Christmas

Here it is another Christmas Eve and this is my favourite night of the holiday season! I have my handsome husband of 1 year by my side. Rounding our our wee clan this year is our wee Arthur - the sweetest, craziest puppy you ever did meet. With those gifts in my life - whatever is under the tree is just icing on the cupcake!

Safe travels Mellie & Jewemy! Can't wait to take the dogs for walkies when you get back!

ReRe - have a great visit with your mom.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

DiDi

DECEMBER 9, 2007

I know, I know - it is waaaaaay past December 9th but I have been a busy girl. Went on a catamaran cruise around St. Vincent & the Grenadines (FAB!), got back, went back to work, Christmas shopped my brains out as well as a myriad of stuff that is too boring to even mention.

But December 9th came and that means that my beloved Wilson and I have been married for an entire year. And what a year it has been for us both! Running away and getting married on a beach with Wilson was the smartest thing I have ever done! This year has had it hard moments but having this wonderful, smart, sexy, funny, sweet, aggravating, oh so loving man by my side has made every moment sweeter. Having him by my side, holding my hand makes every day married to him the best day. While there are days when I could cheerfully punch him hard, I know that in an hour we will have forgotten about it and be laughing at something else.

I always knew that being married was something that I wanted - I have the best example in my parents who are still in love and happily married after 58 1/2 years together. But never in my wildest dreams did I think to myself that I would find a man who has the same picture in his head of marriage and is so in it for the long haul with me. Knowing that, being married to that - makes it all worth it. I am looking forward to more years of fighting and making up, snuggling in bed, walking the dog in all kinds of weather, vacations, summers, winters, kissing him good bye as he leaves for work and then kissing him hello when he comes home again for the rest of my life. You and me baby - it's all I could ever ask for!

Happy anniversary baby!

IT'S A GOOD DAY TODAY!

So far - I am having a very good day! I decided to work from home today and that really means I do whatever the hell I want. So today - I am blogging, playing Scrabble on Facebook, smooching Arthur at every given opportunity and scanning pictures! To anyone who reads this (Mellie) you are probably thinking that I need to get a life because that is an incredibly boring day. To me - it is like a vacation day and exactly what I needed. Shortly, I will take wee Arthur for a long walk and throw him his ball 1000 times. The only way life could be better is if Wilson was home to play with me.

DiDi

LEST WE FORGET

Yesterday was Remembrance Day and I am always moved by this day. I have a WW2 vet for a dad and the importance of remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice was always reinforced in our house. Wearing a poppy was mandatory as was thanking the man from the Legion who was selling them because he too was a veteran of a far off conflict.

While Wilson and I spent the morning with Mellie and Jewemy watching our puppies romp and play it wasn't far from my mind that it was November 11th and that I needed to take a moment and reflect on all that we have because of the sacrifice of so many.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who have fought and those still fighting. It is because of you that I could spend the day with my husband, dear friends and our dogs, walking on a Toronto beach and just enjoying the day.

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place;

and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived,

felt dawn,

saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved,

and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch;

be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

WENT TO DENVER AND HAD A BIG ACCIDENT

Wilson and I went to Denver for Kacy and Ed's wedding reception - which was a total blast! However, my real plan was to shop until I dropped as the Canadian dollar is pretty much a par with the US dollar (everybody give a big HELL YEAH! on that one) and DiDi just finished paying off a huge tax debt so I was ready to celebrate with some new clothes.

And celebrate I did. Here is what I bought:
- black and white wrap dress - Banana Republic
- black turtleneck - Banana Republic
- 4 pairs of dress pants - Ann Taylor - have I mentioned that I could turn gay for Ann Taylor?
- 3 blouses - Ann Taylor
- 1 green turtleneck - Ann Taylor
- 1 grey sweater - Ann Taylor
- 2 new pairs of jeans - Garment District
- 1 pair flat shoes - Nordstroms
- 4 new bras and 5 pairs undies - Nordstroms
- new dress shirt for Wilson - Nordstroms

Then we went and got manis and pedis so that I can recover from spending like a wild fiend. And now that I am home, I realize that I should have bought more stuff - couple of more tops, some casual wear, etc but the amount that I had spent scared the crap out of me. But did it ever feel good! Thank you Mellie for paving the way for shopping accidents. If not for your example - I would not have known how to accidentally fall into new clothes quite as easily!

New clothes kisses to all,
DiDi

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (if you are Canadian)

The first long weekend of fall - YIPEEE!!!!!! We are going to my parent's farm to be one with the crisp fall air, walks in fields and lots of turkey. Most of my crazy family will be there and I get to see my newest nephew again. Then on the Sunday, my brother is having a turkey dinner for his kids and Wilson and I are going to that as well. Two turkey dinners - I LOVE IT!!!!! Arthur gets to run around with my parents dog, be leash free, get smelly and have the best time!

Most of all, we are thankful that my Mom is healthy and doing so well after her fall earlier this year. So for turkey, time with family, Arthur being tired and my mom being healthy - we are thankful.

Have a great long weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to all!
DiDi

PS - just realized that this is my first married Thanksgiving. I am very, very thankful for my smart, handsome, funny husband.

IT'S TIME TO CALL IT A DAY!

Another boating season has come to an end and Summer Breeze is no longer in the water. Sniff, sniff.... I love when she goes into the water and hate it when she comes out. However, this winter will be much more bearable with the addition of a hot tub in our back yard.

Farewell Summer Breeze for another winter! We will come down and visit you often.

YOU BE THE JUDGE!

For some reason, I get a lot of forwarded jokes. I think this is because my family is so riduculously large. However, I got this one this morning and it made me shriek with laughter!

Little Girl or Chris Farley? You be the judge...

I know, I know - I am going to hell! And I don't care. Am totally giggling now just looking at the picture again.

Tuesday kisses to all,

DiDi

Arthur

Week 16
- has kennel cough
28 pounds
19 inches high
19 inches long

It never ceases to amaze me how much he as grown since we brought him home 9 short weeks ago. He has completely transformed our lives - in the way that only a puppy can. That being said - when he spills my wine I still could cheerfully give him away but then I would want him back 10 minutes later. When I see Wilson snuggled up with him my heart melts into this big pile of goo!

We can't wait until this damn kennel cough is gone so that he can go back to doggie daycare and playing with his best pal Ivy again.

Growing puppy kisses to all!
DiDi

WHAT IS A MOM TO DO...

I now really feel like a mom! Arthur has kennel cough - which sounds a lot like croup. Apparently as I have since found out - this is 'kennel cough season'...who knew??? It is like a bad dog cold with a horrible cough that makes you think your sweet puppy is about to die. Then you feel like you are about to die as you get NO sleep! Then the drugs are seemingly making Arthur forget all of his housetraining. I am afraid to have a shower - and let me tell you I need one for fear that Arthur is going to pee on my shoes or something.

And on top of it, I am very PMessSy and hate everything and everyone. Frankly I have enough of a hate on right now that if there is someone that you do not have enough hate for - let me know, I have extra hate and can spare you some.

