Well, it is less than 4 weeks till we leave and I can finally say "when we go to Brazil" instead of Jay's "IF we go to Brazil".
Therefore, i can finally blog about it. Yeah!
So yeah, i was writing my friend in Brazil and looked at the Calendar to see how long till I see her, and it came up as less than 4 weeks! That came out of nowhere!
It has been a long, stressful & arduous journey to get here... First, there was the whole Jay having a job uncertainty, if he got laid off we'd need every penny to live off!
Second, when are temporary Brazil living friends came for their visit in May, we learned that he was going to be relocated to a remote area in Brazil. They didn't know when it was going to happen, if their new place would have room for us and did we want to go out there...
So, we finally knew that Jay's job was safe (for the near future) but, if we no longer have free lodging, is the trip still viable? Our race tickets are non-refundable but to go just for the race weekend would be super expensive because flights to Brazil are super expensive! We even looked into resorts and stuff in Brazil but that would cost mucho money...
Alas! A 3rd quarter, out of left field Hail Mary play... Our friends from Brazil contact us about the possibility of free lodging in a friends home in their former neighborhood at exactly the time we will be there... Hurray! The trip is saved and restored to the original plan!
So, we are leaving Toronto Thursday October 15th and arrive in Sao Paulo Brazil Friday October 16 for... Race Weekend! Then on Monday the 19th we take an internal flight to Belo Horizonte and start the tourist part of our trip. Then we catch a flight again from BH to Sao Paulo and leave Sao Paulo for Toronto on Wednesday the 28th, arriving back in Toronto on the 29th.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
My New Job!
Finally, I found a job!
I am now working for a small business called Bath Fitter as a receptionist. I also do general office duties. It is a temporary job for 1 year while the receptionist is on sick leave. I work full time until January and after that there is the possibility that I will go to part time if the receptionist comes back part time.
I work Mon-Fri, 9-5 and have statutory holidays off and am off at Christmas till new year's!
However, now that I'm back at work I have to leave my puppy...
I am now working for a small business called Bath Fitter as a receptionist. I also do general office duties. It is a temporary job for 1 year while the receptionist is on sick leave. I work full time until January and after that there is the possibility that I will go to part time if the receptionist comes back part time.
I work Mon-Fri, 9-5 and have statutory holidays off and am off at Christmas till new year's!
However, now that I'm back at work I have to leave my puppy...
House Update
So, we have not done any major renos/changes but there is always little things that need to be done. We put up nicer curtain rods in the bedroom, living room & dining room. As well, we added curtains to the dining room & living room. We changed all the exterior door handles, the lights on either side of the garage & new house numbers! :)
Our most recent update was the new light in our dining room! I am so happy with it. (Thanks to Sarah for selling it to us) :)
Our most recent update was the new light in our dining room! I am so happy with it. (Thanks to Sarah for selling it to us) :)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Puppy Training
Zoey started her Puppy Training on Saturday. It is a 8 week course every Saturday at 10am. The 1st week she learned "watch me". She is a very smart dog! And I'm not being biased either... Other people have said so too.
We decided on Puppy Training because they also teach the dog using hand signals which is very important because the dog might not always be able to hear you and some dogs go deaf. Next week we are learning the Sit command with only hand signals.
Week 2 we learned sit without saying the word sit. I thought this was going to be difficult but it wasn't... She did it right away and is still doing it every time we use the hand signal. She is such a little smartie!
Week 3 was a big week. She learned "take it" & "leave it", "drop it", "wait" and "down". She is very good at leaving it but then does not want to take it. Hmmm... When Casey and his owner was here, Casey's owner taught her "up" & "round about". So many tricks! And we are not even half way... I do not know what week 4 holds for us, but because we are out of town, we will go early week 5 and catch up!
Week 4&5:
Week 4 was come & sit stay. We've been working on "come" with Zoey since before we took her to training.
Week 5 was reinforcing come & wait. The other dogs did down-stay, while Zoey learned sit-stay from the week she missed.
Zoey Gradutaed from Puppy training on the May long weekend!
We decided on Puppy Training because they also teach the dog using hand signals which is very important because the dog might not always be able to hear you and some dogs go deaf. Next week we are learning the Sit command with only hand signals.
Week 2 we learned sit without saying the word sit. I thought this was going to be difficult but it wasn't... She did it right away and is still doing it every time we use the hand signal. She is such a little smartie!
Week 3 was a big week. She learned "take it" & "leave it", "drop it", "wait" and "down". She is very good at leaving it but then does not want to take it. Hmmm... When Casey and his owner was here, Casey's owner taught her "up" & "round about". So many tricks! And we are not even half way... I do not know what week 4 holds for us, but because we are out of town, we will go early week 5 and catch up!
