OREO GANG VERSION 3.0

Our newest little labradorable nugget
(yet to be named).
TAKEN: JULY 30th, 2026

It has been almost 2 years since our beloved Annie's unexpected death, so we felt ready and that this was perfect timing to officially put the Oreo Gang (two black labs and a yellow) back together; for the third time.

Version 1 was Annie, Puddin Miya. (RIP Puddin June 7th, 2022)

Version 2 was Annie, Katie Kate, Miya (RIP Annie September 5th, 2024)

Version 3 is Miya, Kate, and the little nugget above...

We have yet to name our new girl (snapped chilling with my travel buddy hubby) at the doggie lodge. 

Her mom is baby Kate's sister, as our CKC registered breeder keeps this amazing blood line going. Full grown labs, much smaller in stature is the really big plus.

I am not going to lie, it felt great to have the both the girls back to their Labradorables homestead for a visit yesterday.

There are a few pups left if you are interested, you can reach Leslie through her Labraodorables page on Facebook. 

Be sure to let her know Miya and Katie Kate sent you!! 

FOURTEEN NINTY-NINE

Miya posing with my stash!
TAKEN: JULY 10th, 2026

About five years ago, I bought myself the perfect inflatable floating chair. 

During the cottage floating season, it was always stored on the stainless loop of the dock ladder, but after a late season storm, a gust of wind had it take flight never to be seen again.

So, once the snow left, I began my search for a replacement.

As luck would have it, I was sending my travel buddy hubby into the local Canadian Tire for dog toys that were on sale, and he discovered exactly what I was looking for. Not only that, but it was also on sale for $14.99!

After looking at it in the wrapper for a couple of days, I sent him back for a second. Not because I needed two but because it has been my general experience that if you find something you really like, the chances that you are able to replace it, is slim to none.

In keeping with the thought process, we drove to Costco last weekend because before we went to Bahamas, I got a great pair of black Roots flip flops for $39.99. 

I will admit, I tend to spend more on flip flops that offer support because in any long weekend away I can walk up to 100,000 steps and wear them out by the time I get home.

Only once did I pay the price, or shall I say didn't spend the money. I forgot to pack a pair of my holiday foot ware must haves when we went to Vegas in 2023. I bought a cheap pair at Walgreen’s on the strip, and suffered with shin splints for a good three weeks following.

Short story long, the road trip to Costco was in search of another pair as the pair I bought in March are pooched. 

That said, we always stop at a place in Orillia called Liquidation Nation (a discount clearance centre) before we head to Costco because their 12 rolls of Bounty are 25% cheaper than Costco because the bags have been damaged and have packing tape holding them together.

While I was there, I headed to their foot ware section to see what I could score. Low and behold they had the exact same Roots flip-flops, in my size, in multiple colours. Get this, they were on sale for $14.99 a pair!

A sure sign that they had been discontinued, I bought three. 

For this cat, this isn't the summer of 2026....

It IS the SUMMER OF $14.99!!

#yagottalaugaboutit

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

Y IS FOR YACHT

Here is an information link for the yacht we rented.

  My Brother

My travel buddy hubby 
whale watching.
TAKEN: FEBRARY 27th, 2026

 

Cousins enjoying the day
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 27th, 2026

The upper view with the captain.
TAKEN: FEBURARY 27th, 2026

One of our many stops for the day
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 27th, 2026

X IS FOR XENIAL

My cousins' hopsitality in Hautulco was xenial.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 27th, 2026

 

Every year I struggle with this letter, but this year my word seemed obvious.

As I have written through the month, we traveled for a cousins retreat to Hautulco, Mexico that last week of February. My cousin (in the green and straw hat - that is her husband on the end in blue) was the perfect hostess.

Xenial is an adjective describing warm, friendly hospitality or the relationship between a host and a guest. Originating from the Greek word xenos (stranger/guest), it refers to being welcoming, generous, and kind, particularly toward travelers or visitors.

Thanks for the memories!

W IS FOR WHITE

A mere 1,089 days later
and it is finally white!
TAKEN: APRIL 11th, 2026

When I returned home from my birthday trip to Bahamas, I was pleasantly surprised that a selfie I snapped while walking the beach showed the finality of my hair dying journey.

As vain as this may read, I used to take such great pride in my hair. 

Then, on May 5th, 2023, my hairdresser dyed my locks blonde. As a result I began to shy away from any camera, and I wore a baseball cap (or my hair in a bun) 99% of the time that I was out and about.

Well, this birthday proved that my journey to getting rid of the blonde colouring is over.

Now, I could have bitten the bullet and cut my hair, but I really didn’t want to. Short hair has not been in my wheelhouse since the early 1990’s when I cut it off and immediately regretted it.

