely. Now it feels a little more like Christmas. " :)

Party with the Crown folks

2011-12-01T21:09:00.001-08:00

Rick and I went to Woodbridge for a party with some of his fellow workers from Crown. We had a lovely night with lots of great people.

NEVER pass up a reason to buy a new outfit!! :)

Charlotte, Tuffy and Finn's play date

2011-11-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

Our little neighbor dogs and Jill came for a visit today. Charlotte, Tuffy and Finn played together. They are all such adorable pooches!! I can't imagine life without canines!! :)

Anniversary day

2011-11-12T21:22:00.001-08:00

The Great Blue Heron is a Charity Casino up north. It snowed the whole day and was windy and cold. We got there in time for the Security gal to drive up on us immediately and we were informed that they did not allow ANY domestic animals on their property. They asked us to leave and park on the road...huh?? It's not like we were going to take him inside or that he was going to gamble or anything. He is under 21 and that would be illegal. hee hee...We moved the car. Went in for about 20 minutes. Lost our 20 bucks and promptly left The Great Blue Heron! We probably won't go back.

Soooo...we went antiquing instead!! It was fun. Picked up some treasures and came home.

The FinnMan wasn't offended by the Great Blue Heron. He played with his new Christmas Stuffed doggie and his ball and we all had a blast!!

The movie was The Mechanic. Not a bad flick, but predictable, as most of those kinds of films are. But all in all a good day!

We also got lots of nice wishes from our family and friends on Facebook.

11-11-11 is here!!

2011-11-10T21:03:00.001-08:00

Rick and I have a 6th anniversary on 11-11-11. We are off on an adventure in the morning at daylight. Finn will be going with us and we are planning to be at the Blue Heron in time to gamble at 11:11AM!! Hopefully we will win a ton of cash money!!
I will post pictures and more after we are back home again. :)

Tile Table #3

2011-11-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Today I finished table top #3. I got a little more creative with this one. I did a blue glass tile inlay. I have completed two back splashes and 3 table tops now. I really like to tile. I think when I feel good enough at it to do the kitchen, I will start on that! It will take more than one day and lots more cash. This one is finished all except for the painting of the molding I have chosen a cafe latte color. It will be fabulous!!

I also have thoughts of doing the entryway in some kind of tile. There are such a beautiful choices out there. I will need a tile saw for that project. Got the miter saw just the other day!! It's not nearly as good as the one I used to have back in Lead but I love it, love it, love it!! We used it today to do the oak molding around the perimeter of this tile top. It's sure better than the miter box I was using! I have thoughts of getting the entire house baseboards changed out before the summer!! My winter project...

New Dog in the neighborhood...welcome Miss Tuffy!

2011-10-30T21:18:00.000-07:00

This is Miss Tough Girl (Tuffy) Jill's new pup. She's absolutely adorable. They were here for a visit today. She's just wonderful and Finn loves her, too! Yay!! Welcome little one :)

Leptosclorsis

2011-10-26T21:37:00.000-07:00

Buck, Jill's beagle, has died. She called this morning to tell us that he was positive for this Leptosclorsis bacteria that is transmitted through raccoon urine. We have raccoons in the area. She was told by her vet to let us know as we all walk our pets in this same area and this disease is very contagious and very deadly if not treated right away.

We saw Finn's vet at 6:00PM this evening and she recommended a round of antibiotics (amoxicyllin) and a vaccination against this bacteria. Finn presents completely healthy with NO SYMPTOMS but it is in his best interests to take this method of prevention. He was vaccinated for this two years ago and she thought that was good in this case. So we had a VERY stressful day but we think it will be fine. Finn hates to go to the vet. He trembled the whole time we were in the office.

Buck is dead. I am having a bit of trouble with that one. He was such a character!! He was here a lot. Jill and Charlotte were here yesterday to tell us of Buck's passing. Finn and Charlotte had a ball playing together! We giggled at them in spite of our loss of Buckaroo. :(

We are hoping that no more cases of this deadly disease surface. Jill was informing all of the dog owners in the area. We have neighborhood parks and potty runs and we all use them everyday, several times a day...so all of our pets could have been exposed.

Rest in Peace little buddy...we love you!

OK, this house finally beat me!!!

2011-10-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

These beautiful lights took our whole day!!

We missed the race.

I finally gave in to this dumb house. It took 6 years but I surrender! I give up! No more updates! I am done. (sigh) It was supposed to be a simple replacement light fixture. Simple...my ass. Seems that some of the wires are not the right color. Some are to service multiple electrical switches. Some are completely non functional. Hmmmmm. So how's a person to figure this out?? Yep...ask a professional. That's what we will be doing (and paying for) tomorrow. It's up and lit and BEAUTIFUL...BUT we can't turn it off without the circuit breaker. The wall switch doesn't turn it off. Strangest thing I have ever seen. We have replaced EVERY lighting fixture in this whole house and never run into anything even remotely a kin to this mess. I was ready to run back to Lowe's and shout from the aisles if ANY electrician would follow us home for a hundred bucks to fix this!! :) Cooler heads prevailed. We will search for an electrician in the morning.

But, it IS beautiful and just what I wanted!

The globes cast a lovely amber glow.

Halloween Finn

2011-10-17T22:24:00.000-07:00

This is Finn's new Halloween costume from PetSmart. I call him "Punkin" a lot so this one
was a perfect choice!

This one is my favorite!!

Life is good on Planet Canada. It rains a lot this time of year, but I hear that the snow flew today in Lead. No shovels for us here as yet.
We are going to see "Real Steel" tomorrow at the theater. It should be a good flick. We are hearing good things about it. And since it's raining again tomorrow...ugh!

He does look like he's enjoying this photo shoot, huh... hee hee. :)

Mommy does love her little FinnMan!!

Finn will be the best dressed pup in the hood!

He's such a cutie (and the hubby's not bad either!)

One whole year!!!

2011-10-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

October 1st I celebrated one full year without junk food!! No cookies, no cake, no ice cream, no popcorn, no drive-thru, no take-out, no restaurant food, no pizza, no chips, no bakery goodies, no pancakes, no peanut butter, no Dairy Queen Blizzards.
I survived.
I didn't grow a third nipple. I didn't go blind and I didn't lose my ability to think straight. (If I ever had that ability in the first place...hahaha)
I learned that I don't NEED that kind of food. I will always WANT it.
Not eating anything that would feed my food addiction has kept me in control of my weight and my life. I am healthier than I have ever been.
I went out and bought myself something pretty to commemorate this landmark and now I will go for another year of junk food free living!!

I am happy and peaceful in my life. Rick and I are old souls and we are sure we have known each other since the beginning of time. Being loved unconditionally is a wonderful feeling.

Content...

2011-10-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

For most of my life the voices around me have made me painfully aware of what's wrong with me...Rick is the first person to make sure I know what's right. My self esteem grows daily. :)

Purple! I love Purple...

2011-09-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

We found this bed-in-a-bag at Wal-Mart in Aurora and we loved it! I will have to change a few other things in this room but this thing is made from microfiber and it's really soft and warm. Rick is sleeping better, too. I just needed a change from the denim that we have had for several years.

