M IS FOR MONUMENTOUS

Two thumbs up from
my cool 'cuz' in the middle!
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 27th, 2026

It was definitely a day and evening to remember.

We met the entire group at the dock at 9am and by 9pm we were still going strong. All extremely sun-kissed from a nine-hour day on a yacht; everything about our late night dinner was perfect.

My one cousin, Tootsie (with the orange wristband on the far right) was staying with my aunt at a nearby all inclusive resort. The other four of us were staying together but walked to meet her so that she could join us for the evening. 

What can I say, with all others on our cousin’s trip ‘down and out for the count’, the five of us decided to let the wine and even more childhood stories flow at Villablanca Hotel (Santa Maria, Huatulco). 

Though we are all linked together electronically, there is something about aging and seeing and laughing with the people you love in person.

I guess my point is that the moment you realize how just how precious time is, THAT is when your entire perspective about life changes.

Which in itself is what made this amazing trip momentous!

I IS FOR IGUANA

This local tree chicken feel out 
of the same tree three times that day.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 28th, 2026

It wasn’t until we returned from our trip to Mexico in February that I discovered that the iguanas have been given the nickname of, “tree chicken.”

Well, spending the day by the Villablanca pool under an umbrella after a nine hour day on a yacht, I can confirm that his fella fell out of the tree above us three time and bounced onto the patio stones beside us; once landing in the pool.

Though my immediate though was because they live (and fall out of) trees, but they were given the nickname because they are a popular Central/South American delicacy known for tasting like chicken.

Though I stayed away from local street food trucks while in the center of Huatulco, I was told they are regularly served in stews and tacos here as a high protien option.

I may have had no desire to chomp on this one, I really did enjoy spending a few hours with them.

H IS FOR HIGHLIGHT

Can you find us ?? (Hint - I am raising my glass)
Posing on the 70 foot yacht my cousin
chartered exclusively with other Canadians.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 27th, 2026

We are what I would classify as easy-going travelers. Though we enjoy meeting new people, we generally keep to ourselves and always manage to find our way.

In this instance, I wasn’t sure how I felt about a commitment to chartering a seventy-foot yacht with twenty (plus) other Canadians we had never met.

Like I do everything, I researched it to death and realized that the $1,000 peso per person (about $75 Canadian) price tag was an opportunity that may never come our way again.

As the date of departure approached, I would continually ask my travel buddy hubby “what the hell are we going to do on a boat in the waters of Huatulco for nine hours?!”

Well, it turns out that the day flew by. We stopped three times to swim and snorkel, stopped for a picnic lunch that everyone had packed for themselves. We whale watched, followed multiple pods of dolphins, and enjoyed really great conversations; yes, I got one guy from Edmonton to discuss politics with me!

I can say with confidence that we have previoulsy done many prearranged resort tours and have never experienced anything like this. 

It was intimate, exciting, educational, but best of all… it was batshit crazy fun.

Definitely a highlight that will offer great memories for years to come.

B IS FOR BOCANA

I have only one word.... STUNNING
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 25th, 2026

For about the last decade, I have watch my first cousins' adventures from afar, as she traveled from Saskatchewan and rented a condo in Huatulco, Mexico. This year, we traveled with four of my first cousins and one of my aunts traveled to meet her for a week at the end of February.

The first outing she arranged was lunch by the ocean on La Bocana Beach. She told us that she really wanted us to see it. 

Well, when lunch was finished (hubby had a fresh seafood dish) we sent those anxious to be on their way, simply because we didn’t just want to see it; we wanted to experience it. 

The photo I am sharing is of us, walking in silence, appreciating just how lucky we are to experience each destination together. As you can see, the beach was absolutely pristine. 

In the moment, I posted a story on my socials confirming that ‘my travel buddy hubby and I have been to a lot of different beaches, and this one is definitely one of the best.’

Muchas gracias beautiful Bocana, we love you. We will see you soon.

...Because we will definitely be back!

A IS FOR ARRIVAL

Decending on the beautiful beaches
in Santa Maria, Hautulco, Mexico
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 24th, 2026

As I began to prepare myself to take part in the April A-Z Challenge, I found it hard to believe I have been torturing myself every year since 2013. You know, the platform where I muse in my electronic journal about a letter a day for 26 days for the entire month of April...with Sunday's off for good behavior. 

Well, this past February was the first time in almost a decade that my travel buddy hubby and I vacationed during the shortest month of a dreary Canadian winter. The last time was 2019 and we spent a week in Cuba. 

This year we sent the last week of February in Huatulco, Mexico – situated on Oaxaca’s Pacific coast.

For those unfamiliar, the city is located where the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, which is approximately four hundred kilometers east of Acapulco. 

We spent our week in a small boutique hotel that was, in every respect, wonderful.

The photo I am sharing comes from a tradition I have always embraced, which is to snap a picture as the plane begins its descent and we prepare for arrival; to which this photo does not do the plethora of area beaches justice.

There is always something special for us when we arrive in a new city. We research it to death before we leave yet arrive without a plan. Just a couple of free spirits packing in as much of the experience before we have to leave.

What I will say about any new adventure that excites us most…

It is that our arrival is merely the simple transport vessel for the boat load of fun that we always manage to have!

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!

MY NIGHT WALKER

My beautiful Miya living her best life.
TAKEN: JANUARY 12th, 2026

With 2026 officially under way, I am seriously committed to exercising more, losing weight, and living a healthier lifestyle. You see, for the first time in my life, I am feeling the effects of sitting in front of a computer ten hours a day; and not making myself a priority. 

The first week was pretty brutal but I am extremely determined, so I persevered. 

You have no idea how much crap you have hanging around in your system after the unnecessary holiday bingeing, but I feel that with those first seven days behind me, I am definitely on the right track.

For me, it is about a kilometer walk to the mailbox, so I started going daily, on the last doggie daycare break. The other thing I began doing was head down to the end of our cul-de-sac and back. For that, I take both pups.

Then, I drop off Katie Kate and Miya and I head toward town. She is much more laid back than the wee one and always stays focused on her surroundings. The other one, not so much, and I need to keep her out of harms way.

Anyway, on our way back from town, the orange hew in the distance lets us know we are getting close to home. 

With only 42 days until I depart on my cousins trip to Hautulco Mexico, I know my personal goals won't be met by then. 

Instead, the quest for my waist will hopefully have my goal within my sights before I leave for Bahamas for my birthday weekend.

Wish me (and my emotional support night walker) luck!