IT FINALLY HAPPENED!

Had an amazing cousin vaycay!
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 27th, 2026

Like most reading this, I am sure you can relate when I share that my first cousins were my very first friends. 

I have fond memories of my grandparents and my mom's different siblings’ homes being full when celebrating birthdays and holidays. In a nutshell, we all had a close connection growing up.

As we aged, and we have unexpectedly lost those we never imagined would pass away so soon, we decided to try again to plan an annual getaway. The messages started to flow in late September, for a week away in February 2026 for Huatulco Mexico.

Now, we have tried numerous times over the years to get everyone on board; with no luck. My one cousin from Saskatchewan (in the green sundress) and I tried for the last decade to plan something and things would always fizzle out. 

We've tried to organize a large home where we could all stay, all-inclusive vacations together, but nothing seemed to stick. 

At the end of the day, vacationing takes disposable income and truly is a luxury item, so I totally understand how some wouldn't want to participate in a 'first cousin trip' and do their own family thing. 

That said, it was something my cousin from Quebec mentioned (on the end in the red shirt) this time around that had my travel buddy hubby deciding to commit. He said, "I am tired only seeing my cousins at funerals!"

Of the thirty cousins I have on my mom's side, we have already lost six. The last passing was particularly hard for me, to which I penned My Favorite Cowboy in his honour.

As I look at the photo I am sharing (with two elsewhere on the 72 foot boat when the pic was snapped), there are so many others that I wish had made the trek.

I guess there will always be hope for next year. 

Because Lord knows... I will be there with bells on!

FURBABY COOKOUT

Yesterday was the Family Day stautory holiday in Ontario and the weather and our selected activities didn't disappoint.

Since the kids left the nest, my travel buddy hubby and I have dedicated this holiday to our pups, renaming it Family Furbaby Day; though Goob did join us for a nice roast pork dinner.

A nice bonfire, smokies for lunch for our girls, combined with hundreds of pig, hut-hut, and frisbee throws throughout the afternoon.

A good time was had by all!

Hurry up Dad!
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 16th, 2026

Waiting patiently.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 16th, 2026

Just chillin' with her pig.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 16th, 2026

Miya's hut-hut has seen better days.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 16th, 2026

One of the many frisbees they love.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 16th, 2026

Katie Kate showing her appreciation.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 16th, 2026

PUPS RIDING SHOTGUN

On high alert, heading to town!
TAKEN: JAUNARY 31st, 2026

Because I work from home, I like to get out into 'the land of the living' at least one of the two weekend days. And, no matter where we go, the pups are always happily riding shotgun.

We bought these beautiful sisters (same mother, different fathers) about eighteen months apart.

Growing up, I never had a dog. My mother was a cat person.

My hubby and I got our first dog just prior to my starting my maternity leave with our eldest. I figured that would work best as I would be home for sixteen weeks, having the time to properly finish basic training before returning to work.

Almost forty years later, I still roll my eyes when I think that Jukebox slept through the night after three weeks – and I got up with the dog to pee in the middle of the night for more than six months!

Anyway, as Miya gets ready to turn five, you can see her chin is beginning to turn white and I am starting to think it may be time to consider putting The Oreo Gang back together (two black labs, with our yellow representing the filling). But I know it won’t do that until my amazing breeder decides she may breed again - as she is currently on hiatus.

There is something to be said for a dog that has been hugged and handled from an early onset. The nurturing that both my dogs received in those first eight weeks are a testament to their temperament as well as their responsiveness to affection and overall canine socialability.

I was talking with a coworker that is looking for a female Belgian Malinois, as they currently have males.  I sent her a link to a beautiful girl I found online, and her husband said no.

If Leslie at Labradorables called me tomorrow and told me that she was expecting again, I would be elated. If my husband disagreed with our timing, I would listen intently and quickly respond in a very positive tone.

Informing him that because the garage is heated, and that he would be very comfortable sleeping out there. What… You didn’t think I would make him sleep in back of the car, did you?

Because if there was a mattress back there, how would the girls ride shotgun with us on the weekends?!

#yagottalaughaboutit