The Renos of the Guest Room

stripping the chair rail, finding 3 layers of wall paper
one of the layers was painted PINK!!
the paper slowly coming off
I think I made a mess

Finally clear of the hideous wall paperfirst coat of paint
looking pretty good!

Well I am happy to report that my trip to Vancouver this past weekend, despite the reason for it, was not the traumatic event that my last drive on the Coquihalla was. The roads on Thursday and Sunday were both dry, the sun was shining and the music blasting away. Of course I was singing!
The memorial service for Uncle Tony on Friday was really beautiful and opened my eyes and heart to a whole other side of him that I didn't know, unfortunately, until now.
I think the funniest thing of the weekend, though not at the time, was when 9 of us were leaving Dodie's apartment for the service on Friday, and we got stuck in the elevator. With 4 people claustrophobic, and 1 severely, my 2 cousins and I singing "I believe I can fly" to ease the tension and my dad just pushing buttons...we all knew that this was Tony's way of laughing at us, and telling us that he will always be there.

How come some Pedigree commercials make me cry?

Bargaining for Burritos!

For the past few weeks I've been eyeing a very unique chair that I thought would help with the void that is our empty living (aka trampoline) room. Over the span of about 2 months, I've watched as this chair, that I've sympathetically called mine, move from one location in the store to another, watched as the price drops but much too slowly, and never reaching the give-away price that I've been hoping for.

Today, I found out that I would be receiving some long forgotten payment for some free-lance work that I did last September! So, belated Christmas bonus...I went to see how my chair was! It was still there, waiting patiently for me...begging to be taken home!

Amazingly, I bargained with the assistant manager and negotiated the price of my chair to down almost half of what the most recent price tag read.

So, below is the photo of my new chair...not in the trampoline room, but in front of the fire place, where I will snuggle with the warming glow and read a good book!

Farewell Uncle TJ

Every once in a while, we receive one of those not-so-gentle reminders about the fragile nature of that precious gift called life. Earlier today, my Uncle Tony took on the journey into another world. Now he will feel no more pain, will not suffer, and can enjoy his cigarettes anywhere he pleases.
I can not imagine the loss that Auntie Dodie is feeling. All we can do is surround her with our love as she copes through her grief. My mom is heading to Dodie's now and will spend a few days with her, to help with the emptiness that would devour your world when your love departs.
I have many memories of my Uncle TJ. From being terrified of him as a young child, never wanting to be alone with him, to most recently laughing, debating and bantering about any topic that came to mind. He had a great wit and a unique sense of humour beneath that tough exterior, you only had to have the patience and determination to convince him you were worthy to be let inside. He once told me that he despised wasting his time talking to people without any smarts...as he continued to talk to me then and every other meeting we had, I took that as a compliment.
I have a great deal of respect for any person who overcomes diversity and oppression. Uncle Tony was a very giving and creative man, who created wonderful videos of our family gatherings, including Daryl and my wedding in 2005. Uncle TJ will always hold a very special place in my heart, and I will miss him terribly.

Back in the CD rotation...From the bottom shelf

I found a CD tonight that I haven't listened to in...God, was I still at McGill the last time I heard it? Listening to the haunting sublime voice, the languid, weepingness of it... and droning guitar riffs of Mazzy Star. The songs magically transform the sadness into something beautiful, poignant and ultimately powerful. I was taken back to another place, another time in my life. It got me thinking, on so many levels. I still recall hearing 'Fade into you' so often on the local and college radio stations, and never figuring out at the time who the artist was. I remember being overwhelmed by the sadness in her voice, and not understanding half of the lyrics...but it didn't matter. The music and feeling I would get when listening to the albums were like nothing I've felt, then or ever since. It's hard to describe. If you can put yourself back into a local pub, sitting in the dimly lit, sticky floor, beer stench trying to drown your sorrows for some purpose that, at the time, meant the end. No need to wash the painkillers down with a bottle of wine today. Now, say 10 years later, I realize that the immediate moment didn't matter, but the feeling lasts a lifetime. There are some things that stick, some feelings that cling like gum in your hair. But its these gluey experiences that don't actually kill us but force us to be stronger, to stand up and be who we are suppose to be with intense emotions. Fate? Karma? Divine intervention? Whatever, I like the dreamy atmosphere in the room tonight. Tonight I dream, tonight I remember, tonight I am transported back. I find myself asleep while I'm awake, pondering lost loves and hazy afternoons in bed and intoxicated. I recall all the moments that ended, even though I never wanted them to...the moments I'd long since forgotten. The experience would be complete if it were a rainy day...I'm listening to a lullaby.