Garden looks mighty fine!!

2011-09-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

We had a great growing season. Rick and I have enlarged the planting bed area our front and it's looking really nice. New driveway is finished and the plumber has been here to get the last of his stuff finished. YaY!! Bring on the fall and winter...we are ready here.
Wish the grass had done better. It just got too hot for it to be nice.
I LOVE the coleus. It grew like crazy and just got out of control. Next year I will know better than to put so many into that planter.
We sit outside and watch the birds in the feeders and the bird bath. They are everywhere this summer!! Beautiful yellow finches and snow birds.

The girls are fine!!

2011-07-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a week of concern since my Dr. visit and subsequent testing due to the lump Dr. Bercuson found during my regular physical. Scary stuff indeed...stressful wait...my mind was spinning with all sorts of terrible scenarios...ending in my death, of course...especially in the wake of my dear friend Connie Yelley's recent nursing home placing due to her three year battle with her cancer...

Michelle just called. The test results are: only perfectly normal and healthy breast tissue was found. Yippee!!

I started taking effexor last week, too. Things are definitely improving. I am having fewer dark days and a lighter feeling in general. I have been struggling with this depression for so many years. I finally decided that it was best to ask for meds. I am NOT a med person. I have never taken much in the line of drugs. But this was becoming overwhelming and unmanageable for me. There were far too many dark days and hardly any light ones. I had begun planning truly bad things to end my struggle. Part comes from my change in eating. Food was always my medication of choice...that has ended. Part comes from the life change I made nearly 6 years ago when I moved away from everything I knew and loved into this vast empty hollow place of nothing but strangers and unfamiliar things. Part comes from the fact that I haven't been home in two years. Most of is comes from peri menopause. I am told it can go on for 10 years!! Yikes...No matter how it came to me depression was taking over my life. ...I asked for help.

So we shall see what happens. I am just starting to take the full dose. She started me out on 1/2 to get my body used to it. No side effects as yet and they will be monitoring my blood monthly for changes. I think I am in good hands.

No kids for me

2011-06-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

Someone recently asked me why I didn't have any kids. Here's the explanation:

The true reason I didn't want to have children had nothing to do with Roger's age. We could have had kids at any time.

I was terrified that any offspring of mine would be fat like me. I just couldn't put another human being through the ridicule, the torment and the struggles that I have always had to live with. It just seemed so unfair to an innocent child. It would have been selfish of me to have given birth knowing full well what their life as a fat person and food addict would be like. Having lived that life, I KNEW what it could do to their soul. I was just so afraid that it would happen to my child. There are so many struggles. There is so much unhappiness. So much shame. So much humiliation and embarrassment. I was not going to be responsible for that...not ever!

It was best for me to remain childless...I made the decision and never looked back.

my 53rd birthday

2011-06-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Reitman's had the BEST ruffles in town. I love, love, love these new blouses!! I will wear them often! Happy Birthday to ME!

The front garden area is finished and lovely. The pitchfork birdhouse has a family living in it. I bought them a bird bath this week. The chair is from the back patio area (one of the three junk finds)

Rick got me this planter for the front. It is perfect for the end of the bench. We spend many a day out there with Charlotte, Stephanie, Jill and the Buckaroo!! It's great to have good friends.

Finn isn't stupid...he knew just where to go to get some shade!!

Buck, Charlotte and Jill came calling to wish me a happy birthday!

We had a fun day in the Newmarket sunshine!! Friends at the door early and friends in the evening. Shopping in between and I found some great ruffles!! It was a good day to be me. :)

A Food Addict's List

2011-05-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

I have learned throughout this experiment that there are foods that I CAN NOT eat. They cause me to go out of control and want more and more until I can't stop eating!! It's like giving a vodka tonic to an alcoholic...One leads to two and that leads to three and so on and so on...addiction sucks!

The list for ME is as follows:

*Peanut Butter

*Cake and Donuts

*Ice Cream

*Cookies

*Chips and Popcorn

*Breads of any kind

*French Fries

*Pizza

*M&M's, Snickers, Butterfingers

*Pancakes and Waffles

I am at 33 weeks into my experiment and have no more cravings for these foods. I have had NOTHING from this list for all that time. I am thinking that I will go another year after I reach my 1 year test of October 1st, 2011.

After two years of not eating these triggers I surely will be able to keep control and NEVER eat them again...Right?? Or do I go three years? :) Four? I bet I have to go for the rest of my life...I am sure that just one taste will send me on a downward spiral of eating and hating myself for eating and getting fat again...

I can't be fat again....I just can't.

Pup Doggie Dog

2011-05-30T22:14:00.001-07:00

Have I said this before??? I absolutely LOVE this dog. He's the bestest doggie in the whole world!!

We had a great day...the sun was shining. No rain in sight. Spent some time in the chaise lounge chairs on the patio. Took a long walk with Finn and got to visit with friends, Stephanie, Charlotte, Jill and Buckaroo!! It doesn't get any better than this!!

Tomorrow...they are predicting HOT!! MMMMM...I can feel these old bones warming already. Yippee!!

Garden pictures from our "hood"

2011-05-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Ours is finished for this year...we did so much work out back to enlarge the patio that I just don't have the energy to plant any more that what I already have.

Our little spot pales in comparison to some of the great works of art below!!

While out on a very muggy day for a walk with the FinnMan I decided to take a few pictures of our little neighborhood. The yards are just getting started but are going to be really beautiful this year. Peaceful and friendly is the way of life now that that mean Sarge and her mean dog, Hunter are GONE!! Yay!

Don't ask about "Mulock Village" scary place....strange people...not peaceful and not friendly.

Stephanie's Chair

2011-05-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

I finally finished Stephanie's chair planter despite the rain nearly every day. She loves it and I think it's pretty in her front yard.

I have one more to do and have no idea what I am going to make of it!! We grabbed another one while out on a walk with Finn. Luckily we had the stroller with us and could put the chair in the stroller to get it home. We were miles away from home....

Jill's Chair finished today!

2011-05-16T20:15:00.001-07:00

I finally finished Jill's chair today. This is the second one of those three that we found in some's junk pile in the neighborhood. They are just in such good shape that I couldn't pass them up. I got two of the same style the first time and then a day or two later there was the square one that I did for myself. I posted a picture of it in the previous post. I got Jill's done today and will start Stephanie's as soon as the weather permits...Stephanie's will be teal.

It's been COLD and RAINY for several days and they are saying more is coming...I am wondering if and when we will have a spring. :(

Patio Extension finally finished!!!

2011-05-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

This is one of the little chairs that I snagged from someone's throw away pile. I refinished it and cut a hole in the seat to create this cute little planter. This one is mine. I am making one for Jill (in process) and one for Stephanie that's not started yet. I think it's adorable!

We extended the patio fence and enlarged the whole back area. We have been carrying those gigantic cement pavers that weigh 90 pounds each!! Explains the soreness we are both experiencing since! Then, our tax return came with about $512.00 more than we expected so we got two new chaise lounge chairs. If it weren't raining out there now that's where we three would be.