I do not know how real moms do this with live children - who actually talk back and everything. It is all I can do to handle this small puppy some days and not murder all and sundry around me. Wine certainly does help - A LOT!!!!!!

I will stop whining now and go back to trying to work from home. Thank you Internet for allowing me to whine AGAIN!

Whiny, pmeSy kisses to all
DiDi

BORED!!!!

I am so bored of all the bullshit that I have to do at work that I can't conceal it anymore!!!! Here is a short list of the things that I would rather be doing than be here:


- anything
- playing with Arthur
- drinking wine
- anything
- having a massage or mani or pedi or all of the previously mentioned items
- anything
- sticking a pencil in my eye
- walking dogs with Mellie
- playing with Arthur
- anything


I am not sure if I have made it clear how little I want to work anymore. However the lottery is not cooperating with me. Where is the money tree from which I can help myself? Why doesn't my husband make so much money that he looks at me and says with great affection "I make so much money that you do not have to work if you do not want too!" (that is a bit 1950s for me but still a nice fantasy).

I either have to find a new way to make money, win the lottery or shut up and quit whining about it. I know which option I will have to choose...

Bored kisses to all,
DiDi

PS - walked the dogs with Mellie last nite! Much fun and hilarity ensued as we watched our dogs frolic and play. And then we ate sushi!!! Loved it and want to do it again soon!

SEPTEMBER 11TH

Six years ago today, I was blithely sitting at my desk when my phone rang and a girlfriend told me that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Tower. I was shocked but thought the pilot had had a stroke or something like that. Never did I think it was a terrorist attack. I came out of my meeting to find that the entire world had changed as we knew it and life in so many ways would never be the same. I left work, went home and spent the day with my best friend and my dog - somewhere safe, warm and comfortable. I knew that while life for me might include inconveniences it was still all as I knew it. I think about those people calling home for the last I love you every once in a while and am so grateful that no one I know lost their life on that fateful day.

Then last year a good thing happened for me - our dear friends Jer & Tif had a gorgeous baby boy named Jonah on September 11th and now for me September 11th is about renewal. I celebrate a birth instead of looking back at sadness.

People die, things change, time passes and we all move forward. Such is the circle of life and today - I marvel at the resiliancy of the human spirit.

So happy birthday Jonah and may all of you call home to tell someone that you love them - for no other reason than you can.

Kisses to all,
DiDi

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

On Sunday, 365 days ago, our sweet Mellie became a wife on a cottage dock! Never had she looked more beautiful or happy and never did ReRe and I drink more wine than we did that night! (Internet, remind me to share the story of me singing "Sweet Caroline" on the DJ's microphone, ReRe trying to wrestle it away from me and then Mellie's friend Caroline saying it was her song and then singing into the mic! Good times!!)

Jewemy got it so right when he picked our girl to spend his life with - smart, funny, gorgeous she really is all that and a bag of chips (low fat of course)!

Happy anniversary dear friends and we look forward to celebrating many more of life's milestones with you!

Anniversary kisses,

DiDi

GEORGE CARLIN'S NEW RULES FOR 2007

I am now back from vacation and am not happy - until I just read this email from my girl Cari in Vancouver. I laughed out loud and then decided to waste more time by posting this for all to see!

Reality sucks when you come back from vacation - desparately need a lottery win so that we can live like that all the time! Hope you enjoy the chuckle internet!

New Rules for living - courtesy of George Carlin
1. No more gift registries. You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now it's for babies and new homes and graduations from rehab. Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn't gift giving, it's the white people version of looting.

2. Stop giving me that pop-up ad for classmates.com <> ! There's a reason you don't talk to people for 25 years. Because you don't particularly like them! Besides, I already know what the captain of the football team is doing these days --- mowing my lawn.

3. Don't eat anything that's served to you out a window unless you're a seagull. People are acting all shocked that a human finger was found in a bowl of Wendy's chili. Hey, it cost less than a dollar. What did you expect it to contain? Lobster?

4. Stop saying that teenage boys who have sex with their hot, blonde teachers are permanently damaged . I have a better description for these kids: 'Lucky bastards.'

5. If you need to shave and you still collect baseball cards, you're a dope. If you're a kid, the cards are keep sakes of your idols. If you're a grown man, they're pictures of men.

6. Ladies, leave your eyebrows alone. Here's how much men care about your eyebrows: Do you have two of them? Good, we're done.

7. There's no such thing as flavored water. There's a whole aisle of this crap at t he supermarket, water, but, without that watery taste. Sorry, but flavored water is call ed a soft drink. You want flavored water? Pour some scotch over ice and let it melt. That's your flavored water.

8. Stop screwing with old people. Target is introducing a redesigned pill bottle that's square, with a bigger label. And the top is now the bottom. And by the time grandpa figures out how to open it, his ass will be in the morgue. Congratulations, Target, you just solved the Social Security crisis.

9. The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger t he asshole. If you walk into a Starbucks and order a 'decaf grandee, half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n'-Low, and One NutraSweet,' ooooh, you're a hug e asshole.

10. I'm not the cashier! By the time I look up from sliding my card, entering My PIN number, pressing 'Enter,' verifying the amount, deciding, no, I don't want Cash back, and pressing 'Enter' again, the kid who is supposed to be ringing me up Is standing there eating my Almond Joy.

11. Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you Spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to 'beef with broccoli.' The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high.

12. Competitive eating isn't a sport. It's one of the seven deadly sins. ESPN Recently televised th e U.S. Open of Competitive Eating, because watching those athletes at the poker table was just too damned exciting. What's next, competitive farting? Oh wait, they're already doing that. It's called 'The Howard Stern Show.'

13. I don't need a bigger mega M&Ms. If I'm extra hungry for M&Ms, I'll go nuts and eat two.

14. If you're going to insist on making movies based on crappy old television shows, then you have to give everyone in the Cineplex a remote so we can see what's playing on the other screens. Let's remember the reason something was a television show in the first place is that the idea wasn't good enough to be a movie.

15. And this one is long overdue: No more bathroom attendants. After I zip up, some guy is offering me a towel and a mint like I just had sex with George Michael. I can't even tell If he's supposed to be there, or just some freak with a fetish. I don't want to be on your webcam, Dude. I just want to wash my hands

16. When I ask how old your toddler is, I don't need to hear '27 months.' 'He's two' will do just fine. He's not a cheese. And I didn't really care in the first place.

17. If you ever hope to be a credible adult and want a job that pays better than Minimum wage, then for God's sake don't pierce or tattoo every available piece of flesh. If so, then plan your future around saying, 'Do you want fries with that?'

Just back from vacation and not at all happy about it kisses to all,
DiDi

VACATION

I LOVE VACATIONS!!! Wilson and I are off for an entire week together and I love it. The rest of the world is working and we are a lovely combination of boating, being lazy, walking Arthur, drinking A LOT of wine and anything else that we can think of that people do on a vacation. IT IS FABULOUS!!!

