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One step closer to Old…or how I spent my 30th birthday (heavy on the pictures!)

Published August 23, 2012 by S

So, I am officially in my 30’s. I have lived 3 decades on this planet, and am now the age that my Mother was when she had me.

My husband had planned a surprise for me for the evening. My only knowledge was the email he sent me last Friday telling me that I needed to have “something fancy” and be quick getting ready after work. After asking questions to determine the level of fancy I settled on this dress that I wore 2 summers ago to my best friend’s wedding, but different shoes though. It’s rare that I find a dress that I really like, so I’m glad I held on to this one.

I really love this dress!

I managed to leave work an hour early to come home and get ready. (Thanks Jenn!!) Not much to do really except shave my legs, but well, I’m a woman and I wanted to fiddle with my hair as well. I really suck at doing my own hair, so it just stayed down and got a good brushing and that was that. Half way through dressing Mike called to say he was running late and could I pick up Jack from daycare…so I hurried to throw on the first thing I could find as I was only half-dressed and brought Jack home.  When I got home my beautiful daughter brought me a rose from the garden.

Anyways, Mike was just a few minutes behind me and obliged in zipping me up before heading out. So we hopped on the QEW and headed to Niagara Falls. Part way there Mike needed me to look up which street we needed to access the parking lot, so I learned then that he had made a reservation in the Revolving restaurant in the Skylon tower. *INSERT GLEEFUL SQUEELING HERE*

Skylon Tower (Niagara Falls, On)

I had totally forgotten that years ago when we started dating I told Mike I’d love to go there sometime. It took 11 years, but he remembered this whole time, and scored some major Husband points for this surprise.

So we got to the Skylon, and took good ol’ elevator number 3 up to the restaurant. We didn’t have to wait long before we were seated right next to the window. We did ask the Maitre D to take a picture of us together though first, since we never get all dressed up just for fun, and even then we really never get a picture or us together. Between the 2 of us we took a lot of pictures tonight. The weather was amazing and view perfectly clear so we did manage some really nice shots.

 

Ok, now food. The nights special was Surf and Turf. An 8oz angus steak along with a 5 lb Lobster tail. Mike is more of a crab guy, and I’ve never been a fan of seafood, but I’ll admit I did hem and haw at giving it another go. The menu did a really good job of selling it after all.

Drinks:

Mike – Diet coke (no ice!)

Me – Peach Bellini (Jamaican rum blended with fresh peaches and topped with champagne)

Appetizers:

Mike – A Scallop dish

Me – Tomato and Cucumber Salad (w/boccechini cheese and olives) in a herbed oil dressing

Main Course:

Mike – Grilled Salmon served on Rice with steamed Veggies, and a side of Mushrooms

Me – Angus steak (Medium rare) with potato and veggies  (Yes, I’m a carnivore!  Deal with it!  lol)

Totally delicious!! I can’t remember the last time I stuffed myself like that.

As we ate we enjoyed the amazing view.  We spend a lot of time down there, but its a whole new thing seeing it from up above like that. Here are a bunch of those pictures.

Canadian Horseshoe Falls

Mike and the Rainbow

American Falls, and the Rainbow Bridge

Clifton Hill (from the back)

 

In the bar area (near the elevator bay) they have a pianist playing for the dinner guests.  You only hear him for 1/4 of the time you are there because once you go past a certain point in the rotation you are cut off from him.  He played some interesting medleys and interpretations of well known songs.  Among them I recognized “All I ask of you” from The Phantom of the Opera, The song from Charlie Browns Christmas movie, and of course…Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”. There were also rather normal versions of classics like “Embrace me”, and “A Kiss is still a Kiss”.

I will forever think of him as “Piano Man”

We decided to skip dessert since I was just to full to even consider it, and planned to go walking the tourist area a bit and then stop at my favourite Williams Coffee Pub for a slice of cheesecake on the way home.  Don’t even get me started on the elevator operator with the crazy long hair, and mustache telling jokes and making odd comments the whole way down.

On the way back to the car we caught part of this summers “Spectacle”.  Since the whole thing with Nick Walenda walking a tightrope over the falls this summer, they started having this other guy do a nightly walk from the top of the Skylon across to the top of the Hilton hotel.  Yes he is wearing a tether.