It just looks fabulous!

The Doobie Brothers in concert at Rama!!!

2011-05-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

These guys are the sexiest rock and rollers with more talent than any other I have seen!! They did the most amazing concert. Dynamic! Phenomenal! Brilliantly performed!! Rick and I both think it's the BEST we have seen at Rama and we have seen some of the greatest bands on earth!! We are still singing "Black Water" in our heads three days afterwards.

It was AWESOME!!

It was a fun night...We have Huey Lewis and The News tickets for July....

Roadside find....

2011-05-11T23:16:00.000-07:00

Tonight when Rick and I and The FinnMan were out for his last walk we discovered this beautiful piece in front of a home in our neighborhood with a "free" sign on it. Well, I could never pass up a bargain like that, right?? Those know me KNOW I can't...:)

It's oak. The doors are sliding. It has mortise and tenon joints. The inside bottom is vented. I have NO IDEA what it might have been used for. It is in amazing condition and will need only a little surface buffing to be fabulous! I love, love, love this find!!!

Rick and I hauled it home and it will now reside here in our office and hold some files.

This same place had three chairs a few weeks back and I snagged them, too. They are also oak and in amazing condition. I have finished the first one. It became a planter!! I painted it with a little purple paint and some sponging. I cut a hole in the seat and popped a pot full of geraniums in it. It's adorable!!

I have mine finished. I started the second one for my good friend Jill today and the last one will go to my other good friend Stephanie when it's finished. They are just a cute as can be and will be a nice addition to our gardens!!

OK, I am gonna admit something...

2011-05-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

I am very afraid and intimated about going home...because of eating...I have always been influenced by my inability to live up to others expectations of me there. I was always in the dog house with someone. Shunned by others because of something I said or did. Always causing that "look" of disappointment or criticism. The constant whispering behind my back was awful. I just never seemed to be able to fit in and just be myself. I walked on egg shells all of the time.

Soooo I self medicated with FOOD!! Huge amounts of food some days.

I have done it for so many years that I am afraid to go back there with all those feelings of inferiority and the constant fear of disappointing someone...I am afraid the cycle of food addiction with begin again...

I CAN'T BE FAT AGAIN!!! I just can't.

Here...Rick lets me be who I am. He never gives me that "look". He is never disappointed in me. I don't have to be on guard all the time.

I can just pause...relax...and breathe.

Dr. visit today

2011-05-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

Canadian health care...oh, my! I had a scheduled appointment for 10:45 this AM for blood work and a birth control prescription renewal. At 11:49 she called me in. At noon I saw her. The office visit took 15 minutes and I was never touched. No checking of anything. Not heart rate, temp, blood pressure. Not even weight. Then out to wait for the blood tech...another 20 minutes. (Rick and I waited for an hour to have his blood done earlier this week at another clinic.) It's amazing we ever get anything done. AND I have to go back for another appointment in July to actually have a pap smear done because she only does them once a week and she was booked until then. Rick said they get $400.00 per office visit per patient...can you imagine??

Might explain the huge amount of taxes we pay! HA! Ya think??

One thing she did say was "you are actually quite slim"

OK, that I liked!! Needless to say she will be my best friend forever!! :)

Days...

2011-05-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

I describe it as a perpetual bus ride with a bunch of strangers. You have nothing in common with them so there is little or no conversation. They don't want to know you. You are confined in a small space. There is nothing to do but stare out the window and wish you were home. There is nothing around you that is familiar. No faces you recognize. It's lonely and dark. It's empty and dead. It's endless motion forward with no destination.

Morning visitor...

2011-04-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

We heard the FinnMan pitching a fit downstairs at the patio doors and went down to see what the heck it was...here's our find. We call him Rocky (of course). We believe him to be a full grown adult male. He's really fun to watch!! He was just enjoying himself at the foot of the feeder until the people came by and he scampered up the tree. It's neat to live so near a forest BUT these little guys know how to get into our recycling...and they DO. Some mornings we awake to the sound of them tipping the green bin or the sight of waste all over the driveway. Little rascals!!

Also, the first family of birds has moved into the house built on the pitchfork out front. We watched them yesterday going in and out. I will get pictures soon. They look to me to be a chickadee of some kind. It will be fun to watch them have their little ones and feed them. Right now they are just getting the house ready, as far as we can see. I always had birds back home. It's nice to see them back in my life again! I have had feeders up for several years out back. I have seen beautiful birds that I never saw in Lead. We have Blue Jays here a lot and once in a while a cardinal and his gal pal. They are really lovely.

I gotta get outta here!!!

2011-04-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

I have never been surrounded by so many stupid people in my life. They are here by the thousands. Everywhere you turn. People without a clue!! Stupid human beings who couldn't think themselves out of a wet paper bag.

We are out with Finn. This stupid woman (Judy) leans in to pet him. I KNOW he's agitated by her so I pull him back. She keeps coming. I pull him back more. He snaps at her. I pick him up. I said "Lady, that should be your first clue when the owner is pulling the dog away from you that you should STOP advancing" She said "well, I have petted him before"...dumb dumb dumb!!

It's exhausting to live here. I need to be with my own kind.

A day in the sun!

2011-04-10T12:45:00.001-07:00

Rick, Finn and I out for a day in the sun. We had a great time. These days will be more and more regular as the season finally changes. We thought winter was here forever!!

Finn does really well in his "Royal Coach". We walk him now and then and the only time he fidgets in when we are just around the corner from home. He's a keeper!!

He always draws some smiles and some "ahhh's" from the people we pass...:)

We are referring to ourselves as the comedy team of SodaCan and The FinnMan!! I am sure we are a comical sight!!

Finn's New Bike

2011-04-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

We got Finn his new trailer today so he can go riding with us. He loves the dang thing. Rick says he looks like royalty in it. What a hoot it was. We went out to buy the thing (about $100.00 at CostCo) came home to put it together and off we went. He just rides like it's nothing new. We were gone for quite a while and he never fussed even once. What a guy this little pup is!! We adore him. He's the most adaptable critter I have ever known. He just goes along with anything we do.

I am doing his grooming now and that's been a chore. He's great about it but doesn't like his behind messed with so one side is a bit longer than the other. He just sits down when he's had enough. I will get better and no one laughs at him so It must not be too bad.

Off to check out the RV for our trip to South Dakota this summer tomorrow. We are hoping it's not the Queen Mary and we can handle it on a trip that's so far away. It sure would be handy to have our home right with us while we travel. We shall see how it goes.

YUP...we are becoming one of "those" couples. You know the ones I mean...middle aged with an RV and a spoiled dog...:) OMG!

ugh...

2011-03-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

I REALLY need to be with my own kind.

Yet Another project finished...I am almost finished.

