My birthday is tomorrow!! Fifty one and I honestly, finally, can't feel the number. I just....am.
I think it's a good thing - isn't this where we want to be? At a point where we don't judge ourselves based on new pains, latent memory recall, dental decay, bifocal specs? Oh my god, I just channelled Popey and I'm being smug about it.

OK so having said that, the day before my birthday started early in the Markham-Stouffville Diagnostic Imaging centre. You know how it is, you take whatever appointment is available and Satruday was it. I had to fast the night before so I could have an ultrasound first thing. I was the first patient of the day and whipped through it. I was home so much earlier than I thought and had time for a paddle before going to Victor's in the afternoon. Love Victor. He's gradually taking the red out of my hair.
In the evening, Chrissy had invited a bunch of us over for a penthouse-warming. As Chrissy tells the story, she and Jeff had been talking about getting a place and decided to walk over to that building that sits on the west side of Port Credit harbour. Just a preliminary look around. There just happened to be an apartment available. In an aside, Jeff told Chrissy it would only be acceptable if it was on the top floor, facing the lake but they might as well check it out while they're there - just to see. The manager pushed the PH button and they were shown exactly what he'd described. The rent was surprisingly reasonable so they took it!

Anyway, before going over to the PH, I ordered sushi for dinner. I was just going to pick it up when Carrie called to see if I wanted a ride. Do I?? Chrissy had texted earlier that she was practicing her mixology and planning a variety of daquiris. I offered to bring a bottle of Chambord to pump up the flavour so I was sure to end the night in an alcohol & sugar-spun haze. I'd ordered way too much food and Carrie hardly ate any so we packed the rest of the sushi for carry-out and took it with us to the new and fabulous penthouse.
The view is INSANE! Just lake, lake, trees and sky. And moon and sunrise... absolutely stunning!

On Monday morning (holiday) I had a long-overdue coffee date with Laurie. We rode our bikes from my house along the trail to Oakville and went into the Second Cup at Lakeshore and Navy. We sat out front and enjoyed our caffeine on the shady side of the street. It's a great spot for people watching. We were sitting there for quite awhile when Zora walked by with her new little baby, Nadia, and her grandmother (who she'd just run into by accident). Lots of squealing and gurgling happened then...that would be Laurie and me, not the baby. What a cutie she is. Just gorgeous. So we hung out there for a little longer and then Zora had to get the baby home. She told me Rebecca's home for the summer so we made plans to get together for weekend brunch or something soon.

We checked out a few stores as we headed back east along Lakeshore, then hit the trail home. We decided to do more rides like that, discussing other potential routes. This one has been dubbed the Latte Trail.

Later in the afternoon we'd organized ourselves to bring MCC's new (old) OC-6 over from the Cawthra compound. I still had a bottle of champagne in the fridge - leftver from some other celebration - so while I was out running errands I picked up some plastic champagne glasses (oxymoron!). Adding a new racing discipline to the club seemed like a good reason for a mini-celebration!  Most of us met at MCC and, forgetting about the construction, spent the next 45 minutes getting from there to the park where the compound is.  The Loeks, including Jonathan, met us at the compound.

We took some time getting the boat out - it was in the back with two other sixes blocking it. There were inches to spare on either side but we were actually pretty quick on figuring the angles and had it out on the path on the dolly, ready to go.

Jon had gone back to the Dons and gotten Liz's single out. He met us at the Ridgetown. I had my camera in the boat so he took it out and got some good shots of us paddling. Chris had been at the club when we were leaving. We'd planned to meet up with him on the water but what with the traffic and prepping the boat and toasting ourselves etc...he'd gotten tired of waiting and did his own workout. We did eventually meet him over by Jack Darling so we got to do a few klicks together. It was good that he and Jonathan were there, the club doesn't have a dolly so the eight of us had to lift this six-man out and carry it up the hill.