 

 

It was quite the attraction.  There were people randomly standing in groups watching, and even a family sitting on lawnchairs in the middle of a parking lot next to their RV.

 

 

 

So after watching that for a couple of minutes, we drove to Clifton Hill, and parked behind the shop where Mike used to work. We ran in to say a quick hello to his old boss (Hi Mandi!) and then headed out on the Hill. Just walked in and out of a few shops and then up and down the hill once enjoying the perfect weather.

Just as we got back to the car, I got a birthday call from my big brother, and after a quick chat we headed across town to Williams. Just as we got there I got a call from my Nana, but eventually we made it in and ordered. Mike got a special cookie and a Coke Zero, while I chose a slice of White Chocolate Mousse cake to go.

Next stop on the way home was quite random. Mike had to stop at the card/collectibles shop he go to for tournaments to have a quick chat with the owner about something. When we got there we ran into our amazing friend Karl (Love ya Karl!). While Mike chatted to the owner, I rummaged through a bin labelled “Retro Collectibles” and to my delight found an unopened Geordi LaForge figurine!

Ya baby! Ya!

Now, I’m a pretty big Trekkie so this to me was awesome, especially since on Sunday Mike and I are headed to “Fan Expo” in Toronto where Mr. Levar Burton is scheduled to appear.

So anyways, I picked it up and turned around to have this conversation with Karl:

Me: This is awesome! And he’s going to be at Fan Expo this weekend!

Karl: Want me to buy it for you for your birthday?

Me: Really? That would be awesome! You sure?

Karl: Yup.

So that’s how I ended up with a 1988 unopened Geordi LaForge figurine. It is my first piece of real memorabilia, and if I’m lucky I just might get it signed on Sunday. Maybe not, but I’m going to try!

I also seem to have impressed the store owner with my Trekkie leanings, so I think I’m in the circle of trust now.

Next stop…

Because no evening with us is complete with Walmart!

So we randomly stopped at Wal-Mart for a fridge calendar, and then again at…

…that’s right, Sobey’s, to get the soap that we didn’t think to buy at Wal-Mart.

And after all that, I came home to regale my Mom with the tales of this evenings adventures and to thank her for watching the kids while Mike took me out.

Thank you Mikey for my very special birthday surprise! It was amazing!

What kind of Forest?

Published February 10, 2012 by S

While our shopping with my mother for an upcoming family wedding, we made a final stop at a shoestore and came across these insulated rubber boots.

20120210-120249.jpg

Mom: Oh! Those would be good. But I don’t know how waterproof they would be with a zipper there.

Me: Well, the zipper is a good 6 inches from the ground. I don’t think it would be a problem.

Mom: Unless I was standing in really deep puddles.

Me: Where on earth are you going to be standing in puddles deeper then 6 inches?

Mom: Oh you know. Maybe in the Pancake forest.

Me: ……the what?

Mom: You know, the pancake forest.

Me: Um…no.

Mom: Yes you do, with all the maple stuff.

Me: You mean, the Maple Sugar bush?

Mom: Ya, the pancake forest.

(and just so that you don’t think my Mom is crazy…we live in Ontario and have dedicated Maple sugar forest areas. When they start the harvest every winter they open the “Sugar Bush” to the public, giving guided tours, demonstrations and yes, pancake breakfasts all day long. Its quite a treat around here actually.)

Happy Halloween!

Published October 31, 2011 by S

Happy Halloween my friends!  I don’t have much to say, but wanted to share a few pictures.  But first…

My musical holiday tribute!

Now for my family pictures!

On Saturday my Mom came to spend the day with us.  I thought that she would enjoy helping us carve our pumpkin since she hasn’t done that in at least 15 years, or at least since I stopped needing supervision with knives.)  She also made a valuable assistant when creating my 7ft tall prop (which you will see in the pictures!

No matter how old she gets...its still ALL about the plastic bowl hat with her!

Even Grandma got in on it =)

"Gutting" the guest of honour!

Happy Jack!

Jack decided to play with Grandmas camera...Hi Daddy!

I traced and Mike Carved

Finished product...The design was Haylee's choice out of the stencil book.

Light effects

"My Spoon is to big!" ... "I am a Banana!"

