Blog Award

I got a blog award! Thank you to Cynthia!


These are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.

4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.


I have to admit, I read quite a few blogs but I'm a bit of a lurker so I didn't feel comfortable (I guess I'm shy in this dep't) listing them all.

So...here you go...you only get 5!
Barbie - http://letmeaxeyousomthin.blogspot.com/

Lovella/What Matters Most - http://lovella-at-home.blogspot.com/

Jen Lemen - http://jenlemen.com/blog/

Carol - http://www.carolbrowne.com/

Shutter Sisters - http://shuttersisters.squarespace.com/home

My George - happy anniversary baby!

Well, as I mentioned before, my George is away this week and I'm missing him somethin' awful. Monday was our 18th anniversary and he wasn't here to mark it with me - we'll have to celebrate when he gets home!

My George is my...
best friend,
companion,
travel partner,
support system,
lover,
sharer of dreams,
massager of feet,
and the best cuddler in my world!

Heavenly Days at the Lake...

My friends invited me to join them at Sproat Lake this past weekend and since George is away in England all week, I decided to take them up on the offer. It was a fantastic time - one of those 'everybody-gets-everybody-lots-of-laughing-singing-dancing-drinking-swimming-eating' kinds of times. I didn't know everyone very well which made me a bit shy about crashing their party but it worked. I made some great new friends.

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE swimming in lakes??? Well, in case you haven't heard, I LOVE SWIMMING IN LAKES! I even fulfilled my summer goal of skinny dipping (quickly and alone last night while everyone else was around the camp fire). How magical is that - I just laid in the water laughing to myself - feeling all free-spirit-y and naughty! (The pic above is me in a swimsuit so don't waste your time trying to enlarge:) Hope you all had a great weekend and are enjoying this cleansing rain.

last night's yummy dinner (Kathleen and Wilma's delicious chicken with rice, salad and corn-on-the-cob) I learned a brilliant new trick about using a big lump of butter on a slice of bread to butter your corn (apparently its from Martha Stewart)

Click here for more pix...

Me, my toes and family resemblance...

Ok, all you foot fetish people out there (I'm pretty sure that's not anyone who actually reads my blog but hey...you never know), this is for you. I just had my toes done the prettiest blue ever - and now I'm ready for swimming in the lake this weekend!!! Can't wait! I'll tell you all about it after the weekend.

This other pic I took of myself so I could check my eyebrows - I think they'll do for another few days...(I think I really look like my dad and my brother in this one). What do you think?...thin upper lip, intelligent high forehead...(but I have the best eyebrows:)

A fun video from the past...

In December 2005, George and I went to Barbados to attend some very good friends' wedding. We had a week to play before the festivities started so we amused ourselves by frolicking at the beach, shopping in Bridgetown, and spent one crazy day in a little shanty bar, tucked in a corner, partying with the locals. The video is of a woman outside the bar who was getting her groove on. I love it! Here's some more pix of some of the people we met that day...As you can see, the 'Banks' beer was in abundance!

It's been a day...

Well...Barb and I were on our way to see Norm and Cynthia in Mission when we got very stuck in some crazy traffic - apparently a crane had "collapsed" on the highway and they'd closed both directions! We ended up being over an hour late for our lunch date (if you know me at all, you know that stresses me quite a lot - don't like to keep anyone waiting and am usually the first one at any event/party). Thankfully, we had the perfect hosts who offered up yummy rum-licious drinks upon our arrival and a delicious chicken burger and fruity salad lunch. Lots of laughs, funny stories and 'maybe one more of those yummy rum drinks, please' later, I relaxed and had such a loverly time. Thanks so much Cynth and Norm. Great to see you Denise! And Barb...you're a fantastic driving, stuck-in-traffic, laughing-at-everyone-and-everything companion.

Tag ladies, you're it!!!

A Weekend on the Island...

This past weekend we spent with the in-laws in Victoria and Chemainus. The weather, as you know, was fantastic and there were many great views to be had...


- from the ferry going over...

- the full moon coming up over the Gorge in Victoria from G's parent's balcony...

- this delicious breakfast and a garden full of flowers at Jarid's Corner B&B...

- Ladysmith on a sunny Sunday...

And then on Sunday night, we snuck away for a romantic dinner for two (an early celebration of our 18th anniversary since G. will be away) at our fave Victoria restaurant, Il Terrazzo. Amazing, yummy, delicious!

More pix on my flickr site...

Hope you all had a sun and fun filled weekend!

It's Time to Give Back...

I've had a great life so far and things are going pretty good! One thing that I find missing these days tho' is a sense of giving back. I used to spend a good amount of time volunteering for one thing or another and I benefited in so many ways from all of those experiences. My goal for the near future is to make that a priority again in my life.
Today, I've decided to loan some money to a fellow entrepreneur in Cambodia who is a weaver through the KIVA organization. Here is her story - http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=56273
Here's some info about KIVA -

Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.
Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.
The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals in need of funding - not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need.