The contractor was at my house all day Saturday and when he was leaving, advised me to get a vanity for the main bathroom and have it on Tuesday. Crazy! All week, the news had reports on how busy Home Depot and Ikea would be for the 2-4 long weekend - weather not good enough for going away so people were staying home and cleaning up their to-do lists.

Anyway, Sunday morning I was at Ikea bright and early. It was insane how many families were already there when I arrived shortly after 10. In the section for bathroom vanities I quickly realized they didn't have anything the right size. I'd already browsed the websites of the other big box reno stores and knew they didn't have anything either. Looked like I'd be heading to Restoration Hardware next week.

After Ikea, I drove up to Dad's nursing home. He was just having lunch and then Rose and Miriam got him into this super-supportive wheelchair. It was the first time in 4 years I'd seen him out of a hospital bed. I was pretty excited for him to be sitting upright and able to take a walk outside. Miriam, his caregiver is from the Philippines and has worked all over Asia. We chatted about the countries/cities we've both been to and spent a pleasant couple of hours while Dad watched the traffic, birds, airplanes etc.

Afterward, I drove down the DVP to Jackie & Blake's. I haven't seen them socially since New Years! Of course I see Blake at Sunnyside but this weekend he was off in L.A. or somewhere for db. Jackie & I took Mason and Syd to a park just off Bloor and dug holes in the sand and stuff. So great to just hang out. I tried not to be annoying about trying to convince Jax to move out our way. Although it would be great to have them living in PC, I completely see the appeal of living downtown.

I can't remember what I did Sunday night. Is that dumb?

It's been so long. How have you been? I guess I'm just having so much fun that I haven't had time to write.

On the long weekend, I had a packed agenda even though I should have been focusing on my home renovations. The preceding Tuesday I'd put a down payment on a new car and, in spite of the money-anxiety, was excited and hoping to get it in time for the long weekend. Didn't happen.

Friday night I had dinner with Andrea, Mckenna and Sydney. I had gotten Sydney a new dress and leggings for her first birthday. Andrea was all pumped about that because she loves leggings and Trevor had forbidden her from buying any more for the girls. He didn't understand her need to have a pair in every colour. She was feeling pretty smug that she'd scored some more, as though she had pulled a fast one on Trev. I also had a crayola gift for Mckenna - Tinkerbell 3D - so she and I sat colouring while Andrea gave Sydney her dinner. Then the rest of us had pizza and juice. Sydney speaks baby sign language - it's insane. The first time I saw Mckenna doing it I couldn't believe it. This little baby under a year old clearly communicating that her diaper needed to be changed or that she wanted more food. I can't help but think how much easier it would have been if Ryan had been able to communicate like that as a baby. Syd kept doing this motion that looked to me like jazz hands. Apparently it means bathtime. Andrea said splashing in the water is her favourite thing. Get that kid in a boat!

After we put the kids to bed, Andrea and I watched Sherlock Holmes but since we talked the whole time she's going to have to watch it again (I've already seen it).

Saturday morning I paddled and in the afternoon we hit the TFC game.

Wow. I went out at lunch and the first thing I see is a guy on a motorcycle doing a wheelie for about 300m across Burnamthorpe rd. Standing up straight. In retrospect, he may have had wheelie bars - it was that solid the entire time. And when he was done, he just dropped the front wheel and headed down the 427 N ramp.

Yesterday I went to Queensway VW and took a test drive in the car I want. Now, whenever I'm in my pathfinder, I'm thinking "If only I had that car, I would be happy. I'd have a smile on my face driving to and from work. Being stuck in construction traffic (like I was last night) would be like a walk in the park". I've actually convinced myself that this is true.

On that topic...my favourite Brit, Russell Brand, is doing a documentary about the pursuit of happiness. And he's doing this, of all places, in Los Angeles. He hopes to raise debate about the scale of consumer culture while promoting the re-use of products in a surplus society. He's hosting an exchange shop at the Beverly Centre where, for one day money will have no currency. Not sure whether he chose L.A. because it's the centre of consumerism in North America or because that's where he's living with gf Katy Perry.