Arthur is loving having his parents home for the week and I am afraid that he will never go in his crate again. He is over 20 pounds now and is growing so fast that I can' believe it. He loves vacations too - although any day that he gets to play with another puppy or run off leash is a vacation in his mind.

For those of you not on a vacation right this very minute - I feel for you. Get yourself on vacation as fast as you possibly can - it is just what needs to be done this last week of August.

Have a safe and happy Labour Day dear internet! Back at you in September!

Vacation kisses to all,
DiDi

ARTHUR UPDATE

Playing at Grandma's house - he is about to take flight!

Much has happened in the last week but before I can write about that - there is much to update on Arthur!

Week 3

15 inches high, 15 inches long and 15 pounds

Week 4

17.3 pounds - not sure of his measurements yet but he grows every time he takes a nap!

Arthur will be 12 weeks next Saturday and has brought so much love and laughter into our house. He is one crazy puppy and can frustrate the crap out of me but when he snuggles into his mommy - all is forgotten as my heart melts inside of me.

So tired from all of the playing! It is very hard being almost 11 weeks old!

So glad that Arthur got to meet his grandparents (both of them as my mother is now home from the hospital - YAY!!!) and he got to play with their dog. There is nothing funnier than watching your dog (who is small now but not for long) play with a really big dog. Arthur figured out the only way to have a fighting chance at being able to keep up with the playtime is to do so from a height advantage - from the couch! They would play for hours and then drop of exhaustion only to wake up and do it all over again!

Anyhoo - DiDi is tired but happy!

Kisses to all,

DiDi

CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!

Get ready dear internet - the whining is about to begin!

First - Wilson has been working up a storm - to make up for taking an extra long, long holiday last weekend and being a girl - I miss him and hate that he doesn't get home until 8:30 pm or later.

Second, I have to go to Calgary this weekend - leaving tomorrow - and miss a whole weekend with Wilson and Arthur. Because of this damn trip, we miss the annual friends weekend at Mellie and Jewemy's cottage (aka - The Compound) and it sounded like mucho fun!!!

Third and the worst of all - my mummy fell last Friday and cracked her pelvis and 2 ribs and is in the hospital! As I have to go out of town, I will not get to go to their house until next Wednesday morning (yes, that is the morning after I land from Calgary). This damn trip is making it so that I can't see her and help out other members of my family. I really, really, really hate business travel - especially when it totally interferes with my weekend and my life! However my boss is being a total rock star about letting me go home to help and not making me take vacation. Lizzie is really the best boss EVER!!!! Also, God bless the Brand for giving me a blackberry and air card to help me stay connected and on top of things! This way I can say that I am working remotely when really I am grocery shopping, housecleaning, getting a cleaning service organized, visiting, dog-walking and any thing else that is needed of me for 2 days.

There - that is my whine du jour! I am sure that the trip will be great and all will be fine. My mom is getting better everyday and has started rehab. Thank heavens that no surgery was needed at all or I would not be going on this trip AT ALL!

On the plus side - Arthur gets to go to Grandma and Grandpa's farm and play with a big dog and go for walks without his leash. This will make him so tired and that makes his mummy so happy! I promise that my next post will not be so whiny and my lovely cynical self will be back in action.

Whiny kisses to all,

DiDi

PS - just because I can - here are some of the latest pictures of Arthur! These were taken outside of Pembroke, ON - on Arthur's 9 week birthday. Smooshiness galore!!!!!

GOOD LORD - HE'S EXPLODING!

The story of Arthur...

ARTHUR ARRIVES AND IS 7 WEEKS
He is 10 Lbs and we forgot to measure everything else

WEEK 1 - 8 WEEKS OLD
Arthur is now 12 pounds, 12 inches high and 12 inches long. A gain of 2 pounds in 1 week!

WEEK 2 - 9 WEEKS OLD
15 pounds, 16 inches long, 14 inches high. Wilson averaged it out - he grew approximately 1/2 an inch each day of last week!

He is growing so fast - each time he wakes up from a nap I swear to God he is bigger! So friggen cute but holy is he going to be big!

Growing puppy kisses to all!
DiDi

HOW CAN SOMETHING SO SMALL CHANGE YOUR LIFE SO COMPLETELY?

Sitting pretty for mama!

It has been just over a week since our wee boy Arthur came to live with us - and what a week it has been! I have been run ragged by a 10 lb puppy who thinks that my boobs and ankles are chew toys. I have been woken up in the wee small hours by his crys and I have never been so sleep deprived in my life!

Story Sidebar

Seriously - I have learned that I do not function well on no or little sleep. Besides being so tired that I could hurl on the spot - I become very, very cranky. Mellie says this is all normal but I don't think she turned into a cranky old lady who yelled at neighbourhood kids. (However in my defense - they were shooting off cap guns for an extended period of time and I snapped and yelled out - "We are trying to have dinner here!" and silence reigned over the neighbourhood once more. Then Wilson came in 15 minutes later and he said I got the kids in trouble - I got a big smooch for that one! Ah the benefits of a loud-mouthed wife!) Our conclusion after just one week of a puppy - no babies for Wilson and DiDi!!!

Having now complained about all of the above - I wouldn't have it any other way! He is just such a delightful boy - full of love and fun. When he falls asleep on me - my heart just melts inside me. He loves his mummy so much because she was home with him for his first week. His daddy is equally enamoured of his smooshiness and Arthur loves his daddy sooo much!

For his first week it has been a busy one - even I don't have this kind of activity but here is a quick synopsis:

• 
  
  met his new best friend Ivey (fur baby of Mellie and Jewemy)
• 
  
  had his first walk in the neighbourhood
• 
  
  2 - yes 2 vet visits (there goes my shoe budget again!) - but he had a clean bill of health so all is good there
• 
  
  his first taste of peanut butter and cream cheese - Mmmm Mmmm Good!
• 
  
  played with many neighbourhood dogs
• 
  
  he discovered how much fun shoe laces are to play with - especially when they are attached to other peoples shoes (great for tug of war)
• 
  
  how much fun Auntie Terri's cottage is
• 
  
  his first boat ride
• 
  
  first excursion into a lake - did not like that one so much

Not bad for someone who is only 8 weeks old. While there is no replacement for our sweet Maggie and she will always be the best girl - Arthur is his own man and we love him so! He fills my heart in a different way - with his sweet puppy breath, chin kisses and so soft fur. Everything is an adventure to him and he has no fear - I think that there is a life lesson in there somewhere!

This weekend our wee family will be going to Wilson's parents for 4 days (4 adults and 1 puppy on a 34' boat - YIKES! Anyone who knows me knows that I will be drinking copiously to get through the weekend!) and he will play on a beach for the first time. Somehow I think he is going to love it!

Long weekend kisses to all!

DiDi

ARTHUR MEET THE INTERNET, INTERNET MEET ARTHUR

Well we did it - that is became parents again! We went to a breeder this morning and picked our our new baby boy. He is 4 weeks old, his name is Arthur and he is a German Shorthaired Pointer. This is both mine and Wilson's first time with a puppy in many, many years and also with a purebred dog. We are mutt people and more the rescue kind of family. However our Maggie was a rescue and I didn't want to do that so soon as she was practically perfect and no rescue dog is that and I didn't want him/her to suffer by comparison.