For the last three years I have repeatedly said to my travel buddy hubby that “my hair won’t look like crap forever.” And though he was quietly supportive, I know he never liked the blonde either; it just didn’t suit me.

Well, as you can see, the photo I am sharing today tells two stories.

That I have officially embraced my sexagenarian status.

…AND, it really IS better in the Bahamas!!

V IS FOR VROOM

 

VROOM VROOM VROOM
Through the Golden Zone in Mazatlan, Mexico
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 30th, 2019

Mazatlan was one of the very few places that I didn't feel safe in Mexico. 

Primarly because we stayed in a massive RIU resort that only receieved two Canadian planes a week. One from Toronto, and the second from Vancouver.

However, we did spend the money to hire a personal pulmonia driver to vroom throughout the Golden Zone and climb to the top where the El Faro lighhouse is located.

Heavily popluated by the Sinaloa Cartel, it is the one place I have no desire to return.

U IS FOR UNUSUAL

 Unusual - /ˌənˈyo͞oZH(əw)əl/

"Unusual" describes things that are not normal, typical, or common, often appearing strange, rare, or remarkable. It indicates a departure from the expected, such as an "unusual sound" or "unusual ability". 

Synonyms include strange, peculiar, rare, odd, and extraordinary. 

Well, this was a first for us. 

Wild, albeit pair of tame chickens that hung out with us and fetched like dogs. This particular poultry pal climbed the stairs and followed us to the beach. If I didn't experience this in real time, I would have never believed it possible.

Unusual for sure!

This chicken was a tame as our dogs
TAKEN: APRIL 12th, 2026

Catching some air to grab the bread
TAKEN: APRIL 12th, 2026

They were so tame they wanted
to come into the house!
TAKEN: APRIL 12th, 2026

R IS FOR RESORT

This resort complex is massive
TAKEN: APRIL 10th, 2026

 This year we went back to the Baha Mar for the first time in eight years. 

The last time we were onsite there was only one hotel that housed the casino. That is the building you see directly behind my travel buddy hubby. Now there are three large hotels on 1,000-acre resort complex; with 45+ dining venues.

Our original intent was to walk over for lunch. With the help of Google Earth, we figured out how to access the employee entrance which made our walk from our AirBnb 1.75kms rather than almost 6kms had we walked around through the front entrance.

Like any typical tourist, we walked the beach and the boardwalk, took a ton of photos, and realized how lucky we were to not be staying there. 

Don’t get me wrong, it is a nice place to visit but $10,000 USD doesn’t go very far. 

Anyway, we decided against a pricey lunch. So, our total dollars spent on resort was a whooping $2.70 USD.

You see, I put a $20 bill in a slot machine, played a couple of rounds then quickly cashed out so that I would have small bills for the jitney to get is to the fish fry at Junkanoo Beach

...Where we had lunch and a cocktail for less than $40 USD with our tip.

The flamingo's that do yoga were cool.
TAKEN: APRIL 10th, 2026

Our AirBnb is beside the taller building
TAKEN: APRIL 10th, 2026

Trying to find our way back out.
TAKEN: APRIL 10th, 2026

Walking out the main entrance
to catch the jitney.
TAKEN: APRIL 10th, 2026

Q IS FOR QUIT

WORDS WE LIVE BY.
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 8th, 2018

N IS FOR NASSAU

MCS Grandiosa is massive.
One of  five cruise ships in port that day.
TAKEN: APRIL 12th, 2026

I would like to clarify that my travel buddy hubby and have never booked a vacation specifically to visit downtown Nassau, New Providence. We have always stayed in the beautiful area of Cable Beach, giving us the option to venture into downtown Nassau on the jitney.

As I am sure Google can confirm, the Port of Nassau is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean, so with the help of a cool website CruiseMapper.com (for real time port maps) we know when to NOT go into the downtown area.

We chose the 12^th as it was raining when we left our AirBnb and there were only five ships in port (approximately 20,000 people). With it raining, we figured we could manage a hopeful 50% capacity.

Our big investment downtown this trip was a $14 USD admission price into the Pirates of Nassau Museum. Two years ago, I won the coin toss for the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle, this year my hubby wanted to check out the museum - so we did.

This is our third venture onto the island and this one has been the best by far.  Though we changed the address where we slept, we easily found our bearings with the understanding how to escape the astronomical cost of being a transient vacationer.

For this trip downtown, we selected a second story patio to enjoy lunch.

I couldn’t help but admire the colours of the World Famous Bahamas Straw Market and this size of the MSC Grandios that flanks it in the background. 

K IS FOR KUDOS

This place is perfect!
TAKEN: APRIL 9th, 2026

 I rarely brag about general accomplishments, but that is about to change.