Week 4&5:
Week 4 was come & sit stay. We've been working on "come" with Zoey since before we took her to training.
Week 5 was reinforcing come & wait. The other dogs did down-stay, while Zoey learned sit-stay from the week she missed.
Zoey Gradutaed from Puppy training on the May long weekend!
Socializing Zoey - Update
I am proud to say that I have been successful in socializing Zoey! She is no longer shy and plays with all dogs big and small. This was apparent when we went to the Vet & Puppy training as she no longer hesitated & played shy. I think a big part of it was on our 2nd trip to Petsmart to hang out she made friends with another pup there that is only 4 days older than her but twice her size. They have since had a playdate and are in the same puppy tarining class. His name is Casey and he is a Border Collie Mix.
She also had success when Libby the 3 year old Jack Russell came for a long weekend. They got along great and Zoey only wishes that Libby would play more.
She also had success when Libby the 3 year old Jack Russell came for a long weekend. They got along great and Zoey only wishes that Libby would play more.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
My Must See List of Movies 2009!
I hope Sarah doesn't mind me taking a page from her book and doing one of my own...
March:
Sunshine Cleaning
I Love You, Man - gotta love Paul Rudd!
Adventureland - I Love Ryan Reynolds!
Monsters vs Aliens - Awesome cast of voices!
April:
Fast & Furious - I'm so excited for this one!
Crank: High Voltage - Jason Statham, need I say more?
The Soloist - Robert Downey Jr. & Jamie Foxx
May:
X-men Origins: Wolverine - Speaks for itself & I was happy to learn about Ryan Reynolds in it
too!
My Life in Ruins - the Big Fat Greek Wedding chick
Angels & Demons - Based on the book by the same author as DaVinci Code, hope they don't ruin again!
June:
Land of the Lost - A Will Ferrell flick that has potential
My Sister's Keeper - Based on the Jodi Picoult Book
July:
Public Enemies - Johnny Depp AND Christian Bale!
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince- Never thought I'd say that...
Ugly Truth - Katherine Heigl flick!
Funny People - Adam Sandler & Seth Rogen, a dream come true!
September:
The Informant - Matt Damon flick with a Bourne feel to it
March:
Sunshine Cleaning
I Love You, Man - gotta love Paul Rudd!
Adventureland - I Love Ryan Reynolds!
Monsters vs Aliens - Awesome cast of voices!
April:
Fast & Furious - I'm so excited for this one!
Crank: High Voltage - Jason Statham, need I say more?
The Soloist - Robert Downey Jr. & Jamie Foxx
May:
X-men Origins: Wolverine - Speaks for itself & I was happy to learn about Ryan Reynolds in it
too!
My Life in Ruins - the Big Fat Greek Wedding chick
Angels & Demons - Based on the book by the same author as DaVinci Code, hope they don't ruin again!
June:
Land of the Lost - A Will Ferrell flick that has potential
My Sister's Keeper - Based on the Jodi Picoult Book
July:
Public Enemies - Johnny Depp AND Christian Bale!
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince- Never thought I'd say that...
Ugly Truth - Katherine Heigl flick!
Funny People - Adam Sandler & Seth Rogen, a dream come true!
September:
The Informant - Matt Damon flick with a Bourne feel to it
Socializing Zoey
So, in my reading of my puppy books it is said that it is important to socialize your dog so that it likes everyone; Male, Female, Adult, kids & other dogs.
I had always thought they liked everybody as long as they didn't have a bad experience with someone ie: dog hates kids because a kid kicked it or something, hates men because they mistreated it etc
But, I guess you need to help this along. So, the adults is easy as we have company over, we are adults etc. But, I never thought I'd be having puppy play dates! It is hilarious just writing this! My dad's girlfriend brings her dog when they visit anyway, but I got together this past weekend with a friend of ours and her dog!
I was really stressed and worried about getting her with children right away as our friends have not had them yet and we don't live near the ones in our family. I thought that it would happen recently when we were going somewhere to visit that usually has children around, but Zoey wasn't welcome. So, I kept saying to Jay, What do we do? I was so worried about my dog not getting along with children. After weeks of this, Jay finally said "Take her to Petsmart. There are always kids there!" So, I did! We spent almost 2 hours hanging out at Petsmart and I guess I was worrying for nothing as she treated them like she treated adults. She loved them! And the trainer at Petsmart said just toplay with her like a kid would... Jay's cousin has a kid and they are coming Saturday so that will be really good too!
I just will have to try and plan more puppy playdates and will be looking forward to Jay's mom's dog coming to play with her on the weekend of the 14th.