So we are a family of 3 again and it feels right.

This is Arthur being held by his dad!

It doesn't make me miss Maggie any less but it will be so amazing to have that face at the door (eventually) and all that wonderful dog love.

Puppy kisses to all!

DiDi

A Star Is Born

I can't believe this guy! He has bad British teeth, works at Cell Phone Warehouse and has the voice of an angel. Apparently he was sick for quite some time and has a lot of medical bills. My fave moment is how gobsmacked Simon is - that is not something you see every day! Also the 2 old ladies in the audience and how he gets a standing ovation way before he is finished.

I have no idea why I like this so much - perhaps it is the Cinderella aspect of it all. He went on to win the entire competition and hopefully he will have a long career some where other than Cell Phone World.

GOOD BYE SWEET GIRL

Maggie just after she came to live with me

On Friday afternoon, with much thought and consideration we said good bye to our sweet Maggie. It was the right thing to do for her even though it was the most difficult decision we have had to make as a couple.

She came into my life on October 31st, 1999 from the Toronto Humane Society and my life was never the same. It is amazing to me how a four-legged family member can change the course of a life so much. She was love wrapped in fur and was truly our girl. She always managed to make a bad day better just by being her sweet self.

Wilson and I miss her like crazy but just having had her with us for the time we did made our lives richer and more full. The beginning of her life was not so good but we did our best to make her time with us full of love and happiness. It was our way of giving back to her a fraction of what she gave to us.

Good bye sweet Maggie. You will always be our best girl!

On our boat, after a long walk - so happy!

MAGGIE

This is the saddest thing I have ever had to write but right now our beloved Maggie is at our wonderful vet's office after spending the night at the Emergency Hospital and she is not doing well at all.

Wilson and I are facing the toughest decision we will ever have to make about her and I am utterly and completely miserable about it. She really is the sweetest dog on the planet and a true lady (other than her love of eating shit, birds and dead things).

We love her so much and want her back with us healthy and happy but we are not sure that it is going to happen. We will know more this afternoon.

Sweet Maggie kisses to all...

DiDi

HOLY CRAP IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME...

Yowza it has been a long time since I have written anything here. Either my life is incredibly boring or incredibly busy....I will lean towards the latter as it has been crazy and hectic and BUSY!!!

Here is the summary of the last 2 months in a nutshell...

• still married to Wilson and he is still wonderful and the best husband in the whole world!
• still the mom to Maggie the Wonder Dog - and she is still the best dog in the whole world!
• planted our garden and it looks BEE-YOU-TI-FULL!
• our boat is in the water - YIPEEE!!!
• Wilson helped Mellie and Jewemy build their new deck
• Maggie had a vet appointment for her spring blood work and it came back GREAT! No more melamine complications from eating that damn Menu Foods stuff for 2 lousy weeks. I thought I was being an indulgent parent by giving her moist food so that she could have some extra calories but instead I almost killed her.
• I coloured my hair brown - so now have to amend the description of us at on the blog as we are no longer the blonde, brunette and redhead. It was not an easy adjustment let me tell you - I had been red for 10 or more years and I loved it. But I now like and am leaning towards loving the brun. I will stay with the brun for a bit I think. Besides Wilson really likes it and that is fun!
• am taking lots of pictures with the new camera. Have got some real winners this summer and all are tired of me with a camera to my face...
• Wilson's dad has fixed my tax-man problem and that beast of burden will soon be off my back and my paycheque. WHEW!!!! This will give Wilson and I a significant chunk of money every month that we have not had for all of our life together.
• was re-org'd again at the office. Not sure about this but at least I still have a job where many people in the company do not. For this, I (and of course Wilson and Maggie) are very grateful. (It would have been delightful to have the summer off though...)
• we have booked our winter vacation - we will be sailing around the Grenadines and Tobago Keys with Kacy, Ed, Kacy's mom and step-dad (whom I adore) and another pair of friends of Kacy's that I am sure will be fun. We can't wait!!!

So in a nutshell dear Internet, you are now up to date. I promise not to be so lax in posting from now on.
Updated kisses to all,
DiDi

EARTH DAY

Ever since I saw An Inconvenient Truth, I have been really working on the ways that Wilson and I can be more environmentally friendly. We have:

• wrapped our hot water heater in some sort of Al Gore approved wrap. It is supposed to make it so that heat stays trapped and we can lower the temperature of the water in the tank. I
• wrapped our pipes so that we don't lose heat there
• we recycle just about everything that we can
• we have a green bin and all other foodstuffs go in there
• we would have a composter but I really hate the bugs and racoons that come with one of those so that is where our green bin picks up that slack.
• when they finally move me to our downtown office, Wilson and I will carpool and I will be taking transit home. For those of you that know me, this is a HUGE sacrifice on my part
• I am trying to make sure that I don't buy products with wasteful packing
• I think I am going to take our produce organic so that I am buying locally and saving the carbon emissions from stuff that is trucked in from around North America
• My next car will be a hybrid - but that won't be for a few years as Wilson and I tend to keep our cars for a long time
• I know that I need to start taking cloth bags to the grocery store but when you have a dog, you need the damn plastic bags for picking up the refuse. Not pleasant but who wants to walk in a park that smells like poo.
• We changed our light bulbs to CFLs - even though they make it hard to read as I find them not as bright.
• I am going to check with our local butcher to see if his meats are procured locally as well - more of the not contributing to the carbon emissions
• We are going to phase out our household cleansers and begin using green prodcuts
• and our last and I think biggest sacrifice of all is using 'green' facial tissues and toilet paper. I am totally a Kleenex and Facelle Royal girl but when I read how many trees this would save, I realized that we had to start this as well. We use cloth napkins all the time except when we are serving canapes before a dinner party - so this helps save some trees.

I realize that this a good start but I believe that we all have to do more. If anyone has any other ideas for me - bring it on. As long as those ideas do not mean that I have to give up pretty shoes, chocolate or red wine - I will give it a whirl.

Green kisses to all,
DiDi

EASTER

Ah, Easter has come and gone and my waistline is ever expanding due to the vast quantities of food consumed over the entire weekend!


The best thing ever about Easter is Good Friday and that it is a holiday. Long weekends absolutely rule and ours was good. We drove 3 hours to my parents' farm and hung out until Sunday morning. Our entire weekend consisted of eating, standing to let the dogs out, eating some more, watching TV, eating and then going to bed. I think everyone now had a clearer picture of why I am ever increasing in size.


Dinners at my parents house were carb fests and I love that about them. Friday dinner was roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with all the appropriate trimmings. Saturday was turkey, stuffing and the appropriate trimmings. And my mom made pies for dessert - YUMMY!!!!! Wilson makes my mother so happy because he eats her food until he can no longer move.