Now for the actual Halloween night Costume pics!

I vant to suck your Blood!!!

Family shot as we head out for Trick or Treating

Fun times were had by all, and lots of sugary treats were obtained!

I hope the rest of you have a safe and happy Halloween!

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PS – If anyone is curious about the spoon and banana thing check out the link below:

~Rejected by the Amazing Don Hertzfeld~

10 Years…I Miss you Dad!

Published September 13, 2011 by S

10 years ago today, my father passed away.

I miss him just as much today as I did that first day. There will be days when I will think of him, and still have to remind myself that he’s gone.

I feel sad everytime I think of the things that he has missed being a part of.  My highschool graduation, my first job, my wedding, and my kids most of all.

I see him in my kids though.  Mostly in small ways, but to me they are unmistakable. I see him in the way my daughter squints her eyes when she smiles, and I see his personality in my son from time to time.  He was always ready for a good laugh, or to sing along with the radio.

When I was a kid, he was always a phone call away. If I needed a ride somewhere or forgot my house key he’d be home in a flash to help me out. He would take me bowling or to the driving range…even to the Fort Erie racetrack when the weather was nice.

I remember him teaching me to tie my shoes, and how to catch a pop-fly. He drove me to all my piano and horseback riding lessons and came on school trips whenever his schedule allowed. Some of my happiest memories were of us just driving in the car belting out classic songs like “American Pie” or “Hard Days Night”.   He was always so great with my friends. He would treat us to McMuffins after sleepovers, and drive us to the movies.

I was so proud of him for starting his own business and also for going back to school in his 40’s to become a Palliative Care worker.  He had a big heart and so many people came up to me at his funeral and told stories of how he helped them out of some really tough places in life.

I love my Dad.  It doesn’t matter that he’s not alive and living on Earth, I still love him.

Dad in his "Magnum PI" phase...circa 1990

Christmas Morning 1995...see the father/daughter coke bottles?! LoL

RIP Daddy!

~Sept 7, 1950 – Sept 13, 2001~

A most familiar pose to anyone that knew him

Happy Birth (party) Day Mikey!

Published September 3, 2011 by S

So today we had a party to celebrate Mike’s upcoming 30th birthday.  We had an interesting mix of our family and friends make the trip out here to celebrate with us.  Thank you to everyone who came, and I hope to see you all again soon.

I didn’t take many pictures like I had planned, but I thought I’d post a few that I did.

Happy (almost) birthday Mike!  I love you!

The Cake. Haylee helped to decorate it. =)

Notice how it matches her PJ's?

Awww!

Mike said he didn't want candles...so I guess he has to wish on the star.

Anti-Monopoly - Voted best party game of 2011?

It really is called "Anti-Monopoly". (refer all questions to Mike.)

Happy birthday Mike!

Yes, I let him cop a feel...it is his party after all! LOL

Me in my pretty new top, that I somehow managed to keep clean even though I did the BBQing.

I splurged on some special Goat cheese. Cranberry (left) and Dill (right). Delicious!

This started as a joke...Mike loves Bran muffins, so I told him the other day I would make him a cake made of bran muffin mix. I had meant for his actual birthday since I didn't think it would go over well with our guests, but Mike decided to make it anyway...so Bran Cake for all! (PS the cake in the first picture is a French Vanilla cake, and is what was actually served to our guests...the bran is just for Mike.)

And a quick note to Mike…I would really like “something” done for my birthday next year. So I’m giving you lots of notice and time to plan…Chop chop!

Did you miss me?

Published August 31, 2011 by S

Well if you didn’t miss me, I missed me.  I think its good to have a little self-love every now and then (and I’m not talking in the sexy way  ^_^)

Its been a few busy, and partially upsetting weeks around here and I just haven’t had it in me to write.

First off, for my surrogacy we had our transfer on July 28, but sadly on August 10 we found out that it didn’t take.  So I went off all my meds, and had to wait and see what the next step was.  Luckily I only had to wait a few days for the answer which was go back on the BCP’s for 2 weeks, then stop and on that next cycle we are going to try again.

So I’ll be heading back to the clinic on Sunday (Sept 4th) for my Day 2 tests again, and away we go again!  The only difference is that this time we don’t have to coordinate with an egg donor since we now have frozen embryos waiting for us.  This gives us a little more flexibility in setting the transfer day, which is nice since I have to coordinate my husbands schedule as well.

