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?

Wine and flowers

Last weekend we had a visit from a couple who we usually meet in NYC once a year. They decided to visit Toronto for a change. We got to be tourists for the weekend and had a great time.

Friday we went downtown and toured St. Lawrence Market. Patti and I loved it! Tons of fresh meats and fish. Fresh local vegetables and fruits. A culinary playground. Patti is a great cook so I thought this would be fun for her. I would love to be able to go here once or twice a month and pick up some good stuff to cook throughout the month.

We walked a lot that day and in the end decided instead of going out to dinner we would go back to the market and pick up some food to cook for dinner. It worked out great. We had Alaskan Black Cod, fresh french style green beans, roasted multi colored carrots and fresh baked bread. Everything was so good and fresh. Plus Patti is such a creative cook.

Saturday we went down to Niagra-on-the-Lake. First we toured a few wineries on the way. Small world situation, we met the owner of Rosewood Winery and she is a neighbor, plus she is the PT who subbed for mine and worked on my knee once. She literally lives 2 blocks away from us. She was very hospitible and we all enjoyed their wines. We stayed in a nice B&B and had dinner out and saw a play at the Shaw Festival. Niagra-on-the-Lake is such a beautiful little town. The flowers were breathtaking. The pictures may not do them justice but they are definitely a highlight.

Rick and Patti left on Sunday, TJ and I drove to Niagra Falls. It was raining so the falls were not as beautiful as they were the first time I saw them. All in all it was a fun weekend.

On Tuesday I interviewed to start working for Weight Watchers again. It will be different working in Canada and learning the subtle differences up here from the program and procedures in the states. I am looking forward to getting out and into the meeting room again. I need more human contact to keep me going. This will hopefully give me some networks to build on. We shall see.

Labor Day North

I guess summer is over. Yesterday was Labor Day and the kiddies are back at school today. The leaves in my front yard are starting to fall and vacation is over. Sigh. I am seriously hoping for a long beautiful fall with lots of patio time.

TJ and I rode bikes yesterday around the lake and I cannot remember Sept. 1 ever being so beautiful. One bonus of living up north, playing outside in August and Sept. and not dying from heat and humidity. I'm sure the downside will be this winter when all I want to do is play outside. We shall see.

Thought I would include some pictures from my bike yesterday. Totally enjoying the outdoors up here these days!

Political aside:

Toronto Star headline Saturday: "A Gun-Toting Mother " referring to McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin. With a 1/2 page front page photo of her.

Toronto Star article Sunday, page 5ish: " Sarah Palin as Miss Congeniality" with a picture of her aiming an automatic weapon. (actually the article was very entertaining and definitely a commentary)

Hmmm, do you think they like her? I'm not sure. .. It is no wonder there are no conservatives up here. I am enjoying watching the slant on the US election from here, very different perspective that's for sure.

The End of Summer?

Whew! What a week it has been. Last Sat. Kelly and I left the shore and headed to Toronto. Friday before we left turned out to be one of the best days at the shore in August. What a miserable month it was! I feel so bad for the people who were only there in August, the weather was terrible. Michael and Gina were there from the 2nd to the 7th and had no sunny days, none of those perfect Amherst Shore days that we all love so much. Kelly was there from the 1st till the 16th and only a few sunny days. If they could have been there in July the weather was unusually good! It is very different to have the luxury of being there for 6 weeks and not have to worry about the rainy days. I REALLY like the fact that I was able to spend 6 weeks at the shore this summer. I hope it is the beginning of many LONG summers at the shore.

In summary, the summer had 3 parts for me. The first 2 weeks were me and TJ and the farmhouse and the perfect weather. Low key and what I love about the shore, slow pace of life, great weather, spending time with the people who were there and just enjoying life. The second 2 weeks were the frenzy of friends, family, the games and mixed weather. Rachel, Matt and Daniel were there along with Katie. I love this time too but there is so much to do and so many people to spend time with I want to clone myself so I can enjoy it all with energy. Then the last 2 weeks that turned out to be very different this year. Michael and Kelly both came a little later this year and the weather was less than perfect and so many people left early due to the games being so early and they came for them. Many of us agreed that it was a "different"summer. I think the main reason was that the games were early this year and some people came for the games and then left so early and then others came later and there were no games. Who knows? It was a little "different". Still good to be there and see everyone regardless of the weather and the situation.

