We have found ourselves a little internet cafe and thought that this would be a good time to create a new post.
We're having a wonderful time. The weather has been great for the whole week and a half since we've been here. The food is amazing although I think I like the cappuccini in Winnipeg better than here. They're never hot enough.
We finished the biking part of our trip and now our butts (can I use that word on a family blog?) are getting a much deserved rest. We have seen the most amazing sights and when we get back, I'll post some pictures.
The biking was a huge challenge for me. It felt like I did a marathon every day but it was all worth it and I would do it again without a doubt.
I hear Dixie's doing well and the mice are beginning to party at our house so everything is normal. I think Dixie and I will be doing some mouse hunting when I get back.
Wes says (and I agree) that this trip has exceeded our expectations. The only thing missing is those people nearest and dearest to us. Boy would it be nice to have them all here!
Gotta go now.
Ciao
Friday, September 21, 2007
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Arrivederci
The bags are being packed.
Last minute instructions have been given to those who will be left behind.
Some laundry and cleaning is being taken care of right now.
We're ready.
One more sleep.
I won't be posting for about 3 weeks, although if I get to an internet cafe and find that I have the time I just may post a thought or two...
Have a great September!
Ciao
Last minute instructions have been given to those who will be left behind.
Some laundry and cleaning is being taken care of right now.
We're ready.
One more sleep.
I won't be posting for about 3 weeks, although if I get to an internet cafe and find that I have the time I just may post a thought or two...
Have a great September!
Ciao
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Happpy Birthday Wes!
Another year older, another year wiser and better looking each day.
Happy birthday my love!
I wasn't going to post anything else because it would just repeat what I said last year but I had to say something once I saw the picture. Take a look at those sunglasses. Are they cool or what! That's one of the things I love about Wes. He does care about how he looks but is also willing to use what he's got, not really caring what people think. He was proud of the fact that these sunglasses were listed at $12.00 and were on sale for only $8.00!
Thankfully, I was able to convince him to get some new sunglasses.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
What a Gift
They told me to be at Michele's at 7:30 and we'd head out from there for the birthday gift from my sisters. The appointment was for 8:00 PM.
They're not usually too secretive but they seemed to want to keep this a surprise for as long as possible. I can trust my sisters so I was pretty sure that they were not taking me for liposuction, or botox injections or an eyebrow lift. I didn't think it was a manicure or pedicure because although that would be lovely, I thought my sisters would want to give me something more permanent for my 50th birthday.
We went to an older area of the city. Not exactly dangerous but certainly a place where I'd probably not want to carry a purse while walking on the sidewalk at night. Some of the houses looked, um, unloved and uncared for but the one we approached actually looked cute, with lights on and lovely filmy curtains in the front window.
We knocked on the door and a pretty, funky young woman answered. She looked familiar to me but I couldn't remember where I'd seen her before. I thought that she had an artistic look about her so maybe that was what was familiar. Michele joked about a Thai massage and we (well, I) giggled nervously. Ha ha. Thai massage. That's a good one. You two aren't leaving me here are you? She seems nice and all but I sure don't want to get naked and be walked on while you guys are watching or leaving. There's a limit.
I still hadn't figured out why we were there so they spelled it out for me. "We are commissioning these people to create a unique piece of jewellry for you."
Wow! I have NEVER commissioned ANYTHING! I felt so...cultured. And honoured. And loved.
It was then that I remembered that I had seen her and admired her beautiful work at the Folk Festival this summer. She showed us what she had, we saw her little workshop and we talked about colours, metals, and the things that I liked. She seemed to understand me and her preliminary sketches affirmed that. We talked about swirls and colours, pinwheels, stars, flowers, glitter, shiny, gold, silver and all sorts of things. And she told us that she has an idea of what she can do. I could just tell that she could see the finished product in her mind although she warned us that these things will often look a little different than expected because of all the different colours, metals and finishes that are put together. I think that is one of the great things about this whole process. You put all the things you find beautiful into something and the artist creates a piece that has never been created before. The finished product is a surprise and more beautiful than what you first expected.
So, in a few weeks, I will be wearing a beautiful, unique necklace and earring set that was created by a gifted artist, commissioned by my sisters, just for me. It doesn't get much better than that.
Delighful.