I had always thought they liked everybody as long as they didn't have a bad experience with someone ie: dog hates kids because a kid kicked it or something, hates men because they mistreated it etc
But, I guess you need to help this along. So, the adults is easy as we have company over, we are adults etc. But, I never thought I'd be having puppy play dates! It is hilarious just writing this! My dad's girlfriend brings her dog when they visit anyway, but I got together this past weekend with a friend of ours and her dog!
I was really stressed and worried about getting her with children right away as our friends have not had them yet and we don't live near the ones in our family. I thought that it would happen recently when we were going somewhere to visit that usually has children around, but Zoey wasn't welcome. So, I kept saying to Jay, What do we do? I was so worried about my dog not getting along with children. After weeks of this, Jay finally said "Take her to Petsmart. There are always kids there!" So, I did! We spent almost 2 hours hanging out at Petsmart and I guess I was worrying for nothing as she treated them like she treated adults. She loved them! And the trainer at Petsmart said just toplay with her like a kid would... Jay's cousin has a kid and they are coming Saturday so that will be really good too!
I just will have to try and plan more puppy playdates and will be looking forward to Jay's mom's dog coming to play with her on the weekend of the 14th.
Having a Puppy is like having a Baby
Hey There!
I cannot believe how much work getting a puppy was! I expected to have to train it and what not but... WOW! I feel like a mom with a new baby! It is getting better though and don't get me wrong, I love her to death, have no regrets and am handling it ok!
First of all, I had to watch her like a hawk at first. It made getting stuff done hard and Jay was on me about not getting it done! Sheesh! Men have no clue! I eventually learned that I can do stuff while she naps and she doesn't even wake up when I make noise. But, she is trained now and I don't have to watch her as much anymore, I can go down and get laundry etc.
Second of all, I have not slept all the way through the night since we got her, which I can't believe has been over a month now! Her bladder is still not able to go all night so I get up with her every 1-3 hours so she can pee... Good thing I'm the light sleeper out of the 2 of us. I hear her wake up and Jay just sleeps through it pretty much. (Which is great because he has to get up for work in the morning) I'm surprised that I'm surviving this lack of sleep/interrupted sleep thing. I thought I'd be tired all day, I'm not but I do go to bed early though.
Third of all I have to try to figure out what her different cry's are ie: I'm hungry, I have to pee, I want up, I want down etc. Like a baby!
However, I am so lucky! She is like the perfect puppy for me! She is so cuddly and snuggles with you and doesn't mind when I want to hold her, or kiss her or whatever. She just goes with the flow. I also am lucky at how well behaved she is! Now that she is potty trained she is good to go! I was expecting to have some behavoural problem of some type but no. And she is so smart! Honestly, this is an unbiased opinion. When people that have dogs hear how much progress I have made with her and how quick she learns they are impressed. It took less than a day to teach her come! and she is still responding to it. I was prepared that my dog may shed, but she doesn't even do that!
Oh, and I forgot... My dog is even more like a baby as she had a not completely developed skull like a real baby & we have to be careful of it. It's a Chihuahua thing.
I cannot believe how much work getting a puppy was! I expected to have to train it and what not but... WOW! I feel like a mom with a new baby! It is getting better though and don't get me wrong, I love her to death, have no regrets and am handling it ok!
First of all, I had to watch her like a hawk at first. It made getting stuff done hard and Jay was on me about not getting it done! Sheesh! Men have no clue! I eventually learned that I can do stuff while she naps and she doesn't even wake up when I make noise. But, she is trained now and I don't have to watch her as much anymore, I can go down and get laundry etc.
Second of all, I have not slept all the way through the night since we got her, which I can't believe has been over a month now! Her bladder is still not able to go all night so I get up with her every 1-3 hours so she can pee... Good thing I'm the light sleeper out of the 2 of us. I hear her wake up and Jay just sleeps through it pretty much. (Which is great because he has to get up for work in the morning) I'm surprised that I'm surviving this lack of sleep/interrupted sleep thing. I thought I'd be tired all day, I'm not but I do go to bed early though.
Third of all I have to try to figure out what her different cry's are ie: I'm hungry, I have to pee, I want up, I want down etc. Like a baby!
However, I am so lucky! She is like the perfect puppy for me! She is so cuddly and snuggles with you and doesn't mind when I want to hold her, or kiss her or whatever. She just goes with the flow. I also am lucky at how well behaved she is! Now that she is potty trained she is good to go! I was expecting to have some behavoural problem of some type but no. And she is so smart! Honestly, this is an unbiased opinion. When people that have dogs hear how much progress I have made with her and how quick she learns they are impressed. It took less than a day to teach her come! and she is still responding to it. I was prepared that my dog may shed, but she doesn't even do that!
Oh, and I forgot... My dog is even more like a baby as she had a not completely developed skull like a real baby & we have to be careful of it. It's a Chihuahua thing.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Our New Addition - Zoey the Puppy!