Two years ago, we travelled to Bahamas for my birthday. So, when we looked at what we had saved at the end of 2025, I knew I wanted to travel back to the island to celebrate my 2026 birthday on Cable Beach. 

Over the holiday break, my travel buddy hubby and I looked at booking our spot from 2024 but quickly realized that $1,200 a night was in all cases highway robbery. Then I discovered Little Bahama. I am sharing the photo I took on our way to the grocery store, right after settling in.

Located just a few steps from the amazing beach, this place is far better than the overpriced apartment where we had stayed in previously. Our selection this year is beautifully appointed, in upscale neighbourhood, close to everything we need.

About a kilometer and a half walk to BahaMar, that is where I spent my birthday. Total dollars spent onsite? Nothing!

I found a chit on the floor for .60 cents, put in a $20 USD bill, then cashed out to get small bills for the jitney. 

Look, any Bahamian island is extremely expensive. 

Kudos to us for bringing what we could in our luggage, so to avoid the grocery store. Kudos to us for knowing how to stay out of $40 USD taxi cabs. Most importantly?

Kudos to us for booking the same weekend here next year!

J IS FOR JITNEY

A white knuckle ride
to the fish fry!
TAKEN: APRIL 10th, 2026

There are a few letters of the alphabet I struggle with, and the letter J has always been one of them. I suppose my plight is that I never use the same word twice.

Well, yesterday, as we made our way from Baha Mar to Junkanoo Beach for the fish fry, my word for today became obvious. Just like in Isla Mujeres driving a golf cart, you take your life in your hands riding the local jitney in Bahamas.

One step up from an oversized mini van, it is how the locals navigate the island.

The price is $1.50 Bahamian dollar per ride, and you pay as you exit.

A bargain basement price to travel from Cable Beach though the downtown of Nassau.

Just be sure to keep your hands and feet in the ride at all times - because they drive like maniacs and the speed limit is never something that is respected.

#yagottalaughaboutit

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.

G IS FOR GOOB

A fun night out with our son... GOOB.
TAKEN: AUGUST 28th, 2025

As you may or may not know, I very rarely use the actual names of people I am referencing in my electronic journal. My husband is referred to at my travel buddy hubby, my oldest is Jukebox, his sister is Sweetie... and this is her twin brother Goob.

An avid lover of music he introduced us to Leon Bridges when he first landed in YouTube. Only twenty-five when his first album Coming Home was released, its R&B vibe that became known for its 1950's and 60's throwback sound. (Official Coming Home video to get the jist of his vibe.)

So, when I discovered his guy was coming to Canada, I bought tickets and the three of us ventured to Budwiser Stage for an night of great music. Goob reciprocated by purchasing tickets for the three of us to see Jesse Wells at Massey Hall last month - but that's another post. 

Though the urban dictionary refers to the word goob as a nerd, geek, or silly person, my son is anything but. He was given the nickname at a very young age as I had never seen as much drool out of a baby in my life.

In his mid thirties now, I am the only one that still calls him by his nickname. And what I will say... 

Is that he prefers I don't do it in public!

#yagottalaughaboutit

E IS FOR EPIC

Words can not describe how just how EPIC our upoming 2026 Toronto concert events will be. Rogers Stadium, here we come. Oddly enough, we are in the same section and row for all of them.

Let's say I had an extra ticket for all of them.

 If you had to pick one, which of these three would you like to see most?

Trust me, as a Super Fan of them all ...There is NO bad answer!

D IS FOR DEFINITION

My travel buddy hubby admiring
the Carribean Sea at Punta Sur
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 30th, 2026

Believe it or not, my travel buddy hubby has worked for the same company (which was sold and only incurred a name change) since he was fifteen years old. Something not many can admit, including yours truly.

The reason I shared my husband’s years of service is because he has earned a whooping six full weeks of vacation, so when I changed jobs about five years ago, four weeks of vacation time was a hard negotiation point in my selecting my employer.

Anyway, when the children left the nest, we finally decided it was our turn to reap the rewards of our years of hard-work. So, we took our first trip without our children in the winter of 2012.

After that amazing trip to Negril Jamaica, we quickly embraced a sense of wanderlust that has increasingly grown with each passport stamp since.

I guess you can say that I chose the word I did today because so many people have opinions on the amount of travel we get to enjoy – and I tend to feel obligated to explain how I budget and execute our travel choices.

So many passive agressive comments, so many so many sarcastic "it must be nice" judgemental type remarks. Which is why we accept no one’s definition of how we should live our lives.

...Because we are quite capable of defining it for ourselves!

#yagottalaughaboutit

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!