It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The house is decorated! Inside and outside. This year instead of our usual 15ft. tree we got two 7ft. trees. No two-story foyer to put the tree in this house plus the low ceilings, sigh. Anyway, we have one tree in the dining room and one in the basement, where I hope we spend some time when everyone arrives. It is funny to put up the decorations in a house for the first time, so many decisions to make, where does everything go and why doesn't all my stuff fit in this house? Because it is smaller, duh!

Last week I had strep throat, not fun. I haven't been sick in a long time, so I really didn't think I needed to see a doctor. Good thing I did, after the antibiotics I am feeling much better.

Weather update: gray, cold, snowy, rainy, and did I say gray? What is with this? I am so sun deprived! Today it is sunny and so I will go out and do as many errands as possible just to be in the sun! I am not loving this November, December weather, yuk! I really hope things improve as it gets colder. I don't know if I can live through 4 more months of this. Enough ranting?

Only a week until Kelly gets home from school and I am so ready to have a house with family in it. I have such high expectations that the holidays will be fun and busy for all of us. I really hope our time together goes by slowly and we can savor it for the rest of the winter.

Anyway, off to the stores and out in the sun. Burning daylight!

American Thanksgiving.ca

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in the States. It was Thursday here in Canada. Just another Thursday....weird. All day I kept thinking about the rest of my family getting together at one house or another, planning and preparing the feast, smelling that turkey cooking in the oven, knowing that everyone else was doing the same thing at so many other houses. Here, it was just another work day with business as usual.
TJ flew in from Alberta and promised to take me to dinner, for our Thanksgiving feast. Well, we had the most unique dinner I think we've ever had on Thanksgiving. TJ had caribou and I had stuffed capon (with cranberries, very Thanksgivingish). Dinner was very nice but not even close to celebrating with our family.
One more note, Lucy, our 15 yr. old Brittney Spaniel, is not well. She has a tumor on her back paw and it seems to have gotten infected. In the morning she would not get out of bed or eat. The vet gave her some pain killers and an antibiotic but we think her days with us are few. It is so sad to see her limping around in obvious pain. She has had a long and good life but it is never easy to make the decision to end it. I don't think it will be long though. The tumor is inoperable so things may not get any better, and this is no life for her.
Like I said, a very weird Thanksgiving for sure. So glad we were able to be with family for the Canadian version in October. I would really be feeling cheated if we had not.
Let the Christmas shopping begin.

"The Wedding"

This past weekend we went down to Baton Rouge for TJ's sister, Meg's, wedding. We left the snow of Mississauga and freezing temps. and arrived in La. to sunny skies and temps in the 60's. Ahhhhh!
All of TJ's siblings, all 6, and their spouses and most of the cousins were at the wedding. All of our kids were there too. I think the last time our immediate family was all together was 2 years ago. What has this world come to? We live way too far apart and are too busy. It was great to see everyone.
Friday was the bridal luncheon and lingerie shower. I think I need to get remarried, just to reload on the pretty lingerie. The wedding was at 7 p.m. and was so nice. It was poignant to see Meg being escorted up the aisle by her two boys. They were so precious! I know that they will be so happy together with their new family. The priest did a wonderful job making the ceremony personal.
Then there was the reception. When you get all 7 Mahoneys in one room, provide them with music and drinks, watch out! We danced our feet off! Then some of us who did not want the night to end went to the hotel and continued the festivities. I went home kicking and screaming because I just did not want it to end. Yes, I paid for it the next morning when TJ woke me up at 7 to go see some of the family off. OUCH! 4 hours of sleep is just not enough to counteract so much dancing and drinking and talking. It wasn't pretty but I am glad I went for the sendoff. We just don't get to see everyone often enough so you just have to suck it up and get on with it.
I did manage a short nap in the afternoon before round 2.... big party at Meg and Jason's house, complete with jambalaya, gumbo and fried turkey. Welcome home. Another fun day with the family. This time we made it home at 11 and got a decent night sleep.
Highlight of the day was the 7 TJ Mahoneys trying to get a good family picture to document our together time and maybe use as a Christmas photo. It all started quite civilized and then all H...broke loose. We were being photographed by several family members when a cousin just popped his head into the group shot. Then there was laughter, some yelling, more laughter, more random people sticking their heads into the Mahoney family photo and the rest will remain in my memory forever. Definitely the most fun our family has ever had taking the Christmas picture. Who knows if we even got one worth reproducing. It was fun though.
So we left the sunny south yesterday and today could possibly be the ugliest day in Ontario. It is just above freezing and gray and raining and snowing and just gross! Will the sun ever shine up here? I am seriously beginning to wonder. I really don't think the cold will be that bad if only we could see the sun and some blue sky. I have heard that November is a really yucky month, I believe it! Hope December is better.

