CUE NEIL YOUNG

Cue Neil Young... and enjoy
 listening to Harvest Moon!
TAKEN: SEPTEMBER 26th, 2026

A couple of weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised when my boss offered to give me a new iPhone. I never asked him to, as my old phone worked perfectly fine – problem was it was Android based and I was the only one on the leadership team that used that platform.

He had hinted a couple of times that I should switch but I never took the bait. It wasn’t until we fired the only other android user on the leadership team, that he said in a group chat that “the other android user is the next to go!” 

Though I knew that he was 1000% kidding, it was at that moment I knew it was time. 

When I told him that I was going to switch over, as a thank you, he offered to purchase the phone. I was grateful because they are extremely pricy to buy new - and I don't have a replacement option on my current phone plan (which he also provides a phone allowance for).

Now, I would be lying if I told you the changeover has been seamless. It hasn’t. I hate this platform. BUT… Enjoying a fall bonfire last Saturday night, I unexpectedly spied on the Harvest Moon. It was truly magnificent.

I grabbed my new phone and captured the photo I am sharing. 

From the few pictures I had taken of the pups, I knew the camera was powerful, but I had no idea it was 4x’s more powerful than my old Android; that I felt took excellent pictures for sharing.

That said, just so we are clear, headed into my third full week I am definitely in a love/hate relationship with this thing.

LOVE the quality of photos and videos I am creating.

HATE absolutely everything else about it and generally want to fire the thing out the window every hour on the hour.

Thank goodness it forcefully bounces off the window screen in my office and ricochets back toward my office chair. 

Because, as I have already shared... Those things are freaking expensive to buy new!!

#yagottalaughaboutit

TRASH INTO TREASURE

A sneak peek at our winfall,
and an action shot of
Jukebox helping his Dad!
TAKEN: May 30th, 2026

As the saying goes, "one person's trash, is another person's treasure." Which was 100% applicable in removing this almost brand-new kitchen for reinstallation in our cottage.

In all my years in high-end custom homebuilding I have never return to a cottage prior to its demolition for personal salvage. But as we prepare to gut the cottage for resale, a new kitchen was going to be one of our largest expenses.

So, when one of our project managers mentioned that an NHL hockey player we are building a new cottage for was ready for demolition, I asked him to send me photos of the kitchen.

Once I saw what was going to landfill, I booked a U-Haul, enlisted Jukebox to help, and hatched a plan.

The important thing my hatched plan lacked, was how difficult a task it was going to be and how I totally missed the mark on how long it would take to disassemble, load and then offload all the items into our garage at the house.

In the moment, my travel buddy hubby and I wished we had rented a larger vehicle because we would have removed some windows and the patio doors as well.

Filled to the brim with a nice kitchen, custom millwork vanities, expensive ceiling fans, shelving and bathroom light fixtures - we headed home.

Not bad for a whopping $130 U-Haul rental and some quality time with our boy!

Thanks Jukebox... Your help was truly appreciated!!

WELL, HECK!

Miya keeping her tail on the pulse
of squirrel central!
TAKEN: JUNE 8th, 2026

Back at the cottage for another Saturday trying to figure out more hot water issues, the thunder rolled. 

We had hydro at the cottage but shortly after dark my Facebook Messenger began to blow up with our neighbours letting us know there was a situation at the house; approximately 18 kms away.

In two stages of very loud cracks our driveway tree came down. Once we confirmed that the bulk of the tree was setting on the roof, but hadn't gone through, it was decided there was nothing we could do that night in the pouring rain.

I guess you can say we have been lucky in the fallen tree department. We fell and process trees that may be a threat annually... but it apparently this one had stayed off our radar.

In hindsight, I used to see a ton of squirrels in and out of the thing but never realized that if they were running a local recreation center out of the trunk, and that we may need to investigate the overall health of the tree.

That said, once we pulled the main branch off the roof by using the trailer hitch on the car, we began limbing and moving those branches into the gully. Before long, it was ready for bucking.

As usual, I voluntarily took on the labourer role, and the guys got their dueling chainsaw going. 

Buddy down the street brought his four-wheeler with a trailer to claim the free wood and just like that it was all cleaned up.

As far as the squirrels losing their recreation center, I have made a note to self to watch for where they gather next.

Not only will I strickly enforce NO parties after dark... I also will make sure they are not over occupying close to any eve of the house!

SPRING BITS & BITES

Headed to town for plumbing bits... 
And getting blackfly bites in the process!
TAKEN: MAY 17th, 2026

Do you remember those old television commercials for Christie Bits & Bites? 