Cats Anyone?

So it seems that I've inherited two cats. I've been kitty sitting for what seems like FOREVER, and I think that Marci has actually been back in the Loops for over a week. No phone call. No attempt to come and claim her kitties. The dog is going bonkers, the cats are worried that I will lock them (unintentially, silly) in the basement or workshop, and I think littler boxes are the most disgusting thing EVER.

If something doesn't change, soon, I'm going to turn into the crazy cat lady from the Simpsons!

I wonder if cats can fly...

Now that the house is empty, the Chow can get some much needed rest, back in his own bed!

Snow Storm!

Chow, come inside quick! So...will we have another visit from the family in Toronto soon? We have snow...what about you?

Photos from Sun Peaks

These are a little late, but I've been busy!! Better late than never!

Kayaking Anyone?

My sister and brother-in-law from Oz are planning a trip to BC in the summer of 2007 and want to do some 'extreme' kayaking. Does anyone out there have any suggestions of guides, tours, locations?
I really have to start working overtime to take a week off!

Empty House...almost

Nadia and her brood have left the Loops, returning to a balmy 10C in Toronto. There is still no snow there, so they missed nothing! It was a great visit with my nephews who are amazing skiers, and just hanging out with family. My parents drove up on New Year's Day to spend some time too, so Fletcher and I will go through visitor withdrawal slowly.
Daryl is back to work in Toronto, and he too can't believe the weather. As he plans for an upcoming snowmobiling trek in Whistler we can only hope that the white stuff continues to fall.
The cats are still crazy with Delilah making a mad dash in her attempt to escape our home. She ran from the laundry room and immediately bee-lined for the garage. Fortunately, the overhead garage doors were closed, otherwise she would be one cold kitty! Colton coaxed her out from under the Mini with some treats and sweet promises of love. Back to the laundry room for you! Stella is a sweetie, comes when you call her, snuggles and isn't the royal pain that Delilah is! Thank God for laser pointers and replacement batteries!
Marci...when do you come back?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Congrat's to the Water Ratz (and Team POWWR)! They both won their respective Murray Marathons with amazing times! WAY TO GO!

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone, near & far!

More Murray Madness...

Both Karine & Peter's teams are KICKING BUTT! Check out the results from today (yesterday..er, tomorrow?) Whatever! They are doing great!!

Murray Madness

Last year at this time, Daryl and I were on our belated honeymoon Down Under, cheering on Jacquie, Karine & Peter as they paddled in the Murray River Marathon. We wish them good luck, and wish that we could be there again, as the crazy Canadians that cook hotdogs on the manifolds of the car!
It was so blazing hot last year, that the asphalt was melting off the roads in Swan Hill! You have no idea...

For race results...

Karine (WOODLEIGH WATER RATZ boat #422) is in the TK2/OSR Double Touring Kayak - Open School Relay (kicked butt at the Barwon Mini)
Their arch-nemesis is CAMBERWELL GRAMMAR (10 minutes off the pace after day 1) and we hope their boat sinks! (bad voodoo from Canada!)
Peter (POWWR TEAM boat # 331) is in the TK1/OR Single Touring Kayak - Open Relay
Jacqueline was home from 6 months in Africa only a few days before the start of the race...so perhaps she isn't racing. I will keep my eyes open for her! Otherwise, she is one of the support crew working the shores - Helene is there too I'm sure!