2011-03-26T22:21:00.001-07:00

This was a Salvation Army find when I first moved here. I paid ten bucks for it. It's made from melamine, at least I think that's what it is...just cheap pressed board covered with that shiny white stuff. I have never liked it. I covered it with cloth first and didn't like that, then I used contact paper. Didn't like that either. Then we bought shelving for the top to enlarge it. I did a nice molding and paint. The top piece is a shoe rack...works great!! I love it now...:)

One more project finished...

2011-03-18T16:52:00.001-07:00

I forgot about this!! This is one of those cheap ass put-it-together-yourself cabinets that we bought (to hold recycling, garbage, dog stuff, vacuums, etc) about five years ago. I had seen on the DIY Network that I could add some molding and paint and make them look so much richer...so her's my version of it. We think it's great and the real "cheapness" is gone!! Serves a very important purpose so it was necessary to keep it.

My first attempt at mitered corners. I think I did rather well...:)

Busy Karla!!

2011-03-17T16:36:00.000-07:00

I have been working my ass off!! I shampooed two floors of carpets. I build a back splash for both bathrooms. I painted a bedroom and I have learned to groom Finn myself...well his head, anyway.

The painting was the worst. Red over a white popcorn ceiling...not an easy task!! I have at least one more coat to lay down, but it looks fabulous. The color is very similar to the one I had in the living room at 915 West Addie. Maybe trying too hard to make this my home. Nothing seems real to me here. I am guessing that after 6 years, it never will. I keep thinking that one day I will awake from the dream and be home again where I was always comfortable and safe. I really miss belonging to a community. I miss family. I miss having friends. This is way harder than Roger dying....way harder. Anyway...

I keep busy.

Yesterday was our first bike ride of the year...it was glorious!! More riding to come as we are hearing that the weather is changing to a warmer trend...yay...finally!

Stoopid Country!

2011-03-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

OK, so here's a good one. Lady with two kids in Toronto. Diagnosis;( EARLY) breast cancer. Treatment chemo. Ontario health care denies her coverage. Why? Tumor is too small.

Yup, you heard me right. Too small.

Canadian governmental power over our health care...just not working.

Goes into the "Can you believe it?" file.

Happy Holidays!!

2010-12-28T21:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all our friends and family! It's been a year that I am ready to see go. Bring on the new one and let's 2010 die a quick death!!

THE GOOD:

*We saw John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Kenny Rogers, Whoopie Goldberg and the Beach Boys in concert at Rama. They were ALL fabulous!!

*We rescued FINNEGAN LEE!! He's been a real joy. We adore him and his antics. There has never been another like this little man. He's the bestest pup in the world! :)

*We are both healthy and doing well with our weight!

THE BAD:

*We didn't get to go back to Lead, so I didn't see my family at all in 2010. We had to replace the furnace so there was no money for fun and it was a HOT summer so we were inside a lot!!

and THE UGLY:

*We lost two precious pets this year. Blackie and Mittie are both gone. It's been nearly my whole life since I had no felines in my house. It's bothers me every day.

So I am ready for the riddance of this year and happy to start a new one.

Best wishes for a healthy, safe and happy New Year to all of you!!

I just can't figure...

2010-12-18T12:22:00.000-08:00

Finn's last (and I MEAN LAST!!) grooming appointment apparently didn't go very well. I thought it strange that it took an hour+ more than usual and that he was skiddish when we picked him up. I DO NOT know what happened...but he came home with a limp (which he still has but is getting better...no visible signs of trauma in his feet or leg) and this in the pictures above!! She cut him so close that it caused what looks like razor burn!! This is a professional woman!! It's hard to believe that this kind of thing could happen. The only thing she told us was that he didn't "like" having his toenails clipped. So what did she do?? Hurt him because he doesn't "like" having them clipped?? I have serious questions. I will confront her when I cancel all future appointments. I want to KNOW what happened...and I want her to know that we are VERY unhappy and will never leave our pet with her again.

This just urks me!! Big time! People in her profession are supposed to be trustworthy with our pets. I will never trust anyone again.

I guess I will have to teach myself to groom our FinnMan!

Back into my size 12 jeans!!!

2010-12-09T21:52:00.001-08:00

What a nice feeling.... :) Eating healthy does a body good!

Snow dog, Finn!!

2010-12-06T12:34:00.000-08:00

The Finn Man is a snow doggie. He loves it!! We walked in the newly fallen snow last night with no plows been by and no one around and he leaped and bounded like it was his private playground. This morning we took him outside for a shovel out on the patio and this is his response...hee hee...he just sat there! What a hoot!! He's the bestest doggie in the world!!

This is his new jacket for winter, too. Red plaid just seemed to fit him perfectly...Finnegan the Irish name with the tartan plaid jacket...;)

After Rick, Finn and I get haircuts this week I will do a Christmas photo.

Nothing new... but snow and more snow!! Now is the end to green grass at Christmas!! Yay...I have really enjoyed these past few days. It is soooo beautiful and reminds me so much of home!! Now Christmas can commence! I have helped shovel two driveways plus shoveling my own three times...it's just rejuvenating for my soul!! Thankful for snow here! :)

Winter Yard Display 2010

2010-11-29T13:30:00.001-08:00

Rick, Finn and I headed out into the forest for our greens today and finally got this display finished. I am thinking it looks great!! Would like some snow to finish it off, though.

The snowshoes are one of the items I bought when we went antiquing last week. I love them!! I always wanted a pair and these were really priced well. I think they look great with Rick's skates from hockey days of old...:)

The wrought iron work is what we had to do to disguise the venting from our new furnace. I planted a bush there for summer months and thought I might just be able to get away with this wreath for the holidays...The damn vents are necessary BUT ugly...I did the best I could to make it better.

Survived the first holiday...

2010-11-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

I did OK today. It's sad to say that maybe I am getting "used" to being deprived of the good things that my life had before...like family and kids and being together on holidays and Mom's baking...mmmm.

We did nothing today. It was just another day. The guys from the phone company were here early on to make some changes...that was the extent of "company". TV sucked tonight and it rained like the dickens during our last walk with Finn.

These pictures are where he ended up after running through the house to dry off! He's the light of my life! Thank goodness for the FinnMan!

More of the same to come. We don't shop for gifts. We are strictly dieting again (so we can be gorgeous for the wedding this summer) so we don't eat out or indulge at home. I don't bake for the same reasons. There are things we can do, but mostly we don't.

I might be able to talk him into a movie next week...that could be fun.

I sure wish it would snow.

I hate the holidays. :(

I have such fond memories of the ones back home. The Bell Choir and the A Capella concert at the Episcopal church with Father Ron. The baking. Taking little goodie trays to the Bank, the Post Office and Hairdresser and such. Shopping with Jennifer and Mom. It was a fun filled time full of good things, joy and love. We would sing Christmas tunes and play Uno or Yahtzee until way into the night. Dad always knew what his gifts were even if we tried to disguise the packaging...he ALWAYS knew. It was a hoot!!

Those were fun times where family meant the most and being together was the best time of the whole year.

Always exhausted after all the fun and usually glad it was over...but each year was full of tradition and happy times...I sure miss those days.

Holidays suck!

