TEN ON TUESDAY

Ten Things on My "To Do" list:

1. Update photo album
2. Dust the inside of the china cabinet.
3. Learn how to use my digital camera.
4. Get another shelf for the dvd's.
5. Switch the bedding to spring/summer coverings.
6. Start a new blog about weight loss.
7. Take some clothes to Goodwill.
8. Pack for the Briars.
9. Pick up Wine for the Briars.
10. Get into a regular exercise routine.

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MANIC MONDAY

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Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?
Very frustrating!

Do you have any unusual collections?
I'm not much of a collector, I have things I love...books that I love, music I love, photo albums full of pictures of the people I love.

What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?
Probably that I'm quite outspoken and little crazy (in a good way)

EARTH HOUR

This past Saturday, March 28th, for the second year in a row, Rob and I acknowledged Earth Hour by turning out the lights for an hour and not watching TV or using any electricity other then the appliances like the fridge that stay plugged in all the time.

We know doing this isn't going to save the planet, but we do it symbolically, like wearing a poppy on Remembrance Day.

We care about the Earth and all of her living creatures. Us humans haven't done a very good job in taking care of her, but we're hoping if we all work together we can make some positive changes.

Click here for more about Earth Hour.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY FINN!!

On Saturday, March 28th, our good friends Brian and Amanda invited us over to celebrate their son's, Finn, very first birthday which was the day before.


Opening the card we brought...it had a teddy bear on the front.


Rob and I in our party hats!


See the green thing he's holding while he waits for cake? It's a learning spoon we got him, he seemed to like it!!


The cake was delicious!! Finn didn't seem to think so though, he kept spitting his out, no sweet tooth for this little guy!

SUNDAY SUPPER - CRANBERRY CHICKEN BAKE

In my on going quest to eat healthier more often I decided to finally make a recipe out of a cook book I bought myself back in January when my nutritionist recommended it. The cook book is called, Simply Great Food.

Tonight I made Cranberry Chicken Bake. It was tasty, and quick and easy to make. I will make it again. Definitely a good way to use up roast turkey or chicken leftovers. Today I had picked up a deli roasted chicken, and used some of that.

*Preheat oven to 350°F
*8-inch (2L) square baking pan, lightly greased.

1 package (4oz/125g) stuffing mix
Vegetable cooking spray
1 onion chopped
3 eggs
1 ½ cups diced cooked chicken or turkey
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste.
1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce

1. Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions and spread on bottom on prepared pan.

2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Spray with vegetable cooking spray. Saute onion until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. In a large bowl, combine sauteed onion, eggs, chicken, ricotta, and salt and pepper. Spread over stuffing.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes or until egg mixture is firm and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. While still hot, stir cranberry sauce and spread over top. Serve hot of cold. Makes 6 servings.

JERSEY BOYS

This past Tuesday night Amanda and I went to see Jersey Boys. It has been playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts for a few months, and we wanted to see it, but hadn't bothered yet, but after getting the opportunity to get tickets for $30 each, we jumped at the chance.

Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I love that era of music, but was surprised at how many of the songs were theirs.

It was a great show! It was hard to sit still and not sing along. The story was very interesting as well, of how they came to be, the story of some of the songs, and why they parted ways.

Toronto based actor, Jeff Madden plays Frankie, and is amazing. The whole cast was great, be he did stand out.

I had such a good time and enjoyed it so much, I plan on going again before its run is done at the end of May. Rob's going to join me this time, and I won't even mind paying full price for a ticket,
it's worth it.

MISSING MY LITTLE BUDDY

If your lucky, at least once in your life a pet touches your heart in ways that are hard to find words for. That happened to me with Buster. I adopted her from the Toronto Humane Society on July 13th, 1991 and my life was forever changed.

She was the first pet that I was solely responsible for and I took that responsibility very seriously. She wasn't very friendly to others, but she loved me, and I her.