You know the one, they aired decades ago starring a weird looking cartoon dude explaining that every time you reach in the bag, "whole new ballgame!” (Here is a YouTube link to click to offer context.)

Well, that commercial is exactly what crossed my mind after my travel buddy hubby and I spent last Saturday turning the water on at the cottage. Every season, I have no idea what I am in for as he has never winterized the cottage the same way twice.

A couple of years ago we discovered the hard way that the upstairs plumbing line were never bled, when the water was turned on the water it began to rain inside. 

This year we discovered that he never left the valve on the pressure tank and kitchen faucet open and the trapped water broke the fitting on the tank and the faucet was pooched. The septic? A-OK, which meant we could spend the night.

The next morning, off we went with a laundry list of plumbing requirements. I offered to bring the parts with us, but he assured me he knew what he needed and had taken photos of the fittings.

Now, after almost 40 years of marriage, I definitely pick my battles. What are a few blackfly bites and a couple of hours in several plumbing aisles to support him. I never bit back once and just kept cleaning up the water as he honed his trial and error plumbing skills.

By 3pm Sunday we had cold water, but we still had no hot. He wanted to go back into town as his connection fittings were the wrong size but it was a beautiful day, and I could boil water for the dishes.

As we prepare for retirement and ultimately sell, I feel that enjoying what time we have left to enjoy the space is more important than hot running water. 

What he doesn't know is that I have quietly hired a plumber to re-pipe the cottage this summer.

I certainly hope that doesn't mean he will go on strike next spring.

Because if he did, all the local hardware stores would be calling us because their sales will be down!!

#yagottalaughaboutit

L IS FOR LONGEVITY

 

Auntie Andy, wee Jukebox, and Me.
On the shores of Lake Temicamang, QC.
TAKEN: JULY 1991

A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from one of my closest friends with a very simple request. She wanted me to come keep her company until her name was called at the local medical clinic.

Working to an early afternoon deadline, I arranged the next best thing. 

I had my travel buddy hubby pinch hit until Goob finished his shift, then once I delivered my proposal, I tapped him out and stayed with her until she was finally seen by a doctor.

By the time I arrived, she was understandably frustrated as she had been waiting for hours. As I settled in she said something to me that spoke to the depth of our deep love for each other. She said, “Ï am glad you’re on the last shift, because I think we are going to need you to channel your inner bitch to get things going!

I burst out laughing and kept her entertained until we left together a few hours later.

Andy and I went to high school together. She lived in a townhouse across the street from my parents, and we eventually bought the house next door to her, which is where we raised our children.

Always known as Auntie Andy (her parents were Nana Anne and Poppa Peter) and she was there in all aspects of our lives for just shy of forty years.

I guess the real heart of the matter is that the true longevity of our friendship isn't measured by the years we have known each other... Rather it is cherished by the unwavering support we've shown each other no matter what is happening through life's ups and downs.

They say you only have a handful of true friend through-out your life, well she's grabbed a couple of those digit and a good portion of my thumb.

What can I say, we all love you longtime Auntie Andy!

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

COUNTING AND COPING

Our struggle with outdoor doggie
washroom conditions are real!
TAKEN: JANUARY 22nd, 2026

Yesterday morning, the control panel on my 60V Greenworks electric snowblower, bit dust. 

Even worse, their service department confirmed the part's backordered, and they cannot offer a timeline for shipment. I automatically knew I would be back to manually shoveling snow.

Now, as I have written here before, at Old Bessie, our gas-powered beauty of age does the heavy lifting - but I am responsible to clear entrances, decks, and dog trails; that our old girl cannot access.

Well, just as my winter clearing lifeline went on hiatus, The Weather Network announced that we were to receive 40+cm of snow (about 16 inches for my American readers) forecasted to fall within 24 hours. 

So, shovel in hand, I was dealing with the accumulation I had missed through the day last night until I was ready to go to bed, to ensure by morning we could open the back patio door, and that the dogs had a path at 6am.

By 6am this morning, Mother Nature added another 8+ inches fallen, which told me that we were only about half-way there before we might receive any reprieve.

Out went my travel buddy hubby with Bessie blowing in the dark, as I took shovels to the decks in my PJ pants. We worked our way of digging out from the accumulated snow and as the sun rose the blizzard continued. 

Then our obvious problem hit. It was on my 9:30am break, where the dogs go to do their business. 

Where the hell do they go?

All I can say is that from the photo I am sharing… their struggle was/is real. 

Hope I can see their eyes peeping over the banks by this time tomorrow!

#yagottalaughaboutit

REMEMBERING 2025

I don’t know about you but for this cat, 2025 flew by incredibly fast.