We drove home, unpacked the car and thought - "hey, we have no food in the house, let's go grocery shopping." We are idiots as it was Easter Sunday and everything, and I mean everything was closed up tight. We scrounged ourselves a healthy dinner (salmon, quinoa and wilted spinach). Thank heavens for the pantry!


All in all, a lovely long weekend and I wish that we didn't have to go to work!


Easter bunny kisses to all,
DiDi

GOY PASSOVER

ReRe did it again! She cooked for 2 entire days and created a wonderful passover dinner for all. 7 goyim and 2 Jews celebrated Passover together again. In attendance were Wilson, DiDi, Mellie, Jewemy, ReRe, iPod man, Mary, Graham and their happy son Miles.

ReRe out did herself with all the fixin's of salad, gefilte fish, chicken soup, roasted turkey with matzoh stuffing, carrot tsimis (not sure if spelled correctly) and 3 kinds of dessert. Much wine and I mean MUCH wine was consumed. 8 bottles apparently - and thank God that Wilson was driving home as I drank more than my share.

So many laughs, so much fun and we have begun lobbying for ReRe to do Goy Hannukah. Wilson and I are joining in the fun this year and having the ReRe clan over for Jew Easter. There will be food, wine and everyone leaves with some chocolate.

Thank you ReRe for being the good Jewish mom that you are and giving us goyim our annual Passover experience.

Kosher kisses to all,
DiDi

A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT

Apparently yesterday was a day to blog about war - yesterday being the first day of spring. As with most things in my life, I am late but here are my thoughts...

As a Canadian citizen, I am proud that we did not jump on the US bandwagon to invade Iraq even though we faced a barrage of international pressure. Osama was in Afghanistan and that is where the focus should have stayed. We will never know if the US had kept their forces in Afghanistan, would Osama have been in custody by now.

I have never supported the invasion of Iraq as I thought giving the UN inspectors a bit more time would not have hurt anyone, let put soldiers lives in extreme danger. I have often wondered that with a bit more prudences, how would the outcome have changed. Many soldiers and their families have paid the ultimate sacrifice to be in this unjust war and those who are still fighing deserve to come home. I am tired of the death counts and the debate. Bring the troops home!

Unfortunately, if we leave now Iraq and Afghanistan would be left in ruins and the Taliban and other horrific forms of government would come back in the vacuum left behind. All of the countries that have troops over there, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan, need to assist these countries and their citizens in setting up responsible government that provides a secure place for all to live and still respect their traditions and religion.

End the war! Help these countries live in peace! Bring our troops home!

Peaceful kisses to all,
DiDi

THUNK = EXPENSIVE!

Last week was an expensive week for DiDi - quite unintentionally I might add. No I did not go to Holts and purchase a pair absolutely gorgeous but ridiculously expensive Christian Louboutin shoes or a new Burberry or Kate Spade purse. What did I spend my hard earned bucks on you ask??? MY CAR!!!!!

I was working at our downtown office as I had a course that evening (and also needed to get my legs waxed and my esthetician's office is downtown) and at the end of the day, I go to the garage and drive my car out to the street. As I approach the stop sign, I hear a loud THUNK! I think to myself - What in the name of all that is holy did I just run over?

I get out of the car and see nothing so get back in and try to go forward. But my car won't let me go forward. I try to reverse but my car won't let me reverse. At this point - I realize that this is NOT GOOD and will undoubtably cost me a lot of money.

Thus begins the many calls and I realize how much I love my cell phone because of the vast number of calls I had to make after the THUNK made me sit in my car waiting for a tow truck.

Here is my call summary -
1. Wilson to give him the update and arrange for him to pick me up at the subway
2. CAA to get them to come and tow my car away
3. Our garage to let them know of the situation and that the car will be arriving and to fix her.
4. Henry's Camera where my class was being held and let them know that I won't be coming and that I need to reschedule.
5. ReRe to ask her to pick me up the next day on her way to work and also just to vent
6. Brian - just because I was close to his building and I was bored

Finally CAA arrives and they tow my car to the garage and I walk to the subway to go home. I get to the station and the escalator is broken and have to walk up 5 GODDAMNED FLIGHTS OF STAIRS! This would be nothing if I did not have 50lbs of crap that I am lugging around as it could not stay in the car. I get to the top of the stairs utterly exhausted and Wilson is across the street with Maggie getting gas in the car. He takes me home, pours me a large glass of wine and makes me dinner. God I love that man!

The next day I get the call from the garage that my brakes had come apart in the back and that is what is making my car not move. It also seems that it is about to happen with the front brakes as well. FUCKING HELL! Total cost of the THUNK = $735.00. I spent $735 and it wasn't on clothes, shoes, purses or accessories. WTF????

Sure, now I can drive my car and it has new brakes - blah, blah, blah. I would rather have spent the money on shoes - I am a girl after all!

Wish I bought expensive shoes kisses,
DiDi

I HEART NORDSTROMS!

On our recent trip to Denver, that my lovely husband gave me for Valentine's Day, I had some wonderful bonding time with my beloved friend Kacy. Where did we spend such time? Well dear internet, let me tell you. We spent it in Nordstroms! And may I say so that all may know - I LOVE NORDSTROMS AND NORDSTROMS LOVES ME!!!!

We stroll and look and look and stroll and then find ourselves in the happiest place on earth - the shoe department. So many pretty styles to choose from and lovely sales people who are a delight and bring you your size and any shoes that they think you might be interested in.

Of course I find many pairs that I love but am on the hunt for a pretty pair of red, patent leather slingbacks that are all the rage for spring. Bingo!!! There they are along with another delightful pair of pretty blue polka dotted shoes.

Aren't they just the prettiest shoes ever!

Pretty shoes!

Needless to say I can't wait for nice weather so I can wear them. I have outfits all prepared for their first outing.

Be gone with you damn winter so that these pretty shoes can be on my feet not in their box.

Wishing for spring kisses to all,

DiDi

VALENTINE'S DAY, THE WILSON WAY

My beloved husband continues to amaze me. He surprised me but good for Valentine's Day! He got me a trip to Denver, CO and it fit perfectly.

In years past, we used to go and visit my dear friend Kacy in Denver. It was on its way to becoming an annual tradition then Kacy and her husband split up and then Wilson and I split up as well.

Well it is a new year and Kacy is with a dee-lightful man named Ed who I adore and of course, Wilson and I are now married. Don't you just love happy endings! Anyhoo, Wilson knows how much I love Kacy and how I love to see her, visit with her and since she lives in Denver we don't get to hang out very much. So, he went and confirmed all the details with Kacy, arranged for tickets and then told me all about it. What a guy!

Well we went and it was amazing! Not the beginning part where our plane was delayed by 2 hours and the fact that Air Canada lost Wilson's luggage for more than 48hours BUT once we got there, it was outstanding. We went for Mexican, saw a movie, had a great dinner and that was just Saturday. Did I mention that it was 60+ degrees on Saturday? No, well it was and boy did it feel good. Sunday was even better as it was even warmer and we went shopping at Nordstroms and DiDi bought herself some VERY pretty shoes. I also bought Wilson some jeans and t-shirts at The Gap so everyone got something.