2010-11-16T15:43:00.000-08:00

Now is the time when I have to start mentally preparing myself for another holiday season without my family. Lonely and empty are the days ahead when I should be home having fun and baking goodies and wrapping presents and singing holiday tunes and shopping and going to holiday events and concerts and being surrounded by people I love.

I hate the holidays here. I struggle to make it through alive.

Finn...the supermodel!

2010-11-05T22:16:00.000-07:00

We just got home from his grooming today and he went directly to his mat by the patio doors and posed for pictures...this little guy is just the light of our lives!! We are so lucky to have found him :)!

Our sweet Blackie is gone...Rest in Peace

2010-10-22T16:23:00.001-07:00

We had to put down Blackie today. He had cancer and was failing fast. It was not a choice we liked making but knew it was the right thing to do. We will miss him. He was 18 years old.

More FinnMan Pictures...he's just soooo cute!

2010-10-18T12:50:00.001-07:00

OK, he's adorable!! I can't help but post lots of pictures of our little guy. We adore him! He does the cutest things...truly one of a kind!

Pumpkin Topiary

2010-10-18T12:47:00.001-07:00

Rick and I made this pumpkin topiary this week!! It's amazing what a few dollars and some copper pipe will create! We think it looks great. It is less likely that they will steal these pumpkins, too!

Views from my homeland....What beauty!

2010-09-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

I keep getting these pictures from home on the Black Hills Facebook page and keeping them for myself. This place on earth is the most beautiful place in the world!! These photographers are also amazing in their eye for the beauty! I thought I would share them with you...there's no place like home. :)

Fogerty concert was AWESOME!

2010-09-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

The John Fogerty concert on Wednesday night was the BEST concert, by far, that we have been to at Rama. He and his band are amazingly talented. I have never seen a person play a guitar like he does. He rocked Rama!!

This is a lifetime dream fulfilled. I never thought I would ever get to see him perform live. I am thrilled to have the opportunity!! He was just awesome!

Now, if Phil Collins and Sting would grace us with their concerts at Rama...I would be a very happy woman!

It pisses me off!!

2010-09-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

I have recently become keenly aware of the state of the place I live. We have been yelled at for standing in our front yard chatting with neighbors. Lisa (from 508) thinks we should change our habits as to not interfere with hers. She is the neighborhood bitch....a terrible nasty bitch with one of those Canadian" false senses of superiority" that I have become so familiar with. I have been yelled at by her on a previous occasion for putting out my recycling too loudly. Then we can't stand and chat with neighbors on the street corner because the neighborhood bully dog Hunter and his military-like owner (Whom our little Finn has no use for) changes her walking time and causes a huge stir of barking and name calling. We scoop up Finn and run back inside. It's ridiculous! I hate having to be afraid of being accosted in my own neighborhood!! We avoid Hunter and the "Sarge" at all costs and then she changes her time and it's a free for all!! Jeeze!!

I miss the peacefulness of Lead. The nice people and respectful humans that would give you the shirt off their back if you were in need. I miss kindness...simple kindness. It's a very sad state of affairs here. People are out for themselves and if you are in their way...watch out!! They will step right on you to get where they are going.

Being a passenger is awful. It's a crap shoot every time we head out into traffic. There is yelling, honking and lots of dirty looks...and that's just Rick!! It's terrifying....yes, I might become a recluse. It could happen.

I just hate it here. I miss the calmness of home...I miss being surrounded by loving, friendly people. I miss kindness. I miss humanity. There is no such thing here...and I am afraid if it was ever here, it is long gone. I am trapped in this chaos.

KYLE BUSCH makes history!!

2010-08-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

My man, Kyle Busch, made history tonight. Wednesday he won the truck race, from the back, mind you. Friday night he won the Nationwide race. Tonight he won the Cup race....all at Bristol Motor Speedway. It's NEVER been done before in the history of NASCAR! Never. Kyle is the best driver that has ever been in this sport. He races them if they are broken, wrecked or junk and he wins!! He is an amazing talent.

Brad Keselowski is a cry baby. Let's see if he ever, in his entire career, comes up to the numbers that Kyle has accomplished already in his very short career so far. Kyle rocks!

This amazing kid deserves every stat and broken record he gets...he earns them ALL!!

Bradford Car Show

2010-08-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

This was fun!! They had a really sweet collection of rides at this show. I, of course, love the Chevelles and the Vets, but they had some cool ones that I haven't seen in years...including the Knight Rider car...Kit and a Gremlin of all things. Pretty fun night in Bradford! Finn had a good time, too! Lots of people and rock and roll...what could be better!!

Help...

2010-08-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

I really need to be with my own kind.....

Dog Park Video

2010-08-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

The dog park....it's been fun. Soon we will go again! Finn is still on leash, but we are gonna give it a try off soon.

The Finn Mobile

2010-08-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

Now that I can finally upload videos again...I thought I would add the FinnMobile video. It's just too cute not to share.

We were walking such little distances because Finn couldn't do the long ones so we decided to look into something to carry him in...we found this. We are affectionately calling it the FinnMobile and he loves it!! We are back to walking the 6 miles instead of 2 and enjoying it more than ever. It took him no time to get used to letting us know when he wanted to ride and when he wanted to walk. The thing has a cargo area where we can carry his poop bags and water bowl and jug. It's just the perfect solution to our dilemma!!

We do get the looks. People want to know if the stroller is for him when he's not in it...some just smile. It's been a grin...

Now if the heat and humidity will get to a more normal level we can get back to our everyday walks on the Tom Taylor Trail. We have had to be pretty hit and miss because of the heat. It's not good for any of us!! Rain tomorrow and we can take a day off...it's been a wild week!! We are always busy and now we need a day of rest.

The Beach Boys concert at Rama

2010-08-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

These guys were fabulous at Rama last night!! As good of sound as they ever had. I noticed a few new band members (for the higher parts) that were added. Brian Wilson was not there. The drummer was magnificent...I have never seen someone having such a great time working!! :)

They did all their good ones and a few new ones. They sang well!! We checked them out and they are nearly 70 years old and still out touring. What a group!!

We were comped these tickets for joining their players club. The seats were far at the back but we really had good vision as you can tell by the video. It was a rocking kind of night. The crowd was in their mid to late 60's and they were having a ball...my guess is that most of them got to see these guys when they were in their hay day way back when.

It was just a fun night....

Fogerty next month!!

Healthy two!

2010-08-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

Rick and I were talking this morning and it's been four and a half years since he had any symptoms of his disease!! No symptoms at all...we are lucky two!!

Dermatomyositis...scary enough word. Scary disease.

His checkups are always good. His meds have been reduced. His blood work is always in the proper ranges. He has been off the nasty prednisone for years.

I think eating right, being active and being happy have made all the difference.

The Beach Boys concert coming up this week!!

John Fogerty in September!

Rock on Karla Kay!

Appreciate the Black Hills...

2010-07-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Just a note to all my American friends back home in the Black Hills of South Dakota...Appreciate that fact that you can get service without attitude or incompetence there. That is NOT the case in Canada...