Back home, Kelly and I spent 3 absolutely lovely days in Toronto before we left for St. Louis. We had the days we wish we had at the shore. We rode our bikes to yoga and also went on a long bike ride and we ate outside and just enjoyed the perfect weather! Then on to days......and days....of driving. Kelly is happily back at school and I FINALLY am home for a few weeks. I think the drive today was the straw that broke the camel's back. I'm done. In a good way.

Comic relief? At the border my car was searched for the first time EVER since I have been crossing the US/Canada borders. Just what I needed. Yes, I had more than my 2 bottle quota of wine and paid the duty after being very stressed about being stopped. I guess after 20 years it was bound to happen. I'm glad all I had was 4 bottles of wine. I guess my "wine smuggling" days are over. I will just have to learn to love the limited selection I have up here. Sigh. Oh, but it was so nice to be in a land where the selection was great and the prices were low! I miss that.

Back home, it was refreshing to come "home" for the first time in my life to a place that was not sweltering in August. My neighborhood looked lush and green. The flowers looked healthy and not tired and the fresh air felt soooo good. I think I will like this next season.

Time to sign off, too much babbling for now. Glad to be in one place for a while.

The craziness of mid vacation

It is mid vacation and I am working on being exhausted. The annual Christie Brown games were last weekend and much fun was had by all. I did not really participate much this year because of the arm injury. No volleyball and softball with two plates in my left arm! I did do the three legged race and that was about it. The Browns won this year, surprisingly as we were missing many key players.

Then the week flew by with a margarita party, the cousin dinner (at the farmhouse!) and dinner at the Browns for Lesley's birthday. All in all a very fun week but a very full week.

Kelly and Michael and Gina (girlfriend) arrived on Friday to rain and grey skies. We haven't seen the sun yet, boo hoo. Last night was a big party for the Atherton/Swetnam cottage and we danced until it was way too late/early. Today is recouperation day and tonight will be lobster dinner and stay at home night. Much needed by all.

Michael and Gina are here until Thursday and then TJ will be gone back to work and it will just be Kelly, Rachel, Daniel and I. I think I may even be able to read my book again and get some things accomplished. We love seeing everyone but also enjoy the peace and quiet when it is all done.

Some pictures to share.....

Summer at the shore, Part 1

TJ and I arrived on July4! How appropriate that we arrived on Independence Day. Independence from the big city and freedom at the shore. The weather has been divine for the most part, at least the first week was unbelievable. Today it is raining and a perfect day to catch up on chores and communications.

I loved the quiet of the first week,although I was exhaused just following TJ around and doing all the farmhouse things we needed to do. There is an ifinite number of things to be done at the farmhouse but things are coming along and the rewards are beginning to show. It is still a long way from becoming our vision of the family home.

The kitchen is beautiful and better than any kitchen I have ever had in any home I've lived in. Sigh.

It was great to just be here and spend the day doing physical stuff and have dinner and end the day fullfilled an exhausted at the same time. Things have slowed and sped up at the same time. The progress at the farmhouse has slowed but the social life has sped up and they days seem to pass quicker when more people arrive. I already see the days flying by and want time to stop so I can just stay here longer.

Enjoy this while it lasts!

Here are some pictures to enjoy.

The Baptism and other fun stuff

The last 2 weeks have been quite busy! We went to Madison for Daniel's baptism. I got to go for 4 days! Other than catching up with Rachel, Matt, Daniel and Kelly one of my main priorities was to go shopping, in the USA! Oh how I miss shopping at my old familiar stores with the low low prices of the states. I did less damage than expected but Ann Taylor has a good amount of my Canadian money now.

Daniel is a great baby. He is so happy and such a good little guy. Not to mention cute as can be. No bias either, haha. The baptism was beautiful and it was so nice to have my parents there to meet Daniel and see his baptism. The day turned out to be perfect and we all enjoyed the after party at Dan and Peggy's house (Matt's parents).

I got home Monday evening and on Tuesday my parents came to visit as well as sister Susan. Unfortunately, the weather was not ideal for their visit. All my talk of how we have been enjoying the evenings on our deck and how nice it has been to go biking sounded a little false with what we had during their visit. Susan and I did get to go biking along the lake on Wed. before it rained for the rest of the day. We went to Niagra Falls on Thurs. and were not disappointed. It was beautiful! Niagra on the Lake was fun too and we enjoyed lunch and shopping. Susan and I had "mass transit day" on Fri. and took the GO train into Toronto and saw the tall ships visiting the area and sat outside and had happy hour in the sun. It was great to have family around and more fun to be able to get out and about with them and show off the city. I think we all had fun.