Have a wonderful day everyone and if you're walking down the street - smile at the person walking towards you - it will make a difference !!!

Some Faves from Bali...

I'm in a bit of a reminiscent mood tonight so thought I'd share some of my favorite pix from last years' Bali trip. I love this little guys face - so honest and beautiful!

My life these days...

Well...I'm exhausted! But if you think I'm complaining, you've got another think coming:) My days have been filled with
swimming at Kits pool in the mornings,

swimming at the lake with good friends,

sailing with my family
and hanging out with my 11 year old (soon to be 12!) nephew (I have been able to keep up at work as well but it's great to have flexible work hours).
It's been a fantastic summer so far - I know I'm spoiled - but also know that I'm enjoying every moment and appreciating all the gifts that life is bringing to me! How's your summer going?

Not too Charmin'!

Ok...is anyone as weirded or grossed out by the charmin-bear-toilet-paper-stuck-to-bum commercial??? If you haven't seen it, here's the link. EW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLKTUsyCMcg
Have a great day!

Honeysuckle

I can't believe our beautiful honeysuckle vine which covers our whole front porch is almost done blooming. Last year I think they bloomed twice so maybe there's more to come?

We had good news this week from our landlord. The original plan was that we would get to live in this great house for 4 years and then they (landlord and family) would move back in and we'd have to look for something else. That 4 year deadline would've been a year from now so I asked him if he could confirm their return date so we could start planning. They've now decided to stay put for one more year (kids in school...) so we have this place until July 2010!!! Great and happy news.

I've had some nice downtime after lots of social events last week. Saturday we went to the Trout Lake Farmer's Market and got some beautiful varieties of tomatoes, some yummy foccacia bread and new potatoes which we're cooking up right this moment with some steak. Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

What did you have for dinner?

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...and we Did! (and so did the boys)

Went to the True Colors Concert in Deer Lake Park on Wednesday and it was awesome! Here's a fantastic review from the Vancouver Sun. Yesterday's Province review truly didn't get it. Highlights for me - Rosie O'Donnell! She rocked in every way. From the moment she came off her tour bus and waved to us in line (I was jumping up and down, shouting "Hi Rosie!") to her stand up performance and finally her energetic drumming to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - she definitely hit the mark. Her stand up was funny, touching, challenging and honest. I had tears streaming down my cheeks through the whole thing. For most of the concert, we were sitting about half way back on the grass with a good view of all but not too close up in the crazy crowds - but for Rosie's bit, I snuck up to about 6th row and just sat there, taking a few pics and soaking it all in. It's weird, I know, but I'm pretty sure we would be good friends:) I don't usually have these crazy fan tendencies but...there you go. Sometimes things just feel connected.
Oh yeah, Carson Kressley of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy fame was hilarious as the host. And...Sarah McLaughlin and Cyndi Lauper singing Time After Time together.
The B-52's also rocked! They were one of the first bands George and I listened to together on one of our first dates about 18 years ago!
Here are some pix...(just so you know - George and I are not attached at the head, it just seems that way sometimes:)
The last one is of me in the limo on the way home - there were no taxis to be found!

Updates - finally!

Wow! It's been an incredible several days. I'll try to make it interesting...

Saturday

George and I golfed in a tournament with some friends in Tsawwassen. It was intensely HOT but there was plenty of cold beer and adequate golfing (by me). I ended up with a 110 on a 69 par course. I know that doesn't sound great but for me...it rocked!

Sunday

BeautiControl Spa Party - which means six lovely ladies in my living room eating juicy cherries, grapes, strawberry shortcake and chocolate brownies while having mini-facials, manicures and foot moisturizers. I ended up signing up to be a distributor so stay tuned for more info on this really great product.

Monday

George had to work in the morning so I went for a swim at Kits Pool and then we ended up going out to the boat in the early afternoon for a sail. We managed to hide behind the sail for the first bit as the sun was pretty brutal but once again, the beer was cold (don't worry - we're very responsible sailors).

Check out my new beer holder!!! That cruise ship was pretty far away but still freaky - they're so HUGE (& we're so not)!

Tuesday - CANADA DAY!

We had our annual neighbourhood block party. It was pretty fun! We have a very multi-cultural street so there's always lots of great food. We had also applied for and received a community grant (they're very easy to get so I highly recommend you trying this in your area) and this year's community project was these pretty birdhouses. Everyone had a go at building and painting them and now they're adorning all of the trees on our block. I hope the birds enjoy them! The evening ended with a firepit in the street (we'd closed it off to traffic) and a good old-fashioned singalong.

Wednesday
True Colors Concert at Deer Lake Park
This - for me- was amazing!!!! I think I'll fill you in on the deets tomorrow. I saw Rosie O'Donnell!!!!!!!!! Pix to come...