Saturday, February 5, 2022
Sunday, January 30, 2022
THE HEARTBEAT AT MY FEET
This girl has never been anything but a pure joy to raise! TAKEN: 2015 & 2019 |
Our wee Annie was five weeks old when we brought her home. I believe she was the runt because she could pretty much fit in my hands and no ability to eat or lap water. We tended to her round the clock those first three days, which I believe saved her life.
I am a firm believer that no matter what their age, a dog
knows when you save them. Instinctually, I am sure they understand you’re
getting them though that darkness, which in turn blesses you with unconditional
loyalty for as long as they live.
Annie isn't the first dog we rescued, she was just the youngest. One was five months old, one about a year and the third a year and a half. In all instances all were eternally grateful except one. We had to put Sally down for aggression and biting.
We have always raised and rescued females and all were spayed to prevent any unexpected visits from the stork; actually, all but my Annie.
You see, I usually wait until after their first heat and she never had her first until she was three. Her second followed 24 months later. There was never an intention to breed her, and because she was so well behaved - after six years just never bothered as she's never left my side.
Well, when my husband and I were in the city this past December, our dog sitter had friend over with his male dog. I hadn't been concerned at the time because Annie hadn't been in heat - or so I thought.
This past week, we noticed a major change in her disposition. She was moody with the rest of her pack and very clingy to me. Clingy never surprises me, because she has never more than a couple of feet away from me at all times. This was almost obsessive neediness.
Well, after a bit of research we have discovered that Annie in going to be a momma in a couple of weeks.
We've never wanted to breed any dog and this doesn't change out opinion in this situation. That said, I am taking on this situation like I do most thing.
With my glass half full, I will be simply treating it as another new adventure and promise to keep everyone posted!
#yagottalaughaboutit
Sunday, January 23, 2022
DEBATING WINTER WARMTH
Over the recent 2021 holiday break, I
watched a 7-part documentary offering on Netflix titled Pretend It’s A City, starring
New York City author and 70’s icon Fran Lebowitz.
Though she made a ton of valid points about the Big Apple within the hours I watched, in one episode, she went on a rant on how she can’t believe people travel for the purpose of enjoyment.
"When I’m
in airports and I see that there are people going on vacations, I think… How
horrible could your life be?” Then she continued with “Like, how bad is
your regular life, that you need to escape it?!”
As you know, my husband and I have travelled quite a bit and we have a pretty great ‘regular life.’ So, as soon as she said it, I instantly did a double take and wish I would have had the laser sharp wit to say what I will say here today.
"Yo, Franny...” (I'll call her that, because we quickly bonded during my very lengthy and indulgent binge watch in my jammies.) "Kiss my fat and colourful carryon caboose... and stick my boarding pass where the holiday sun don't shine!”
Overbearing travel opinions of one rich New Yorker aside, next month marks the 10th anniversary of the very first trip
my hubby and I took without our kids. I had won a $5,000 travel voucher and we decided
to travel in great style to a destination that we’d never typically be able to afford
to go. Negril, Jamaica was where we landed.
On that trip, we met a couple that we have stayed in touch with ever since. As a matter a fact, we got along so well, that we met each other again in Runaway Bay two years later; and we were invited to their wedding in Montego Bay in April of 2018. (That's the amazing HMR on the right, photobombing my man.)
Winter work (in Muskoka) vs. Winter warmth (in Runaway Bay) TAKEN: Today and February 2014 |
I totally miss travelling... Because for us it isn’t just about the time you spend together once you’ve arrived at
your destination. We enjoy the planning, research, the anticipation, and of course the most exciting part for me - the sound of my passport getting stamped.
Which takes me back to my buddy Fran. How bad is my 'regular life' if I need to escape it? I say toss that Toonie into the air, because the other side of the proverbial coin question will be: How many narrow minded people do you know that have a thick passport?!”
So, there you have it Ms. Lebowitz.
Point. Set. Match.... ME!
Sunday, January 16, 2022
OUR HEALTHY HIATUS
Fun times on our last pre-lockdown vacation to Mazatlán Mexico. Sad that (post op) travel will never be the same. BUT... We'll figure it out! TAKEN: DECEMBER 2, 2019 |
I began my work break the day
before my husband entered the hospital, and we mutually decided on day five after
his surgery, that I would not be returning to my then place of employment.
That said, not to throw baby out with
bathwater, I requested to take an addition three weeks of vacation time once we
got home. You know, in hopes my boss wouldn’t turn out to be the greedy turd my hubby warned me he was.