I've seen several of Russell's documentaries and he's quite brilliant so I look forward to this and also to the release of his latest film, Get Him to the Greek.

Have you ever had a mosquito in your room or tent at night - buzzing around your head and keeping you awake? It's annoying, right? You try to ignore it but eventually have to get up, turn on a light and squash it or you'll never get any rest. Then the next morning you have to deal with the blood smear on the wall, your hand, lamp shade - wherever you terminated the little bugger.
On Monday night, I woke up just before 4 a.m.. I could hear a helicopter hovering somewhere close to my house. I started to drift back into sleep but after about 10 minutes realized that the helicopter wasn't leaving. It was clearly circling, hovering, then circling again. For more than two hours I'd start to drift off then be wide awake as it buzzed back into my concsiousness. Eventually I fell asleep and it was gone when my alarm went off. No idea what was going on.

What a great weekend. I had a birthday celebration to go to in Ottawa on May 13th. I had taken a couple of days off work and then I realized that national team trials were the same weekend. Might as well keep driving east, right?
Courtney P. wanted to go too so it worked out perfectly. She stayed at her aunt's somewhere in the burbs and I got a hotel room in Byward Market. I did the birthday thing and in the morning, picked Court up at her aunt's work. We were in Motnreal by noon Friday.

Carrie texted that she'd be out of committee meetings in time for dinner. Courtney and I were staying out in Longuieul. We jumped on the Metro and met Carrie near Peel St. We did a bit of shopping and then had dinner at an italian restaurant. Decent food, good wine list, a cute waiter - exactly what I expect from Montreal.

We headed back to our respective hotels around 9pm and crashed early.

Saturday morning and the weatherman was bang on - cold, rainy and miserable. The rain held off for most of the day but, after a few false starts, settled in to pour for most of the afternoon. we moved from shelter, to outside and back again. During one particularly bad downpour I went and sat in my car. I got to watch some people trying out the para-gliding dome that's at the Basin now.

The C2s were the last races of the day so we stayed to watch. Pretty much everyone we knew had gone home to get warm but it was worth it sticking around. 'Citing! It was close.

By the time we got back to the hotel, Tamlyn and Marta were texting us asking what we were doing for dinner. Ultimately, we decided to order in chinese food and watch movies. Best idea EVAR. We crashed early - we were both wiped out by from cheering and from the cold.
Sunday and the weatherman was 2 for 2. Sunny and warm. Pretty gusty though. I was really great being there and seeing how everyone's doing. Since I haven't competed at CCA since 2008, I've missed out on a lot of stuff. Seriously, I hardly know any of the younger paddlers but it's great to see how the women's canoers are doing. No more stroke-stroke-steeeer-stroke...they paddle like boys (hey, don't judge me).

I stayed to watch K.C. secure her spot on the tour in the A-final then jumped in the car for the long ride into the sunset. No literally. I drove straight into the sun for a solid 5 hours.

I got home to find that one of the guys working on my house had accidentally smashed the glass front of my oven. The contractor said he'll pay to fix it but the thing is pretty old - I'd be surprised if there's anyone who can repair it. I wasn't planning on replacing it so it's a bit of a pain but we'll get it sorted out somehow. I was excited to see the basement floor is finished and it looks pretty great considering it's a laminate. It looks like wood planks! I am so happy to have all this broadloom removed. I'd put up a photo but it's dark now and, since the electrician discovered that the basement is wired like chinese puzzle, some of the lights down there aren't working while he sorts everything out.

Who knows what we'll find when we return to Tarpon Springs next year. I'm not sure which emotion is stronger, sadness or fear. Don't let BP off the hook.

There's been a huge change in the weather. Cold and rainy. Is this going to be another one of those summers where it starts to rain thursday night and the sun doesn't come out until Monday at 6:00am?

On friday night, I had to finish picking my tile so met Mike at the tile store. After that I just headed home and curled up on the couch with a book.