On March 25th, 2005 I had to let her go due to stomach cancer. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I held her to my chest when she took her final breath and felt her last heart beat. My mother asked me how could I do that? How could I not? I had been her whole life for 14 years and I wasn't going to let her last minutes be with strangers. She'd been there for me through hard times and heart break, I was going to be there for her during this.

My heart still aches for her loss, but I'm also very grateful for the 14 wonderful years she gave me and appreciate our special bond.

I cherish the memories I made with my little buddy, Buster.

MANIC MONDAY

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Do you screen your phone calls?
No, I keep saying I'm going to get call waiting, but haven't yet. I got an unlisted number and haven't had a telemarketer call me since I moved.

When was the last time you lost your temper?
Really lost it? I don't know, I don't remember, I lose my patience quite often but it passes quickly, not sure about my temper.


When you're lost, do you ask for directions?
Sure, if I need too.

CELEBRATION DINNER

Last night a few of my wonderful girlfriends and I went to "The Big Ragu" for dinner to celebrate my 20th anniversary of moving to Toronto.

The food, as always, was delicious, and the company even better. It's strange for me to think that I wouldn't know any of those girls sitting at the table with me if I hadn't of moved here. I tell people all the time what I wonderful circle of girlfriends I have and having them is one of the best things about living here.

Cheers to my girls!

Here's a link to my friend Teena's post about last night as well.

TRURO & TORONTO

In keeping with yesterdays theme of my 20th anniversary of living in Toronto, I compiled a couple lists; what I'm grateful to Toronto for, and what I miss about living in Nova Scotia.

FIVE THINGS I'M GRATEFUL TO TORONTO FOR:

1. Rob
2. My wonderful circle of girlfriends.
3. Having a job that suits me and my lifestyle. (been there 15 years this year!)
4. The opportunity to see all the bands I loved as a teenager and still listen too.
5. The night life and restaurants. There is always some great play or show to attend!

FIVE THINGS I REALLY MISS ABOUT NOVA SCOTIA:

1. My parents and family. ( I have no family in Toronto, and that can be hard sometimes)
2. The fresh seafood! (I eat seafood everyday when I'm down home)
3. The laid-back nature and friendliness of it's people.
4. Lighthouses, the ocean and salt air (yeah, I know that's 3, but they kinda go together)
5. Lupins, one of my favorite flowers that grow wild there. (pictured)

I'm not one of those Maritimers who bad mouths the city and can't wait to return to my maritime province. I love where I grew up, and I enjoy going home every year for a visit, but I am always happy to return to my life in Toronto. I have no plans to live in Nova Scotia again, so I guess I will always be a Maritimer living in Ontario. I guess I get the best of both worlds.

FAREWELL TO NOVA SCOTIA

I can hardly believe it was 20 years ago today I was boarding a train in small town Truro, Nova Scotia to come to the big city of Toronto. I was 19 years old, and had never been out of the Maritimes before.

Toronto was pretty overwhelming at first, but with the support of my older brother Jeff, who lived here at the time, better job opportunities and a much bigger metal music scene, I decided to stay.

Found this video on you tube last night, and it has so many pictures of places I've seen down home, I wanted to share it. Take a look at the beautiful province I'll always call home.

MY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Do you ever find that some of your best times are times that just happen? Yesterday was one of those times for me.

I had no plans for St. Patrick's Day, it being a Tuesday and all, and more because I'm not quite over this terrible cold I've had for a week now, but it's almost gone.

The weather was warm and sunny here yesterday, so Amanda decided to take Finn out for a good walk, and also decided to drop by my work to bring me a book.

That little pop in visit turned into a lovely couple hours at The Foxes Den Bar. We had green beer (and I don't even drink beer!), fish and chips, and coffee with Baileys with our desserts. Finn was a happy little guy, enjoying the green balloons (the waitress even tied one to his stroller) that were everywhere and the Celtic music.

I needed a little pick me up after being stuck in the house so much this past week with a cold, and yesterday put a little bounce back in my step.......or maybe that was the beer?

TEN ON TUESDAY

10 Songs I Hate.....Hate is a pretty strong word, so here's 10 songs I don't enjoy and would change the radio station if they came on.