Alas, when the time ran out, I lost
in my true wager of hope. He won the lackluster coin toss fair and square, and as we expected I
officially left the job the Friday night before I was set to return the first Monday
in November.
Though you may be sensing this is
going to be a dark rant about a bad boss - it isn’t. He’s in the past and not the direction I’m
going. This electronic journal post is a good news story about my husband and me.
A good news story on how we spent
three life changing months, in very close proximity, essentially only in each
other’s company and we didn’t kill each other… Signifying will be a successful team
in retirement!
Now, for those of you that know
my husband, certain phrases will always come to mind. “Great guy, amazing friend,
gets along with everyone” top the list, and the list is long. The one thing I
will say, is that none of those people live with him.
Just as I’m sure people that know yours truly, wonder how my hubby puts up with me, I will caution once again… you don’t
live with us. I believe we work well because we have found a great balance.
At the end of the day, we have always worked hard on good communication as well as our overall friendship with each other. We married young and started our family younger than most. Yet, we were lucky to have found a rhythm that truly bonds the both of us.
Most importantly, the
rough patches are things we still discuss openly, they aren’t tucked away. As we both recognize, those times are all a part of how we have arrived at today.
Suffice to say, because of our looming circumstance over the last year, we’ve discussed our plans for retirement and what that may look like. I guess I can say that after the last three months, now we're just excited about how that eventual transition will happen.
Which brings me to my long story/short point:
How do you know it’s your time to retire? It’s when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it!
Stay tuned. After a year, I am finally writing again... and I promise to report back on what we decide!!
Friday, December 31, 2021
REMEMBERING 2021
There is so much emotion attached to the last year that I truly don’t know where to start.
Personally, I decided I would no longer surround myself with people that didn’t have the same core philosophies as yours truly, cleansing myself of a mountain of stress and unnecessary drama.
Professionally, I decided that health of loved ones and home life happiness trumped making ungrateful employers’ gobs of money without thanks. Who knew that at my age I could still grow a pair? Guess you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!
All the best for 2022 everyone. Remember to keep your hands and feet in the ride at all times.
Cheers from Rhondi
Most significant moment (centre): Merry Christmas! My husband and his sister were both given a clean bill of health. What an amazing way to end the year that lasted a century.
January: Knowing that travel wouldn’t be an option, we decided
in the new year to keep the cottage deck cleared of snow so that we
could spend weekends there during the winter.
February: Back in lockdown and only interacting with our exclusive
bubble, we enjoy an amazing dinner and bonfire to celebrate Jukebox’s birthday.
March: With my husband being fast tracked for surgery, we received our first shot.
April: Rebuilding cottage decks and illustrating the crap we
found – including a kitchen sink that had been buried for decades.
May: After we had a new roof installed, we spent the weekend
repairing and staining the exterior of our home.
June: Born April 9th, 2021, we brought home the
lovely Miya Maria on June 9th (my Dad’s birthday) 2021.
July: After a 7-year hiatus, Goob got me back on the golf links on Sunday afternoons. I had no idea how much I had truly missed it.
August: Stella, our floating picnic table became the go to
pup activity (and official conversation piece) on Orillia Lake.
September: I snapped this photo moments before my husband went in to have his life
changing surgery.
October: Just eighteen days post op and we attended the beautiful
wedding of my husbands brother and his new bride.
November: Mid way though our three-month break, we found a
beautiful bouquet of the Petro Canada glasses I collect. Words can't express how I still get excited to find them.
December: Life is good. Though I left my job in October, for the first time in my life I chose life balance over work life which has made a world of difference for us.
Friday, April 30, 2021
Z IS FOR ZAP
Jukebox, Goob, and Sweetie on Huckleberry Rock. TAKEN: OCTOBER 2018 |
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 30th, 2020
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Y IS FOR YESTERDAY
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 29th, 2013
April 29th, 2013 - YESTERDAY Taken: April 1977 |
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
X- IS FOR X-CEPTIONAL
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
W IS FOR WISDOM
Spit polished, loaded up, and ready to GO! TAKEN: APRIL 16th, 2016 |
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 27th, 2016
I understand the sport isn't for everyone. It's usually something you either love or hate. I was asked by an engineer at work the other day why I'm so drawn into the sport and I think he was surprised at my response.