Saturday was my mother's day instead of Sunday. First, I met Marisha at Starbucks to drop off 2 TFC tickets for Carmen and his friend Paul. I headed to the canoe club but took too long getting ready. I had an appointment at the bank for 10am so had to be off the water at 9:30. I didn't push off the dock until 9:04. The lake was messy - strong NW wind meets big swell from the SE. It would have taken too long to get out past the Ridgetown to do anything fun so I did a few runs in the harbour and went back in. Hardly worth rigging my boat, actually.
Ryan came over and since neither of us had eaten we went to Cora's for brunch. We ordered our food and sat chatting. After about 40 minutes I asked one of the bus people if they could check on our meal. She went and found our waitress who peeked at us around the corner made a face of shock and horror before disappearing. (about 15 minutes earlier she had dumped a large orange juice fully in the lap of a guy at the next table. She was having a bad day). Se returned in a few mintues and said she was really, really, REALLY sorry but our food was coming up soon! Really. I asked if she forgot to put in the order and she said yes. We decided to leave since we were on a pretty tight schedule and she followed us up to the front apologizing loudly all the way. It was really embarrassing. I told her she didn't need to apologize, we weren't angry, just hungry. Mistakes happen. Then the manager came out and he apologized all over the place. People were staring. It was so weird because we weren't making a fuss - they were. They gave us certificates for two free meals but the whole thing kind of made me not want to go back. I told Ryan this is why I prefer Helen's.
Anyway, by now it was 1:30 - as we drove past the box plaza at Southdown, I pointed out the all-day breakfast place by Candian Tire. We decided to give it a shot and we had eggs-bene and an omelete in front of us in under 5 minutes.

The weather wasn't getting any better but it wasn't raining (I told Ryan that was the deal-breaker for me) so we headed down to the TFC game on the GO. It started to rain the second we stepped off the train. Damn. The winds were 50-75km hour from the north so straight down the length of the stadium, straight into the net and our faces). TFC scored the first goal with an assist from the wind but they scored 3 more in the second half against the wind so it was worth sticking around!

We warmed up in the train tunnel until it was time to catch the train home. I was really wishing at least one of my bathrooms was functioning. Of all the days I could have used a hot bath...


On Sunday, I had to go back to the tile store early and finish choosing my tile. The plumber was coming over at noon to finish up the plumbing so that Mike can just come on monday, install the tiles etc. Richard was there from noon until 6:00pm. During one of his breaks we got talking about hobbies and stuff. He said that he played the accordian. I told him I had an accordian downstairs so he wanted to see it. It's actually my dad's accordian from when he was little - probably 8 years old. Richard played a couple quick songs - it was pretty awesome!


Since I had to hang around the house, I ended up cleaning the cupboards and shelves in the laundry room. Mike will be ripping those out later so I need to get them ready. I hated missing out on a sunny day and spending it in the dirt and dust but it's good to get that done.


Richard was hammering and cutting stuff upstairs and at one point I heard a crash. I didn't think anything of it but later when I went to the kitchen I realized it wasn't just construction noise. The vibration had shaken loose a light cover in the kitchen and it had smashed all over the floor. I didn't bother saying anything since all of my light fixtures are being replaced.

Adam says, "Don't be alarmed by the times, there is a current."

Because of the warm temps and renovation dust, I've been keeping the windows open at night. Last night I woke up at 4:23am with that feeling... You know the one, where you think a noise disturbed your sleep but you're not sure? Anyway, I lay there for a minute before...there! Definitely a noise but nothing I could define - something like the fabric of a polyester jacket rubbing against itself. It was definitely in the vicinity of my front yard though. I couldn't get to the front bedroom window to check it out because the new tub is blocking the doorway pending installation today (!!) so I went downstairs and peeked out the slit windows at the door. Ah crap, my zone food cooler bag was there so it was probably just the delivery guy dropping it off.
OK, I've been a little annoyed with the delivery guys lately because when I open the cooler, it's clear that it has been tossed around and maybe even thrown up onto the stairs from the driveway. I didn't just come up with that idea -  I actually saw them throwing the bags around in the van one time when they rerouted the delivery to my work. The past couple of weeks, I've found the bag crazy-leaning up against the wall a few times. My meals are kind of jumbled up in their containers which isn't a problem, just not appealing. 
Anyway, as I peered out from behind the little lace curtain like a nosey neighbour, I caught a movement on the stoop. ah, that explains it... the guy must have just dropped the bag off and was still standing there, maybe saw the hall light come on. Which would...mean I was nicely lit...from behind. crap.
I froze. They froze. I waited. Now there was another sound - like wicker creaking under weight. Were they actually sitting down in my basket chair? No, I checked the other window and there was no one in the chair. Okay, this standoff was ridiculous. I flipped on the porch light and opened the door. No one. No one but a red raccoon, madly rolling my zone bag around and trying to open the zipper. Damn! He was going insane!