The Mahoney Family, minus 5!

God, Country and Notre Dame

Our little sock monkey at the ND tailgate.

Sunday morning with Grammy and Daniel.

This past weekend TJ and I went to Notre Dame and met up with Rachel, Matt and Daniel, the cute fellow in the photo. It was a wonderful fall weekend. The drive on Friday was beautiful and we arrived to an unseasonably warm fall evening. We enjoyed some wine and cheese outside before dinner and the guys went out while Rachel, Daniel (who was done for the day at that point) and I stayed home for dinner. It was a genius plan, no crying and fussing, and Daniel was happy too.

Saturday started early with the tailgate setup. What a huge undertaking....so glad it was done by seasoned veterans. Our hosts, the Murrys, picked up everything at 8:30 in the morning and the party started. Now, I need to say that if you have not ever been to a college football tailgate you are missing something. What a herculean effort! Our hosts put on a great feast and it was well attended. We even got to catch up with old Columbus friends who were also there for the weekend, visiting their daughter who is a sophomore. Just imagine this day; start at 8:30 setting up, cook, drink beer, entertain, visit, walk around campus, drink more, eat more and then off to the game at 2:30. Cheer with great enthusiasm and passion for the next 4 hours, or more if the game goes to 4 overtimes like this one did, and then go to Mass with about 15,000 other fans of Our Lady. Pray with full voice and heart and then at 8:30 at night, a mere 12 hours later, go home for dinner and the post game festivities. I think/know my favorite part of any ND game is at the end when the football team, win or lose, stands in front of the student section while the band plays the Alma Mater and everyone locks arms and sways back and forth and sings together. It is inspiring, win or lose, they are a family united at the end. AND then the exit and walk across campus to mass after the game. There are at least 3 masses around campus after the game and each one has standing room only. I like to think that everyone is as passionate about God as they are about football.

I am never disappointed with ND. Such a wonderful place to spend a weekend, or 4 years for some.

TJ and I drove home on Sunday again in wonderful fall weather. We are really being treated with a beautiful fall. Every time we leave and come back I feel more and more like I live here. It still feels a little weird being a citizen of one country and living in another. I have a whole new perspective for anyone who is a foreigner, as I sometimes feel I am.

In the country part, the election is tomorrow. I know the Canadians will be following it as closely as the Americans. I will be happy it is all over, it seems like this has gone on forever. Now what will we read about in the papers?

Here is an experiment, I took a video of Daniel and will try to post it here for anyone who is interested. He sure is a cutie!

Thanksgiving and Octoberfest

I think Fall is my favorite season up here so far. This past weekend was near perfect! A three day weekend for Thanksgiving and it could not have been more perfect, in many ways.



Our weekend really started Thursday night. We finally went to dinner with another couple from Houston. They moved up here one year before we did and it was so nice to find out that many of the things we struggle with are the same things they are dealing with. Glad to know we are not alone. It is a challenge to live with one foot in one country and the other foot in another country. Especially with college students in the states. Things like health insurance, car insurance, licenses, dentists, mailing addresses to name a few always pose questions and no real answers. It was reassuring to find out that they were handling these issues very similar to the way we are, and still not completely satisfied with the situations yet. Live and learn. Anyway, dinner was lovely as was the company.



Friday I had another small world situation. I had washed the comforter on my bed and decided to take it to the Laundromat to dry it in one of the huge dryers. I was walking down Lakeshore drive to the laundry carrying my wet comforter when who should I run into but Linda and Hugh, walking my way. It was too funny and then we ended up going to dinner that night with them. Did I say how beautiful the weather was for the weekend? No? Well, it was the quintessential fall day, clear skies, orange and red leaves everywhere and temps in the high 60's and low 70's! Absolutely perfect.