Sunday, April 25, 2021
V IS FOR VINYL
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 26th, 2016
We've just acquired more than 600 vintage vinyl records. It's going to be a GREAT summer! TAKEN: MARCH 26TH, 2016 |
Saturday, April 24, 2021
U IS FOR UNEXPECTED
Happy 10th Anniversary Mikey Mike! Taken: April 2017 |
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 24th, 2017
Friday, April 23, 2021
T IS FOR TIMING
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 23rd, 2015
My Sweetie and me... Never to focus on the past. It's not the direction we're going. TAKEN: MARCH 11th, 2012 |
Thursday, April 22, 2021
S IS FOR SWEETIE
My Sweetie and me enjoying a Cafe de Monde beignets in the French Quarter, NOLA. TAKEN: MAY 30th, 2019 |
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 22nd, 2020
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
R IS FOR REMORSE
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 21st, 2016
Prince at the ACC. SECTION 107 ~ ROW 16 TAKEN: NOVEMBER 25th, 2011 |
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Q IS FOR QUANTITY
My quest for a greater QUANTITY continues TAKEN: APRIL 17th, 2018 |
From the April -Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 20th, 2018
Monday, April 19, 2021
P IS FOR PARADISE
From the April A-Z Blogging archives
This was originally posted April 19th, 2016
The beachfront at our rental home in Elbow Cay, Abocos, Bahamas. (Photo credit & rental heads up to my very good buddy JCW) TAKEN: FEBRUARY 2015 |
I’d be lying if I wrote that my deep yearning to head to Aruba was just for the stamp in my passport. Though that’s definitely part of it, when I was young my parents always said 'when they took their first trip to an island paradise, they'd be walking on the white sands in Aruba.' Suffice is to say my mother was gone before they ever had the chance to take that trip.
Saturday, April 17, 2021
O IS FOR OPTIMISTIC
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.This was originally posted April 17th, 2014
April 17th, 2014 - OPTIMISTIC |
Zero. Zip. Nada. Nothing. Zilch.
Friday, April 16, 2021
N IS FOR NOSTALGIC
From the April A-Z Blogging archivesThis was originally posted April 16th, 2013
April 16th, 2013 - NOSTALGIC Taken: June 2012 |
Thursday, April 15, 2021
M IS FOR MIAMI MOJITO
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
L IS FOR LAUGHTER
From the A-Z Blogging archivesThis was originally posted on April 14, 2013
April 14th, 2013 - LAUGHTER Taken: April 2008 |
Have a great day all, and remember to keep that frown turned upside down!
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
K IS FOR KNOWING
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 13th, 2020
This isn't going away tomorrow!
Sunday, April 11, 2021
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.
Saturday, April 10, 2021
I IS FOR IMPOSSIBLE
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.This was originally posted April 10th, 2015.
You're only as old as you feel...! TAKEN: APRIL 9th, 2015 |
Friday, April 9, 2021
H IS FOR HEARTFELT
Thursday, April 8, 2021
G IS FOR GIFT
From the Aprill A-Z Blogging archives.This was originally posted on April 8th, 2014
I have been married for almost a quarter century, and the earrings were not from my husband. My comment wasn't to share about the earrings per se, but to illustrate the fact that gifting has never been something I have a whole lot of experience with.
April 8th, 2013 - GIFTS Taken: Myrtle Beach SC (Xmas 1997) |
After all these years together, by refraining from the exercise, sometimes I wonder if that's why neither of us aren't even remotely materialistic people
When it comes to us, there's never been some underlying expectation that the next gift will out shine the last.
Both of us were raised to appreciate that the best gifts in life come from the heart rather than from a shopping mall. I wish I could admit that when it came to our children we didn't over indulge, but at least we always tried to make them prioritize what they desired most.
At the end of the day, the earrings may have been the most expensive gift I have ever been given, but they are nowhere near my most treasured by far. That gift, is something that I have just recently given myself.
It's called hope.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
F IS FOR FACING FEAR
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 7th, 2016.
Just waiting for the right wave. TAKEN: APRIL 7th, 2016 |
My eldest boy surfed yesterday and he was amazed just how hard it was.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
E IS FOR EXCITED
From the April A-Z Challenge archives.
This was originally posted April 6th, 2017.
Headed to New Orleans with my Timmies! TAKEN: APRIL 6th, 2017 |
Monday, April 5, 2021
D IS FOR DECADES
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 4th, 2020
Pretty Curls TAKEN: DECEMBER 1969 |
Lake Louise with my Mama TAKEN: JULY 1976 |
High School Daze TAKEN: MAY 1984 |
Tampa, Florida TAKEN: APRIL 1989 |
Labour Day Monday at Santa's Village TAKEN: SEPTEMBER 1996 |
The summer we lived at the cottage. TAKEN: JULY 2002 |
Sweetie & Me ~ Westin Harbour Castle TAKEN: MAY 2008 |
Top of El Arco - Mazatlan, Mexico TAKEN: NOVEMBER 2019 |