This Maytag repair guy (that just left our home) might as well have just said, "Our products are shit. You will just have to live with frozen lettuce and zucchini. There's nothing I can do." His idea of fixing the freezing issue we have been having was to turn down the temperature from 46 to 38 and monitor it... Well, I have turned it up to avoid the freezing issues...what the heck did he think turning it back down (without making any other changes) was gonna do?? Hmmmm. I would just be monitoring the freezing of our food!!

I pushed him into calling the service headquarters and THEY knew exactly what to do to recalibrate the fridge. They talked him through a simple keypad series of numbers and TA DA it's recalibrated! Hopefully there will be no more freezing.

Now he has to come back with a new part because the reason it was leaking on the floor is because the drain tray is cracked. Oh, joy...

Jeeze...amazing how pitiful service people are here. We have had terrible experiences with them. I must say, however, our computer guy, Mel is fantastic!! (Of course, Mel built our computers and he knows his product) AND the guy who repairs our treadmill and elliptical is really good.

We are always leery of having to call these people in. Rick and I have done many things to avoid it, but there are times we can't do anything and we have to call. Such as today...we have dreaded it ever since we made the appointment.

The Sham Wow has done it's job...that's what I have been using under the fridge to soak up the leaking so that it didn't cause any other damage. I changed it everyday. I wrung out the wet one, hung it to dry and then replaced it when needed.

Appreciate what you have at home!! The Black Hills is heaven compared to Canada.

Choose to be happy...

2010-07-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

I have those four words posted on the desk top of my computer. I am greeted with those words daily. It just recently came to me and is such a simple concept. I wonder why I haven't gotten it before.

I KNOW that I will never be able to control my weight like I want to.

I KNOW there will never be enough money to do the things we want to do.

I KNOW that I have no control over other people's thoughts or opinions.

I KNOW that I won't be able to move back to South Dakota any time soon.

I KNOW that I won't ever love living in Canada.

I KNOW that I can never have my house with a laundry room and no stairs.

BUT...I can choose to love being with Rick and Finn. I can choose to enjoy everything we do together. I can choose to love the life we have here...

I can choose to be happy just the way we are. :)

Heat and rain...summer is going by too fast!!

2010-07-19T22:46:00.001-07:00

I know that I haven't been here enough lately. It's been a busy and strange summer. Rick and I and Finn have just been going and going!! It's been fun.

We found a dog park where we go and let Finn play with other dogs. He is still on a leash but we hope we can release him one day soon. We go along by the seat of our pants. They tell us that dogs are pack animals and won't run when they are with their kind...we shall see. That is my biggest fear....that he will get loose and we will never see him again.

We have seen lots of movies this summer. The Book of Eli, The Blind Side, The Informant, The Hurt Locker and several more. The Time Travelers Wife was amazing and sweet. I cried through the Blind Side...it was fabulous! We are going to see (at the theater) Inception tomorrow...Dicaprio's next best hit.

We went to see John Cougar Mellencamp last Tuesday!! Oh, my gosh...he and his band rocked the house!! They did all my favorite and some new tunes to be released on his new album out in October. He's hot!! and sexy...and they were really good...

Tickets for John Fogerty in September!! Hope he's as good.

It's been HOT, HOT, HOT!! The humidex has been in the 110's for many days. So hot that we stay inside in air conditioned comfort until night falls...even the nights have been miserable. We are in a cooling trend now and have been able to enjoy the outdoors again!! Yay!! We have done the Tom Taylor Trail and even had a picnic at the lake.

The new furnace was installed (the reason why we can't go to South Dakota this year) and it's a good thing. It, of course, works with the air conditioning and we couldn't have done without it with this kind of heat. I guess things happen the way they are supposed to.

We are healthy and fat. Rick got his new hearing aid a few weeks ago and he is hearing things for the first time in 40 years!! It's pretty neat and now our life is down to the normal volume...Yay!! The TV and most conversations were always a level high because of his hearing loss, which was due to a radical mastoid-ectomy when he was 20 years old. He's never done anything to correct it for all these years. Now it's done and he's loving it!! He chose a purple unit and thinks it's just too cool!! :)

The government of Canada gave us some cash. It's an economic stimulus kind of thing...so we went to Leon's and got a new love seat for the main floor....love it, love it, love it!! That's where I get the peace and quiet to read everyday. I have whizzed through several novels already.

James Patterson's Swim Suit

Sandra Brown's Smash Cut

Sandra Brown's Rainwater

Sandra Brown's Play Dirty

ALL were fabulous!! I am just getting started on Joy Fielding's new release The Wild Zone and am just finishing Dean Koontz Relentless...good stuff!!

Anyway, just so you all know that we are alive and well in Canada.

Wish we could be home for a week or so...next year!!

Bye for now! :)

Still can't load this video...Jeeze!

2010-06-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

I guess if you would like to view the video of the FinnMobile...you will have to tune into my Facebook page...

http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/kthompson11

It's a hoot!!

eblogger glitch!!

2010-06-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

It's been two days and I am not able to post this new video of Finn...what the heck?? Anyway, maybe soon I will get it to load...it's a hoot! Stay tuned.

Another fun Friday...Wasaga Beach with Finn

2010-06-05T12:08:00.002-07:00

We made a spur of the moment decision to go for a drive yesterday and ended up at Wasaga Beach with Finn. His first longer car ride and first time on the beach...He did great. The running was a grin to watch and he looked at the water but didn't go in. He made a point of visiting most everyone on the beach and was dog tired when we were through. He curled up on my lap and slept most of the ride home.

It was a fun fun day and now we are resting at peacefully at home awaiting a Nationwide race tonight at Pocono!

The weather has either been rainy or too hot to bear...but we have managed to get our walks in and enjoyed even minute of the sun when it's out!

Fun Friday Night!

2010-05-31T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Schomberg County Fair was a hoot!! We got to see a Demolition Derby Canadian style!! I haven't seen one of those in years. It was really fun. They have this little pit with cement walls where they back into each other at as high a speed as the space allows and Kaboom they crash. There were about 40 entries and about 10 heats. We saw cars on fire and on top of each other and all in great fun.

The midway was the usual fare, but the frozen yogurt shack was outstanding. They made it fresh with fresh fruits. Rick has peach and blueberry and I had blueberry. Really yummy stuff...and before we left we got a bucket of fries...yeah, I did say bucket. They call them chips here. There are chip trucks on every corner in the summer. They douse them with gravy and cheese for a dish they call poutine which I have tried but don't care much for. They are all fresh made from fresh potatoes which are grown right here in the valley.

As we were driving to Schomberg, there were two accidents just about a mile apart which held up traffic for quite some time. Crazy Canadian drivers...but we got the great pleasure to see some of the farm lands. They are planted and being irrigated. Soon there will be fresh broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, blueberries, cabbage and so much more...can't wait for the Farmer's Markets to open!! I love having such clean and fresh foods at our fingertips.