I brought the bag inside and took everything out to store in the fridge. There was crab in there - I think that explains what had him so worked up.

Whirlpool!
This is one of the things that bugs me about renovations. They reduce us to being excited about things that...well, shouldn't be that exciting. But this makes me happy. They didn't have the plain-jane tub that I picked so the contractor got this one instead. Arm rests! Reclining back! Extra deep! Soothing jets of water! I'm kicking myself for not installing one when I first moved into the house. All of those 4 hour workouts on wintery Saturday mornings could have ended right there.

On my way home from work I picked up the shower heads I wanted. This contractor is so awesome! He spent the lunch hour in Home Depot sending me photos of tubs and fixtures after it turned out the ones I'd selected from the website were unavailable on-site.


It was super hot today (23!) and then, of course, we had a thunder storm. I had put in about 7 km on the water when it hit. Such a surprise because I was paddling south with nothing but blue sky and blue lake in my sightlines. All of a sudden the wind altered - there was still a stiff southerly but now it was also swirling around me. I turned to look at the flags on the pier and there was a giant black cloud crowding down from the north. My timing was pretty good though - I hit the dock on the first crack of thunder.

I was supposed to coach at 7:30 and kept checking the db cancellation line but they didn't cancel practices. It ended up being a bust anyway though. There weren't enough boats so my crew ended up having to take the old Cowan that Ian & Robert obligingly brought in from it's offshore mooring. We left the dock late, in the rain, did a half-assed workout with half a crew and had to come in early. There was some pretty spectacular lighting happening way out over the lake and one of the girls in the boat quietly kept insisting that she would "feel much better if we would just take her to the dock". She was seriously scared. And I wasn't ignoring her, we were just a km or so from the dock at the time. I told the rest of the crew that we were going to drop one person off but they decided we should just call it a night. Back on shore several people told me they were actually scared by the lightning but didn't want to speak up. Interesting that social fear can outweigh a primal fear.

I finally made a doctor's appointment for this annoying flutter in my upper right stomach region. It's been coming and going for about a year now but lately it's too frequent to ignore. Unfortunately my doctor is on vacation but they've booked me in to see his nurse-practitioner late next week.

And check out Kaylynne's blog for the "Disease of the Day - Diverticulitus". Not going to lie, I love her posts on favourite recipes and where to get the yummiest cupcakes but her adventures in clinical internship are equally entertaining!

Oh, and sometime on the weekend my blog passed the 25,000 visitors mark!

The renovations started on my house this morning. Yeah, I know I said never again but 2 of the bathrooms are pooched. The sinks are rusting and the enamel has flaked off, the toilet in the master bath runs constantly so I had to shut it off and I have to use vice grips to turn on the cold water in the main shower. I'm actually kind of excited for the changes.

Mike showed up at 7am and had started tearing out the master bath before I'd even left for work! I'm ripping out everything and putting in a shower instead of replacing the tub. I'll put a soaker tub in the main bathroom.

Tammy is a big help - no surprise! How many houses have she and Greg renovated? She's meeting me at the Tile Shoppe after work to help pick my tile. Mike sounded really relieved when I told him she was helping me.

She also told me about a great site for home reno ideas