The Psychology Today website says it is because ‘time speeds up with increasing age because we have fewer new experiences and our perception is less vivid.’ Whatever, I call that therory total bullshit.

As this past year was jampacked with a ton of new experiences that were carefully executed as well as financed thanks to a hectic year at work; with a plethora of overtime worked and rewarding deadlines met.

As we all prepare to raise a glass and get ready to welcome a new year, I would like to wish all the best to you and your loved ones in 2026… And thanks again for reading.

~ Rhondi

PS: As you reminisce with me electronically you can click links to the month of journal offerings (57 in total) and photos that you may have missed, or wish to revisit. 

Remember, never one to shy away from being blunt, so keep your hands and feet in the ride at all times!

Most Unexpected Moment (centre) - The swift and unexpected passing of my mother in law. My husband called me when he was leaving work to tell me he was headed to meet the ambulance at the hospital, and less than eight hours later she was gone. Godspeed Angie, may you forever rest in peace.

(LINK TO REVIST: SHOCKINGLY, UNEXPECTED)

January: After a deep freeze the first of the month, the end of the month had us and the pup (top left) enjoying the Fire and Ice Festival. Nothing too spectacular, except for the fact this was the very first time they wore a collar and walked with a lead, and circulated in public. They both did amazing, getting lots of pets, love, and attention.

(LINK TO REVIST: JANUARY POSTS & PHOTOS)

February: The implementation of the tariffs in the United States, along with the 51st State rhetoric had us make the decision to not to cross the border for the next four years. As a result, we had numerous staycations in Ontario and traveled twice to the Caribbean and Mexico.

(LINK TO REVIST: FEBRUARY POSTS & PHOTOS)

March: The ice storm of the century hit Muskoka at the end of the month, and it was unlike anything we had ever experienced. Scary times for sure. Though the month came in like a lamb, it most certainly went out like a lion. We were hit so hard at the cottage, that we still have approximately 40% of the branches that fell to clean up and burn. 

(LINK TO REVIST: MARCH POST & PHOTO)

April: This month, my travel buddy hubby and I traveled to Aruba to celebrate my milestone birthday. My birthday (top right) had me enjoying a drink with my dad on beautiful Palm Beach. This adventure was one for the record books. We experienced the entire island while we were there.

(LINK TO REVIST: APRIL A-Z POSTS & PHOTOS)

May: After February had us cancel our plans to travel to Colorado and experience Sheryl Crow at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, it was announced that Zac Brown Band was returning to Ontario in May. I immediately joined his Fan Club and secured front row tickets. Coincidentally, the only other artist I had experienced in the front row at the venue was in fact, you guessed it... Sheryl Crow!

(LINK TO REVIST: MAY POSTS & PHOTOS)

June: This month, start to finish, was spent clearing the cottage from the ice storm. From repairing fascia, to rebuilding stairs, we worked hard to contain the mess and burn whenever we could. The photo I am sharing was my hubby (with Katie Kate's) trying to process the tree he hit with his AVT before he went into the water. It was so large, it never got removed from the water until September.

(LINK TO REVIST: JUNE POSTS & PHOTOS)

July: An early morning phone call from my son Goob had my husband rushing him to the fracture clinic in Orillia for surgery. He had an e-scooter accident that resulted in a broken humerus bone right at the shoulder that required the four screws and a metal plate being inserted. Thank God he was wearing a helmet!

(LINK TO REVIST: JULY POSTS & PHOTOS)

August: This month saw our entire community work together to find the beloved neighbourhood girl, Josephine. This pup, a rescue that was a street dog in Isreal, knew how to hide and not be found. We first began looking around dinner time on August 19th, and all the posters, and social media support had her home four days later. A real good new story for sure.

(LINK TO REVIST: AUGUST POSTS & PHOTOS)

September: This month had one explosive weekend that produced a ton of fun. We stayed in Downtown Toronto to experience the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as taking in Brittany Howard and Alabama Shakes at Budweiser Stage. An expensive weekend, but money very well spent.

(LINK TO REVIST: SEPTEMBER POSTS & PHOTOS)

October: A busy month with us hosting Thanksgiving dinner, we decided to head to our fourth concert of the season and experienced Amanda Marshall for the second time in two years, this time, up close and personal. Unable to perform for twenty years because of her former manager, you would never know it. This lady can most certainly sing, and offers an overall vibe that compares to Janis Joplin.