Kacy made a kick ass dinner of chicken enchiladas with a cream sauce and she and Ed through an amazing party. Lots of people came and enjoyed. We all drank waaaay to much but thankfully when the next morning dawned, Mr. Hangover was not hanging out with Wilson and I. He was, however, not being very nice to Kacy and Ed. In fact, Ed was not well at all. He kept repeating over and over again that he was never drinking again. And then he looked at my husband and realized that he was not hurting AT ALL from the shots of sambuca that they decided to have after all of us went to bed. His quote changed to "That fucker Wilson isn't even hungover at all!" Kacy was not doing well with her upset stomach and aching head but still managed to be cute and drive us to the airport. How she can be so hungover and still be so damn pretty is beyond me.

We get on the plane, arrive home and pick up our sweet Maggie. All in all, it was a fantastic Valentine's day weekend and I loved my present. However, I love my man more!

Valentine's Day kisses (albeit a little late) to all,

DiDi

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Normally I don't care too much for this, the most Hallmark of holidays but as this is my first married one - I am loving it! I will take any opportunity to tell Wilson how much I love him and today he will beg me to stop all the lurve!

However Internet, here is a very short list of why I love this man:
- he has a great shaped head and this is key because he has not a lot of hair
- he loves me lots
- he is the smartest guy I know
- he loves our dog so much and is very smoochy
- he walks said dog in the cold weather so that I can stay warm
- he is damn sexy
- he is an amazing friend
- he is calm in a crisis
- he makes me laugh
- just because he is him

I look forward to a lifetime of I love you's with you Wilson and with you every day is Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's day everyone and cinnamon heart kisses to all,

DiDi

SERIOUSLY...ENOUGH WITH THE DAMN COLD

It is so damn cold here and yes...I am bitching about it. I know that I live in a country that is cold for 6 months of the year. However, global warming was good to us until mid-January when it was almost balmy for us Canadians. Then it ended with a bloody vengenance and this is what it looks like here now.

We just got another dump of snow - 10 cms with another 10 cms coming today. ENOUGH I SAY!!! I need to feel some warmth and the sun on my face.

Seriously - this is what I look like when I walk the dog. You can't tell whether I am woman or a man. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!

I have to have a serious discussion with Wilson about moving somewhere warm - I can't take it anymore. And to top it off, Mellie is in very warm South Africa now. Bring back some warmth with you Mellie - The Sorority needs it badly.

Stay warm everyone and eskimo kisses to all,

DiDi

HOLY CRAP IT IS COLD!!!!!

I hope that anyone who reads this is not in the grip of the cold snap that we in Toronto are being tortured by right now and for the foreseeable future. It is so cold that when I go out to walk our beloved pooch that I have so many layers on that you cannot tell if I am a man or woman. That takes something people because there are some girly curves on this body. All of me is as hidden from the dratted wind as I can make it.

Our beloved Mellie leaves very soon for South Africa and it is not cold there. She takes with her a full selection of DiDi's summer wardrobe - shoes and all. Thank heavens we are close to the same size so that we can share pretty clothes and shoes. ReRe and I envy Mellie her glimpse of a tropical sun. My clothes are getting a better vacation than me. Bring some of that warmth home with you Miss Mellie - that is the best souvenier you could ever give us.

Stay warm and snuggled up to someone you love! It is the only way to get through this damn cold!

Cold snap kisses to all,

DiDi

COME HOME TO US DEAR HUSBAND

This year Wilson will be travelling a lot more in the first half of the year and even though Maggie and I are used to his travel, we still miss him so much when he is gone. Right now he is in Calgary enjoying some good Alberta beef and making business happen.

We both miss the little things when he is gone. I know that Maggie misses the cuddles on the couch and I miss the cuddles in our bed. He gets home from Calgary on Thursday afternoon and Maggie gets him all to herself for the afternoon and then I will break the land speed record getting home for welcome back hugs and kisses.

However he has outdone himself on this trip. Before he left, I did ALL the thank you notes for our wedding reception. That is right - ALL OF THEM while he slept on the couch (he wasn't feeling well). As I addressed the last note, I looked at his handsome face and told him in no uncertain terms that he owed me BIG TIME for completing that onerous chore. And boy did he come through. I was aiming for dinner out or a piece of shiny jewellery or just a hundred kisses but he did so much better than all of that.

He is taking me to Denver for the weekend to visit our friends Kacy and Ed. The same Kacy and Ed who came on our trip and stood up at our wedding with us. He knows how much I love to see Kacy and since they live so far away that we don't get to see them hardly at all. And he knows that we miss each other and love to spend time together and he made that happen. That is my wonderful man!

Hurry home handsome. Your wife and dog love and miss you very much and we need our Wilson home. Life at our house is just not the same without you.

Kisses,
DiDi

JUST AN OLD MARRIED COUPLE NOW...

Well it is all done. The wedding (December 9th), the reception (January 13) and the thank you notes (done totally by DiDi on January 19th). With the exception of my sore thumb from writing notes to our wonderful and crazy generous friends it was all wonderful.

Our reception was so much fun with most of our family and friends joining us at our house to celebrate our marriage with us. God bless the caterers with their staff, amazing food and rentals. There was really no mess for Wilson and I to clean up and a good time was had by all.

My sweet husband looked at all the food when it was delivered and said "It is not enough food!". To which I replied "People will start to arrive in 2 hours and I am not going to worry about this at all. If we run out, we will just order some pizza." Which is exactly what we ended up doing. We had food for 125 people and 112 guests through our house and they all just vacuumed up the food. There was not a morsel left and everyone raved about how good it was. Thank you Daniel & Daniel for making it so easy for us! Our last guest left at 10am the next morning and you know when you end up with a houseguest, that it was a good party.

The entire sorority was present and here is a photo of all its members. We are all so pretty and so drunk (well at least Mellie was...if her hangover the next day was any indication).

At one point I looked around our living room at our family gathered there and realized how many wonderful examples that Wilson and I have of strong and happy marriages.

My parents - 58 years

Wilson's parents - 40 years

My cousin Dianne and her husband Jim - 37 years

My brother Tom and his wife Lynn - 35 years

My brother John and his wife Terry - 22 years

My sister Fay and her husband Ron - 24 years

My cousin Paul and his wife Lynne - 18 years

My sister Debbie and her husband Carl - 38 years (but they couldn't make it)

I know that these marriages have weathered tough times, happy times and all the inbetween times. I take hope that with such wonderful examples that Wilson and I will hold tight to our love for each other and weather the years ahead with the same grace and longevity that our family has.

It has been a wonderful experience getting married this way and I wouldn't have done it any other way. We had all the fun parts (telling people, looking forward to the date and a great honeymoon) and very little of the stress parts (except for the damn paperwork). We got to celebrate with friends and family and I got to wear a pretty dress and shoes.

Being a Mrs. (although I never use the term and my last name has not changed) is pretty damn good so far.