T'were the Days After Christmas

For those close by, you may notice that the boat is missing from our driveway. Daryl is nuts, and wanted to go wake-boarding today. I can't believe I'm back at work. Christmas and the days surrounding were wonderful, spent with family and friends in Kelowna and down on the coast. We had 6cm of fresh snow fall overnight, which will hopefully continue for the next few days until Nadia and family arrive! That's right! Colin was apparently so appalled with the COMPLETE lack of snow back east (dry land training and cancelled lessons) that they decided to have a spontaneous ski vacation with us in the Loops! We could not be happier, as they have yet to visit us in our new home, and were so happy when they decided to come to Sun Peaks and not head to the Big White-Out! I wish I had vacation days. I might talk to my supervisor and see what I can do about next week, as the gang arrives on Friday and stays for 6 days.
Everyone was too generous with the gifts this year, we thank you all for opening your doors and hearts to us, and we apologize for the quick visits everywhere. We spent less than 24 hours with my parents...it was freaky fast!
Oh, just to clarify, Daryl is not out on the river today, he is up at Harper Mountain with the neighbours...the boat is in the garage thawing (for tomorrow?)

Daryl's favourite joke...I don't think it's funny

So this baby seal walks into a club..

and gets hammered!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Daryl is home, safe and sound. He arrived last night at 7pm and you would have thought that he was away from home for years. I think just coming home was more exciting than the pending present pandemonium!
Then there is the chow. I can’t begin to explain the excitement and psychopathic enthusiasm that oozed from every hair on his furry body. Fletcher was just twitching and spinning when he saw Daryl. I wish I had a camera. He hasn’t left his side, slept by Daryl on the floor on his side of the bed, and today I can only imagine what those two are up to! Super-chow reigns supreme? Some things are better left behind closed doors.
The cats are also very happy to have someone who will actually pick them up and play with them (and not just with the laser pointer)
The next few days are going to be nuts, with visiting family and friends and spreading the holiday cheer and spirit. I am back to work on the 27th, so expect a full update on the activities at that time.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for this holiday season!

My Rant About Country

I like country music. While talking on the phone to a friend from back east, they mentioned that they could hear what sounded like country music in the background. I replied that, yes, indeed, it was country music. Silence. Then “what?” was his only question.

When I was growing up, I listened to classical music & knew all about DiscDrive with Jurgen Gothe before I could say my own name. When it was deemed appropriate, I could tune into the local “easy listening” station while being chauffeured by my parents, provided the volume was kept under control. When I became the rebel, and perhaps gained more bravery, I would automatically tune the car radio to CHOM, the quintessential rock station in Montreal of the time. With my father rolling his eyes, and protesting “not CHOM!” we would make our weekend trek to the cottage. I was satisfied.

Satisfied until I moved to Vancouver. Coming from a society where if you weren’t running you were going to slow, where driving without road-rage caused you stress, and eye-twitches were the norm to a place where people actually walked on their lunch breaks and stopped to smell the cherry blossoms in the spring. To those who have not experienced the marvelous pace of leisurely life in Vancouver, you have no idea what I’m talking about. (take that and multiply that ten fold to feel what its like in a small town! But that’s another story)

Life seems easier out west. People are more friendly, more approachable, and you just get the feeling that life is great, almost everyday. This feeling is reflected and manifested in the lyrics to most country music songs. One of my all time favourite lyrics in a song is It’s a Great Day to Be Alive by Travis Tritt. It isn’t the best song, but the lyrics can’t help but make you feel good and want to smile.

There is something so simple, and easygoing about the lyrics in country songs. You can relate to almost every story, be it a slow, broken hearted drawl about the loss of a great horse, or an energetic fireball of a song enlightening us on the intrinsic worth of owning a Dodge. Perhaps that is why we have a Dodge in the driveway.

So, to all who have dared to ask, I like country music. I would even go so far as to say that there are some songs that I love. At our wedding, our second dance was Forever and Ever, Amen. For those skeptics out there still set against country (you know who you are) take a minute and read these lyrics and tell me you still don’t believe in country love!

Daryl comes home today. I don't know how I am going to function for the next 8 hours, but at least he will be out of contact...I think it makes it easier. Fletcher and I will go to the airport for his arrival and both probably pee ourselves!

I don't know why, but I can't get Phoebe's song "Smelly Cat" out of my head!