The next thing that happened was that Mike received some unfortunate and VERY upsetting news from work.  The reason we moved to London was because he was offered a promotion to Assistant Manager in his company for the London location. This meant better pay, guaranteed full-time hours and a benefits plan. We found out on the 18th that in any store that doesn’t meet a certain revenue, they are eliminating the Assistant Manager position. So basically he had his pay reduced, and he was back to being part-time.

As you can imagine Mike and I were both extremely stressed out by this information. We had uprooted our whole family and moved to London just because of this job!  I felt like this whole thing was pointless.  We moved here and in the end were no better off then we were before, except now we are here with no friends, in a city that I honestly just don’t care for. I’d be perfectly happy right now to go back home, but it doesn’t seem to be in the cards.

So we put all our efforts into job hunting. I’d already been applying for part-time positions, so I expanded my search into full-time positions too.  Mike started sending out applications and resumes to any management type job he could find advertised.  Including a company I will currently refer to as “The Place” since we don’t know if he got that job yet.  It’s a successful company that is now expanding into London, and is hoping to open in the next month.

So, he applied to the “The Place” and it took almost a week before he heard anything from them.  They called and set up an interview that according to Mike went very well.  The location is actually a bit closer to home which is nice.  Shortly after the interview with the Regional Manager, the Store Manager went to meet Mike at work, and traded phone numbers.  Then a day or two later, Mike was called by that manager inviting us all out to lunch at a restaurant nearby.

So on Sunday we had a nice brunch with Mikes’ potential new boss, his wife, and one of their daughters who will also be working in the store.  It turns out that the family had run a similar business in that location for about 18 years before deciding to sell the business to “The Place”, and they were kept on to manage the location.  They seem very happy and excited by everything that is going on.

After we ate, they invited us to the location to see the construction that is going on inside and to talk about what the final vision will be.  I take all this as a very good sign, since we really don’t know if Mike has the job yet or not.  The next day Mike had his scheduled 2nd interview which was with the head of the HR department, and we should know by the end of this week one way or another.

Here is a picture that Haylee drew on her napkin at the restaurant. it’s currently hanging on our fridge.  I like it!

Haylees lovely picture!

So those are some of the more major issues we have been dealing with.

A few little side things that came up were:

1) Tornado Warning: Last week was the first tornado warning since moving here.  Apparently we moved to “Tornado Alley” and this is going to be a fairly common occurence.  We didn’t actually get a tornado here, but the storms that day were pretty crazy, and the kids were a little nervous because of things they heard other people saying at the grocery store as we went to get some supplies.  We ended up having to go and pick up Mike at work since he rode his bike into work before knowing about the warnings, and there was NO way I was letting him ride home.  The drive was actually pretty uneventful, with the worst part simply being that we got soaked getting to and from the van.

2) Furry Houseguest: The other night while working on my online Smartserve course, I happened to see something out of the corner of my head near the kitchen door.  I thought I was crazy simply because I was exhausted and my eyes were blurry from being on my laptop for so long with the course.  A few minutes ago I saw it again and with no doubts, we had a mouse.  Mike and I tried to catch it, but I grabbed a poor choice of trap and it got out.  So the next day we went to the store and got a humane Catch and Release style trap and set it up at home. But we haven’t caught the mouse, and I haven’t seen any sign of it since.  Nothing at all!  So maybe it got back out, however it got in.  *shrug*

So that’s it.  Life is crazy…but when isn’t it crazy?

Sterilization and Impregnation…Oh My!

Published July 27, 2011 by S

Ok,  so for the last little while my husband has been very open and vocal about his upcoming Vasectomy.  Well…tomorrow is the big day.

But not only is it Mikes big day, but it is mine as well.  After many months of waiting and hoping, tomorrow is Transfer Day for my surrogacy.  Mike and I like to joke that while he is going to have one man putting a knife to his balls, I’ll be off (hopefully) getting pregnant for 2 other men.

I am very excited for our surrogacy journey to finally get started. I plan to update my surrogacy blog (baby2beforyandc.wordpress.com) tomorrow after the procedure.