(LINK TO REVIST: OCTOBER POSTS & PHOTOS)

November: This month offered me some closure of sorts. As you've read here many times, my former colleague was brutally murdered by her husband in January of 2023. Her murder, which was featured in an NBC Dateline episode (The Running Man) answered some questions that I thought would always remain hidden. Rest in Peace Ash, I miss you...

(LINK TO REVIST: NOVEMBER POSTS & PHOTOS)

December: This month ends my year with a selfie by the Christmas tree, and other than a couple of blonde whisps at the very bottom, my hair is officially white. When I got it cut just before the holiday break, my hairdresser told me she was proud of me that I stuck it out. A journey I started on May 5th, 2023.

(LINK TO REVIST: DECEMBER POSTS & PHOTOS)

PEACE OUT SUMMER

Peace out summer of 2025
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 2nd, 2025

Though it snowed the day before yesterday, we managed to get the cottage closed this afternoon enjoying sunshine, rather than snow. You wouldn’t know by my layers of attire – but I over dressed for a what turned out to be a lovely fall day.

Closing day is always bittersweet for me and this year was no exception. The ongoing reflection of just how devastating and exhausting a toll the ice storm carnage took on us is still fresh. 

Even though my backdrop shows some impressive progress in repairing and cleaning up, we still have a significant amount of work (about 30%) that will greet us in the spring of 2026.

It feels as if we lost another season this year like we did last, as nothing other than working the property doing ice storm cleanup was accomplished. 

With my travel buddy hubby being hospitalized and off work for over three months in the summer 2025, and the damage from winter storm has us two season behind in maintaining and/or upgrading standard items. 

Our mantra has always been one season inside, one season outside. It is at times of reflection like this that I am grateful for all the seasons that were possible.

 

Anyway, as an aside, I used to think the best investment I ever made for myself here at the cottage was buying myself a full-size washing machine. Though that baby IS sexy, this year I am thankful for getting myself a battery powered chainsaw. 

That said, I will reiterate my sentiments here, as I did last winter when I was given my rechargeable battery powered snow shovel.

Who needs more diamonds and pearls, when a really great battery will suffice?!

#yagottalaughaboutit

EMBRACING SMALL WINS

What a beautiful view!
TAKEN: SEPTEMBER 27th, 2025

Just like the movie Groundhog Day, we landed at the cottage Friday night to wake and experience yet another full day dealing with ice storm carnage. The photo I am sharing above is after burning brush nonstop for over seven hours.

The exciting thing I am sharing in the photo is that if you look at the railing fence at the right of our property line the pile of consumed brush that began being piled there, burned, and replenished multiple times is finally gone.

The even better news that the pre-piled was finally gone, was that I hauled brush off the ATV trail and behind the cottage for much of the day; with a very big bonus of additional and unexpected charcoal being produced.

I know it must be getting tired reading about these dumb milestones, but do you know what is even more tired?

Two sexagenarians working alone without help (except Hughie with the one tree) to clear the land of massive amounts of debris.

I know we could have easily hired someone to do it but what I find somewhat troublesome is that neither of our boys have visited this year, let alone offered to help. I am shaking my head at the thought of it.

When my travel buddy hubby and I talk about what we have accomplished financially in the almost forty years we have been together, I think he has the best plan for how to approach the distribution of it.

I mentioned giving it all to the OSPCA, but he has a better idea.

Apparently, according to him…. WE ARE GOING TO SPENT IT ALL!

#yagottalaughaboutit 

THE 6AM SNOW SHUFFLE

Trying to dig out from the overnight 
storm after the plow passed.
DECEMBER 13th, 2024
(Shortly after 6AM)

Yesterday marked more than two weeks since I’d left our house.  

Technically, it was since I had left our yard - but I think you can catch my drift. Which is not be confused with those drifts that have been freshly fallen snow since Snowmageddon 2024 roared into Muskoka on November 28th!

Though we did get a bit of reprieve during those calendar days, because I work from home, I simply stayed home. With each work break including the movement of snow around the yard. The dog trails seemed to occupy the most of my time. But that's the household deal we agreed to. I run the manual shovels and my travel buddy hubby navigates old Bessie our blower.

The snow accumulation was getting to be so much, that we found ourselves going to bed early, so we could clear required snow for the car, and get it the hell up the driveway before the snowplow passed. 

For whatever reason, the eve of Thursday the 12th had me the most concerned with the new storm front that arrived. Our largest dumping came that day, with another 40cm expected overnight. The photo I am sharing above is what we woke up to.

The photo came to fruition because less than a minute before the car was going into reverse, the end of the driveway was filled. The pups and I hauled butt up to the top to assess the situation. There was no way we could push through the bank without damaging the under carriage of the car. So, out came old Bessie to the rescue.