Saturday was spent in the yard mowing (the grass seems to grow at warp speed in the fall) , raking and general yard cleaning. TJ and I took a long bike ride and then we grilled steaks for dinner. OH, and watched college football. Bummer, LSU and Notre Dame lost. Friends came over to help us drown our sorrows during the LSU game too.



Sunday we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving at my cousin's house. Full dinner with turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings. We have much to be thankful for, the welcoming cousins, the perfect weekend and good health (finally).



Monday was the holiday and we decide to drive up to Kitchener for Oktoberfest. TJ decided to ride his bike up there, a mere 3 hour ride, uphill all the way. I drove up and met him and went to our friends house in Kitchener. We headed to the Oktoberfest and managed to put away 3 pitchers of beer and some brats and schnitzel. Lots of music and dancing in the tent too. I think it was just what TJ was hoping for. I think this Oktoberfest is one of the biggest outside of Munich. It was great fun. The drive home was quiet, TJ was recovering from the long ride and carbo loading after the ride.



Back to life today. I guess Christmas will be here before I know it so I really need to get cracking on the home organizing and decorating. Fun!



Here are some pics from the weekend. Enjoy!

It's a small world

Just a short note today. I had a "moment" on Wednesday that I thought I'd share.
I started the day working from 9-2 training more for WW. The lady who is my mentor is great and we found out that we live relatively close to each other. We get along well and she is just a very pleasant person.
That night I had signed up for a retreat at our church figuring that I could take care of my spiritual side and maybe in the process connect with a few people. I don't really feel like we are part of our church yet so this is an effort to get involved. I reluctantly went by myself and went in to the registration table and registered. I looked up into a room full of people and who should I see there but my mentor from that morning! It was like seeing an angel, a familiar face in a sea of strangers. I was so glad. She was hospitable and introduced me to her friends and now I don't have to go in to a room of strangers next week. What a blessing! It's a small world isn't it? Looking forward to Wednesday nights now.

Back to the States for a visit

I just got home from 10 days in the States. Yea, that's what Canadians call the U.S. Anyway, I started in Houston and got to see the wreckage of Ike first hand. Lots of trees down, traffic lights not working, traffic jammed, gas stations with limited gas and grocery stores with limited supplies. Still thousands of people without power. Luckily my family had power and most of the other creature comforts. It was great to see family and drive around in a very familiar place even with the mounds of tree limbs and branches piled in front of almost every yard.
After the weekend TJ and I drove to Baton Rouge to see his Mom and sister Meg and 3 of my siblings. Baton Rouge looked even worse than Houston with huge piles of Gustav debris in front of almost every house as well. The only difference is that Gustav was almost a month ago and the trees in BR are much larger and fell a lot harder. Many houses were damaged and I can only imagine what things looked like right after the storm. I did have good visits with the family though. Did some U.S. shopping and took advantage of good prices and a selection I am more familiar with.
On my way back to Houston I caught up on my talk radio. I just had to listen to the political ramblings and see what the buzz in the States is on the election. I was accused of becoming liberal after living up here and my friends felt obliged to educate me and talk some sense into me. I just love playing devil's advocate and get the discussion going. I am happy to listen.
On Thursday I flew up to St. Louis to see Kelly. It just happened to be her birthday too. We had a nice night out to dinner with 12 of her best friends. Great kids! Kelly seems to be doing well and loves her life at school. We had lots of time together and the weather in St. Louis was near perfect. We just wanted to stay outside and play. We went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens on Sat. and had a beautiful day. It was a "rock star" day, between the gardens, the weather, the cafe with sushi and drinks, the free tickets to see Maroon 5 and Counting Crows and the cute red Mustang we drove around it really was a great day! Kelly went to the concert with a friend and I suffered through another dinner out with friends,wine and sushi....such a sacrifice. And on top of it all Notre Dame and LSU won their games. Does life get any better?
On Sunday we went to Mass then to brunch in yet another cute cafe. I hated to leave but it was time. I think this was my farewell to warm weather for a while and I may not be in the States again until November.
It felt like home but then again, coming to Mississauga also felt like home. Just not as many friends and family here....yet. It was a real treat to see 3 of my 4 kids and all 4 of my siblings on this trip as well as so many good friends. Can you ever go back?