As we say in the surrogacy world “Think sticky thoughts for me!”

PS. While doing a very random Google search tonight, I came across a link to this funny clip from Family Guy.

 

Honestly I think that employing Barbershop Quartets for these kinds of situations, could dramatically increase success rates.   I mean come on!  Who doesn’t love an anatomy lesson from 4 men with mustaches singing and dancing?

The Big Move

Published July 8, 2011 by S

Well, here it is July 8th and I’ve been a resident of London for 4 ½ days now.

The move was a little more stressful then I thought it would be.  Packing was a nightmare.  I honestly don’t know how we accumulate so much stuff for 4 people!  But as we went through we managed to get rid of a lot of it.  Donated a lot to Goodwill and also made some money selling some stuff on Kijiji.

I’ll admit I got teary and had a little pout session as I dismantled our crib, and again when the buyer came to pick it up.  Both of my babies slept in that crib.  They chewed the rails when they were teething, and cuddled under their baby blankets listening to their mobiles at night. They would greet us with smiles in the morning reaching up for hugs and kisses.

Yes, I’m the sentimental type.  I have to admit that part of me hoped to see another baby of my own in that crib, but we aren’t thinking about that now.

The marathon packing started on Thursday.  School was finally over and I was no longer babysitting, so I could finally start the real work without worrying about bored children in the house once all the toys were packed.

Mike took the night off from packing to take Miss Haylee to her first real concert.  They enjoyed seeing Katy Perry and I enjoyed a last evening of peace and quiet before all the stress kicked in.

Friday was a half and half day.  We spent half working on packing and the other half enjoying some quiet family time for Canada Day.

Saturday saw me driving a van load of stuff to the new house.  Mike was moving in that night and I decided to unpack whatever we had brought already for him.  I did a little grocery shopping for him as well as driving by Haylee’s new school, before heading home again. Disaster struck 30 minutes into the drive though in the form of a blown out tire. Not just a flat, but a hole in the side of the tire the size of a golf ball!

Help arrived rather quickly though in the form of a CAA driver returning to Hamilton that happened to see me on the side of the 401.  When he pulled up I was on the phone with CAA to arrange for help, so really I count myself lucky to have a zero wait time on service.  From blow out to getting back on the road took about 30 minutes.  Another 20 minutes got me to Woodstock and a Canadian Tire store about 20 minutes before the service department closed, but just enough time to deal with my tire.  I was back on the road about 6pm and headed home.

Sunday was dedicated solely to packing.  I amazed myself with how much I got done.  My Mom came to help me and later in the day Karl as well to help dismantle my Flat screen TV and it’s stand.

Monday was finally moving day.  I knew I would be stressed so asked Mike not to call me that day.  The movers were an hour late which pretty much sent my stress level up 50 points or so, but once they showed up they got right to work.

My brother in law had already come and taken my kids to the park so I didn’t have to worry about them getting trampled or witnessing the mini-scene of the Head mover trying to back out of moving my piano!  I had sent a list of furniture to be moved 2 weeks before the move date, and the Piano was the first item on the list.  He had assured me it wouldn’t be a problem.  Fast forward to moving day where he tells me as he gets there that his hydraulic tailgate is broken and they can’t do it.  I have to say I’m proud of keeping my cool, but did NOT let him off the hook.  He agreed to the job, and knowing what he had to move, he should have shown up with a truck to do the job.  And worst of all was when he started talking down to me and saying, “lets call your husband and he can explain it to you”.  Um…what?  I don’t think so!  I just looked at him and said, “My husband is at work, hence why we hired you.  The piano is my property, not his and you agreed in writing to move it.  We can leave it here, but then I will deduct the cost of hiring another mover from what I agreed to pay you.”

In the end he backed down, but still insisted I find another person to help get it in the truck.  Luckily my brother in law is a strong guy who was willing to help, and the piano made it safely onto the truck.

I could go into more detail about these “interesting” movers, but I think for the sake of my karma I need to move on for now.

So they were an hour late, showing up at 10am, and they finally pulled out of my driveway at 1pm.  They told me to expect them to be about 3-3 ½ hours, so after puttering around my house for another 20 minutes, I took off for London with the kids.  I made incredible time and arrived here about 3:20pm.  I banished the kids to the basement of the new house where all their toys were already and started unloading my van into the house.  I had all our dishes and breakables, not wanting to leave them at the tender mercy of the movers.  So I unloaded, moved the van to the street and had most of the dishes unpacked before my mother in law arrived followed soon after by the movers and then my father in law.