Married kisses to all,

DiDi

PS - the honeymoon post is coming - I swear it is.

THE BEST VACATION EVER A.K.A. OUR HONEYMOON WITH FRIENDS

Well at long last, here is the post about our wonderful trip. This could be the longest post ever but I will try to keep it short. First, a shout out to Jemima, who gave me the info on how to have a Flickr link on the blog so that you can see all of our lovely pictures without me putting all of them into this entry.

Anyhoo, it all started on December 1st, very, very early in the morning. Our flight left Toronto at the ungodly hour of 6:30 am, which meant that the car was picking us up at 4:30 AM - yes that means very fucking early! For all of you that know me well - I don't do mornings well at all! Thank heavens for our dear friends Rudi and Wendy who took our beloved Maggie for the entire time we were gone and we got to drop her off at their house the night before we left. This made leaving at the ungodly hour we did much, much easier.

The car arrives and takes us to the airport and it seems that there are many, many people leaving at the same time. Customs was jammed but because I am weird about the airport and arrival times, we had loads of time to get through, have an airport investment breakfast (translation - food that costs the earth) and be at the gate and board with the rest of the plebes in economy. At this moment as we walked through first class back into economy, I wish to holy hell that we could have gotten First Class seating with its large seats and leg room but we were denied. Wilson, God bless his bald head, did give it a good old college try as we are both plane snobs and love first class A LOT.

However it was not to be and as we were flying on points, we had an aisle and middle seat. I took the middle seat as Wilson is much taller than me and needs the leg room. I promptly fell asleep on his shoulder (did I mention that we had to get up at 4:00 am) and pretty much fell asleep for the entire flight. We landed in Charlotte, got a Jamba juice (yummy) and got on our next flight. We landed in lovely St. Maarten, collected our bags, cleared customs and headed out into the sunshine. At this point, we have been in transit for 13 or so hours and are in desperate need of a shower or a swim or both.

We arrive at our hotel - the Royal Sonesta Beach and Casino resort, get our room and head to the pool. Never has a dip in a lovely Caribbean pool felt so good on tired travellers bodies.

After we had a refreshing swim that washed the icky plane feeling away, we went to a lovely French restaurant and had a lovely dinner (with lots of wine and cheese). Then we slept the sleep of tired travellers.

Day 2
Spent the day at the beach and what a glorious day it was. It was hot and sunny and otherwise fabulous. We had the better part of the day to kill before Kacy and Ed landed and we headed off to our cruise.

Lovely Maho Beach

When they say the airport is 5 minutes from our hotel, they are not kidding. I swear on my dog pretty head that this picture is not photoshopped AT ALL!

My James Bond pose as Wilson likes to call it (don't worry Halle, your job is so safe). Right after this, I was knocked ass over teakettle by a 4 foot wave and had sand in places only Wilson has been!

My lovely husband, before he was my husband.

Then we left this lovely beach to go to the airport that was only 5 minutes away (see above picture) and pick up Kacy and Ed and begin our wonderful vacation together (we got a head start, they had to spend the night in Dallas). Off we go to the marina together to get on our 50' catamaran and begin our cruise around Sint Maarten. Of course for some strange reason (as we took pictures of EVERYTHING else (as you can see by the Flickr link now on the blog), for some reason we did not take pictures of our cabin) but it was lovely. We meet our fellow cruisers - Roger and Lynne from upstate New York and Diane and Andre from Quebec. Our ship's captain is Scottie and our first mate is Zena who are delightful and we wanted to bring them home with us.

We meet, chat and begin what will become our nightly ritual -- cocktails, chatter, canapes, cocktails and then dinner. We drank loads and ate a great meal of mahi mahi and then went to bed. There are no pictures of this fun evening as I was too concerned about holding my wine glass.

Day 3
We depart from Simpson Bay Harbour in Marigot and head for Anguilla. It is a great sail and we arrive in Anguilla Harbour and head into shore to the only bar - Johnnos. We all decide that we would rather drink and go for a walk along the beach rather than go on an island taxi tour. We all make our way back to the boat and spend the evening in lovely Anguilla Harbour.

Anguilla hot spot - Johnno's

The gang doing what we do best - sitting and drinking!

Day 4

Day 4 of our trip dawns and it is a bit cloudy with a fair bit of wind. We are all game and decide that we are going to head to Sandy Island - a reef just off the coast of Anguilla. It is totally uninhabited but has a small shelter on it that you can use to have lunch or relax. Apparently some brave soul tried to open a restaurant or bar on it and it didn't really go all that well (not surprising since it is a deserted island) but it worked for us. It was a bit of a rough ride over to the island and a number of storms passed us by but for us it was a slice of heaven.

Sandy Island

The Shack on Sandy Island

Shipwreck on Sandy Island

At one point, Wilson and I are laying together in the hammock and Kacy comes over to get us saying there is a surprise for us. And what a surprise it was - we were given vine headresses, I was given a small 'bouquet' and we were 'married' by our ship captain and surrounded by our fellow travellers. It was so wonderful and touching that they would all do this for us. We popped champagne and celebrated our beach wedding in grand style.

Walking up the aisle at the Sandy Beach Cathedral

First kiss as husband and wife (sort of)

Back to the boat we go and we moored on the other side of Anguilla for the evening. There was a gorgeous villa on that we could stare at until the sun went down. I tried to talk Ed into buying it and then we would all come and visit him and Kacy - but he was more interested in his Carib than real estate.

Wilson, DiDi, Captain Scottie and First Mate Zena - after they 'married' us

Day 5

We sail to just off the beach of Grand Case - on the other side of St. Maarten. It is lovely and totally French and littered with amazing restaurants. However, i am getting ahead of myself as I almost drowned...

We drop anchor and all and sundry decide what they are going to do for the afternoon. Stay on the boat and relax, snorkel - whatever strikes your fancy. I am not a big snorkeler but I decide that there are fish to be seen and I haven't done this in a while so lets give it a whirl. I get my mask and fins, get my self into the boat and head out with the others to go for a snorkel. Once in the water, I remember why I hate snorkeling (yes I know - a wee bit too late). I hate breathing through my mouth, I hate salt water in my mouth, I hate salt water in my eyes (I wear contacts and it really hurts) and most of all I hate it when my mask leaks and I almost drown.

I tried to be a trooper but the burning eyes and leaking mask got the best of me. Kacy and I head back to the boat but by this point my eyes are burning out of my head due to the water in my mask and my lovely contacts being in my eyes. It hurts to have them open with the sunshining in them, it hurts to close them, they are watering up a storm. All in all it was very difficult to swim back to the boat. I manage to get a whistle off and get Scottie's attention and he comes and fetches me. Now let me tell you - there is absolutely NO graceful way to re-enter a dinghy from the water. Scottie has to help haul my almost drowned and blind ass back into the boat. At that moment, he was wishing I was the size of Nicole Richie - but I like food and will never, ever be considered a waif.