So, we have a new addition to our family. Zoey the puppy has joined our family. We went on my birthday and picked her up! She was my birthday/valentines gift and Jay's Valentines Gift.
I asked Jay if we could get a puppy and we decided to get one. We had always planned on getting on when we had a house and figured now would be a great time as I am home during the day to train her.
She is the cutest little thing ever! And has the most heart melting doe eyes. She was the only female in the litter of 6 and were actually lucky to get her as she was spoken for twice before we called and both people had backed out. Her mom is half Chihuahua and half Boston Terrier (a 10lb dog) and her dad was a pure bred Terrier (20lbs).
I asked Jay if we could get a puppy and we decided to get one. We had always planned on getting on when we had a house and figured now would be a great time as I am home during the day to train her.
She is the cutest little thing ever! And has the most heart melting doe eyes. She was the only female in the litter of 6 and were actually lucky to get her as she was spoken for twice before we called and both people had backed out. Her mom is half Chihuahua and half Boston Terrier (a 10lb dog) and her dad was a pure bred Terrier (20lbs).
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Housewarming!
First of all, I was bummed that some people were to far away to make it & wish they could have been there! A shout out to Sarah & Lucas in Whitby and Dawn & Ryan in Brazil!
Only about half the people we invited showed up, so there was 7 people (not including me & Jay). It was so fun! We gave everyone a tour and then had a potluck dinner together.
Then we all had drinks... The boys went downstairs to play ping pong and we never saw them except when they came up for more beer! LOL!
We also got some really nice housewarming gifts. Our friends Kayla & Dan got us a artsy bowl thing, Craig & Krista gave us a bottle of wine & a gift card for Home Sense and Roch & Julie got us blown glass votives with scented candles in them. And we've already hung our first gift from Sarah & Lucas in our dining room and it received lot's of comments. The burgundy votives match well with our Burgundy Paint. I wonder if that was done on purpose.... Hmmm... A couple of people asked if it was.
Only about half the people we invited showed up, so there was 7 people (not including me & Jay). It was so fun! We gave everyone a tour and then had a potluck dinner together.
Then we all had drinks... The boys went downstairs to play ping pong and we never saw them except when they came up for more beer! LOL!
We also got some really nice housewarming gifts. Our friends Kayla & Dan got us a artsy bowl thing, Craig & Krista gave us a bottle of wine & a gift card for Home Sense and Roch & Julie got us blown glass votives with scented candles in them. And we've already hung our first gift from Sarah & Lucas in our dining room and it received lot's of comments. The burgundy votives match well with our Burgundy Paint. I wonder if that was done on purpose.... Hmmm... A couple of people asked if it was.
Setting up House....
So, after returning from Christmas & putting that stuff away, we had less than 2 weeks to setup house before our Housewarming on Sat Jan 10th. Eeck!
Since Jay had to work and I had my last day of work on the 31st, most of it was up to me. I had no choice but to become superwoman! And just our luck, Jay kept getting stuck late at work & even had to go in for an 12+ hour day on the Saturday!
By the time we finished ( a couple hours before the housewarming started) I was so over the whole unpacking, organizing & deciding where to put stuff. I also can't remember the last time I was so burnt out!
But, we did end up getting some neat stuff setup during the process. We bought a ping pong table & rod hockey table to make the basement living room look more like a rec room as that is what its supposed to be.
We also got some digital art canvases for in the living room and a mat & boot trays by the door. Oh and I feel a little safer now that we have Carbon Monoxide detectors...
Since Jay had to work and I had my last day of work on the 31st, most of it was up to me. I had no choice but to become superwoman! And just our luck, Jay kept getting stuck late at work & even had to go in for an 12+ hour day on the Saturday!
By the time we finished ( a couple hours before the housewarming started) I was so over the whole unpacking, organizing & deciding where to put stuff. I also can't remember the last time I was so burnt out!
But, we did end up getting some neat stuff setup during the process. We bought a ping pong table & rod hockey table to make the basement living room look more like a rec room as that is what its supposed to be.
We also got some digital art canvases for in the living room and a mat & boot trays by the door. Oh and I feel a little safer now that we have Carbon Monoxide detectors...
Post New Years....
Well, our most recent New Year's ended up the same as our first New Year's together, just the 2 of us with Chinese food & movies.
We also got to go shopping for a bunch of house stuff. Yeah!
Since Jay didn't feel that our house was up to snuff for company, we asked Roch & Julie if they had backup plans and didn't mind not coming since our was was still a disaster... It turns out they had another invitation that they could accept...
We also got to go shopping for a bunch of house stuff. Yeah!
Since Jay didn't feel that our house was up to snuff for company, we asked Roch & Julie if they had backup plans and didn't mind not coming since our was was still a disaster... It turns out they had another invitation that they could accept...
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