I am working on getting my weight back under control. I am about 50 pounds heavier than I was last year at this time. I am just a food addict. I know it. I wish I could control it. I wish I was different. I hated pulling out those little tiny shorts from last summer to use as a guide for cutting off jeans for this summer...dang!! My jeans today are not tiny or little in any form of those words. I hate being fat. I especially hate bring fat in the summer...I have always wished for a magic cure for being me...when I keep my calorie intake below 1000, I can lose weight...anything more and I am in trouble....and I am in trouble. I hate being me.

Haemochromatosis...

2010-05-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

That is what they think I have. It simply means that my body can't use all the iron it takes in. Strange, but we are told it's genetic and that these levels have been increasing slightly each year since birth until they are finally showing way too high as I am in my 50's.

There is no cure. It can only be treated. The way they treat it is by bloodletting. Yup, I will have to give 2 pints a week for two years and then once a month after that until my levels have decreased to the normal range OR to be transfused. I guess when my blood is taken the white cells produce at a faster rate replacing the iron rich blood with normal blood.

I will be a pin cushion for two years.

It could be so much worse. I think I am lucky that this is all that's wrong with me!! All my other levels were great!! LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, sugars, BP...all excellent!

BUT, now my self taught healthy eating regime that is working and has been for nearly three years has to be reinvented. Everything I know about nutrition will have to be reworked to avoid iron rich foods...yup...there goes my spinach, broccoli, nuts, dark leafy greens, raisins and cereals. The whole fresh and healthy diet will be reduced to a low iron diet. Whew!! I am gonna have to do a lot of research again. Hours and hours or relearning....I am tired already.

The symptoms of this ailment at this point is only tiredness. If left untreated it can cause troubles in my heart, pancreas, liver and joints. The iron deposits there and can lead to terrible things like heart attack, diabetes, cirrhosis, liver cancer and arthritis. The one effect I liked was unexplained weight loss...I wish!

Anyway...we struggle on.

An evening with Kenny Rogers

2010-05-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Who could resist an evening listening to the beautiful music of Kenny Rogers?? We enjoyed ours last night. He is aging. You might even say frail looking. But still sounding good and his backup band was fabulous!! The fiddle player was amazing! He did all his goodies, except Reuben James, which was always one of my favorites. He enlists his audience into singing with him and had a little fun with a particular gentleman named, Rene...who ended up with about $150.00 and a t-shirt! It was a fun night and as you can see by the picture, we had GREAT seats!! 3 rows back and aisle...you can't beat that.

Next up...JOHN MELLENCAMP in July!! Can't wait for that one! Hurt so Good, Little Pink Houses, Jack and Diane, Cherry Bomb, No Expression...this will be my favorite by far!

Finn's new sweater

2010-04-11T22:30:00.001-07:00

Our Finn Man has good friends. Jill, our neighbor, made Finn this really great sweater. He loves it. Nice neighbors are a rare find!! Thanks Jill!!

Finn has had his surgery and the stitches are already out. The head cone was an adventure but we weathered it out. He is doing great. We are, however, waiting for the testosterone to get out of his system...he's still a bit aggressive towards joggers and Hunter (the big shepherd in the neighborhood) and his owner. He barks at them whenever they go by the house and when we are outside...we are told that this will change in the next 6 weeks or so.

The yard is fenced. The grass is seeded. The planter has been deconstructed and paver stones are in it's place... making the entry much more accessible. We are walking about 5 miles a day and loving the sunshine.

The Black One lives under the bed. He's just not adapting to Finn. His kidneys are shutting down now and it's not looking good for much of a future for him. He's 17 years old. He's still eating well and shows no signs of suffering. He's just old.

All is well on Planet Canada.

Grooming Day!

2010-03-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

This was quite a day for our sweet little Finn. He had his first grooming by Y-Son at Barks and Bubbles. He did great!! The hair had to be shaved due to matting so this is NOT what we thought he might look like...but it will grow out and we will keep it groomed so that it doesn't get matted again. Rescues usually haven't been taken care of very well. We will let it grow a bit and decide which length works best for Finn. This one does not as you can see....:)

He was a bit weird after. Didn't want to walk. He was awfully cuddly tonight (which I didn't mind a bit). He was really hungry, too. But after all day long, he is doing just fine. We just got back from our walk. He started out a bit timid, but got back into it fairly quickly. Yay!!

While he was getting groomed, we had time to get his backyard fenced in. We spent a little time out there this afternoon and he loves it!! We are happy and feel like he is very safe there. He will probably never spend too much time alone, but we wanted a place that he could pee without a walk...you know, those early morning pee runs...we now can do that without even putting shoes on... :)!

Life with Finn continues to be an adventure!! What fun he has been.

Finn's new boots!!

2010-03-01T22:04:00.000-08:00

We were having street salt troubles with all the walking we do with Finn so we went to Global and asked about boots...hahaha...here they are. Awwww, just too cute. We put them on him and he never gave them a second thought. He just goes and goes. They really protect his little pads on his feet. Today we did the Tom Taylor trail for a total of 7 miles. He's such a good pooch!!

Tomorrow is vaccination day at the Vet...first round of shots then in two weeks we do a booster and two weeks after that...the dreaded neutering. I can't believe anyone would let a dog go for 4 years without having him neutered. Doing it as an adult might be a bit harder...we shall see. Poor little fella... :(

Finn and The bone...

2010-02-19T23:10:00.000-08:00

Before we brought Finn home, we bought this chew bone for him thinking that all dogs love this kind of thing...right?? Well, he ignored it. Just looked at it and walked away. So we figured that our Finn wasn't going to be a typical pooch.

Tonight Rick heard this funny noise coming from the foyer. This is what he found. Too adorable not to post...

He's doing very well. The vet gave him a clean bill of health even though he puked in the car that day. We think it was just the stress of being lost and then being moved from the shelter into our home. Today he is much better. We walked about 4 miles and he led the whole way. He's friendly, loves all other dogs and walks on a leash better than most. He's just about perfect....

The potty on the door jamb makes him not quite so perfect. We are working on that now. LOTS of potty trips and treats when he pees outside. It won't be long and he will get it. He's a quick study.

Thank heaven for the "Little Green Machine" we got with the new carpeting...that little carpet cleaner has saved a lot of sick cats stains and now Finn stains. Yay!!

I laughed tonight. We were watching Stacey and Clinton on What Not to Wear...Rick fell asleep. Pretty soon...there is this snoring sound coming from him and soon after that another snoring sound...this one coming from Finn. What a grin!! They were snoring in unison...hahaha.

I smiled and thought this is what life is supposed to be about...being loved and peaceful days.

Finnegan is here!!

2010-02-16T21:59:00.000-08:00

Finnegan Lee is here. He is a 4 year old rescue from the Georgina Animal Control. He's just been wonderful today. Somebody loved him once. It's obvious. He's well behaved and can follow simple commands. He walks on a leash well and is just perfect for us. He hasn't uttered a sound (except while he was sleeping) since he got here.

They are guessing he is a poodle/bishon friese mix. Our vet will tell us more on Thursday.