I get back to the boat and take my contacts out - yeah for blessed release. However, my eyes will not stop watering and I cannot sit outside as the sun hurts them. I have a beer to console myself. Wilson is appropriately concerned and keeps the beer coming. He is a very good man! Bad eyes will not keep my from drining or going ashore to have a great dinner with wonderful friends.

We go ashore and walk around Grand Case and are presented with so many wonderful restaurants to choose from. Amazing traditional French cuisine, Carribean barbecue, Italian - you name it, it's there. Some with a lovely beach view but all with very yummy sounding menus. We finally decide on a lovely French restaurant for dinner and the food is fantastic. We were VERY full when we got ourselves back to the boat and we relaxed with a after dinner drink under the moon with the ocean breezes keeping us cool.

Grand Case Pier

The four of us at dinner

Day 6

Scuba boy

Isn't he cute

Wilson, whose French improves so much when he drinks, understands it and reads it but doesn't speak it very well at all. His instructor's grasp of English is as good as Wilson's French. Somehow, the 2 of them figure it out and he gets him ready and off they go. He dove down to 40 feet, saw a stingray, lots of fish, went through a shipwreck and had a blast.

Man of Action

We go back to the boat and go ashore at Tintamarre - which is an uninhabited island known for its healing mud. We all follow Scottie away from the beach to the mud area and begin to dig up the good mud - apparently there are 3 kinds - and mix it with sea water. Once it is mixed, we all start slathering it on our bodies. We all cover ourselves from head to toe and make our way back to the beach. We have to let the mud dry on our skin for the best effect and when we get to the beach, Wilson decides to use up the last of the mud on both Kacy and I and dumps it on our heads. Yup, we were officially covered from head to toe in mud. Mud was everywhere on us - seriously everywhere.

We all sit in the sun waiting for the mud to dry and, of course drinking Carib - YUMMY! Once the mud was dry, we raced into the sea and rinsed ourselves clean. I will tell you that my skin felt so soft. It was a total blast and I have paid a lot of money for the spa mud bath experience and this was as good and free.

The muddy gang of Restless Spirit

Once we were all back on Restless Spirit, we sailed over by Orient Bay for the evening and had dinner. It was another amazing day and once in a lifetime experience.

Day 7

We wake up at Orient Bay and it looks so pretty with its yellow umbrellas and patio chairs. The sea was kind of rough but we didn't care because we sailed to St. Barth's. It was the best sail ever - we hit 12 foot waves and Wilson and I were riding the jump seats for a while. The jump seats are 2 little seats at the far front of the boat and your feet hang over the ocean. You feel like you are riding a roller coaster as the boat goes up and down over the waves. Sitting in the jump seats was the best fun - you feel like you are going up so high and then your feet come down and go into the water. It was a total blast!

A great sail to St. Barths

St. Barth's Harbour

Then I drove the boat for most of the way to St. Barth's and developed new muscles in my arms. It was much harder to steer than our boat but then we are never out in 12 foot waves on Lake Ontario.

We get to St. Barths and have a great afternoon - well at least I did as Wilson was a wee bit hungover. I bought myself a great bathing suit that I thought was priced in US dollars but when the credit card bill came in, it was actually in Euros -- EEEEK! It is now called the investment bathing suit.

Came back to the boat after a great afternoon and we pulled around the other side of the harbour and watched the sunset over St. Barths. It was absolutely gorgeous. What was even more beautiful was watching the moon rise once the sun went down. It was a full moon and so bright it was almost like you could read by it.

Day 8

Day 8 dawned gorgeous and sunny - God I do love the Caribbean for the AMAZING weather. We had a wonderful breakfast aboard and then weighed anchor for Simpson Bay harbour in St. Maarten. We had to be back for the afternoon bridge or the complications with customs would be ugly. It was a great sail back and we went right by the spot where we would get married the next day. The weather was so amazing - just enough wind to get going at a decent speed but not so windy that you couldn't move around the boat thinking that you were going to fly off.

Maho Beach

The Gang from Restless Spirit

Day 9 - also known as Wedding Day.

The day dawned bright and early and we all had to depart the boat by 9am. After a quick breakfast, we packed up and headed for our hotel and of course to get married. Needless to say, it was an amazing day and I have documented that day in a previous post so I won't bore you all with the details again.

Day 10

Well it seems that the party is over and it is time to call it a day. We are scheduled to be on a flight at 5pm returning home via Charlotte to Toronto. Home to our wonderful house, our gorgeous dog Maggie and to married life. But before we do that, we spend the day with our dear friends Kacy and Ed doing nothing but wandering, having a few cocktails and waiting for our flights.

We sat at a bar that literally is at the end of the runway at the St. Maarten airport and watched planes coming and going. You could see the people on the planes as they flew overhead. We went and stood in the jet wash of a 767 as it took off - why you might ask, because we could is the answer.

And then we made our way to the airport for our departure. Of course, we had purchased duty free booze and Wilson being the careful packer that he is, carefully packed our scotch and wine carefully...in our carry on baggage. To him it is not liquid but liquor and they are different. This of course, is no longer allowed and off he goes back to the check in area to check our bag of booze. Of course in our bag of booze is our plane clothes - long pants and a fleece for me as I freeze on planes and pants for Wilson. They had to stay in the bag to cushion the booze so we were going to get on the plane in our current state. Let me paint a picture - cute white and black golf shirt, very short skirt with St. Barths on the ass and my bright blue Croc flip flops. Wilson is at least in shorts and a golf shirt with his flip flops. We get on the flight and if you ever want the best service on a plane, carry a wedding bouquet with you. The flight attendants are all over you and are very kind and bring you drinks, etc.

However, this makes the flight sound uneventful which is was not. I look up at one point and notice a familiar face. It is our company's President & COO - and he was wearing RED PANTS! I say to Wilson, is that Nadir? Wilson is not sure and then, I am not sure why but I got up and introduced myself and lo and behold, it was Nadir. He was on vacation with his lovely wife and a local Toronto news anchor and his partner as well as a former company exec who is now the official leader of the opposition for Ontario. He also used to work at our company and Wilson knew him. As I am turning around from our brief chat, I realize as I am walking away that I am wearing the smallest skirt I own and it says St. Barth's on the ass. My mortification is now complete.

I spend the flight freezing and re-reading Memoirs of a Geisha and finally we land in Charlotte. We quickly repack the booze in our real luggage, put on our long pants etc and get ready to board the plane home.

Needless to say, it was not as warm in Toronto as it was in St. Maarten but we were home and married.

It was the best vacation for a number of reasons but mostly because I was with my beloved. We were relaxed and happy and that is all that you can ask for in a vacation.

Whew! There it is at long last - our vacation and honeymoon story.

Still on our honeymoon kisses to all,

DiDi

Day 6 dawns lovely and sunny and we sail from Grand Case to just off Tintamare. For those who were going to scuba (not me) we have a dive master and his boat coming to the boat to get all those who are interested. Wilson, who has always wanted to scuba, signs up for a learning dive and Kacy, Andre and Diane are all avid scuba people and get ready to go. I am not such and avid scuba person and go just to take photos.