A Saleswoman is born?

I think TJ's work habits might have rubbed off on me. For the last two weeks I have had amazing sales at work. I find it ironic that the person who always hated to sell anything and usually lacked a certain confidence is selling so much. I must admit that it has been fun for a change to do meetings with such enthusiastic and curious members. They are making my job easy. Part of my success is because of what I learned in Houston. It was a very competitive market and expectations were very high down there. They don't do things quite the same up here so I think my Houston training is helping. I definitely think work is going to save me this winter. It sure makes time fly!

Sheeee's Baaack

January 23, 2009 back to Caledon (the scene of the crime)
I made it safely to the bottom!

Today marks a significant milestone. I went skiing again, and came home in one piece! TJ and I went for a few hours back to the scene of the crime and did some afternoon skiing. The snow was very good and the temps were moderate, by CDN standards. Above freezing for you southerners. The new boots fit well and I'm sure are the reason for my success. Muscle memory helped a bit too. Like riding a bike.


Glad that is out of the way and I can move on. Nothing hurts and I definitely remember what I love about skiing. It is just so much fun to be outside playing!

One Year Later

Today is the one year anniversary of our move north. Am I better or worse than I was a year ago? Good question.
The good: The house is looking much better. Things are organized and the boxes are gone. I am working, which is a very good thing. It has been great to live so much closer to our farmhouse and be able to get all our stuff/junk delivered there. I finally feel like I have figured out banking, paying bills, and health care. As long as I don't need the health care for anything but routine things. We have made a point of exploring the area and have found some great places! There is so much to do and see here and we have only touched the surface. From Niagara Falls and the wine country to downtown Toronto and all the fun neighborhoods here to Montreal and the history there. Lots to do and see. Another good thing is late spring and summer and fall. I just love the flowers that grow here and seeing the seasons change.

The bad: Well, there was that broken arm thing last year in February. I feel much better now and hope to never do that again. The winter is very cold and very long. That can be good and bad but the last two winters have proven to be record breakers, lucky us. Lots and lots of snow and they keep saying, "this is unusual, it never snows this much." Hahaha, you must be kidding. I savour sunny days, they are wonderful. Regardless of the temperature. Another bad thing is that we don't really have a lot of friends just yet. Kind of hard to make friends when you aren't here that much, I'm working on that now. Staying in town and trying to connect.

So happy anniversary, I had a much better day today than I did a year ago. I promise that!

The Pub Experience

The Brogue Inn

Port Credit, Ontario

So after visiting a few pubs in the area I am compelled to write about the pub experience. Remember Cheers, where everyone knew your name? I know there are a lot of people who have their local watering hole and are regulars there but I haven't had that experience since I was in college. Yes, I had a regular bar and spend many a night there with friends. I'm sure it was always after I had done all of my homework! Except for college kids I'm not sure the whole pub thing exists to a great extent in the south, or in the life I lead in the south. It just wasn't something we did or a place we socialized.

I saw a glimpse of the pub thing when I visited Rachel in Madison. The Friday Night Fish Fry is a local happening. Everyone goes to the local pub and has fish fry on Friday nights. Except for Louisiana during Lent, I haven't seen that for a long time. People of all ages go out and you have your "place" and you see the same people every weekend. Fun!

I used to think pubs were dark and smokey places and not a place you would go for dinner or a night out. Well, little did I know that, yes, they are! After sampling a few of the local pubs I find that they are great places to have dinner or a drink with friends and they are family friendly and some are even brightly lit. You see families and people from 19-90 years of age all there to have a good meal and a drink and visit friends. I have decided it is a great way to get out in the winter and look at someone elses four walls. One thing I am looking forward to is patio season. Some of the pubs we have been to have outside patios and are apparently very popular when it gets warmer. Can't wait!

This weekend was very cold and snowy and we went out both nights to new pubs, one night we made some new friends and the next one we met old friends. We took turns being the DD for anyone who is worried. Cheers!

Winter Fun

So last night it snowed....a ton! A very unpredicted and unexpected snow. We woke up this morning and were amazed at the foot of snow outside. The sky was beautiful blue and the blanket of snow was so pretty. Sometimes it is a pain to wake up and have to shovel the driveway but today was just lovely. And I didn't shovel, TJ did. It truly was a winter wonderland outside.
We dropped Kelly off a the airport, kissed and cried after having her here for 3 weeks. I think TJ was trying to distract me but whatever....we went to a conservation area in Milton/Burlington and played in the snow! We thought about renting snow shoes but ended up just hiking the paths through the woods with Sadie the dog. There were cross country skiers and snowshoers and hikers on the paths through the woods. It was just beautiful. Great excercise, and so invigorating. We walked for over an hour in the sunshine and just enjoyed the winter. To enjoy winter here you just have to embrace it and go out and do something. Maybe skiing again this week!!!???

Holiday Highlights

Christmas has come and gone and it is a new year. Where to start? Everyone except Michael made it home for Christmas. We had a week of family fun. Kelly arrived first on the 17th and then Katie on the 20th and Rachel,Matt and Daniel on the 22nd. The house worked out well and everyone had their own bed and their own "space" if they wanted it. I am so glad I got the basement fixed up in time.

We spent much of the first few days anticipating the arrival of Katie's luggage. It arrived 4 days after she did. She was a good sport about it and ended up with a few downtown Toronto purchases compliments of Continental airlines.

Having an 8 month old around a non child proof house is interesting. How many adults does it take to watch one 8 month old? At least 6! He is as cute as the day is long but boy is he a busy guy. Reminds me so much of Rachel at the age, constant movement and curiosity. Guess he will be very smart.

We were treated to a nice snowfall before Christmas and everything was white and truly picturesque for Christmas. The actual day was perfectly lovely, the sky was blue and the sun shown, a rarity for this time of year I have decided. We had Linda, Hugh and Lesley over for Christmas dinner and it was nice to have a full table and extra family with us to celebrate.

The family at Niagara Falls

We went to Niagara Falls on Boxing Day and saw the falls and then visited Niagara on the Lake for dinner at a great Irish pub. A great way to get out and see some stuff and air out everyone. We had a little trouble with cabin fever I think. We all needed our time out and away during the week.

For New Year's TJ, Kelly and I went to Montreal to visit the Lavallees. Kelly and Lilia had planned to get together and we went along and visited as well. Montreal is very cold! Kelly and Lilia survived New Year's Eve in a cottage without running water and no central heat, only a wood stove. Yes, it was about 5 degrees F that night, brrrr. We got to see much of the area and were happy to spend time with good friends to start the year out.

Back home to the rubble. Take down the 2 trees and all the decorations and try to get some organization back into life. 2 weeks of company and travel and eating and drinking can make it tough. Time to get into a routine again and start the year off right. I am anxious to see what 2009 will bring for our family. 2008 was a big year with a move and a new grandson. What will the events of 2009 be? I look forward to finding out.

From my new computer I say goodbye and will attach pictures when I figure this machine out!