The Black one...Blackie, our 17 year old cat is not too thrilled...but he will adapt. He can be a real poop around dogs. He is already coming out a bit more to check out this strange creature we have brought home... :)

Recycling and Green Bin in Canada...

2010-02-11T21:06:00.000-08:00

In Canada, we recycle most EVERYTHING!! From glass, boxes, paper and cans to Kleenex, dirty diapers, table scraps and animal poop. Yes, I did say animal poop. We collect all of our cat's scoopings and put them into a compostable bag and send it to the Green Bin collection weekly. That green bin collection is made into compost for the farmers. It's a great concept and seems to work well.

Anyway, it can become quite a task to keep things collected and neat before weekly collection. Rick and I saw these neat pull out bins at the new Bed, Bath and Beyond here in town and thought they would be great! They are...makes life easier. :)

It's funny how such simple things can make me smile.

Some more comic relief!!

2010-02-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

We've got Whoopie Goldberg tickets for the 26th of March!! We are really excited about these. She is the best and it's nice to be able to add her to our collection of comedian performers seen at Casino Rama!! Yay...this will be a great time!

Mitten's Roses

2010-01-21T00:04:00.001-08:00

We needed a little beauty in the sadness and emptiness of our home since Mittie died. We bought these beautiful orange roses. They are lovely and they smell very nice. I will plant a rose bush, in that color, for the garden in her memory. It's been awfully quiet and lonely here without her these last few days. Time will make it better. The Black One (Blackie) is missing her something awful, too. He wanders around looking for her.

Mittens

2010-01-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

For the past several months, I have been nursing our aging cat, Mittens. (Seems like I am destined to always be caring for someone sick or elderly.) She is a delight. She is sweet and cute, but these days things are pretty sad. She yowls all night long as if she's hungry. I go down and feed her tidbits and then she settles down a bit. We are playing spa music for her 24/7 now as it seems to have a calming effect. She can't hit the potty box...hasn't been able to for months. We have mounted a light there because we thought, at first, that she couldn't see her toilet. But the peeing "near" the box continued. So we have taken to putting down training pads (like they use for puppies) all around the little box. It helped some but now she isn't even trying anymore. It's sad. I have to wipe her bottom and her feet after she goes to the potty as she is unsteady and steps into her own waste and then carried it through the house. She doesn't clean herself anymore. She wobbles when she walks and seems constantly confused, but not in pain. She still comes to me when she needs to be held and purrs like she never has before when I coddle her. I love her. She is very precious.

BUT...tomorrow she takes her final ride. We have made the decision to put her down. It's been months since we talked to the vet about her and their suggestion, then, was to have her put down, but I just didn't have the heart to do it. This morning she pees on our bathroom rug for the second time. She is starting to not have control over her bladder anymore. I guess it's time to let her go. It's a HARD decision. She will be missed.

Avatar

2010-01-12T23:30:00.000-08:00

We saw "Avatar" at the Newmarket Cineplex today! WOW! I can't tell you how absolutely amazing this movie is. The story is wonderful and the graphic and animation are out of this world...The 3D was something to be talked about forever!! We were spellbound throughout this entire film. It was awesome!

I hope it kicks ass at the Oscars!

Kudos James Cameron.

Happy New Year!!

2009-12-31T13:01:00.000-08:00

Rick and I have had the best year!! We are happy and healthy and looking forward to more of the same in 2010. Our trips last year were fantastic!! We LOVED the races at Michigan and our "secretive and undercover" trip to surprise Mom on her birthday!! It was all just so great!!

We rode bikes, got caught in a few rain storms, walked 1000 miles, got great tans and enjoyed every minute together!! Life sure is good these days...we couldn't be happier (well, if I was 30 lbs lighter, maybe) ;)

We start our weight loss goals again tomorrow. Back to our hard workouts and healthier eating practices. We have both gained weight and need to be slimmer...we will do it. Together, Rick and I are powerful...we can do anything!!

Now, if we can just get some snow and some sunshine, all will be good with our world!

Farmville, Cafe World and PS3 Grand Theft Auto IV

2009-12-21T00:30:00.000-08:00

OK, we are hooked on these silly games. Rick is also loving the Fish World and Fish Life...selling sharks like crazy!! My little farm is so cute and it's growing. Rick's is growing now, too. Facebook has gotten us addicted!!

Grand Theft Auto IV is a blast. I bought Rick a PS3 for Christmas and he decided he would like to try this Grand Theft thing...well, it's FUN!! We have been up until 3:00 AM for two nights now just trying to get Niko through a job or two. It's just silly fun!!

Christmas coming sooner than we expected. We got our usual toys for the toy drive and it ended last week!! Duh...hey, we are retired and just having fun, we can't be expected to remember time frames.... :) !! So today we will have to head for the Salvation Army to find a place to donate. I am betting they will be happy to take them.

We are seeing "Avatar" on Tuesday. This is a James Cameron film and Rick has been excited about it for months!! We saw "Brothers" two weeks ago. Well done film!! It really hit me and I cried for the last half hour. Very sad. If you have soldiers ...it might not be one for you.

Quiet Christmas for us again this year. Rick's family is even spread out this year, too. His daughter Karen is in Banff, BC and won't be home for the holidays. He called this week and things are going very well for her there.

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!! Hope you are all safe and surrounded by love!!

Food Addiction

2009-12-18T15:46:00.000-08:00

I am addicted to whole grain breads, cake, cookies, cereal and ice cream.

The world could stop making these things!

Who am I kidding??

2009-12-11T21:01:00.000-08:00

I am a fat woman...inside and out! Who am I kidding that I think I can stay thin forever?? I am fat and clunky and I just can't seem to control it. I am a food-a-holic. It doesn't matter how happy I am or how at peace I am with my life. I am a sick person who just can't control eating!! God help me....If I keep going, I will be as big or bigger than I was two years ago!! I walk every day on the treadmill. I still am lifting weights. We are active and we are happy. But my eating is out of control and I just can't seem to get a handle on it!...maybe I never will.

Damn.

Snow and cold have arrived in Newmarket!! Yuk! :(

2009-12-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

November thus far...

2009-11-24T11:29:00.000-08:00

We have been busy. Our 4th Anniversary was wonderful. We had a nice evening out....Mandarin...oh, so good. We bought a new table for the entertainment room. As the picture shows, it opens up so we can eat on it or play on it, It's just the best thing ever!! We love it! Being retired...we can eat downstairs on front of the TV instead of in the dining room on the main floor. It's nice to be able to do whatever we want.

Robin Williams was fabulous!! He is as good as he ever was. We laughed until we cried. He looks good...maybe a bit thin...but is in top form.

Our treadmill and elliptical are finally repaired. So we are back on our workout schedule every night. I can't tell you how much I missed them!!

I bought Rick the new PS3 Beatles Rock Band for Christmas. He's had a few hours of rocking out to his favorite band!! He got to see them in person many years ago in Toronto.

The weather has been good. We are just now getting a bit of cooler and cloudier skies.

I am missing Thanksgiving...again...at home. We haven't had a "family" Thanksgiving in years. I am sure they are all enjoying the preparations and the fun.