I shoveled most of the morning to clear the doors and decks, as well as widen the dog trails. Old Bessie was back in action at lunch time, when her operator returned home to blow out the remainder - as only the top was cleared before he had to head to work.

My morning photos illustrate a couple of thing that I know to be true. 

The top photo proves to me that this was definitely the one day a year when winter is really pretty.

So, what does photo two (below) illustrate?

...That WINTER FREAKING SUCKS!

Old Bessie doing the 6AM snow shuffle
TAKEN: DECEMBER 13th, 2024

B IS FOR BONFIRE

I have written here several times in the past about the simple fact that I love a great bonfire, as have all of our pups. 

From a very young age, we seriously train our dogs to respect the burning fire with a key word they grow up understanding, which is the word 'danger!'

The word is used in such a tone, when combined with their name, they return to my side immediately. 

So, as expected, we are well on our way to training our new addition; little Katie (who was born December 5th, 2022 - arriving to us January 31, 2023).

This little Blondie is as sharp as a tack and as loveable as a teddy bear.
TAKEN: MARCH 3, 2023

With winter breaking into spring, on the last Friday in March, when I finished work at 4pm then wandered outside and built a killer bonfire. 

Goob came over for dinner and to sip a bevie or two. We watched the sun go down outside and embraced the start of the weekend by listening to our favourite tunes, while basking by the glow of a bonfire.

With full bellies, a cold cooler and a warm fire, I ended up sharing with David that I expect to be working remotely 100% of the time once the lakes open. I told him that I figured I will move my home office out to the cottage as soon as we can put the water on. 

With Katie being born last December, she will be almost six months old when she discovers a couple of very important things about cottage life. 

That when enjoying a bonfire in the off season, there may not be any snow but there will be mosquitos. 

She will learn that just like the other pups, she will be provided her own lawn chair so that she doesn't have to sit on the damp ground at night but her belly will still get bitten.

Oh, and though cottage food may taste better than what is served at the house, the calamine lotion I will be putting on her belly to stop the 'skeeter itch' does not!!

NEVER, UNTIL NOW!

As I shared here last summer, never, have I ever, rushed to replace a pup out of sheer emotion. And though I know you can’t ever replace a dog, when my Puddin’ died of cancer last June, our deep friendship and her beautiful characteristics left a void like no other I have ever experienced. 

With my heart ache not subsiding, about three months after Puddin’ crossed the rainbow bridge, I reached out to our amazing CKC registered breeder that we purchased Miya Maria from - asking her to put me ‘on the list’ for a yellow female should her beloved Minnie have one.

I will be honest, she only breeds one litter a year, so our expectations where that we would have a wait. Then, on December 5^th, I got the call. 

Minnie had in fact had a litter of nine and there were two yellow females available. Now, you may think that we could have passed and waited a couple of years, but that is where this gets truly heart wrenching. 

There had been complications in the night with Minnie’s delivery that included a trip to the emergency vet, the delivery of the nine babes, and a full hysterectomy for our mama: rendering her sterile.

If we wanted the same lineage and an extension of Miya, this would be our only opportunity. My husband and I both immediately agreed, without hesitation, we were buying another dog!

Allow me to introduce the newest member of our puppy pack - KATIE
TAKEN: JANUARY 21st, 2023

When visiting our new girl again yesterday, we were told owners like ourselves had intended to purchase, but for reasons unknown to us have decided against. That said, because our breeder really does only work on a referral basis, I offered to get the word out as there are still a couple of these beauties available.

Now, I caution carefully. You should only reach out if you're looking to have the most amazing pet experience imaginable and for your heart to be filled with puppy love for years to come. 

I can attest first hand that with my husbands health woes last year, Miya truly changed his outlook and for the first time in all the dogs we've had, he has that magical connection I had with Toby, Puddin', and continue to have with my ten year old Annie. 

If you think this is something that may interest you. You can send me a personal message, or hop over to Facebook and check out Labradorables and message Leslie directly. 

Better yet, here's a link: Leslie @ Labradorables 

I promise, you won't be disappointed. 

Oh, and be sure to let her know that the wonderful Katie Lulu sent you!

REMEMBERING 2022

I don’t know about you, but I am happy to shut the door on the past year and look to the coming year with a genuine amount of hope and sincere optimism. 

Personally, it has felt like I have been in mourning for the majority of the year. I didn’t write nearly as much as I had hoped because my heart was absolutely aching with both hurt and despair. Trust me, in spite of my mantra, it hasn't been something I would ever be able to laugh about.