1. You Were Always on My Mind - Willie Nelson
2. Rocky Mountain High - John Denver
3. Don't Worry Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
4. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
5. God Save The Queen - The Clash
6. Hit Me Baby, One More Time - Britney Spears
7. She Bangs - Ricky Martin
8. I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred
9. Barbie Girl - Aqua
10. Rock Me Amadeus - Falco

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MANIC MONDAY

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Are you a saver or spender?
I spend more then I save.

Do you prefer to walk around barefoot in your home? Socks? Shoes?
Flip flops! I wear them all year round, barefoot of course.

Do you talk to yourself?
All the time. I find myself very amusing.

IN SEARCH OF SPRING

Being a birder in southern Ontario, the acknowledgment of Spring isn't marked by a date on the calendar. I know spring has truly arrived when I see a red-winged blackbird.

We've heard there have been some sightings regarding their migration through Windsor and Toronto, so today, if my cold allows me too, we're going in search of spring.

What marks the return of spring for you?

TEN ON TUESDAY

I normally enjoy winter, and I have, but I've had enough, I'm ready for Spring!

Ten Things I Won't Miss About Winter:

1. Wearing my big bulky winter coat.
2. Frizzy hair.
3. Craving carbs.
4. Walking to work in the slush.
5. Dealing with dry skin.
6. Making sure I don't leave my gloves on the subway.
7. Wearing socks.
8. The dry air at work and home.
9. My winter boats.
10. Being too cold to spend much time outside.

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MANIC MONDAY

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What would you do with an extra hour each day?
Cooking or baking. I don't feel I have enough time in the kitchen, it's always a rush.


Do you wear a watch? If so, tell us about it. If not, how do you keep track of time?
Always, except in bed, I feel funny if I don't have it on.


If it was possible, would you want to know how many days you had left to live?
I think I would, there are some things I definitely want to do before I die, and knowing how long I had would help me get them done.

TTC...THE BETTER WAY???

Before I moved in with Rob I had a ten minute walk to work every morning. It was very convenient, no rushing in the mornings, I came home for lunch, no afternoon "rush hour" to deal with. I lived this life of luxury for over ten years, and became very use to it.

It took me about two weeks after moving in to get my morning routine straightened out. I take a 20-30 minute bus ride to the subway, and then it's about another 20-30 minutes to work. I can do it in less then an hour, and on a good day, I've done it in 35 minutes! I don't mind the commute to work. I've adjusted my work hours so I don't have to deal with "rush hours", and I enjoy the extra time to read. When the weather is good I even walk home from the subway for the added exercise.

This past Thursday was a little different. I experienced my first TTC subway shut down. I was running late and was on it during morning rush hour when we all got asked to leave the train due to switch problems. There was no service between Keele and St. George. They were going to put on extra buses.

Well, it was crazy busy on the street, the buses hadn't started yet, the crowd was pushy and people were fighting for taxi's. Not fun. I didn't know what to do, I still had a long way to go, but was to far from home to go back there. I even asked a couple people for rides downtown!

I started walking. It was like a parade, hundreds of people trekking across Bloor Street. With the slow traffic it was easy to notice that most of the cars going along, only had one person in them, the driver. I couldn't help but think, if this had of been happening in the Maritimes, I wouldn't of had to ask for a ride, it would of been offered, but that is for another posting another time.

After I'd been walking about a half hour, I started to notice packed taxi's and crammed full "special ttc buses" going by me. No thanks, I had my runners on, and the weather was good, so I kept walking.

I probably walked 3-4 miles to work that day, and it took me an hour and a half. I wouldn't want to do that on a regular basis, but at least I know I can.

TEN ON TUESDAY

Did you play?

This week....10 Ways I Can Make My Life Better

1. Eat healthier
2. Exercise regularly
3. Leave work at work
4. Limit stress
5. Call friends more instead of e-mail
6. More "date" nights with Rob
7. Stop being a couch potato after work
8. Try new things
9. Cook at home more, less eating out
10. Start baking weekly again

Thanks for the idea Teena!