They're not usually too secretive but they seemed to want to keep this a surprise for as long as possible. I can trust my sisters so I was pretty sure that they were not taking me for liposuction, or botox injections or an eyebrow lift. I didn't think it was a manicure or pedicure because although that would be lovely, I thought my sisters would want to give me something more permanent for my 50th birthday.
We went to an older area of the city. Not exactly dangerous but certainly a place where I'd probably not want to carry a purse while walking on the sidewalk at night. Some of the houses looked, um, unloved and uncared for but the one we approached actually looked cute, with lights on and lovely filmy curtains in the front window.
We knocked on the door and a pretty, funky young woman answered. She looked familiar to me but I couldn't remember where I'd seen her before. I thought that she had an artistic look about her so maybe that was what was familiar. Michele joked about a Thai massage and we (well, I) giggled nervously. Ha ha. Thai massage. That's a good one. You two aren't leaving me here are you? She seems nice and all but I sure don't want to get naked and be walked on while you guys are watching or leaving. There's a limit.
I still hadn't figured out why we were there so they spelled it out for me. "We are commissioning these people to create a unique piece of jewellry for you."
Wow! I have NEVER commissioned ANYTHING! I felt so...cultured. And honoured. And loved.
It was then that I remembered that I had seen her and admired her beautiful work at the Folk Festival this summer. She showed us what she had, we saw her little workshop and we talked about colours, metals, and the things that I liked. She seemed to understand me and her preliminary sketches affirmed that. We talked about swirls and colours, pinwheels, stars, flowers, glitter, shiny, gold, silver and all sorts of things. And she told us that she has an idea of what she can do. I could just tell that she could see the finished product in her mind although she warned us that these things will often look a little different than expected because of all the different colours, metals and finishes that are put together. I think that is one of the great things about this whole process. You put all the things you find beautiful into something and the artist creates a piece that has never been created before. The finished product is a surprise and more beautiful than what you first expected.
So, in a few weeks, I will be wearing a beautiful, unique necklace and earring set that was created by a gifted artist, commissioned by my sisters, just for me. It doesn't get much better than that.
Delighful.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
First Day of School
Then:Back pack containing pencil crayons, markers, erasers, inside shoes, pencils, box of Kleenex, lunch box (crackers & cheese, fruit roll up, apple, juice box)
Now:
Purse containing cell phone, lip gloss, driver's licence, body spray, make up. Does not contain food other than a pack of gum or a favourite type of candy
Monday, September 03, 2007
The blogging world has been quiet for the last few weeks. I have had such a delightful (I love that word. I'm going to use it more often) summer and haven't felt too inclined to write about it. I've just been enjoying it.
Life is getting back to normal these days. Mauricio, from Brazil came last Wednesday and Medardo, who was here last year, came on Saturday night. They have already been to Polo Park, The Forks and out for a movie. Last night they came home with 2 friends, who are also international students. I don't know where they meet these guys because school hasn't even started yet. There must be something, a smell or sound, that they all emit so that they can recognize each other.
Tim is enjoying his work at Starbucks. It's so good to see him enjoying what he's doing. He was having trouble motivating himself to get to work when he was with the construction company.
Kristen will be starting at U of Manitoba on Tuesday. She too is excited.
Of course, this week will be another full one for me as I am preparing for our trip to Italy. We leave in 6 days and are both really looking forward to it. We will be stopping for several days in the Netherlands and spending some time with our extended family. The opportunity to just "drop in" for a few days is a gift. It will be a great way to end our Italy trip.
Ciao!
Life is getting back to normal these days. Mauricio, from Brazil came last Wednesday and Medardo, who was here last year, came on Saturday night. They have already been to Polo Park, The Forks and out for a movie. Last night they came home with 2 friends, who are also international students. I don't know where they meet these guys because school hasn't even started yet. There must be something, a smell or sound, that they all emit so that they can recognize each other.
Tim is enjoying his work at Starbucks. It's so good to see him enjoying what he's doing. He was having trouble motivating himself to get to work when he was with the construction company.
Kristen will be starting at U of Manitoba on Tuesday. She too is excited.
Of course, this week will be another full one for me as I am preparing for our trip to Italy. We leave in 6 days and are both really looking forward to it. We will be stopping for several days in the Netherlands and spending some time with our extended family. The opportunity to just "drop in" for a few days is a gift. It will be a great way to end our Italy trip.
Ciao!
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