Professionally, after taking the last three months of 2022 off to help my husband heal from a life saving surgery, I started the year with a new career challenge that has proven to be an excellent move for me. As I look toward retirement, I love that I am mentoring and team building with an amazing group of young, very upwardly mobile, professionals. 

With the past year in the rearview, I have great hope for 2023. All the best in the coming year everyone. Cheers, and thanks once again for reading. 

~ Rhondi

PS: For the first time, for my annual 'remembering' post, as I reminisce electronically, you can click links to journal offerings that you may have missed.

PSS: Enjoy!

Most significant moment (centre): The sudden passing of my closest friend and confidant, Brian ‘Smartie’ Smart. Who left us Easter weekend 2022. I am truly heartbroken, and the loss of his presence will be missed forever.

January: A snapshot from the desk of my new job. A refreshing challenge I have loved, to which I said to my boss on our last conversation before the holiday break, "look what you and I have accomplished in our first year. I can't wait to see where we land after our second!" 

(Link: Leapin' Life Balance)

February: Knowing my wonderful Puddin' was living on borrowed time, my husband and I spent Family Day (aka: Family Furbaby Day) at the cottage with 'The Oreo Gang' . It was the beginning of the end of an era. 

(Link: The Oreo Gang)

March: As the carpool picked up Goob to head to work in Port Cariling, the glow of the sunrise lit up the car. I got out of the car to capture this moment. We enjoyed a beautiful month of March.

April: For the first time since November 2019 we were able to travel. We flew into Miami then took a roadtrip to Key West. Smartie called me to wish me a Happy Birthday, and made me promise to go to the Hemmingway house, which I did the very next day. We talked for an hour, said our always call ending 'I love you and I love you too'. He was dead a week later. 

(Link: S is for Smartie)

May: The month saw the beginning of house as well as cottage renovations. Both took until the end of November to complete. Much more to do in 2023.

June: My beautiful Puddin' succumbed to her cancer. She was my very best furbaby friend. Our Annie was so affected by the loss that we had to stop saying her name. My life just isn't the same without her.

July: I surprised my husband with a road trip to the town of Bethel (where the Woodstock Festival was held in 1969) and then through the Catskill Mountains to the town of Woodstock New York for his birthday. For music lovers like us, it was both a moving and Bucket List experience.

August: We had a heat wave that was crazy off the charts producing extreme heat warnings. It was so hot, that we were in the water more than out. We felt like kids again! 

(Link: My Happy Hat)

September: They say everything comes in threes, and I had three that were major for me personally. First Smartie, then Puddin', then lastly my beautiful Auntie Cai. I credit a lot of who I am today to her and her life guidance. I miss her very much and always will. 

(Link: In her memory ~ Sweet Dreams of Cairo)

October: Our third roadtrip had us take our pups on a more than two thousand mile round trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We rented a house that slept twelve on the ocean that was perfect. If you've never been.... GO!

(Link: Outer Banks Paw Patrol)

November: Yours truly celebrated a personal milestone with the 11th Anniversary of my wee electronic journal. In hindsight, maybe I should have named it 'Silly Story Central!?!' #yagottalaughaboutit 

(Link: Eleven Years Young)

December: A photo just can't illustrate the amount of snowfall we received in Muskoka that began the evening of December 23rd. So much so, that the massive dumping felt like we should have been placed in a State of Emergency. The photo in my collage was day two of four that were brutal. 

Link: Our Great Neighbourhood)

THE OREO GANG

(l-r: Annie, Puddin' & wee Miya Maria)
AKA: THE OREO GANG
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 21, 2022

When my husband was hospitalized in late September last year it was my eldest son, Jukebox, that moved into the house while I stayed in Downtown Toronto. 

As you can imagine, we checked in with each other several times a day and through that first week, he would report each morning that ‘all was A-OK with the Oreo Gang.' A witty and totally relevant nickname that has stayed with my trio ever since.

Let me backup....

When we came to the realization that our beloved Puddin’ was aging, we began communicating with a breeder because we worried if something happened to her, our Annie wouldn’t be able to soldier on alone. She was over six and had never been a lone pup. She had come to us at five weeks to join Dottie and Puddin’ as a third. 

Never considered a third wheel in the pack, infact, she turned into an excellent facilitator between the other two very early on. After Dot passed in July of 2019, Annie and Pud hit their stride – and I knew I never wanted to leave her on her own.

Enter wee Miya Maria. Born in April of 2021 and arriving home in June. Just look at the picture, the three of them are thick as thieves. Though full disclosure has me admit that I may have had a cookie in the air to get them to pose.