My mother and her new boyfriend also made the drive to help us out. My Mom doesn’t drive on highways so I was grateful to Dave (her boyfriend) for bringing her and helping out as well.  It was the first time I really got to talk to him since he is still so “new” to us, but I take it as a really great sign how well my kids took to him!  They were jumping all over him and Haylee was drawing him pictures and playing some word game with him…

Things got moved, boxes unpacked, beds assembled, pianos placed, and then we all sat down to a delicious roast beef dinner that Mike had so thoughtfully had cooking in the crock pot for us all day.

After a good meal, conversation, and loving goodbyes for our parents, we got the kids bathed and in bed before finally trying to relax a little bit.  Mike moved some more furniture around, and then we spent our first evening together in our new home.

That’s more or less the story of the move. Not to terribly interesting, but smooth enough.  Nothing was broken in transit which was lucky.

Now we just need to keep on unpacking, and get settled. I wonder how long until we are used to being a full-time family again?  I got so used to being on my own 5 days a week with the kids, so I hope I get used to being married again quickly.

So it’s official!  We are now London residents.  Now if only our internet would get hooked up…

PS: Thanks to Sabrina and her lovely girls for the visit today!  I’m eyeing one of those delicious Strawberry cupcakes you left!  We’ll have to have you back really soon.

Houses, Karate and other Random news

Published June 5, 2011 by S

Well this week we managed to find tenants to rent our house while we’re in London, as well as find a good house for us in London as well.  Things are slowly starting to come together.

In my surrogacy news, The dad’s that I’m working with finally have an Egg Donor lined up, and if all goes to plan we are looking at doing a transfer around the second week of July. I’m so happy for them that things are coming to together at long last.  And if all goes well by this time next year they will enjoying all the lovely spring weather with their new little one (or ones!).

Yesterday Haylee had her first Karate tournament.  I was so proud of my little girl!  She had amazing concentration and gave a strong effort, bringing home 2 Trophies!  A Gold for her Basic Skills, and a Bronze for Sparring.  I’ll post some pictures below, and I’m sorry they are a little blurry.

My little Karate Kid

Awesome kicks!

Gold for Basic Skills

Getting ready to Spar (aka: Fight)

Not afraid to give (or take) a punch.

Gold for Basics and Bronze for Sparring. Great job Haylee!

Life Marching On

Published May 27, 2011 by S

Well, it has been a few weeks since I updated.  Sometimes it feels like a lot has happened and other times not so much.

We are on week 3 of Mike being away from us.  He has been coming home on all his days off, but that means that 5 days of every week he is still gone.  He is quite happy with his new job, and I’ve been trying to keep things normal for the kids, while packing and looking at so many houses to live in that they are all starting to blur together.

We still don’t have a definitely place to live, but I think this week we have narrowed it down to 2 houses, so should have a decision made in the next day or so. The plan is to move as soon as possible after the end of the school year so that means anytime after June 29th.

Mike was home for Victoria day, so we took the kids bowling and then to a Fun House on Clifton Hill. It was a great family day together.

Haylee taking her first shot of the day.

Jack getting a quick lesson in granny shot bowling

Notice how I got my butt kicked?

Kids in the hall of mirrors.

Look in the mirror for Oompa Loompa Sara! lol

Jack was fascinated by his Mini-self. My adorable Munchkin!

In other news:  On Wednesday May 25th, Mike and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary.  10 years ago on that day we had our first date, and have been together ever since. We couldn’t be together on the anniversary though because he had to work that day, but as an amazing surprise Mike had an Edible Arrangement delivered to me.  It was delicious, and the perfect gift for someone that doesn’t like receiving flowers due to guilt issues when they die. (yes, I feel guilt when they die!)

My delicious Edible Arrangment

Sometime I look back at the last 10 years and am amazed at how many things have changed in my life.  I found love, started a family, moved to several homes, lost my father and grandfather and did a lot of growing up, and all of it with Mike by my side.

~I love you Mikey!~