Saturdays

As a kid I remember watching Saturday morning cartoons. all morning in my pj's. This was when there actually was something to watch on TV.

It was also time that I spent with my Dad. He drove a fuel truck and on the Saturdays he worked I would get to ride along. It was so cool! Sitting in the big rig convincing my Dad to blow the air horn. When he wasn't at work, we would be together in the kitchen... baking... yes baking. We would make cakes, brownies but my favourite was cupcakes. ahh I felt like such a grown up!

As a teen, my Saturdays became a refuge from the week of school and a time to not only sleep most of the day away but a time to be alone. Which I now realize makes up my personality.

Going forward a few years my Saturdays changed with the arrival of my kids and my Saturdays became a time for them to watch cartoons, help in the kitchen, and lounge around most of the day in their pj's. I didn't really have alot of time to myself. How quickly times change.

Last Saturday was one such day. I had the whole day/house to myself to do what I wanted, when I wanted. Or even better to do nothing at all. ^.^ (Except jazzercise, I joined a another session and it meets Saturday morning from 8-9 as well as Wednesday evening 7-8.)

As I mentioned, last Saturday I came home to an empty house. well as empty as a house can be with two dogs.



After doing three loads of laundry and hanging it out on the wash line, cleaning the main floor of the house, I sat and read a book, took the dogs for a walk, watched a movie, and really enjoyed my day.
But by 4:00 I was ready more than ready to have the boys home. (Kyle & Darcy were both at a friends, and Wayne was gone to a crokinole tournament)

I guess this is one those times that I need to learn to enjoy the season of life that I find myself in, because before I know it or am ready for it, the season will change.

Blessings

Being girls

Last week on Thursday, I decided to go and visit with Krystle. With her living away from home these past few years I find that our time together is few and far between. She had been home about two weeks ago and I was really missing her.

So rather than bemoan the fact that I wasn't seeing enough of her, I made the trek to Cambridge to spend a few hours with her. It was wonderful! We spent some time at dorm visiting and of course we made a Starbucks run. One of the great things about Starbucks besides the the Tazo Chai Tea Lattes is the atmosphere. We were able to sit and chat for more than 2 hours without feeling any pressure to leave. Before we knew it, it was time to grab some supper. We had previously decided to eat at the school cafeteria, so we headed back to the school. It was great! Krystle & I shared a BLT (they ran out of tomato so we improvised and had bacon, lettuce & turkey) it was quite tasty. Back at dorm we (or should I say she) chatted some more and before I knew it or was ready for it, it was time to head for home.

I cannot believe how quickly the time went. This would be one of those moments I wish I could freeze-frame and enjoy longer.

I find that living with all men, I really need my girl time. I am so thankful to have a daughter and even more thankful that our relationship is as strong as it is.

I know I've said this before but I feel truly blessed to have such a great friendship with my daughter.
Love ya Krys!

Blessings

Dine & Dash - Cuban Style

ok, funny story... at the resort we stayed at it was 'all-inclusive'. This means that we had already paid for everything at the resort prior to ever getting there, all our food, drinks, tips, and activities, the whole deal. well not souvenirs At this resort however, we noticed many people tipping the waitstaff & bartenders.

During our stay we had the opportunity of eating at 3 of the 6 a la carte restaurants.

On Thursday night (our last night) we ate at the Italian Restaurant. We were a little early and had hoped to get in. The maitre d' informed Wayne quite gruffly that our table was not ready and we'd have to wait. Ok, no problem we thought. So we sat outside the restaurant sipping a drink.

This is a Banana Mama - can't tell you what's all in it, I just know it tastes pretty good.

So while we wait I happened to look in the restaurant and noticed alot of tables that were all set-up but not in use. After 1/2 hour the maitre d' tells us our table was ready. So we go in and lo and behold our table was one of the ones that was already set from the time we first got there. I was a little annoyed.

After realizing that he (Mr. Gruff maitre d') was going to be our waiter, he started to pour on the charm. We figured he was trying to work the tip. As the evening progressed Wayne & I started to feel a little guilty that we hadn't brought any money along.

As we finished our dessert we were trying to figure out how to get out of the restaurant without Mr. Gruff seeing us, so we waited until he went into the kitchen for another order and we dashed for the door. We quickly hid behind the archway, laughing so hard I had to..... anyway, when the way became clear we quickly left. Oh that was fun!

So we dined & dashed Cuban style. It still causes me to smile when I think of that night.

Blessings

Cuban Holiday 2

We stayed at Tryp Resort in Cayo Coco, Cuba. On this particular island there is only the airport and the resort hotels. No villages, no houses, not much of anything else. I really liked the quietness of the place.

The view of the sunsetting from the patio door of our room.


An the entrance to the Main dining room, these statues were standing there. I had to look a couple of times to see if they were alive or not. They did not move, nor blink, for several minutes. But yes, they are alive.


Along the many winding paths throughout the resort we came across this hacienda.


There was a pond in the middle of the resort that was home to Pink Flamingos.

We also heard and only saw once a peacock. But unfortunately the time we did find it I did not have my camera with me.

Wayne & I standing by the pool bar.


We would definitely return to Cayo Coco and to this resort again. It was a wonderful time away.

Blessings

Cuban Holiday

We left for Cuba on March 6 at 1:00am as our flight left from the Toronto Airport at 6:00am. We had to check in at the kiosks (to receive our boarding passes) before entering the line to check our baggage.

After getting through customs, we waited 1 1/2 before boarding the plane. After flying 3 1/2 hours we arrived in Cuba around 10:00am. It took us only a few minutes to get our luggage, walk through Cuban customs and drive to our resort.

The main lobby of the building

An outdoor restaurant


The Beautiful Beach

- the sand was so warm.

The Beach Bar.


more photos to come.

Blessings

Our Tryp

Wayne & spent a wonderful week away at Tryp Resort in Cayo Coco, Cuba.

We got home in the early morning hours and I'm taking a short break from laundry to write a quick note.

When ever I'm away from my kids a natural question for me to ask is 'did you miss me?' and the normal response is 'no'.

However this time I asked the boys whether or not they had missed me and much to my surprise and delight they both said 'yes'. I guess the old adage is true absence makes the heart grow fonder.

After returning home from a previous holiday (the boys had been left home alone) the whole house was a disaster, so I informed the boys that it better not happen again. As we arrived in the wee hours of the morning, I had prepared myself for the worst and much to my surprise the house was clean. And yes both boys admitted that their sister had come home and tidied up the house. thanks kryssi

I'll post more pictures another time, right now I need to keep at the laundry.

Blessings

It's official

I'm sooo excited.

I can finally announce that Krystle and Gerard are engaged to be married. He proposed on Christmas eve and I'll let Krystle tell that story - check out her blog.

I was patiently (as good as I can) waiting for her to blog about it so that I can announce it too. ^.^

They're planning to marry on June 26, 2010. This gives us more than enough time to make arrangements, plan ideas and of course change our minds a few times before final decisions are to be made.

We (Krystle, Mary Ellen [Gerard's mom] & I) went to a Bridal show in Cambridge, oohh it was so much fun. We had an absolutely wonderful time together, and the bonus was that we got even more ideas to think about.

This will be such an exciting year for all of us.

Blessings