Short story long, I love my pups. So much so, that every year since our children left the nest, I have turned the Family Day holiday into Family Furbaby Day. From the time they get up in the morning until they fall asleep at night, everything revolves around them.

As you know, I have aptly labelled myself the ‘Crazy Dog Lady' but what you don’t know, is that my very favourite coffee mug reads: “MY GOAL IN LIFE IS TO BE THE PERSON MY DOGS ALREADY THINK I AM!”

How that for setting the bar high?!

She's right up there with me always keeping my glass AS WELL AS the treat jar half full instead of half empty.

J IS FOR JUKEBOX

My son Jukebox, singing in the finals of Muskoka Voice!
TAKEN: AUGUST 2018

From the April A-Z Blogging archives.

Originally posted April 11th, 2020.

My oldest son was born in the dead of winter in Muskoka.

He slept in a bassinet beside my bed for the first month or so, then graduated into his very own crib. 

Once he moved into his nursery, I made a personal choice that there would always be a radio playing. Why? Because we didn’t want him to be one of those babies conditioned to total silence.

Always set to the local radio station, it was rarely turned off. He dozed off to the tunes, and woke up the same way. I truly feel that early choice we made for him, has embedded the musical passion he has today.

Genetically, Jukebox has always been completely surrounded by musicality. It’s a very common thread that is everywhere (on all sides of our family).

He is completely self-taught, extremely disciplined, and he has fully embraced music as a craft. 

He is talented. He is extremely talented. Name an instrument, he can play it. 

Keep going Jukebox. 

We know you can accomplish whatever you put your voice and self driven talent behind!

MOOSEKOKA MUSING

Just hanging out at the cottage with my big bad bull Moose. 
TAKEN: SEPTEMBER 2018

I was driving home from work last week and I quickly called one of my closest confidants. I thought I had forgotten to thank them from paying for lunch. 

Once connected via Bluetooth, I was reminded that I had in fact already thanked them for lunch, and they in return thanked me again for listening. What followed was quick and very candid conversation about the makings of a meltdown. 

I can speak from experience when I admit that when I finally submit and actually melt down, the emotional fallout can be nuclear. The bigger tell is that final straw is never usually the root cause,  it's just the particular moment housing my last semblance of personal strength when a cherished trust is broken.

Because most know and read me as a full blown extrovert, you may be surprised to learn that I am actually a very private person. I tend to listen far more than I share, and when I do share, it’s generally about generic life experience rather than anything of a very personal nature.

As a people pleasing lass I can count on one hand the number of lifelong friends I have and I firmly believe I've had more than one soulmate thus far in my lifetime. 

You know, that certain someone you have an immediate connection with the moment you meet and that connection is so strong that you feel you've known them your entire life. You immediately know they're special and meant to be in your life - which describes my aforementioned lunch date perfectly!

Soulmate status update aside, I guess my musing point is that in all my years I have learned that many things come and go. Things like people, possessions, pets as well as my patience for personal and professional politics and shell games. 

Though I have never been one for looking back with regret, I have always tried to forgive myself for not having the foresight to see something bad coming my way. I guess you could say that is one of the systemic problems with my rose coloured glasses I wear with such pride.

Those suckers can make a brown bull moose charging me head on, appear in my favourite shade of red.

Even worse? 

They always seem to have a smile on their face!

#TrueStory #seephotoabove

ONE GIANT STEP

 Have you ever had one of those days where no matter what you try and accomplish, you take one step forward and two steps back? 

Well, the fat lady is tuning up to start singing to signal the end of my vacation, and gosh darn dammit if the last seven days haven’t played out exactly like that!

Since we connected water in early May, I have loved living in my little Covid Casita. But if I'm being honest here, the five days of rain last week drove me a tad bit stir crazy. 

Usually when I am antsy and frustrated, we hop in the car and go vrooom zoom for a change of scenery. Imagine wet dog everything and misplaced car keys. 

I know, right? Two. Steps. Back!

Y'all know I love my pups and that they love me. This is proven daily by the fact that they both have to be within two feet of me at any given moment. 

So, this past week, to avoid major rainfall/lake water stinkage, I towel dried them as much as possible, leaving me with a clean towel crisis that offered impressive expletives that I usually save for that crazy orange man south of here. 

I kid you not, when an electronic friend checked in via text with, “hope your week off is okay and quiet.” I instantly responded with, ‘I did laundry in the rain this morning... Livin’ the dream!” 

Truth of the matter is, when I saw the long-range forecast, I wanted to cancel and take a different week. My husband did not. I get it. He has the privilege of a maid and cook; so I can totally empathize with why we wouldn’t entertain a reschedule.

