I didn't disappear.....at least not on purpose.

I have to apologize for the lack of updates - I've been looking at my blog for the last month wondering if I could spare a moment of "Downtime" to type up a legit blog instead of a quiz or a two liner. At this moment, I really should be working as I'm sitting here at work, however, with going to bed with a impending cold and waking up with a sore throat & ear pain my will to work has dissipated.
Things are pretty much status quo for Hughie and I - we are both "enjoying" our work. I hang out with a great group of people for 40-hours a week, and some days if I can look past all the unwell people, it is almost not even work.
We are slowly fighting our way through the spring yard work. I have about another day of leaves, needles and branches to clean up (Yes I do the yard work, I find it very therapeutic) So hopefully this weekend I will be able to work my way through spring cleaning my house on Saturday, and on Sunday after a couple days of drying time (+++rain) I will be able to complete the yard. I'm just hoping this cold will go by the wayside so I will be able to complete my list.
So, we didn't' do a spring vacation this year, it was on our to do list but we couldn't get things to line up as well as other years. However there was two main issues that kept holding us back, 1. We kept judging everything up against Ladera; in St. Lucia which was a mistake to do as it was a 5 star resort and our dream vacation and 2. My brother (26 years old) has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Esophageal/Stomach & Lymph node Cancer. The latter has taken my very straight and narrow life and flipped me ten ways from Sunday. He is currently receiving his second round of treatment with an impending surgery to take place in June/July. He looks fantastic and has a very positive kick ass attitude, so I'm sure everything will be good to go and he will have a clean bill of health before long.
So somewhere between visiting the Island, (Prince Edward) and hiding in needles and leaves I haven't found the time to update my blog. I'm thinking about doing some major blog upheavel, changing around my site, but first I have to find the time to get it done.
I wish there was 8 days a week.....

Tenderized

Do you know when you take a piece of meat or chicken, place a piece of waxed or parchment paper over top and pound the living snot out of it to make it all tenderized...well that is how I feel this morning. Since moving home, I have been running approximately 7k-5 days a week - it has been great to have that alone time at the end of a busy day to clear my head before I step into "wife" mode and make supper and spend time with Mr. Fidler, however, I felt like I was stuck in a rut. So either A. I could join a gym and waste my money - since that would mean I would have to force myself to jump in the car and drive to the gym..work out, then drive home or B. I could find myself another aerobic work out video that targets the core. Well I decided on "B". It is definitely cheaper than a gym membership. I did some search online and after careful research I decided on two DVD's "Jillian Michael" 6-week abs and "something" Yoga (Can't remember the name since I haven't pulled it out of the wrapper). So last night, after I got home from work I pulled off the wrapper and popped it into my dvd player and hit the play button. 35 minutes later I was a piece of meat..I could have wrung out my ponytail...I did manage to jump on the ellipitcal for a 25 minute run..a couple of K; but that was all my poor body could take. Now this morning, just as the title says I feel like I've been attacked at the core by a blunt object. (I don't recall what those meat tenderizer mallets are called). I haven't tried the Yoga DVD yet, however, I think that will be a weekend DVD - since I don't run on the weekend (unless I miss a day during the week), I would like to do something to center my body and mind....

Stay tuned folks - I just purchased a new Dyson Handheld and a review of this new item is coming!

Tag, you’re it.

I normally don’t really have any real need to do these little games.  However I was tagged…but it will not go any farther than this blog; cause god forbid someone feels the need to waste a couple of hours….or minutes of your day.  Sigh,  without further ado:

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?

Chakotay (7) was my first “on my own” pet -  A Sib-husky, with all the charateristics of one to boot.  He loves to sook for attention and rubs up against you when he knows you are wearing black, however he is my fur-son and love him regardless of his fasination with wanting to turn my clothes into a hairy mess.

Sekaya (2.80) is a little white princess (Sib-husky) with bright blue eyes, who scare the pants of people when her eyes glow red when the light hits them the right way.  She is the polar opposite of Chakotay however when she curls up with you on the couch with her head in your lap all just seems right with the world. 

They are my fur-kids I would protect them as a mom would protect their sons or daughters.    I just wish people wouldn’t give me that “look” when I say I have fur-kids not real kids….

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?

Dreams are only meant to come true in your dreams. 

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?

This question is just a bit “out there” but…I would pay off all my families/mine debts and settle down in some field, build a dream home and a husky sanctuary!  (and go to every Canuck game!! Go Lu!)

4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?

Running!

5. What is your bedtime routine, with your kids?
Fur-kids……Well first I let them outside on their leads – and hit the washroom and do all the normal stuff…plus remove my contacts and brush my teeth – take the pooches in and then give them their evening treat – cause if I forget that step, they won’t let me go to sleep.

6. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your significant other?

Married and through a mutual (not anymore) friend. 

7. What kind of books do you read?

I’m a avid reader, and will spend hours reading without really realizing that hours have past.  I love Romance/Adventure/Science Fiction and plan ol’ Jane -Fiction…

8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?
I rather not look into the future, instead I enjoy what I have today.

9. What’s your fear?
I don’t believe I want to face my fear today, therefore I won’t list what it is.

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?
Damn straight – what an opportunity.

11. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
It snooze once, and then meander out of bed – cause if I don’t get a move on fast enough I have two fur-kids staring at me doing the “tip tip tip tip” dance with their nails.

12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?

That he would put his dirty dishes in the dishwasher…

13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I love my name, however I would love to have a Celtic name….I’m not fussy.

14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?
LOL I lived without sun and rain for about that same amount of time….and replaced both with snow…. so I’m not fussy about what type of weather I’m dealing with.

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

Spinach salad with poppy-seed dressing w/strawberries/raspberries/cheese and chicken…yum

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?
I use to love blogging since it would eat up at least an hour of my day, and while living in the North it allowed me to keep my friends and family up to date about my daily life.  However, since moving down South I really don’t spend near the amount of time I once did…I rather miss it, but…I really don’t have that hour any more.

17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
Salty – give me a Almond over a piece of Chocolate anyday!

18. What items are in your purse right now?
Aleve, hand cream, lip gloss X 2, A spare necklace, a couple of set of keys …..and the usual purse stuff.

19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?
I had the best of both worlds in St. Lucia, we were on the side of the mountain but a short car ride to the beach.

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn’t?
I don’t really watch anything outlandish…. plus I’m old enough to watch pretty much anything I want too.

There you  have it, my first official post in 2011. Sad really that it has taken me almost 2 months to find the time to sit down and post – and it was a “filler”.

Happy first day of Winter!

and...it is downpouring rain!

I'm very disappointed in the weather as of late. You would think, that after living in the GWN for two years I would be pleased with the mild wet weather. Don't get me wrong I'm glad that I'm not wearing three layers of clothes but I would love to be wearing at least one 'extra' thermal layer. I've been hoping, fingers crossed,that we would have at least a white Christmas. However when I started my car this morning my temp gage registered a balmy 4 degrees...no snow today!

I'm as ready as I can be with regards to Christmas - our tree is lined with decorations and presents adorn the floor beneath it. The dogs walk by the tree daily and give each present a little sniff, much to their chagrin their presents are not wrapped this year, but waiting for their stockings to be be hung by the fireplace.

I meant for this to be a longer Christmas related post - however work is beckoning for my return so I must go.

Once again you find me sitting at my desk at work drinking a XL-Christmas Cup of Tim Horton's. December has snuck up on me this year, I've known it has been coming for quite sometime although for some reason while I was rolling over in bed this morning to slap my alarm clock I caught a glimpse of the letters D.E.C on my Blackberry...and that seemed to freak me out a little. This time last year, while I was dealing with the bitter cold, I had at least a couple feet of white snow on the ground. Everything looked fresh and clean. I love the Autumn and the leaves but now I'm just ready for that powder to fall from the Sky to give December that magical feeling. I have so much shopping to do over the next couple of weeks I don't know where to begin. My nieces and nephews shopping is finished and that is all that I have completed. Thankfully I know what I'm getting everybody else, it is just a matter of driving to either New Minas or Halifax to purchase those thought-up purchases.

One thing has been bothering me lately and that is how often that I've been blogging - trying to find the time to sit down and type out how my life is doing is quite hard considering that all my family and friends are so close; and I update my life frequently on facebook or pick up the phone. I'm contemplating closing down this chapter of my life albeit keeping this blog around so I can read about my life in the north, and anyone else that may happen to find it. I'm not 100% sold on the idea of ending a three year portion of my life but I rather hate blogs that lay dormant for months with only the odd little post here and there about nothing particular (Just like this post is turning out to be). That is one big question I dwell on...Southern life isn't as exciting as moving to the unknown North.
People know how to live in the South.

Christmas Countdown
====================
24-days!

Some Northern habits never go away.

As I'm sitting here at work, surrounded by piles of paperwork that needs to be completed I'm compelled to start Christmas shopping online for items for my adorable nieces and nephews. I find myself drawn to online shopping although I have an over abundance of shopping malls only a 75 minute drive away, Halifax. Yet, I can't help but buy online where I don't have to drive that distance and put mileage on my Caliber. Now, I really don't have to start online shopping now, as most items would arrive in a few days to my doorstep but I just can't get out of that Northern way of thinking when it comes to shipping times. Although, my luck would have it; I have found what I'm looking for, for all four kidlets. We did purchase them some outfits while were in the States but Uncle & Aunt just can't give clothes for Christmas; that would just be wrong!
I can't believe that I have been living in the south for almost 4-months. Sometimes it still seems like it is all a dream, that I should be packing my action packers for the long trek up North; however I know that is not the case. The last 4-months have been a whirlwind, so much to do and buy. Thankfully, the spending spree is pretty much dwindled over the last month, and now we are just purchasing what we need vs what we want...
I'm looking forward to Christmas this year, where I can place a tree in my front window and start a fire in my fireplace, for the last two years I have been watching faithfully the fireplace channel on Bell; this year no more..(Although I probably will, as it is addicting).
Well, I should get back to work; my piles are growing larger by the minute!

58 days til Christmas folks!

To give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends & family; and may they all have a fantastic,healthy and memorable year.

I’m thankful for so much, I can’t list them all – but if I know you either personally or just as a acquaintance, thank you for being a part of my life.   I hope you all enjoyed the time you spent together with your friends and family.

Turkey Time!