That said, I read an online article this week about the pursuit of personal happiness. It was from a husband’s perspective. It explained how it isn’t his job to make his wife happy. It is her responsibility to ensure she is happy with her choices and herself, which I agree with 100%.

So, when cleaning out the closets this past week, I came across a two-person pup tent I'd purchased for the kids many years ago. I set it up on the lower deck and looked forward to falling asleep over the water and waking up to the morning fog. 

I think I could market this space on Air BnB!
TAKEN: August 6th, 2020

People on my Facebook immediately joked that my husband had finally sent me to the doghouse but the truth of the matter is I hit the jackpot and got the hell out of the extra large doghouse for a good night sleep. 

Then, when heading up to make morning coffee, I broke the zipper on the door, took it down and hauled it into the trash.

Killing the tent after one might have been my two steps back. BUT baby, my night outside alone in the fresh air?

One giant step forward!

LONG LIVE THE VCR

Once again, it's the little things in life that make me smile.

TAKEN: JULY 11th, 2020

This past weekend, I decided to start going through cottage totes I had packed up and put away. I knew before I began that if I didn't need what was inside, the items were going to be loaded onto the four wheeler and hauled up the hill.

My project began a top a beautiful cedar closet that has been home to two black totes that had been there forever. I grabbed my step stool and hauled them cats down. 

Very much to my surprise, I discovered they were filled with VHS tapes. 

Instantly, my sexy bonus light, signaling that I'd entered the lightning round lit up. I dropped the lid, quickly sailed across the room, and opened the top drawer of an old dresser/make shift TV stand. 

Now this dresser stand is a classic faux style antique, which I will refer to as a fine crafted, wooden flat screen television stand. Vintage in nature. Traditional in design. Lawn Sale value: $5.

 

With all my might, I pulled on the swollen top drawer that probably hadn't been opened since the totes were stored, only to to discover my prize inside. (Don't judge the whole time lapse thing. Think VERY expensive flat screen television stand.)

Anyway, the drawer was full of taped movies. As a matter a fact, three of the four drawers were filled. 

VHS tapes with family home videos, television specials, kids movies as well as some of my favourite classic movies. I suddenly felt all warm and fuzzy inside.

After an amazing weekend of watching great memories, I can't help but reflect on how easily I haphazardly jumped on a new technology band wagon all willy-nilly, with zero regard for this collection.

Truth is, when the kids were in high school, I began collecting us DVD's. When they went away to college, I began scouring bargain bins to add to my collection. 

Everything I have ranges in price from a $1.99 to $4.99. I am embarrassed to share that I have accumulated hundreds of DVD's. 

With no streaming option, the last couple of summers I have struggled to pick a movie, so imagine my excitement in the moment I discovered this treasure. 

It was like finding a long lost trusted friend on social media and you unconditionally needed to catch up with them. A total breath of fresh air....Which brings me to my point. 

Rhondi Rule #908: Never discount a strong connection you've previously had by replacing it with something shiny and new.

Chances are the original will turn out to be that cozy blanket and pair fuzzy slippers that you've been quietly missing for the last fifteen years.

Give or take a change in technology or twenty two!

VAYCAY STAYCAY

Today is the last day of my five day staycation that was spent at the cottage. 

I absolutely love an evening bonfire!
TAKEN: JULY 3rd, 2020

Funny how one forgets how wonderful time off in the summer can be when you you travel three of four times every winter. Not gonna lie, I've missed the sheer simplicity of this.

I've missed the early morning coffee sitting next to the water and evening bonfires listening to my favourite songs. Time here is very structured yet extremely relaxed. I love that if I don't want to wear clothes, I don't!

As I sit here and type it's hard to fathom that his is our 20th summer on Orillia Lake. There have been lots of changes over the years yet most everything is still the same. Most owners have come and gone but life here remains as it was 20 years ago; without young children. 

Speaking of children, there's a young family across from us that have children the ages ours were back when we purchased. Sometimes I find myself watching them and I think of Jukebox and Goob and their buddies spending hours upon hours in the water, coming out only to grab some grub and right back in they'd go.

The picnic table we had for them that could sit a dozen children was cut in half to save space. A couple of years ago we put billets under it. 

This summer we built her out, named her Stella, and added a trolling motor. Only to discover that I regret ever chopping the thing in two.

All of the decks, landings and stairs will be replaced this summer and though we have a shower upstairs, we chose to rebuild the outdoor shower in preparation for our staycay. 

My outdoor shower is right up there with skinny dipping for me. It feels great!

...Just like these last days have.